Read on Twitter
I used data to find the next Patrick Vieira. A thread
The raw data is from Statsbomb's Invincibles pack
Also thanks to @52_break, the pass sonar used below is his work.
Also thanks to @52_break, the pass sonar used below is his work.
Firstly we need to look at the areas Vieira excelled in and his strengths as a player, so...
1. Dribbling
For somebody 6'4, Vieira was so elegant in the way he steamrolled through the lines to progress the ball further up the pitch. If we compare him to to modern day Premier League midfielders, he ranks very highly.
For somebody 6'4, Vieira was so elegant in the way he steamrolled through the lines to progress the ball further up the pitch. If we compare him to to modern day Premier League midfielders, he ranks very highly.
Vieira's success rate whilst taking players on was extremely high, putting him in the top bracket of midfielders with the ball at his feet, even to this day.
2. Passing
Along with dribbling, Vieira was also able to proficiently break lines with his passing throughout his career. In 03/04 he passed like *this*.
It's easy to see his willingness to constantly progress the ball when passing
Along with dribbling, Vieira was also able to proficiently break lines with his passing throughout his career. In 03/04 he passed like *this*.
It's easy to see his willingness to constantly progress the ball when passing
In an era where possession was more evenly spread, and teams pass selection during the build-up was on the riskier side. Vieira's accuracy also ranks decently amongst modern Premier League's midfielder's, especially considering how forward-thinking he was with his passing.
3. Creativity
Considering his huge role in the build-up and defensive phases of the game, Vieira's contribution to creating chances was great. Amongst today's PL midfielders, only a few create more xA than him, and they mostly play in more advanced positions.
Considering his huge role in the build-up and defensive phases of the game, Vieira's contribution to creating chances was great. Amongst today's PL midfielders, only a few create more xA than him, and they mostly play in more advanced positions.
4. Defending
Vieira hit a near-elite level with his ball-winning throughout his time at Arsenal, with his tackling being the strongest facet of his defensive game. Today, he'd be one of the, if not the best in the league in this aspect.
Vieira hit a near-elite level with his ball-winning throughout his time at Arsenal, with his tackling being the strongest facet of his defensive game. Today, he'd be one of the, if not the best in the league in this aspect.
His proficiency whilst intercepting the ball wasn't at the same level but still looks decent compared to most other midfielders.
From these stats, along with the eye test, we can get an idea of his profile as a player and create a filter to find similar players, ie:
- 0.75+ Interceptions p90
- 2.5+ Tackles p90
- 1.5+ Dribbles p90
- 8%+ Of total passes are progressive
- 0.07+ xA p90
- 45+ Carries p90
- 0.75+ Interceptions p90
- 2.5+ Tackles p90
- 1.5+ Dribbles p90
- 8%+ Of total passes are progressive
- 0.07+ xA p90
- 45+ Carries p90
From these filters I've picked the best performing U24 midfielders, with the hopes of finding similar players to the Frenchman
Honorable mention:
The dynamic and energetic John McGinn narrowly misses out of the shortlist. Only due to a coming short in his passing and defending ability.
The dynamic and energetic John McGinn narrowly misses out of the shortlist. Only due to a coming short in his passing and defending ability.
5. Rodrigo Bentancur 
Bentancur has a lot to offer and is constantly improving as a player. Allthough he's not as dynamic in his ball-carrying and lacks Vieira's world-class athleticism, he definitely shares some of the traits of the Frenchamn
Bentancur has a lot to offer and is constantly improving as a player. Allthough he's not as dynamic in his ball-carrying and lacks Vieira's world-class athleticism, he definitely shares some of the traits of the Frenchamn
4. Konrad Laimer 
Laimer definitely shares some of the intensity and ball-winning capacity of Vieira, and though he liklely isn't as good on the ball, he still brings valuable attributes to the table for his team
Laimer definitely shares some of the intensity and ball-winning capacity of Vieira, and though he liklely isn't as good on the ball, he still brings valuable attributes to the table for his team
3. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic 
Although he lacks compared to Vieira in the ball progression and defensive aspects of him game. Milinkovic-Savic's ability to drive with the ball and create definitely draws some parallels with him.
Although he lacks compared to Vieira in the ball progression and defensive aspects of him game. Milinkovic-Savic's ability to drive with the ball and create definitely draws some parallels with him.
2. Ibrahim Sangare 
He might be a bit raw, but the statistical similarity in Sangare's game compared to Vieira's is scary. The only difference is output, Vieira was good at running in from deep or playing the final pass, something Sangare might want to improve on.
He might be a bit raw, but the statistical similarity in Sangare's game compared to Vieira's is scary. The only difference is output, Vieira was good at running in from deep or playing the final pass, something Sangare might want to improve on.
1. Manuel Locatelli 
A player that I've written about before, Manuel Locatelli is probably the player who most resembles Vieira's complete skillset as a player, and at 22, he'll only get better.
A player that I've written about before, Manuel Locatelli is probably the player who most resembles Vieira's complete skillset as a player, and at 22, he'll only get better.
Overall:
Having a 2-way player that offer as much in all phases as Vieira is incredibly hard to find, match that with with elite athleticism and you've got such a rare profile. If these 5 can produce performances close to that of his, they'll be at the top for years to come.
Having a 2-way player that offer as much in all phases as Vieira is incredibly hard to find, match that with with elite athleticism and you've got such a rare profile. If these 5 can produce performances close to that of his, they'll be at the top for years to come.
Thanks for reading
