Liverpool trio joined by Manchester United signing in Most Effective Stats XI

 

Having already revealed the most ineffective Premier League XI as thing stand in 2019/20, it is time to do the opposite here. Rather than look for players that have disappointed statistically, here we find players that have flourished in their particular position.

 

As was the case for the Ineffective XI, a team's league position does not necessarily dictate the sorts of players in these XIs. Players from Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United turned out in the Ineffective XI and there are also some surprises for the Effective XI.

 

Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool) - Best save success rate (80.4%)

 

Last season Alisson justified the money spent by Liverpool to land the Brazilian goalkeeper and his performances in the 2019/20 campaign only emphasised his importance to Jurgen Klopp's side. Alisson has not been available as often as Liverpool would like from their No.1 shot-stopper and in his absence the Reds have been reminded just why they spent so much money to sign him in the first place. Adrian has arguably exceeded expectations in his absence but there have been some costly clangers along the way that would not happen under Alisson's watch. In fact, Alisson has the best save success rate in the Premier League this season of goalkeepers to have made at least 10 appearances (80.4%).

 

Right-back: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United) - Best tackle success rate (83.9%)

 

Manchester United knew they were signing arguably the best defensive full-back in the Premier League in the summer and that is exactly what Aaron Wan-Bissaka has shown this season. While he has offered encouragement going forward, there is no question his best quality is tackling, particularly in one-on-one situations. In fact, of players to have attempted at least 50 tackles in the Premier League this season, Wan-Bissaka has the best success rate (83.9%). He has impressively been dribbled past just 19 times from 118 attempted tackles.

 

Centre-back: James Tarkowski (Burnley) - Best aerial success rate (75.8%)

 

James Tarkowski has this season reiterated suggestions he is one of the best centre-backs outside of the elite clubs in the Premier League and been an ever-present for Burnley in 2019/20. The 27-year-old has not missed a minute of league action this season and will surely be on the radar of some clubs higher up the table come this summer. Playing to Burnley's strengths, it goes without saying their defenders must be dominant in the air and Tarkowski certainly is. Indeed of players to have attempted at least 50 aerial duels in the Premier League this season, Tarkowski has the best success rate.

 

Centre-back: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) - Most clean sheets of defenders (12)

 

Virgil van Dijk may have lost his status as the world's most expensive defender on the planet over the summer but he is still considered the best. Indeed, the Netherlands international has the highest WhoScored rating of any centre-back in Europe's top five leagues in 2019/20 (7.40) and has played an invaluable role in helping Liverpool to the brink of their first league title in 30 years. Liverpool have not been able to call on first-choice goalkeeper Alisson all season and with that Van Dijk has been even more important at the back for Klopp's side. In fact, Van Dijk has kept more clean sheets than any other defender in the Premier League this season (12).

 

Left-back: Patrick van Aanholt - Most tackles per foul of defenders (15)

 

Crystal Palace have quietly put together another extremely assured campaign under Roy Hodgson this season, helped in part by the impact made by free signing Gary Cahill over the summer. The Eagles had to fend off interest in star left-back Patrick van Aanholt at the start of the season and for good reason, as the Dutchman is crucial for Palace at both ends of the pitch. The 29-year-old may not be considered as an elite tackler but he certainly knows how to get them right. In fact, Van Aanholt averages the most tackles per fouls (a foul as a result of an attempted tackle) in the Premier League this season (15). In order words, Van Aanholt only gives a foul away as a result of a tackle every 15 tackles he attempts - the highest rate in the division.

 

Right wing: Adama Traore - Best dribble success rate of wingers (74.2%)

 

Adama Traore has quickly cemented himself as one of Europe's most explosive dribblers in the last few seasons. The Wolves winger has speed to burn and the power to match any attempt to remove him of possession. Traore is unplayable at times, offering a skillset unique to anything we have seen in recent history. Traore has the best dribble success rate of any winger in the Premier League this season, failing to complete just 50 of 195 attempted in 2019/20 (74.2% success rate). If you want to drive up the pitch as quickly and effectively as possible, Traore is your man.

 

Central midfield: Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool) - Best pass accuracy into final third (88.3%).

 

Georginino Wijnaldum is quite an underrated cog to the Liverpool machine and Klopp's side would be wise to secure his long-term future as quickly as possible with his contract winding down. Wijnaldum is particularly effective at coming on strong towards the end of matches when players typically tire and he has contributed with important goals despite not being in the team to find the back of the net. Keeping possession is arguably the Dutchman's greatest quality and he does that best in the most difficult place on the pitch. Of players to have attempted at least 50 passes into the final third of the pitch in the Premier League this season, Wijnaldum has the best success rate (88.3%).

 

Liverpool trio joined by Manchester United signing in Most Effective Stats XI

 

Central midfield: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Southampton) - Most possession won (287)

 

While Georginio Wijnaldum is one of the most effective Premier League players at keeping possession, Southampton's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is the best at regaining it. The Southampton midfielder is having a growing influence on the team under Ralph Hasenhuttl and emerging as a real leader fo the Saints. The former Bayern Munich prodigy has won possession all over the pitch on 287 occasions in the Premier League this season, impressively at least 38 more times than any other player in the division.

 

Left wing: Richarlison (Everton) - Best big chance creation % from total key passes (37.5%)

 

Richarlison may not be up there with the best finishers but his early development offers plenty of encouragement and perhaps explains why clubs like Manchester United and Barcelona have flirted with the idea of bidding for the versatile Everton forward. The Brazilian has shown he is capable of doing a bit of everything, whether scoring, assisting or hastling for the ball back. What is perhaps most surprising of his game is when you analyse his chance creation. A large proportion of his key passes are actually quality opportunities for team-mates. In fact, 37.5% of his total key passs are clear-cut chances, which is the biggest return of any Premier League player this season.

 

Striker: Jamie Vardy (Leicester) - Best conversion rate (32.2%)

 

Brendan Rodgers deserves a lot of credit for getting even more from Jamie Vardy when it seemed the now 33-year-old hit his peak during Leicester's title-winning campaign back in 2016. Vardy has helped inspire the Foxes to the brink of another season in the Champions League, as the former England international currently leads the race to be this season's Premier League Golden Boot. Vardy has scored at least two more goals than any other player in the division (19). What doesn't surprise if Vardy's ruthless streak. Vardy ranks 23rd in the league for total shots but he has been ruthlessly efficient with his chances. In fact, Vardy has the best conversion rate in the division of players to have scored at least five Premier League goals in 2019/20 (32.2%).

 

Striker: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) - Best minutes per goal ratio

 

Sergio Aguero is already considered one of the Premier League's best ever strikers but you can't help wonder how much closer he would be to Alan Shearer's record on the all-time scorers list had he been more fortunate with injuries. The Argentina international has routinely made around 20-25 league starts a season since joining Manchester City in 2011. Niggling injuries have plagued Aguero's career but he impressively seems to hit the ground running as soon as he is available again. When he is fit enough to play he has a formidable record. This season has been no exception, as Aguero has the best minutes-per-goal record of any player in the Premier League with at least 15 appearances to their name (one every 87.6 minutes of action).

Liverpool trio joined by Manchester United signing in Most Effective Stats XI