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With the injury of Jonny at LWB for Wolves last night, it means it's time for youngster Ruben Vinagre to step up to the plate.
He's had a handful of games over the past years to impress, but just how good are his metrics?
A LONG STAT thread for your enjoyment
#wwfc
He's had a handful of games over the past years to impress, but just how good are his metrics?
A LONG STAT thread for your enjoyment
#wwfc
First of all, we have to acknowledge that this man has just turned 21 years of age. We can use his numbers to compare against other young fullbacks in the league.
I've selected three others. Reece James, Brandon Williams, and Max Aarons.
I've selected three others. Reece James, Brandon Williams, and Max Aarons.
Ruben has had a lot more time playing in the Europa League, as he is a last min sub off the bench in the PL.
However, he did raise a few eyebrows when he started against Liverpool(A). Trent could not defend against him.
Infact, he was our best player that night. [ @WhoScored]
![Ruben has had a lot more time playing in the Europa League, as he is a last min sub off the bench in the PL.However, he did raise a few eyebrows when he started against Liverpool(A). Trent could not defend against him. Infact, he was our best player that night. [ @WhoScored]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ee0BlTCXsAUfrLc.png "Ruben has had a lot more time playing in the Europa League, as he is a last min sub off the bench in the PL.However, he did raise a few eyebrows when he started against Liverpool(A). Trent could not defend against him. Infact, he was our best player that night. [ @WhoScored]")
However, he did raise a few eyebrows when he started against Liverpool(A). Trent could not defend against him.
Infact, he was our best player that night. [ @WhoScored]
Infact, Jurgen Klopp was so impressed with his performance, it restarted the Vinagre to Liverpool links, which first appeared in April 2019.
He apparently saw Ruben as a future prospect to replace Andy Robertson. That's high praise from a coach who certainly knows talent.
He apparently saw Ruben as a future prospect to replace Andy Robertson. That's high praise from a coach who certainly knows talent.
But let's focus on Metrics. This is probably quite confusing to someone who isn't stats-obsessed like me, so I'll break it down in a couple of posts.
What you're seeing is these fullbacks compared in terms of minutes, attacking output, defending quantity/quality and retention.
What you're seeing is these fullbacks compared in terms of minutes, attacking output, defending quantity/quality and retention.
The star shaped graph indicates how a player essentially plays. The higher the number, the more likely they are to do this in a match.
The last column represents the metric for how good they are at ground/air duels in comparison to the benchmark for the Premier League.
The last column represents the metric for how good they are at ground/air duels in comparison to the benchmark for the Premier League.
So, what can we take from these numbers?
Let's rank them based on averages from their metrics in terms of how good an all-round fullback should be.
4) Max Aarons (28.57)
3) Brandon Williams (47.7)
2) Ruben Vinagre (52.3)
1) Reece James (61)
Let's rank them based on averages from their metrics in terms of how good an all-round fullback should be.
4) Max Aarons (28.57)
3) Brandon Williams (47.7)
2) Ruben Vinagre (52.3)
1) Reece James (61)
This of course, doesn't take into account the factors that would apply like playing in a big team with great players.
It's easier to defend if you have a high-class player next to you, instead of say Max Aarons having to deal with Timm Klose. (No offence to him, of course.)
It's easier to defend if you have a high-class player next to you, instead of say Max Aarons having to deal with Timm Klose. (No offence to him, of course.)
What have we learnt? Reece James is a quality prospect, no doubt, but so is Ruben Vinagre.
His metrics show here that his defending quality (81/99) is better than all three of those other fullbacks. His high dribbling talent and vision allow him to make intelligent forward runs.
His metrics show here that his defending quality (81/99) is better than all three of those other fullbacks. His high dribbling talent and vision allow him to make intelligent forward runs.
It's also worth nothing that although we are used to seeing Ruben Vinagre go forward, he has a lot to improve upon his final product.
An attacking output of 52/99 is the worst of the fullbacks shown in comparison, and perhaps needs to work on delivering a killer ball.
An attacking output of 52/99 is the worst of the fullbacks shown in comparison, and perhaps needs to work on delivering a killer ball.
Ruben loves a big game, though. In one of his rare interviews with A Bola, he said that he loves playing in them. His favourite matches?
The Euro U19 Final against Italy for Portugal, and the game against Man City for Wolves.
"I like the pressure," he said.
The Euro U19 Final against Italy for Portugal, and the game against Man City for Wolves.
"I like the pressure," he said.
Ruben Vinagre will get his chance to impress on Tuesday night against one of the best and biggest teams in European football, Sevilla.
If he makes his mark in this Europa League run for Wolves, does this unearthed Monaco starlet deserve more opportunity in the first team?
If he makes his mark in this Europa League run for Wolves, does this unearthed Monaco starlet deserve more opportunity in the first team?
