The Premier League 'ineffective' statistical XI of the season
Having looked into an alternative statistical leaders team of the season in the Premier League previously we flip the script somewhat to look at some of the worst of the bunch in a number of different departments.
As stressed in the aforementioned reverse article, each player has made this lineup due to one particular statistical category in which they fared worst in 2018/19, rather than their overall performance. Once more, a minimum of 10 starts over the course was set as a requirement.
Goalkeeper: Asmir Begovic (Bournemouth) - Worst save success
Having started the season as the Cherries undisputed first choice in goal, the fact that Begovic ended it out of the squad altogether highlights what a difficult season it was for the Bosnian. As well as committing a string of costly individual errors, the 31-year-old ended the campaign with the worst save success rate in the division (55.7 per cent), keeping out just 60 of the 108 shots on target he faced.
Right-back: Stephane Lichtsteiner (Arsenal) - Worst cross accuracy
The fact that the Swiss international made so few appearances (14) over the season despite a serious injury to Hector Bellerin proves just how tough his first season in England was. Lichtsteiner’s delivery into the box from wide areas was particularly poor, and of all players to attempt at least 20 crosses, the veteran full-back was least accurate, finding a teammate with just one of 30 (3.3 per cent).
Centre-back: Sean Morrison (Cardiff) - Most fouls per tackle (of centre-backs)
Having shown himself to be a commanding centre-back in both boxes in the Championship, the step up to the top-flight for Cardiff skipper Morrison wasn’t easy. The 28-year-old made a modest 35 tackles over 34 appearances and committed almost as many fouls (32). For context Willy Boly, who was also promoted from the Championship, committed three fewer fouls (29) while making over 50 more tackles.
Centre-back: James Tomkins (Crystal Palace) - Worst aerial success (of centre-backs)
When it comes to aerial duels, unless defenders are up against big target men forwards - of which their are increasingly few in the top-flight - one would expect them to come out on top more often than not. As noted in our ‘effective’ stat leaders piece, Harry Maguire won over three quarters of the duels he competed in, while Tomkins could only manage half. He was beaten in exactly 50 per cent of his aerial contests (91/182).
Left-back: Ben Chilwell (Leicester) - Most losses of possession
While the widespread consensus would be that Chilwell enjoyed an impressive season with Leicester, there is one area of his game which clearly offers plenty of room for improvement. While the youngster should be credited for taking risks in possession, he certainly needs to pick his moments - and passes - a little better. The Foxes full-back conceded possession 842 times over the course of the season, which was 96 more than any other outfielder. To put that gap into perspective, the five players closest to Chilwell’s overall figure are separated by just 84.
Right wing: Marc Albrighton (Leicester) - Worst dribble success
Having boasted three players in the positive stat leaders XI, Leicester have two in the negative lineup owing to Albrighton’s somewhat desperate dribbling. An excellent crosser of the ball, the winger has never been blessed with great pace or trickery and it showed over the season. Of the 75 players to attempt 50 dribbles, Albrighton’s success rate was the worst (36.4 per cent) having completed just 20 of 55.
Central midfield: Joao Moutinho (Wolves) - Most times dribbled past
As with Chilwell, most would consider Moutinho’s season a success and the experience Portugal international an impressive signing on Wolves’ part. The 32-year-old certainly showed his technical quality and work rate but his age was perhaps a factor in having been dribbled past 82 times - 12 more than any other player.
Central midfield: Juninho Bacuna (Huddersfield) - Most starts without winning
Having not featured in the league for his new club until late October and not started until mid-December, Huddersfield were pleased with the progress Bacuna made over the season and see him as an important player for the future. They’ll be hoping that they can quickly earn their first league win with the 21-year-old in the starting XI then, having failed to do so in the midfielder’s 16 outings from the off, losing 14 of those.
Left wing: Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham) - Worst big chance conversion
Having approached the season with a big reputation from the Championship having won the player of the year award the season previous, Sessegnon’s shooting boots somewhat deserted him in the top-flight. While still a teenager, the winger’s goal tally dropped from 16 to just two this season, both of which were deemed ‘big chances’ by Opta. Unfortunately for Sessegnon he also missed nine of said chances, leaving him with the lowest conversion rate (18.2 per cent) from such situations of players to have at least ten.
Forward: Laurent Depoirte (Huddersfield) - Most shots without scoring (of forwards)
When a team’s top scorer only arrived in January and ended on just four goals, there’s a decent chance that team is doomed. When one of said team’s senior strikers fails to score a single goal there really is no hope, and if any one stat summed up Huddersfield’s season it is arguably Depoitre’s 30 shots without finding the net.
Forward: Callum Paterson (Cardiff) - Worst pass accuracy
Right-back-cum-central midfielder-cum-striker Callum Paterson is a man of many uses but it’s fair to say passing isn’t one of his strong suits. The Scot was the only outfielder to end the season with a pass accuracy lower than 50 per cent and - in fact - almost 10 per cent back on his closest rival in that regard. Even when you remove the limited number of long passes he attempted (44), the 24-year-old still found an opposition player as much as a teammate with his short pass attempts (254/508).
