Deeply Creative
Yesterday I showed how McGregor remains deeply creative despite having an extraordinarily high pass completion rate (94%) and that this did not indicate overly risk averse passing.
Today I will complete the picture across the squad as regards deep creative abilities. You should expect some clustering around position which makes the outliers all the more interesting.
Secondary Assists / Passing Impect
The chart below plots Secondary Assists per 90m with Pass Impect per 90m. Both are key indicators of creativity from deeper field positions.
Let’s consider the categories by which I have classified the players.
Last 3rd Operators
These players are high on Secondary Assists and relatively low on Pass Impect. I’d expect the forwards in here as they have few players in advance of them to accumulate Pack Passing metrics, but should be involved in chance build up.
Once again Edouard features prominently as the top attacker in terms of establishing passes. Forrest nearly scrapes into this quadrant also.
The stand out is, however, Frimpong. He has the 3rd highest Secondary Assists in the squad and operates predominantly in the final 3rd despite being a full back, nominally. The evidence mounts his future appears to be as a more explicit winger.
Lacking Creativity
These are the players not heavily involved in chance build up nor by passing opponents. I’d expect some of the central defenders here but it is a rag tag assortment. Elyounoussi is not far off the centre of the graph as an all-rounder, but the feeling I have Johnston has not progressed this season is strengthened by this view.
Griffiths lack of involvement in build up play is obvious from this view. Given his role as the spearhead striker that is perhaps understandable.
Elhamed stands out for his pacey runs but there is often not a creative pass at the end of it. Neither with Bauer although he has the best crossing stats of the full backs.
Deep Packers
These players progress the ball forward from deep but do not get involved much in chance creation. This shows what a bonus Jullien’s range of passing is and how Ajer is not far behind though this does not show his Pack Dribbling scores which would be the best in the squad.
With Bitton and Brown in here this quadrant is as I would expect.
Deeply Creatives
These are the midfielder charged with providing the team with a creative heart. Ntcham, Christie and McGregor are all standouts by this measure. Good to see Rogic up in this space. Although limited in minutes there are glimpses of a return to form.
Conclusion
I hope you agree this passes the eye test as regards measuring creativity from deeper position – i.e. a more nuanced view that simply assists and xA.
Ntcham always does well by this view and McGregor’s consistency is incredible.
Now what to do with Master Frimpong?