ONES TO WATCH: Under-23 Midfield Stars

Football stats will forever divide opinion among football fans. There are the purists that believe stat padding makes stats inadmissible and they're those who believe stats are a true reflection of a player's time on the pitch. Both sides are true to an extent. Stats without context can paint a pretty damning or amazing picture of a player. For instance, if a certain goalkeeper was making fewer saves despite facing fewer shots, he would be easily condemned. A deeper dive into the stats may show that he is facing much more difficult shots. 

That said, this piece on attack minded midfielders will take the stats and put them into context.

*Only stats of league performances are considered

*All stats are prior to the shutdown of football globally.

PLAYER PROFILES

Martin Odegaard: In Odegaard, Real Madrid have a supreme talent that looks set to wow the Bernebau. He might spend more of his time in the middle third but that does not stop his defence splitting passes. Excellent at getting the ball forward, by carrying, passing of if he needs to, dribbling. He also creates high quality shooting chances for his teammates pulling off extremely tricky passes. Odegaard is also adept at pressing opponents.

System: Odegaard might not be the mercurial player that you don't want doing any defensive work but any manger would want him to enough freedom on the pitch. He will do his fair share of defending while also serving as a primary creative hub.

Club: Real Madrid. Odegaard has been on Madrid’s books for a long time and with Modric fading out slowly, he would be the perfect replacement. His vision, control and skill are similar and without making a lazy comparison he can morph into a similar if not more decisive player.

  

Houssem Aouar: By the eye test, Aouar is grace itself on a football pitch. While he sits deeper than the rest here and it affects his stats, he still posts fascinating stats. His teammates trust his ability on the ball which is evident in the fact they try to pass it to him almost 60 times a game. In return, he completes dangerous dribbles and progresses the ball well.

System: With Aouar you get the sense he could be so much more under better managers. He would function best in a system beside a more defensive midfielder where he is allowed to hold onto the ball and pick out his passes with runners ahead or simply drive forward before laying it off. If indeed he's available for 50million this summer, a scramble for his signature would not be a surprise.

Club: If Lyon are willing to sell Aouar for 50 million euros, there should be a long line of suitors. Barcelona, Man City and Juventus would be ideal but his next move would need to be one where he is assured of game time. In the possession based systems of these teams Aouar would sit pretty in their midfield.

  

Mason Mount: Mount has been praised and criticized heavily by Chelsea fans this season. While some of this is fair criticism it stems from people being used to seeing a player with his skillset. Robust hardworking players aren't naturally attacking midfielders. Mount is levels above the rest in his hunger to press. He spends a lot of his time already in the final third so his ball progression figures naturally are lower. Though he should improve the creative side of his game and present teammates with better chances Mount is a solid player in his first year of top flight football.

System: If you have a system that involves pressing from the front Mount is your man. He will chase defenders all day. However his creative output is not the best for a no. 10. He'll be an ideal 8/10 hybrid in a system with a more creative player beside him and a more defensive one behind. 

Club: Right now Mount is best suited to remain at Chelsea. His development is best suited to working under Frank Lampard who not only plays a system that utilities his strengths but also has experience playing in a similar position and can improve certain areas of his game.

Lorenzo Pellegrini: Pellegrini is a playmaking genius. He creates chances almost at will always looking to pass the ball forward. He's at the centre of a lot of attacks for Roma, threading passes into teammate’s path. An intelligent presser, he presses when he believes the ball is winnable. If you create 3 shooting chances for your team every game you're doing something right. He's a master of through balls too forever trying to put the ball into the penalty area 

System: I read somewhere that Pellegrini has a 30million release clause and if that's the case EVERY club playing in the Champions League should sign him. His chance creating is something to marvel at. The team might have to flow through him primarily but he more than repays the faith. A good striker and wingers that cut inside or make runs into the box will suit him perfectly. He creates chances out of nothing and in a better team, no disrespect to Roma, he should pad his figures to scary heights.

Club: Pellegrini can play a starting role in a lot of clubs in Europe. However, if he is looking to get the best of his abilities Arsenal would be the most ideal, if they offload Ozil. While there is no proof for how he will adapt to infamous physicality of the Premier League, he has what it takes to bear the creative burden of the side while also putting in his shift in terms of defending from the front. 

