Behind every goal, defensive tackle, or successful pass in professional football is a world of precision and strategy that often goes unnoticed by the casual observer. In recent years, the field of football analysis has exploded, with myriad metrics providing an unprecedented window into the beautiful game. Clubs like Barcelona and Liverpool have invested heavily in data analysis and the use of metrics to enhance their gameplay, leading to significant improvements on the field. Here, for the die-hard sports analysts and the football aficionados, we’ve compiled a list of the most crucial measurements that have transformed the way we perceive and analyse football.
1. Expected Goals (xG)
Expected Goals, often denoted as ‘xG’, is a statistical measure of the quality of chances in a football match. The ‘expected’ part refers to the likelihood of a particular shot ending in a goal based on a multitude of factors, including distance from the goal, angle of the shot, and type of assist. Introduced to bridge the gap between raw shot counts and the context of those shots, xG provides insights into a player’s finishing ability and a team’s potential scoring capacity.
High xG values for a team often indicate that they are creating good goal-scoring opportunities, regardless of whether they actually convert them into goals. On the other hand, analysing low xG numbers against could suggest defensive solidity or an underperforming attack. Notable in its use across media and team analysis, xG is revolutionising the way we understand and appreciate each touch of the ball.
Players with High Expected Goals (xG)
- Lionel Messi – Despite the natural evolution of his role on the pitch, Messi’s innate ability to position himself for high-quality chances keeps his xG values impressively high. His exceptional skill in dribbling, vision, and finishing ensures he frequently converts these opportunities.
- Robert Lewandowski – A quintessential striker, Lewandowski’s name is synonymous with goal scoring. His physical presence, combined with a predatory instinct in the box, often sees him leading the charts for xG in Europe’s top leagues.
- Cristiano Ronaldo – Known for his remarkable athleticism and heading ability, Ronaldo has continually adapted his game to stay at the apex of world football. His knack for being in goal-scoring positions is reflected in his consistently high xG scores.
- Erling Haaland – The Norwegian sensation has burst onto the global scene with an uncanny ability to score from almost any situation. His formidable blend of size, speed, and technique translates into high xG values, announcing him as the next big thing in football.
2. Pass Completion Rate
Pass completion rate is a simple yet powerful metric that signifies the effectiveness of a player or team in maintaining possession. It is calculated by dividing the total number of successful passes by the total number of attempted passes, and is generally presented as a percentage.
A high pass completion rate is indicative of a player’s precision and decision-making skills, and for a team, it reflects their ability to control the tempo of the game. Midfield maestros often lead in pass completion rates, orchestrating the build-up play and ensuring possession retention, while high team pass completion percentages can highlight a well-coordinated approach to game management and strategy.
Players with High Pass Completion Rate
- Toni Kroos – The German international is celebrated for his metronomic passing accuracy. Operating from the heart of midfield, Kroos sets the rhythm for Real Madrid and the national team, with an ability to find teammates over both short and long distances.
- Sergio Busquets – A product of FC Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, Busquets has been a model of consistency and reliability. His role as a defensive midfielder belies his incredible skill in dictating the pace of play and effortlessly recycling possession.
- Marco Verratti – The Italian maestro excels in navigating tight spaces and delivering pinpoint passes under pressure. Verratti’s role in Paris Saint-Germain’s midfield is crucial for linking play and maintaining the team’s attacking verve.
- Joshua Kimmich – Versatile and technically gifted, Kimmich has proved indispensable for Bayern Munich. Whether playing in midfield or defence, his high pass completion rate is a testament to his composure and quality on the ball.
3. Tackles and Interceptions
Defensive prowess is often measured by the number of tackles and interceptions a player makes. A tackle is a successful attempt to take the ball away from an opponent, while an interception occurs when a player stops a pass from reaching its intended target. These metrics are particularly significant for defenders and midfielders and can provide insights into their positioning, timing, and reading of the game.
Analysing tackles and interceptions can identify players who are adept at breaking down the opposition’s play and initiating counter-attacks. For defenders, these stats are crucial in understanding their ability to win back the ball and nullify goal-scoring opportunities for the opposition.
Players with Excellent Tackles and Interception Metrics
- N’Golo Kanté – Renowned for his relentless work rate and incredible stamina, Kanté is a nightmare for any attacking player. Playing for Chelsea, his ability to cover ground and win back possession through tackles and interceptions has been pivotal in his team’s successes.
- Casemiro – The Brazilian defensive midfielder, currently with Manchester United, is a tactical genius known for his defensive acumen. His anticipation allows him to execute timely tackles and make crucial interceptions, often turning the tide of the game.
