It’s been reported that Liverpool are very close to signing or having a fee agreed for Joe Allen so we thought an analysis comparing Joe to rival midfielders would be of interest. Joe Allen is a player that Brendon Rodgers knows very well after their time at Swansea however the reported agreement of not going back for Swansea players makes most sceptical about this move.
Lots of statistics are displayed in full without care for how much time players have spent on the pitch for their respective teams. It’s a personal preference but we like to use the “minutes per” metric so the players stats are divided by the minutes they’ve played to then be able to compare against their rivals. Below we have created three tables; Table 1 compares Joe Allen to a few deep-lying midfielders that were selected by followers of our Twitter account @AnfieldIndex. Table 2 compares Joe Allen to players that can play both as deep-lying midfielders and further forward (again selected by the followers of our @AnfieldIndex Twitter account). Finally Table 3 compares Joe Allen to Liverpool’s central midfielders from the 2011/12 season.
We’ve decided to highlight the Best and Worst of the stats in the tables below to show a little more analysis and make it possible for readers to compare quickly.
“I like to control games. I like to be responsible for our own destiny. If you are better than your opponent with the ball you have a 79 per cent chance of winning the game…for me it is quite logical. It doesn’t matter how big or small you are, if you don’t have the ball you can’t score.” (Rodgers 2012)
We’ve listed the quote from Brendan Rodgers above to explain a decision in not rating the Pass Direction statistics below. We found that the pass direction statistics were a little difficult to rate as best and worst. These are mainly open to perception as some are of the opinion that passing sideways helps a team to keep the ball and build. As the quote states the philosophy for Swansea last season was to keep the ball and build so can you really mark players down for playing a particular style?
This could also apply to a few other statistics but we found they were easier to rate but the pass direction ones can be a little controversial. We’ve listed them anyway and highlighted the text in highest-lowest for those that wish to view them.
Joe Allen Compared to Deep-Lying midfielders
Table 1 shows Joe Allen in a positive light against the deep lying midfielders. Joe’s ground duel, tackling and passing stats are impressive here and he’s topped in these categories. The real star here is Mikel Arteta – he’s contributed a lot in an attacking sense to Arsenal from deep-lying midfield position. If you look closer at the stats Joe Allen comes 2nd or 3rd in a lot of the other statistics displayed which is a credit to the player – it was a bit of a surprise that he was 2nd in the creativity statistic here creating every 63 minutes which was better than Carrick, Song (awesome season in terms of assists) and Mulumbu. Joe Allen is certainly worthy of being compared to these players.
Whilst Mulumbu may come off worst here in terms of being bottom in certain statistics it’s worth noting that he finishes 2nd and 3rd a lot in most of the other statistics. He’s also worthy of being placed in this comparison. Michael Carrick also sees a lot of red here however the table indicates that whilst tackling may not be his better skill – his passing is top notch as he’s close to passing the ball every minute (averaging over 80 passes per game).
Joe Allen Compared to all rounded midfielders
Table 2 again shows Joe Allen in a positive light defensively – he comes 2nd here to Ramires and Cabaye in terms of winning ground duels and tackles (topping the mins per tackle stat) however he’s lagging behind in the shooting aspect and doesn’t score often enough neither does he attempt shots enough. Whilst Table 2 indicates where Joe Allen falls behind in terms of the attacking aspect these stats can be a little unfair as Joe drifted further back once Gylfi Sigurrdson was bought by Brendan Rodgers last season. It’s still a good little comparison to have against some of the better players in central midfield.
Ramires and Scholes impress the most in Table 2, Ramires topping defensive stats as well as attacking stats showing his versatility as a box-to-box midfielder. Paul Scholes also shows why his impact drove Manchester United very close to their 20th league title. Paul Scholes was a revelation in his 1169 minutes last season and that is a very difficult thing to say for a Liverpool die-hard!