James Maddison: While a lot of people have moved from the Maddison hype train to board the Grealish one, he is still an amazing playmaker. Moved backwards to an 8 rather than his initial 10, it actually hasn't pulled his stats down. He excels at passing forward and creating goal chances preferably with through balls. Under pressure his distribution is still impressive. He also creates shots from dribbling. However, Maddison's pressing is hugely underrated. He is effective and intelligent winning the ball when he puts pressure on opponents, picking his moments wisely. In terms of converting, Maddison can improve.

System: Brendan Rodgers has worked wonders for Maddison. As an 8/10 hybrid he thrives on his creative abilities. Leicester city suit him just fine with his blend off fine passing and set piece deliveries making him a threat. His ability to spot runs especially runs behind defences is key to his playing style. 

Club: Manchester City would be a dream move for Maddison. The way he has grown into the 8/10 hybrid role would suit the Cityzens especially with David Silva leaving. Pep would obviously refine his game but he has already shown impressive adaptability. 

Kai Havertz: The crown prince of Leverkusen, himself. Of all the stats, the fact that his teammates try to pass to him about 75 times per game jumps off the page. It shows they trust in his ability on the ball and rightly so. He progresses the ball so well, looking to move it forward. His dribbling can create shooting chances as well as his passing too. No surprise that in a Peter Bosz system he is one of the most effective pressers retrieving the ball. He’s also quite impressive with his conversion and if I had used post pandemic data things may have looked rosier. 

System: Kai’s biggest strength is his versatility. This season alone he has played as a right midfielder, striker and deeper central midfielder, none of which are his natural no. 10 position. His all round game means he can fit into any side giving the team a creative spark. His best qualities are progressing the ball, dribbling and creating goal scoring opportunities. Also strong in the air and at shooting, he can become a lethal finisher with the ability to give provide teammates with chances. 

Club: Havertz is probably top of any elite clubs wish list right now. His versatility, talent and the work ethic Peter Bosz has instilled make him perfect for Liverpool and Klopp. He can play the Firmino role as well as in the midfield three to bring creativity to the workmanlike trio currently in place.

Christopher Nkunku: Someone in a PSG boardroom sat down and could not believe the offer Leipzig came with for Nkunku. 13 million for an academy product? It was daylight robbery but not what PSG thought. Nkunku is the most efficient player in this study. 14 assists and 4 goals with only 870 touches of the ball. He dwarfs people in a lot of these stats despite having almost 200 less touches in most cases. On the ball, he supplies chance after chance, preferring to pass forward rather than carry or dribble. Off the ball, he pressures opponents into surrender.

System: Nkunku does not need a system to revolve around him individually. Leipzig is however a well-oiled machine with players occupying the right spaces and making the right movement. In an organized tactical set up where he picks the ball in the right areas and quickly creates chances. 

Club: For his development Nkunku is best served remaining at Leipzig, preferably under the tutelage of Nagelsmann. The tactical set up is working wonders and it would be in his interest to prove this season was not a fluke before seeking a move to bigger things.

Aleksandr Golovin: Golovin is the type of player that pushes his team forward with his passing. Under pressure, his passing remains sharp. Positionally, he spends more of his time deeper in the middle third. Golovin creates a steady supply of chances for his teammates and though he might not have lived to his post 2018 World Cup hype, he's still a brilliant footballer.

System: Golovin is a difficult player to discern. The fact that at Monaco he has not played under a steady system or manager may be a factor. However, he still can fit in tactical systems as a no. 8 that is expected to harass opponents and pass forward quickly for his strikers or wide players to score, cross or provide the final ball. 

Club: Golovin is a difficult case, he is a good player but the hype surrounding him after his World Cup performances has not helped. Remaining at Monaco to develop and improve his game is the most logical option for him.

Nicolo Zaniolo: Before anything else, let me say Zaniolo is an excellent player whose stats are affected by the fact he's been pushed out wide. No shame in that considering its Lorenzo Pellegrini that's occupying the midfield spot in Roma. Zaniolo's best attribute is his dribbling. He depends on it a lot of times using it to evade players but also a high portion of his dribbles lead to shooting chances. He's very hard-working and is always trying to win the ball back from the front. Zaniolo has played a lot of football over the past 2 years but his game still needs refining. He needs to learn to pick out more difficult passes while also converting his chances much better. 

