Positive stat leaders – (nearly) one per Premier League club
We’ve trawled WhoScored and FBRef for positive stats for a player of every Premier League club, and failed – no Leeds or West Ham in this list. But 18 out of 20 ain’t bad. All stats are per 90 minutes unless otherwise stated.
Arsenal: Emile Smith Rowe – goals minus expected goals (+4.4)
He’s scored eight goals with a combined xG of 3.6 but has started one Premier League game since the start of December. Bit odd, that.
Aston Villa: Kortney Hause – set-piece goals (0.2)
Yes, he’s scored one goal from a set-piece. Aston Villa players are very much a middling bunch in terms of stats this season.
Brentford: Christian Norgaard – loose balls recovered (13.5)
He’s a busy little bee is Norgaard, and takes SECOND BALLS more seriously than anyone.
Brighton: Alexis Mac Allister – pressure successes (9.86)
There are two other Brighton players in the top ten and four in the top ten for successes in the final third. Potter-ball, ladies and gentlemen.
Burnley: Charlie Taylor – blocks (3.88)
A bit of a classic stat for Burnley, who lead the way as a team on 19.8 blocks per game.
Chelsea: Andreas Christensen – interceptions (3.87)
A very fine centre-back that Chelsea could lose at the end of the season if they don’t pull their finger out.
Crystal Palace: Wilfried Zaha – fouled (3.0)
Dribbles a lot, gets fouled a lot. Rarely not somewhere near the top of this particular metric.
Everton: Richarlison – goals per shot on target (0.80)
Not really a positive stat given 16 of his 21 shots have been off target, but then positives are few and far between at Goodison Park.
Leeds: n/a
Leicester: Wilfred Ndidi – tackles (4.38)
Here he is. No surprise.
Liverpool: Trent Alexander-Arnold – key passes (2.9)
Here he is. No surprise.
Manchester City: Kevin De Bruyne – shot-creating actions (5.66)
Here he is. No surprise.
Manchester United: Paul Pogba – goal-creating actions (1.14)
Seven assists in the first four games of the season. It’s easy (often calming) to forget about Pogba for a while. Exciting to see whether Ralf Rangnick can get a tune out of him.
Newcastle: Chris Wood – aerial duels won (7.65)
An incredible total of 28 in two games for Newcastle has strengthened the impressive lead he forged at Burnley.
Norwich: Grant Hanley – pressure success percentage (41%)
I, too, would cede possession if Grant Hanley was coming towards me.
Southampton: James Ward Prowse – average distance in yards from goal per shot (28.1)
Just a lovely stat. 28 yards is a long way out…
James Ward-Prowse everybody.
Ridiculous. 👏🚀pic.twitter.com/CZ2K7rtXGd
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) January 16, 2022
Tottenham: Sergio Reguilon – completed crosses into 18-yard box (1.13)
The Spaniard completed 0.64 crosses per game last season. Antonio Conte loves those wing-backs.
Watford: Emmanuel Dennis – total nutmegs (13)
Eight goals and five assists but total nutmegs is the real quiz.
West Ham: n/a
Wolves: Jose Sa – save percentage (85.8%)
Rui Patricio had a save percentage of 68.6% last season. Sa is a huge upgrade for an excellent Wolves.