- Wilfred Ndidi – Leicester City’s defensive midfielder has consistently ranked among the Premier League leaders in tackles and interceptions. Ndidi’s physicality and understanding of the game enable him to disrupt plays and protect the backline effectively.
- Kalidou Koulibaly – Representing Chelsea, Koulibaly is a central defender known for his strength and timing. His ability to read the game allows him to make vital interceptions and clean tackles, breaking up opposition attacks with efficiency.
4. Dribbles Completed
The art of dribbling is to successfully take on an opponent while retaining possession of the ball. Metrics around dribbles completed help evaluate an individual player’s skill in this regard. A high successful dribble rate often points to a player’s pace, agility, and technical ability to beat defenders.
Players who frequently complete dribbles can often create imbalances in the opposing defence, opening up space and creating goal-scoring opportunities. For a team, the total number and success rate of dribbles completed can indicate a dynamic and unpredictable attack.
5. Aerial Duels Won
Football isn’t just played on the ground — the ability to win aerial battles is integral, particularly for defenders, but also for forwards and midfielders when contesting high balls. The metric ‘aerial duels won’ records the number of successful challenges for headers.
Strong aerial performances can indicate a player’s physical dominance and ability to impose themselves on the game in crucial moments. For teams, dominance in the air is often a strategic advantage in both attacking and defensive set pieces.
6. Distance Covered
The distance covered on the pitch is a metric that provides a snapshot of player and team work rate and overall match intensity. It’s a metric that reflects a player’s contribution over an entire match rather than just specific moments of brilliance.
Players known for their relentless running, like box-to-box midfielders, can often cover impressive ground, indicating their commitment to both offensive and defensive phases of play. For teams, a high average distance covered can indicate a high-pressing game, or conversely, a defensive strategy that focuses on compactness and positional play.
7. Goal Involvement Ratio
The goal involvement ratio takes into account the number of goals and assists a player contributes to their team’s overall output. By normalising these numbers over the minutes played, it provides a clear picture of a player’s direct impact on the team’s scoring.
A high goal involvement ratio generally highlights a player’s influence on the team’s attacking effectiveness. It’s a metric particularly celebrated amongst strikers and attacking midfielders but is increasingly valued across all positions as fluid formations and tactical innovations take centre stage.
8. Build-Up Play Contribution
In an era of ‘tiki-taka’ and fluid team play, the success of an eventual scoring opportunity may be indebted to a player’s contribution several passages of play earlier. Metrics around build-up play contribution can signal a player’s role in orchestrating attacks, often encompassing touches and passes leading to the eventual goal-scoring chance.
Midfielders, and increasingly, full-backs in modern football, are often tasked with these duties. This metric highlights their vision, passing range, and ability to sustain pressure on the opposition by consistently feeding the attacking line with penetrating passes.
9. Fouls Committed and Suffered
Fouls committed and suffered, while seemingly straightforward, are steeped in nuance. A player who commits too many fouls can be an undisciplined liability, whereas a player who draws fouls can be an asset in breaking down the opposition’s play.
For teams, analysing these metrics can reveal their overall style and temperament. Teams that commit fewer fouls are often well-drilled defensively, while those that draw a lot of fouls demonstrate the ability to unsettle their opponents, often through technical flair and speed.
10. Shot Conversion Rates
A shot on goal is, of course, the most direct attempt to score, making shot conversion rates a key metric for assessing a player’s finishing ability. This is determined by dividing the number of goals scored by the total number of shots taken and is usually expressed as a percentage.
For strikers and attacking midfielders, maintaining a high shot conversion rate is a marker of efficiency and a sign that they make the most of their goal-scoring opportunities. Conversely, a low conversion rate could be indicative of poor form or a tactical system that doesn’t suit the player’s strengths.
Rejuvenating the Beautiful Game
These metrics are not just numbers; they signify an evolution in football analysis, bringing objectivity to a sport so often celebrated for its passion and unpredictability. They are fundamentally altering our appreciation of the game, shining a spotlight on the tactical masterminds, the unsung heroes, and the revolutionaries who are rewriting football strategy today.
As technology continues to advance, we can expect even more sophisticated metrics to emerge, providing deeper insights into football at every level. From academies to the elite leagues, these measures are shaping future stars, feeding into player development programmes, and enabling coaches to fine-tune their strategies.
In the end, the story of football is not just about the goals that grace the back of the net, but also the numbers that precede them. It’s a narrative of precision, power, and the relentless pursuit of perfection in a game that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
Learn how all these metrics are used and much more on the following PFSA courses:
PFSA Level 1 Data Analysis in Football.
PFSA Level 1 and 2 Technical Scouting In Football