System: Zaniolo while he performs more than admirably wide started off as a no. 10 and could do more than a good job there. He would press opponents, fighting to win the ball back but would also create chances by dribbling and putting balls into the box. He will fit into an attacking system where he is allowed to dribble and cut in on his stronger left foot. 

Club: Juventus have been linked with Zaniolo for a long time. He may fit the bill playing in behind the 2 strikers or on the wide right and provide a midfield pleading for a creative spark with just that. 

Amine Harit: Harit switches often between the flanks and no. 10 position, even during games. His passing is sharp, always looking to move the forward and dribble his way out of difficult situations. Harit does not press as hungrily as the other players but when he does he wins the ball quite often. In terms of shooting, Harit is a clinical finisher. He’s scored 5 non-penalty goals from an expected 2.4 which shows his finishing ability. 

System: Harit is a player that drifts wider when he sees the space. He dribbles often, trying to get out of difficult situations which results in him getting fouled often. A skilful player, he adds end product to his trickery. Harit also creates clear cut chances for teammates with his excellent passing. Harit, system-wise would thrive off the wing in a system where he cuts in on his right foot and performs layoffs with a striker.      

Club: Harit might not be ready for a top move but he should consider a move to clubs just a tier below. If Gladbach loose Thuram, Plea and/or Embolo. Harit can step in and fill those boots with relative ease. 

METRIC I

Measuring the xA and npxG of the materials helps give an idea of how they are expected to directly affect the scoreboard. It is a measure of the output.

Nkunku is miles ahead of the rest in these terms. 

His xA is scary to see the least and he is guaranteed almost to assist once into games and a goal in every three games. Pellegrini puts up impressive xA figures. Interestingly Aouar is expected to be more of a goal threat than assist giver. Mason Mount though he does provide reasonable goal threats should work on his chance creation considering he spends for more time in the final that down the other as we will see later. 

METRIC II

While there are no perfect players, especially at this age group, players can however still be incredibly effective. It is about actually converting these chances, difficult or simple, to score or assist. 

Nkunku once again dwarfs his counterparts. He is out performing his npxG+A at a relatively in normal rate. The fact he is expected to score or assist 0.78 times per 90 is already impressive but considering he actually does it at 0.99 instead is superb. Harit is also doing much better despite lower npxG+A. For this reason slowing down for these two is expected eventually. Golovin, Zaniolo and Maddison, in particular, need to improve the conversion rate. Who is Madison performing relatively well below his npxG+A.

METRIC III

'Forward thinking midfielders' was the initial keyword in selecting this group of players. Two major ways all moving the ball forward are by either caring or passing.

Odegaard is exceptional at moving the ball forward in both carrying and passing. Aouar and Harvetz also carry the ball well while Maddison and Pellegrini are good are forward passing. Zaniolo must however improve his progression of the ball.  

METRIC IV

Defending from the front is becoming more important in football pressing is a key aspect of most systems especially possession based systems played by elite clubs. 

Mount is unsurprisingly the most active presser in the study. His role in Frank Lampard's system is perfect for this ability. Zaniolo is also an active presser but his success rate is low. Nkunku is an intelligent and effective pressser with a high success rate for his active pressing. 

METRIC V

As a forward thinking midfielder or playmaker the destination of your passes is important. Passes into the final third and opposition box are the passes that are more than likely to create chances. 

Odegaard is a threat whenever he has the ball at his feet. He's excellent at passing into the final third and opposition box. Pellegrini also has this balance in his game. Mount plays fewer passes into the final third but this is simply because he spends most of his time already higher up the pitch. Zaniolo plays very few passes into the final third or penalty area. 

METRIC VI

Dribbling is probably the most exciting part of football. Quick feet, nutmegs, flicks and tricks to evade players and create chances. Completing dribbles however and also using them to effectively create shooting chances is the best way to measure the threat generated by dribbles.

Zaniolo is a dangerous dribbler completing a high number of dribbles with a fair share leading to shots. Mount and Pellegrini complete relatively fewer dribbles. Harit however while an impressive dribbler, would benefit from creating more shot taking chances from his dribbles. 

These are some of Europe's best midfield talents from an attacking point of view. Each of them has areas to develop to become elite and while they are all have time to progress and develop their games, it is certain already that certain systems will bring out the best in them. For a player based analysis check out the thread on Twitter