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Let’s look at the best young centre-backs in the top 5 leagues in Europe. The centre-backs must have been 24 or younger at the start of the 2019-20 season and must have played at least 900 minutes.
Stats courtesy of @fbref. (THREAD)
Stats courtesy of @fbref. (THREAD)
Before starting, I must emphasize that there is more to defending than numbers. Centre-backs, more so than other positions, are extremely hard to define using just numbers.
This thread should act as nothing but merely a guide to the styles of different centre-backs.
This thread should act as nothing but merely a guide to the styles of different centre-backs.
Let’s first look at aerial ability. Wesley Fofana and Kourtney Hause are the stand-out picks.
Keep an eye on Milenkovic. The fact he plays in a league where aerial duels aren’t common means his numbers aren’t great but his frame and efficiency are promising.
Keep an eye on Milenkovic. The fact he plays in a league where aerial duels aren’t common means his numbers aren’t great but his frame and efficiency are promising.
Regardless of how much the game evolves, you can’t ignore a defender’s ability to defend the box. There are different ways to do it but the easiest (albeit imperfect) way to measure it statistically is in terms of clearances and blocked shots.
It is crucial to have centre backs who are competent in defending one on one scenarios, particularly for defending counter-attacks.
There are two methods – either by being proactive or by trying to shepherd the dribbler out of play. Both are clear to see in numbers.
There are two methods – either by being proactive or by trying to shepherd the dribbler out of play. Both are clear to see in numbers.
It helps to have defenders who are quick across the ground too, although it is not necessary that they need to be active. Having an centre-back who can efficiently win loose-balls and intercept is always a bonus.
Just a quick note on the above graph: being active does not always mean being good. For every Ramos, there is a Mustafi. Numbers give a decent idea as to how players defend, but nothing can replace watching them.
With the game moving towards ball-playing defenders, it is important centre-backs can progress the ball well.
There are plenty of young defenders good at moving the ball forward, but none as good as Upamecano or Diallo.
There are plenty of young defenders good at moving the ball forward, but none as good as Upamecano or Diallo.
Long passing (passes over 25 yards) is an effective tool to have as well. Ball-playing does not always have to mean short forward passes. Sometimes, a well judged long pass can unsettle the opponents like very few moves can. Tapsoba is incredible at this.
The thread should hopefully give you an idea about the profiles of young centre-backs. It is slightly tricky to make conclusions about ability (you need watch the defenders) though. Numbers should tell you what type of defenders there are, if not how good.
Personally, I am a big fan of Jules Kounde and Edmond Tapsoba among young centre-backs. Wesley Fofana, Nikola Milenkovic and Benoit Badiashile are defenders worth tracking over the next few seasons. A lot of potential.
Coming to Chelsea, it is easy to see that our centre-backs have different traits and strengths. Zouma is perhaps the most well-rounded, something that is reflected both in stats and on the eye test.
Ake is a good centre-back but his profile is clearly not what we need.
Ake is a good centre-back but his profile is clearly not what we need.
If you’ve come this far, thank you so much for reading.
Please RT and follow too. Thanks once again for reading.
Please RT and follow too. Thanks once again for reading.
