Football analytics has revolutionised how we evaluate player performances beyond traditional stats like goals and assists. Advanced metrics provide a deeper understanding of a player’s influence on the game, measuring key aspects such as goal probability, playmaking efficiency, defensive contributions, and aerial dominance.
In this analysis, we break down 10 cutting-edge performance indicators from Europe’s top five leagues, highlighting the best players in each category. From Expected Goals (xG) and Expected Assists (xA) to defensive effectiveness and aerial prowess, these insights offer a data-driven perspective on football’s elite performers.
By leveraging expected value models and AI-driven metrics, we can uncover hidden gems and tactical trends shaping modern football. Let’s dive into the numbers and see who stands out across these crucial performance indicators!
Key Insights:
- Elite Shooters – Lewandowski, Dembélé, and Schick lead the rankings for Non-Penalty Expected Goals (npxG P90), showcasing their ability to generate high-quality scoring chances.
- Top Chance creators – Rayan Cherki dominates Expected Assists (xA) and Expected Threat (xT) from passing, proving his creative influence in Lyon’s attack.
- Ball-Carrying Specialists – Jeremy Doku and Ousmane Dembélé stand out for their ability to progress play through dribbling, leading xT from carries.
- Defensive Stalwarts – Castello Lukeba and Kevin Danso excel in blocking high-value shots, demonstrating their defensive efficiency.
- Aerial Dominance – Nikola Milenkovic and James Tarkowski rank highest in Defensive AERO, winning aerial duels against top opponents.
- Dynamic Link-Up Play – Achraf Hakimi and Mërgim Berisha are key figures in one-two combinations, facilitating quick attacking moves.
- Counterpressing dynamos – Barcelona’s Casadó leads in counterpressing actions per 1,000 opponent touches, highlighting his role in high-intensity defensive transitions.
1 – Non-Penalty xG P90
The first graph evaluates non-penalty Expected Goals per 90 minutes (npxG P90), an advanced metric that estimates the number of goals a player should be expected to score, excluding penalties, per 90 minutes of play. This metric considers shot quality based on factors like shot location, type, and game context.
The ranking of the top players in Europe’s top five leagues reveals Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) leading with 0.85 npxG per 90 minutes, scoring 21 goals (22.1 xG) this season. He is followed by Ousmane Dembélé (PSG) with 0.84 npxG and 20 goals (13.9 xG), while Patrik Schick (Leverkusen) is third with 0.81 npxG and 16 goals (9.6 xG). The first players from Serie A and the Premier League in this ranking are Haaland (Manchester City) and Retegui (Atalanta) in eighth and ninth place, with 0.69 and 0.68 npxG, respectively.
2 – Open-Play xA P90
Open-play Expected Assists per 90 minutes (opxA P90) quantifies the quality of a player’s passing in open-play situations, excluding set pieces. It measures the number of assists a player should be expected to provide based on the quality and context of their passes.
The ranking highlights Rayan Cherki (Lyon) as the standout leader with 0.47 opxA per 90 minutes, playing a crucial role in his team’s offensive build-up. In second place is Juventus’ young star Francisco Conceição, with 0.36 opxA, making a significant impact in Serie A with his dribbling and technical ability. Kevin De Bruyne follows closely with 0.35 opxA, proving his playmaking prowess despite Manchester City’s inconsistent season. Leroy Sané (Bayern) leads the Bundesliga with 0.34 opxA, while Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) tops La Liga with 0.32 opxA.
3 – xOVA P90
Expected Offensive Value Added (xOVA) measures a player’s contribution to their team’s scoring probability by combining open-play xG and xA while subtracting xA received. This isolates a player’s individual offensive impact.
Ousmane Dembélé once again ranks first with 0.77 xOVA P90, proving to be PSG’s attacking talisman. Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman follows with 0.63 xOVA, playing a key role in Gasperini’s system. Rayan Cherki, excelling in chance creation, ranks third with 0.57 xOVA. Mohamed Salah leads the Premier League with 0.54, Raphinha tops La Liga with 0.51, and Hugo Ekitiké ranks first in the Bundesliga with 0.50.
4 – xT from Passes P90
Expected Threat (xT) from passes P90 assesses how much a player contributes to creating goal-scoring situations through passing.
