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When Benjamin Mendy arrived in 2017, he seemed fit to be a starter for years. However, with his form dipping due to injuries there’s some serious investment to be made at left back. In this THREAD I used data to find Manchester City a potential replacement for Benjamin Mendy.
FB’s are key to ball progression and and build up play. They’re regularly required to drift in field, both in deep and wide positions in order to stretch the opposition. They should posess the technical ability to progress the ball up the pitch with their passing or darting runs.
With city opting for inverted wingers lately it's also required that the LB is able to maintain width and overlap successfully, whilst also being defensively solid. For this reason we would focus on LB's that offer
1. creativity+attacking output 2. defensive solidity
1. creativity+attacking output 2. defensive solidity
Data on a large pool of LB's across Europe were collected and scatterplots were created putting relevant stat metrics against one another. Our criteria:-
-800+ minutes LAST SEASON (19/20).
-Ages b/w 19-28, which should provide us with a good mix of both youth and experience.
-800+ minutes LAST SEASON (19/20).
-Ages b/w 19-28, which should provide us with a good mix of both youth and experience.
Fullbacks are often key to ball progression for their sides. First our sample measures two metrics which assess the ability to make progressions down the field either with a pass or a run. Players dotted BLUE fit our criteria. PS- all stats are on a per 90 basis.
The next metric measures a player's involvement in and around the final third (4 metrics - deep completions, forward passess and passes to the penalty area were considered). This would ideally highlight players' ability to affect the final 3rd within 20m of the goal.
Advanced metrics like Total progressive actions (the sum of both progressive runs and passes) was also used. Note - to further explore attacking potential, xA was used. Larger the dot, high the xA. Similairly, higher the forward passing accuracy %, deeper the colour of the dot.
LB’s must also be effective in and around the penalty area, underscored by 2 important metrics -Deep completions and touches in the box. Deep completions are the sum of all attacking actions completed in the final 3rd.
-Effectiveness of chance creation would filtered again by xA
-Effectiveness of chance creation would filtered again by xA
Creating crucial goal scoring opportunities also comes down to how good the player is at crossing the ball. City rely substantially on crossers, a department Mendy largely excelled in making it ever so important for this City side lacking teeth going forward.
I explored crossing by further emphasising on deep-completed crosses(crosses in the range of 20m from the goal), crossing accuracy% and key passes completed, both highlighting the offensive output of a LB primarily inside the penalty box.
To measure a LB's creativity I created a metric called "Chance creation contribution" which takes into account 2nd assists, 3rd assists, smart passes and key passes completed. Players in BLUE are elite in this category, indicating extensive involvement in attacking play.
After thorough filtering a shortlist of 9 players was created. These would now be further filtered to show those that show high DEFENSIVE numbers keeping in mind that we require LB to be solid in defensive duels and defensive contribution at the back.
5 players can be seen to stand out - Pervis Estupinan of Osasuna, Nicolas Tagliafico of Ajax, Luca Pellegrini of Genoa, Bukayo Saka of Arsenal and Kamara of OGC Nice. Maouassa shows brilliant numbers as well.
The attacking nature of our final shortlist of 4 players was further filtered. While it was an extremely close call, we have arrived at a sensible list of players that would be ready to take up the helm of the left back at Manchester City from Benjamin Mendy.
The list contains a mix of both young talents - Bukayo Saka, Pervis Estupinan and Luca Pellegrini as well as experienced players operating at a higher level over several years - Nicolas Tagliafico and Kamara. Now to compile a FINAL SHORTLIST of players:-
Luca PellegriniThe 21-year old playing for Genoa on loan from Juve is highly rated in the Serie A back from a brilliant campaign at Cagliari, racking up 6 assissts. The Italian topped several metrics showing great numbers in both progressive actions and defensive output.
Nicolas TagliaficoThe Argentine was heavily linked to City in the final weeks of the transfer window and has been suited by top clubs over many years. The 28 year old, arguably among the best LB’s in Europe, his attacking output of 7 G+A last season from LB is outstanding.
Pervis EstupinanThe 22-year old’s well roundedness in his attacking and defensive output is top notch. His 19/20 stats:
-1st and 4th for interceptions and tackles (44) and (87).
-7th in players dribbled past (68)
-2nd in crosses averaging 5 per game (140)
-5th in prog actions
Honorable mention- Bukayo Saka
The 19/20 YPOTY is extremely versatile and comfortable operating as LB, CM, F9 and as a winger. Seeing as Guardiola loves young technically astute players, it goes without saying that Saka is a notable mention as well.
The 19/20 YPOTY is extremely versatile and comfortable operating as LB, CM, F9 and as a winger. Seeing as Guardiola loves young technically astute players, it goes without saying that Saka is a notable mention as well.
END of thread. Likes and RT’s appreciated 
. All data from wyscout and Statsbomb via Fbref. Shoutout to @drivelinebases for the player radar program
. All data from wyscout and Statsbomb via Fbref. Shoutout to @drivelinebases for the player radar program
