To chart his progress, I thought it best to first take players of a similar ilk from the Premier League’s top seven, who have all seen a similar amount of action this season. Therefore, Scott Parker, Alex Song, Gareth Barry and Cheick Tiote all make the cut. Ball winning, retention and distribution are all core values of a defensive midfielder’s arsenal, and here are the relevant categories for this quintet.
The most revealing feature of this chart is Fellaini’s clear dominance and superiority in and around the tackle area. He is quite simply prolific, winning almost nine out of every 10 attempts, a ratio no-one can touch. In fact, his nearest challenger, Gareth Barry, is 15% less efficient in that department, itself a striking margin. Similarly in ground 50-50s, although Parker and Barry scarcely eclipse his success rate of 52%, Fellaini’s skill in this area is similarly powerful, victorious in 151 of these contests.
Predictably, Fellaini also posts impressive numbers in the air, winning double as many clashes as any of the others on this list, and at a far higher success rate. Interestingly, even with 5 less starts than Tiote, Fellaini is also the hardest man on this list for opponents to dribble past. This season, that has happened on just 21 occasions, whereas Alex Song has been turned, and left for dead 36 times.
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Categories: Arsenal (NN), Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, EPL, EPL Index Featured Article, EPL Index Statistical Comparisons, EPL Opta Stats, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester Utd, Newcastle Utd, Sunderland, Tottenham Hotspur
Tags: efc, english Premier league, EPL, epl opta stats, EPL Stats, Everton Stats, Fellaini, Opta Stats, premier league, Premier League Stats
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A very interesting read. Although Everton fans wouldn’t like it, it would be interesting to see him play on one of the bigger clubs.
You don’t get much bigger than Everton , check your history.
Interesting article. I think Barry’s impressive passing stats are down to the fact when he gets the ball he usually only passes 5 yards to one of city’s talented players whereas, although not particularly creative, Fellaini does have to contribute more to our attacking play. And of course we play more a direct style than City.
I don’t have any stats to back up what I just said, it’s just my perception!
Felani is one of best midfilder in EPL. pls come join arteter at arsenal, Up Gooooners
Even more impressive when you consider he doesn’t always get played as a defensive midfielder, especially with Gibson playing. In fact he gets pushed forward and does well supporting our lone striker when needed to cover for Cahill. I don’t think the others in comparison get moved around as much, and I think we would all agree he is more of a goal threat.
Matt, don’t say much more or someone will take him !
I think you missed something. In assist ranking, Song is unbeatable for a DM.
Good article Matt. Would be interesting to see how formations etc affect the statistics. For example at Arsenal Song will often play further forward (evident in his assists) with Arteta dropping back to fill the void. Also as part of a midfield three he will often have less tackles to make and will allow an opponent to turn him as a team mate might be better placed to intervene.
Great piece
considering his tackling rate and aerial dominance he would be an interesting choice as a CB. imagine him and luiz together, the hair!!
one stat not mentioned is interceptions per game, interceptions are a key point in defensive midfield, especially if your the main defensive midfielder. it shows positioning and good reading of the game, another stat i would like to know for defensive midfielders is dispossessions per third(opponents, centre and own)