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To recommend midfielders to replace the Serbian, we need to first establish what makes a good midfielder in that role.
Matic plays in a double pivot at United so defensive numbers have to be looked at, which for the most part aren’t contextual and are difficult to interpret.
Matic plays in a double pivot at United so defensive numbers have to be looked at, which for the most part aren’t contextual and are difficult to interpret.
One of the best players in a double pivot this year has been Thiago at Bayern. We are looking at his stats from BuLi and here are some of his passing numbers:
- 9.4 passes into final 1/3
- 90% pass completion
- 2.85 OP shot creating actions
- 445m progressed by passing per game
- 9.4 passes into final 1/3
- 90% pass completion
- 2.85 OP shot creating actions
- 445m progressed by passing per game
Only top midfielders can get to values close to that but it can help us create a filter to find the top U24 midfielders in this category (>700 min):
- 5.5 passes into final 1/3
- 80% pass completion
- 200m progressed by passing per game
- 5.5 passes into final 1/3
- 80% pass completion
- 200m progressed by passing per game
Having filtered for U24 midfielders based on the criteria we set, 18 players are found in the top 5 leagues. Some well-known players there including:
- Rodri
- Fabian Ruiz
- Frankie de Jong
Marc Roca of Espanyol narrowly misses out.
- Rodri
- Fabian Ruiz
- Frankie de Jong
Marc Roca of Espanyol narrowly misses out.
To play in a double pivot, you also need to be great defensively. Thiago has decent numbers despite his smaller frame with:
- 5.13 successful pressures
- 35% of dribblers tackled
- 5.13 successful pressures
- 35% of dribblers tackled
Note: Thiago has superb pAdj tackles and interceptions but that data was only available for individual players. Tackles and interceptions numbers shouldn’t be used on their own as they aren’t a good measure of defensive quality.
Taking this into account, the filter can be higher than Thiago’s stats, so the filter we are going to use:
- 5 successful pressures
- 30% of dribblers tackled
Once that is done, we can use the individual pAdj data to filter out even more players.
- 5 successful pressures
- 30% of dribblers tackled
Once that is done, we can use the individual pAdj data to filter out even more players.
If we look at the previous players and apply this filter, it narrows the field down to 7 players that include:
- Ismael Bennacer
- Boubakary Soumaré
- Fabian Ruiz
Matteo Guendouzi and Nicolo Barella are just some of the names that missed out
- Ismael Bennacer
- Boubakary Soumaré
- Fabian Ruiz
Matteo Guendouzi and Nicolo Barella are just some of the names that missed out
With Pogba being a terrific offensive threat, it would be ideal to have a partner alongside him that is more capable defensively. Thanks to @FootballSlices, we can use pAdj data to compare the 7 players and narrow it down to a shortlist of 4.
The 4 players in this shortlist are:
- Ismael Bennacer
- Amadou Diawara
- Manuel Locatelli
- Rodrigo Bentancur
Players who missed out are Boubakary Soumaré, Harry Winks and Fabian Ruiz
- Ismael Bennacer
- Amadou Diawara
- Manuel Locatelli
- Rodrigo Bentancur
Players who missed out are Boubakary Soumaré, Harry Winks and Fabian Ruiz
RANKINGS:
Honorable mention: Boubakary Soumaré 
Soumare progresses the ball very well and is a good dribbler. His height is certainly an advantage in his style of play but his defensive contribution is average. At 21, there is still huge potential there though.
Soumare progresses the ball very well and is a good dribbler. His height is certainly an advantage in his style of play but his defensive contribution is average. At 21, there is still huge potential there though.
Honorable mention: Manuel Locatelli 
The former Milan midfielder ranks extremely high in tackles won and is a superb creator. However, his style of play will not mesh well with Pogba given that they are very similar players.
The former Milan midfielder ranks extremely high in tackles won and is a superb creator. However, his style of play will not mesh well with Pogba given that they are very similar players.
3rd place: Rodrigo Bentancur 
The Argentine is probably the most complete player in the final shortlist. He has a superb passing range and reads the game very well. The issue is whether he can fit alongside Pogba since, like Locatelli, they share a lot of similarities.
The Argentine is probably the most complete player in the final shortlist. He has a superb passing range and reads the game very well. The issue is whether he can fit alongside Pogba since, like Locatelli, they share a lot of similarities.
2nd place: Amadou Diawara 
The hype has died down around the 22-year-old but his numbers at Roma are fantastic. He has great contributions on both sides of the pitch and is already comfortable in playing in a double pivot. However, his injury record could become a problem.
The hype has died down around the 22-year-old but his numbers at Roma are fantastic. He has great contributions on both sides of the pitch and is already comfortable in playing in a double pivot. However, his injury record could become a problem.
1st place: Ismael Bennacer 
Bennacer ranks extremely highly on every category with elite defensive, progressive and dribbling numbers. The Algerian is very comfortable playing in DM and as a left-footer, it can open up more angles for United as well.
Bennacer ranks extremely highly on every category with elite defensive, progressive and dribbling numbers. The Algerian is very comfortable playing in DM and as a left-footer, it can open up more angles for United as well.
Thanks for reading. RT’s, likes and feedback much appreciated.
