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Not sure entirely where this is going but I've run some stats on the CBs this year. Not very scientific and @ChicagoDmitry will no doubt tell me off because I'm as amateur as can be when it comes to this stuff.
Basically collated all the different partnerships across all competitions and taking no account of strength of opponent, just calculated points percentage and goals conceded per game. Raw stats, not much nuance.
Ready for the results?
Ready for the results?
13 different combinations at centre back this season, that's both in a back two and a back three.
(That's the first concerning stat to be honest, very difficult to build up partnerships but back 3 necessitate a bit more rotation so there is that).
(That's the first concerning stat to be honest, very difficult to build up partnerships but back 3 necessitate a bit more rotation so there is that).
The best partnership statistically?
Kurt Zouma and Antonio Rudiger. Played 7 games as a two, won 76% of points, conceded 0.38 goals per game.
Shocked you that one eh?
Kurt Zouma and Antonio Rudiger. Played 7 games as a two, won 76% of points, conceded 0.38 goals per game.
Shocked you that one eh?
The worst partnership.
Andreas Christensen & Kurt Zouma 45% of points and 2.18 goals conceded per game.
That's quite a contrast. Kurt & Andreas do not work well together! If you include the stats for them playing in a 3 together It's no better really. 2 games points, 2 goals.
Andreas Christensen & Kurt Zouma 45% of points and 2.18 goals conceded per game.
That's quite a contrast. Kurt & Andreas do not work well together! If you include the stats for them playing in a 3 together It's no better really. 2 games points, 2 goals.
There's more.
The best statistically across all partnerships?
Fikayo Tomori, won 70% of points and conceded just 1.14 goals per game. He's the best performer in both statistics across all centre backs.
The best statistically across all partnerships?
Fikayo Tomori, won 70% of points and conceded just 1.14 goals per game. He's the best performer in both statistics across all centre backs.
Christensen (48.1% 1.74 gpg 27 games)
Rudiger (60% 1.28 gpg 25 games)
Zouma (60.5% 1.4 gpg 40 games)
Azpilicueta (54.1% 1.87 gpg 8 games)
Tomori (70% 1.14 gpg 21 games)
Marc Guehi (50% 1.5 gpg 2 games)
Rudiger (60% 1.28 gpg 25 games)
Zouma (60.5% 1.4 gpg 40 games)
Azpilicueta (54.1% 1.87 gpg 8 games)
Tomori (70% 1.14 gpg 21 games)
Marc Guehi (50% 1.5 gpg 2 games)
Christensen is the worst by a distance, not what I actually expected to see.
Some caveats as previously mentioned. It doesn't take account of opposition or form e.g. Christensen tended to play in the bigger matches where we conceded and lost points but we may have expected to.
Some caveats as previously mentioned. It doesn't take account of opposition or form e.g. Christensen tended to play in the bigger matches where we conceded and lost points but we may have expected to.
Tomori was involved during a purple patch mid season, while Zouma and Rudiger where partnered after the season break where stats are a little bit more complicated due to the long break.
Still a bit interesting I thought.
Still a bit interesting I thought.