Joe Allen Compared to Liverpool’s Midfield
So how does Joe compared to Liverpool’s midfielders? Again defensively he’s 2nd to Lucas on a lot of the ground duel/tackle stats and he wipes the floor with the midfield in terms of passing (thanks in-turn to Brendan Rodgers’ philosophy). In an attacking sense he’s better than everyone apart from Steven Gerrard. Yes he shoots less often than all of them apart from spearing however he scores a goal more often than the others (not really hard to do though!), his shot accuracy is higher and shot/chance conversion is more than double of Liverpool’s midfield apart from the Liverpool and England captain.
Joe Allen good enough for a Top Club?
We’d like to think Joe Allen is good enough to play in a top side. He’s certainly combative enough, he seems to be better than what Liverpool have for players that sit next to Gerrard and we believe he could cover well for Lucas Leiva too. At 21 years of age he has a lot of his better days ahead of him and if he’s rivalling some of the players above in terms of statistics now then what will he achieve in his peak? He can find a pass, he is more creative than most of the Liverpool players so we feel he can add a lot to the side.
We’ll leave you with a question that you can answer on the comments below; Is he worth £15m?
All of the stats from this article have been taken from the Opta Stats Centre at EPLIndex.com – Subscribe Now (Includes author privileges!) See Demo’s and videos about the Stats Centre & read about new additions to the stats centre.
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Categories: Arsenal (NN), Chelsea, EPL Index Featured Article, EPL Index Player Profiles, EPL Index Statistical Comparisons, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester Utd, Newcastle Utd, Swansea City, Tottenham Hotspur, West Bromwich Albion
Tags: AFC, CFC, epl opta stats, EPL Stats, Joe Allen Opta Stats, Joe Allen Stats, LFC, LFC Opta Stats, LFC Stats, Lucas Leiva Opta Stats, MCFC, MUFC, Opta Stats, scafc, Spurs, THFC, WBA
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He was one of TeamGB’s best players last night against Brazil’s £300m team. I think he is class and Swansea would be crazy to let go of him for less than £15 million as the drop this season will see the team lose £60m. He is a vital player for Swansea, part of the reason they play as they do. But is he worth that much to a Liverpool team packed with quality midfielders that could flourish under Rogers? I’m not so sure.
If you believe the rumours Adam may be make-weight in a deal for Dempsey. It seems BR knows that there are too many Centre Mids. Henderson was wasted on the right by Kenny and his position is in the centre and is one for the future. Spearing and Shelvey will be used sparing although the latter does seem to have some talent.
Great Analysis.Another aspect that can be compared is distance covered per min. From this we can gauge the mobility of the midfielder, which is also a crucial part.
Thanks unfortunately there are no stats available to us for distance travelled. These are only available via ProZone who don’t really provide stats to public. Unfortunate really as these stats would really compliment them.
Allen is worth £15m.
We (liverpool) shouldn’t pay anything over 10-15m, given that we already have a packed midfield and other areas need to be strengthened more than central midfield.
Totally agree with that.
No.
Lots of these stats were shown for another big fish in Blackpool pond, 2 years back & KD swallowed the bait. I am not sure if Allen is considered as Home grown, but if yes, at best I can put 8mn; if not, no point to block a foreigners spot by another super hyped, mediocre British, so called talent; in Henderson, Spearing, Downing & Adam, we have enough home grown garbage.
Good point about packing the midfield – however it’s a bit harsh calling them garbage – call yourself a LFC_Fan?
The biggest reason is he understands BR’s philosophy and having an engine like him to pull the strings beside Lucas and Gerrard, the team will function better. I think he is the most important signing BR will make this summer. That is why Liverpool are willing to shell out 15m for him.
It shows he can only improve the side, he and Lucas could be key to Rodgers style if football and for 15 million would be great signing, can’t see much playing time for Adam if he does come and his passing isn’t that accurate which will go against him with Rodgers as manager
Well they’d certainly dominate it terms of tackling. An amazing amount of tackles and duels there combined.
But another Swansea midfielder has even better stats – Do you know who ??
Mr Britton? I’ll have a look at these stats tomorrow! Am out at the minute!
