jones wrote:
That graph/stat is unfortunately no good representation of reality. Hasebe for example according to this graph is one of the most progressive passing centre midfielders in Europe. Problem is hes a CM only in name any more and has played as the central defender in a back three for a couple years now, which of course changes the meaning of "forward pass" dramatically
The terminology of a central midfielder is far too diverse to be able to throw all those names in there together. Fabian, Ndombele or Veretout are all very good players but can hardly be compared, theres little point to throwing them into one graph as if they could be
It's quite interesting if you have knowledge of the players from watching them though. For example the more technical midfielders like Modric and Rakatic seem like they're all clustered towards the middle. The deeper lying playmakers all fall somewhere towards the right etc.
Suggests to me that overly progressive runs and passes are not necessarily a good trait for every type of midfielder. Gerrard would have probably been off the charts for both yet it's widely recognised as a bad thing as far as he was concerned.