Rayan Cherki leads with 0.22 xT P90, showcasing his passing vision and ability to generate dangerous situations. Kevin De Bruyne follows with 0.20 xT P90, reaffirming his elite playmaking skills. Trent Alexander-Arnold ranks third with 0.18 xT P90, proving instrumental in Liverpool’s attacking build-up. Pedri tops La Liga with 0.16 xT P90, while no Serie A or Bundesliga players make the top 10, underlining La Liga’s dominance in possession-based football.
5 – xT from Carries P90
xT from carries P90 measures how much a player increases their team’s goal probability through ball carries.
Jeremy Doku (Manchester City) ranks first with 0.18 xT from carries P90, leveraging his dribbling ability. Ousmane Dembélé follows with 0.16 xT P90, while Savinho (Manchester City) ranks third with 0.14 xT P90. All players in the top 10 are wingers, emphasizing the importance of dribbling in advancing play. Vinicius Junior leads La Liga with 0.14 xT P90, while Ademola Lookman tops Serie A with 0.11 xT P90.
6 – One-Twos Opened P90
This metric tracks the number of successful one-two plays initiated by a player per 90 minutes, i.e. of the two passes forming a one-two, this refers to the first pass
Achraf Hakimi leads this category with 1.42 one-twos opened P90, far ahead of second-placed Przemysław Frankowski (Lens) with 1.1. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) follows with 0.99. Wirtz tops the Bundesliga with 0.96, while Matías Soulé leads Serie A with 0.95. Rodrygo ranks first in La Liga with 0.87.
7 – One-Twos Closed P90
This metric evaluates the number of one-two plays closed by a player, i.e. of the two passes forming a one-two, this refers to the second pass.
Mërgim Berisha (Augsburg) leads with 1.35 one-twos closed P90, followed by Ousmane Dembélé, who frequently exchanges passes with Hakimi. Abdelli (Angers) ranks third with 1.22. Kevin De Bruyne leads the Premier League with 1.07, while Giovani Lo Celso tops La Liga with 1.04.
8 – Offensive AERO
Offensive AERO assesses a player’s effectiveness in winning aerial duels in attack, using an Elo-based rating system.
James Tarkowski tops the ranking with an 83.3, followed closely by Barry (Villarreal) with 83.1 and Matthijs de Ligt with 83.0. De Winter leads Serie A with 82.3, while Sotoca ranks first in Ligue 1 with 81.8. No Bundesliga or La Liga players feature in the top 10.
9 – Counterpressures P1000
Counterpressures P1000 measures a player’s counterpressing attempts per 1,000 opponent touches, evaluating their contribution to regaining possession high up the pitch.
Barcelona’s Casadó leads with 4.53 counterpressing actions P1000, followed by Valentín (Rayo Vallecano) with 4.37 and Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham) with 4.26. João Neves (PSG) tops Ligue 1 with 3.98, while Moro leads Serie A with 3.65. Once again, no Bundesliga players appear in the top 10.
10 – xG blocked %
This metric refers to the percentage of a the opponent team’stotal expected goals (xG) that are physically blocked by a player. This metric helps assess defensive effectiveness in preventing shots from becoming dangerous opportunities.
How is it calculated?
- xG (Expected Goals): Measures the quality of a shot, indicating the probability of it resulting in a goal based on factors like location, shot type, and play situation.
- Blocked shots: Attempts on goal that are intercepted by a defender before reaching the goalkeeper or the goal.
- Formula: xG blocked % = (xG of blocked shots / total xG of all shots taken by the opponent team while the defender is on the pitch) * 100
A high value indicates a defense that effectively reduces the threat level of shots by blocking them.
This ranking is dominated by center-backs, who are primarily responsible for blocking opponents’ shots:
- 1st place: Castello Lukeba (RB Leipzig) – 9.82%
- 2nd place: Kevin Danso (Lens) – 8.84%
- 3rd place: Dominik Kohr (Mainz) – 8.68%
Adarabioyo, in fifth place, leads the Premier League with 8.43%, while Gatti, in tenth place, is the best in Serie A with 8.04%.
11 – Defensive AERO
See explanation above on “Offensive AERO”, it’s the same thing but on Defensive duels.
In the ranking, we find:
- 1st place: Nikola Milenkovic (Nottingham Forest) – 88.4
- 2nd place: James Tarkowski (Everton) – 86.9
- 3rd place: Duje Ćaleta-Car (Lyon) – 85.1
Torrò, in sixth place, leads La Liga with 83.7, while Carlos Augusto, in ninth place, is the best in Serie A with 81.7. Notably, no Bundesliga players appear in this ranking of top defensive aerial duel specialists.
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