I didn’t really want to compare Britton – LFC are after Allen so stuck with that!
fyi in the 2nd table allen isn’t worst in mins per aerial 50-50 nor goals scored; cabaye and modric are respectively
He is a great player though but I feel Laudrup would be able to find an even better replacement were he to leave, great managing so far and I expect nothing but the best from the Swans this season.
Thanks for that – I’ve done AI a favour and amended the table for the aerial duels but the goals scored stat is correct.
Thanks!
Joe Allen is worth more than that. The boy is just so good. He possess all the qualities of modric, david silver and even better than them in terms of tackles. He will be the best BR’s signing, trust me. He is a bunch or bundle of creativity coming to liverpool to happen. Client Dempsey and Gaston Ramirez will be good addition too. In Rodgers i trust. Lets go ticki-taka… LFC 4 life. Carroll, Downing, Henderson, should be sold.
Erm no dude….Adam should be sold and wed need another striker and winger.
I think he’d be worth the £15m, but not any more than £18m. His stats in defense are what stand out to me, so I can see him coming on for Lucas if he gets injured or if Rogers needs an enphasis on attack. However, I do like Charlie Adam quite a bit and to lose him, to me, means losing a great supplier of chances and goals, even if this last season wasn’t his best. Ultamently, I think Allen would be a smart move.
Rodgers*
hes a solid player guys and as for distance travelled per game he is always one of our top once he adds more of an attacking side he’d grace any team
Firstly I’d like to point out that anyone (@Effect) who addresses David Silva as David Silver I can’t take seriously.
Joe Allen is one of the most under rated players in the EPL, the next Paul Scholes I’d say. 15 million is hard to turn down from the Swans and they wouldn’t want to stand in hie way either. He wouldn’t look out of place at City, Utd, Chelsea or Arsenal. Think he should set his sights a bit higher IMO.
@RJH, JOE ALLEN was the man of the match against LFC, home and away, the only oustanding swansea player against chelsea first leg. Man of the match against chelsea @ swansea, man of the match against Arsenal, Man of the match against Man city 2nd leg i watch’d. Mark this… Barca, Real madrid, man city wil com calling for him in years time.
Watched Joe Allen all season down the liberty and didn’t see a better midfielders. I feel Liverpool are a dying club and getting smaller every year if Joey should go, i hope he goes to a big club. SWANSEA TILL I DIE
In BR we believed, trust him in addition to that after JOE ALLEN i will like GASTON RAMIREZ to follow him in.
Im not sure Liverpool should be buying the best players from teams below them. It didn’t work for us last year with Adam, Downing, Carroll and Henderson coming in. Yes they were the best in their respective teams, however it didn’t carry into a Liverpool team that failed to impress this year (particularly in front of goal). I would prefer to save the 15million for now and splash out 30million come Jan and gain a world renown, game changing player.
Different team – different tactics? It would be pleasing for even neutrals to see Liverpool’s signings from 11/12 flourish under Brendan Rodgers and I actually think they will.
With Lucas and Allen defence abilities, it will allow Gerrard a much more free role and allow him to create and score. These Stats show that Lucas is a boss defensively, Allen is good defensively and very good at passing and Gerrard is very good at gettting forward and scoring and creating so I think it could be a very good midfield 3. I do think Allen needs to improve the creative side of his game as 2 assists last season isnt enough.
a definate purchase in my opinion, with rumours suggesting Adam going to Fulham in part of the Dempsey deal, Would also loan out Spearing and Henderson, Allen though will be a natural replacement for Gerrard in the future and key to controlling the midfield
If Allen was signed, he’ll be competing with Aquilani or maybe Joe Cole for a spot in centre mid as Lucas partner.
For the front 3, I’ll go with Borini – Suarez – Gerrard
But the centre of midfield will be jammed pack with only 1 slot available (Lucas already nailed 1 slot for him)
So it will be Allen, Aqua, Hendo, Spearo, Jonjo etc.
Says a lot about Kenny Dalglish’s two midfield signings. Adam is bad and Jordan Henderson is Shocking
Interesting read. But Modric has the worst mins per goal stats there at 804, so move the red box on to him.
everton sold rodwell for 15 million who like allen plays most of is passes backward and sidewards not really creative waits for onslaught