Who looks a massive waste of £40m? Who is the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League? Who is creating a whole lot of chances to no avail? Here are your Premier League stats leaders. The numbers are totals after eight games.
Shots on target – Teemu Pukki (15 out of 24)
Tammy Abraham matches him for shots on target, but he has taken 26 shots to Pukki’s 24 so we will give the nod to the Finn who has failed to score in his last three Premier League games so is unlikely to feature on any of these lists ever again.
Shots off target – Sergio Aguero (13 of 30)
It’s hardly a surprise that the man who has taken the most shots (30) has missed the target more often than anybody else too. He does have the highest xG in the Premier League.
Shots without a goal – Gerard Deulofeu (19)
This may go some way to explaining the major problem with Watford.
Total tackles – Wilfred Ndidi (35 of 49)
Ndidi is the best DM in the world
— Imoh (@ImohUmoren) September 29, 2019
Dribbled past – Emiliano Buendia (23 of 39)
Also on the podium of shame are Sheffield United’s John Lundstram and Arsenal’s Dani Ceballos.
Most interceptions – Wilfred Ndidi (26)
Ndidi is the best DM in the world
— Imoh (@ImohUmoren) September 29, 2019
Philip Billing is also up there after a fine start to the season at Bournemouth.
Most fouls – Luka Milivojevic (19)
It’s only the penalty-tw***ing Palace midfielder who is keeping Grant Xhaka off the top spot.
Most fouled – Jack Grealish (32)
Jack Grealish has just drawn a foul and a yellow card from Granit Xhaka. Find me a sentence in the English language that makes more sense than that
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) September 22, 2019
Most clearances – Steve Cook (61)
For all the talk of Bournemouth playing some slick football, their English centre-half who joined the Cherries in League One can still boot the ball long and high.
Most saves – Bernd Leno (34)
Busiest man in Premier League football?
Successful dribbles – Wilfried Zaha (38 of 55)
One assist and no goals this season but Zaha is still beating players as Crystal Palace confound everybody with their form.
I heard a rumour Zaha isn’t happy at Palace. They said he didn’t love the club. Some even said he wouldn’t train or play.
But this is Wilfried Zaha we’re talking about. He IS Crystal Palace FC. pic.twitter.com/Gja0KEPV8K
— Cal 🦅🙏🏼 (@CPFC_Cal) October 5, 2019
Unsuccessful dribbles – Joshua King (20 of 44)
A harsh inclusion, perhaps, as King has simply attempted more dribbles than anybody else in the Premier League bar Zaha.
Unsuccessful touches – Joelinton (39)
Apparently this is what you get for £40million these days. Quite how long he can continue to start for Newcastle (and get dragged off after an hour) is now the question. What a disappointment.
Dispossessed –Wilfried Zaha (38)
You have to take the rough with the smooth when you are that tricky.
Aerial duels won – Sebastien Haller (50 out of 101)
Lukasz Fabianski is clearly taking no chances by kicking short.
Aerial duels lost – Joelinton (63 out of 102)
Y’knaa how Joelinton cost us £40m….and I understand that everyone has been shit this season. But, has anyone even seen a flash of why we paid FORTY MIILLION ENGLISH POUNDS?
— LeLouvre (@LeLouvre) September 29, 2019
Most passes – Andrew Robertson (598)
That left-back Robertson is ahead of a whole raft of centre-halves and central midfielders who traditionally dominate this category tells you a great deal about Liverpool’s use of full-backs.
Key passes – Kevin De Bruyne (29)
The Premier League player of the season so far is just ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold (28), another ridiculously good Liverpool full-back.
Key passes from crosses – Ashley Young (13)
All those chances created and not one assist for Manchester United this season.
