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With Braga's Paulinho seemingly on the edge of making the move from Portugal to Wolverhampton, I think this calls for a little bit of a metrics analysis via @smarterscout.
A quick thread
A quick thread
Paulinho played over 3700 minutes of football last season for Braga through several competitions including Liga NOS, UEL, and Domestic Cups.
However, it's fairly obvious via metrics to notice that Paulinho is below average Premier League level.
However, it's fairly obvious via metrics to notice that Paulinho is below average Premier League level.
Using his playstyle, along with the metrics provided, we can compare Paulinho to some of the strikers that have graced the Premier League.
We can see here he compares to Zlatan's 2016/17 season with United, and Marko Arnautovic's last season with West Ham in 2018/19.
We can see here he compares to Zlatan's 2016/17 season with United, and Marko Arnautovic's last season with West Ham in 2018/19.
Something to consider is that Paulinho is most likely not being signed as a replacement for Raúl Jiménez.
This is definitely a striker who can come off the bench, or play in cup games to allow more rotation for Nuno. Squad depth is something he has mentioned he wants more of.
This is definitely a striker who can come off the bench, or play in cup games to allow more rotation for Nuno. Squad depth is something he has mentioned he wants more of.
As we can see by his play-style and duel ratings, he likes to receive the ball in the box and shoot quickly, or play quick passes to link-up with his teammates in the final third.
We can also see that his duel stats are mostly above average for Premier League standard.
We can also see that his duel stats are mostly above average for Premier League standard.
Paulinho might be a low performer via metrics for the Premier League, but it's also worth considering the impact Nuno can have on a player.
For a forward, 34 goal contributions in 45 games is a great season. At Benfica, Raúl had only 13 GA in 33 games (mostly from the bench.)
For a forward, 34 goal contributions in 45 games is a great season. At Benfica, Raúl had only 13 GA in 33 games (mostly from the bench.)
Although on the surface, Paulinho may look like a poor signing for €25m, the squad depth is needed for Wolves.
I'd like to expect Wolves to continue to push in the market for a fullback, a left-sided centre-half, and another midfielder to REALLY add to the talented squad.
I'd like to expect Wolves to continue to push in the market for a fullback, a left-sided centre-half, and another midfielder to REALLY add to the talented squad.
