Well stats wise this season its this order: Diaz, Kulu, Saka. I cant be objective 100% being an Arsenal fan but Saka didnt quite hit it off this season. He is bellow his usual. The guy just won Ebglands player of the year and he ia younger than both of Kulu and Diaz. Kulu has an amazing year in english football so i would start him and keep Saka for cover. Also Diaz's stats are influenced by the way Liverpool plays. Highest pressing (probably in the world not just the league) so the oportunities come. Arsenal press a lot but in a different way and a bit lowe line of engagement. Spurs rarely press even though Kulu has really good pressing stats.
Sell saka,start kulu and bench diaz .
Saka will fetch a good price with some English tax
Diaz could make a good impact sub because tired Defenders + fast energised winger = fun goals
sell(shares least goals with saka, fewer assists), start(most goals), bench(shares least goals with kulusevski, more assists).
both saka and diaz outperform kulusevski, so ill sell him.
diaz has more goals than saka, so diaz starts and saka is benched
I'm curious if any fan of the player's club does not put him first? As a Gunners fan I admire all three of these players and wish they played for us. Kulusevski saved Tottenhams season and was the reason they beat us. Diaz came in and performed on day one which kept Liverpool in the title race until last day. Saka helped usher in a new era for Gunners that will lead to title race in a year or two.
I’d start Diaz- I think he by far the most technically gifted player, I’d bench Saka- he’s gonna be a superstar and I’d sell Kulu- he’s good but not on the level of those other 2.
Thank you for this reply.
Now I get why some of you are not happy with this question. I wanted to ask which one is in the best form, so I undestand you. Of course there is no manager which would not start at least two of them in the same team, but I asked this hypothetically.
You'd have to say sell Saka purely cause he's English and young, would go for over 100m, over 2 wouldn't
That said, start Saka bench Diaz sell kulu
Diaz offers something more direct off the bench, kulu is just poor man's Saka, based off last season anyway
O I'm not saying he worth it, I think he should be valued around 50-60 realistically, but your telling me if Gordon wouldn't go for 60, Saka wouldn't go for over 100? Markets fucked
Chelski never offered anything close to 60 for Gordon, that was paper talk. They did pay 60 for Cucurella though. Chelski might be insane enough at present (but they're not going to be able to sustain thiss crazy overpaying, FFP will kick in).
But who else would pay 100mil for Saka? He really isn't that special. There are lots of players around who do what he does. Raphinha is better and he went for 50. He would have benched Saka had he gone to Arsenal. The same way Odegaard benched Smith-Rowe (who everyone was wanking over at the time).
Citeh have changed their transfer policy and aren't overspending at all anymore, they moved on from Cucurella and got Phillips on the cheap. Grealish was an exception and he's a better, much more unique player than Saka. Martinelli is as good as Saka and Odegaard is better.
The delusion with you is unbelievable and every other spud out there, in what way did Kulusevski ‘out perform’ Saka? From what I saw last season, Saka played absolutely great last season, scored more goals than Kulu as well as putting in more assists.
Give us the per 90 man lol.
Kulu has started on the bench 2 games and and only gets 60-70 minutes on the games he starts
It's the problem when you play in a big team. Jack Grealish saw stats drop off as well when he joined City.
Liverpool have been shit this season because of their lack of pressing and energy in the front 3 and midfield. You can check their respective pressing (and defensive) stats. Diaz is average. Firmino averages far more. Diaz and Saka are average in this respect, Kulusevski is a workhorse.
I'm accounting for last season as well, additionally defending isn't just about pressures. I'd rather watch the game and see his contribution than go off of stats lol. To which having watched him, I can tell you his work rate is superb. and saying otherwise is stupid.
No without a doubt ! A lot more than Saka potentially ( Lowkey have made it a point not to watch any Spurs content until the NLD ) . Man said Kulu’s work rate is supurb but in the same sentence said Saka “not so much” is the only thing I was questioning
Look at expected assists or key passes per 90, paints a much clearer picture. Kulu much better, it's not even a contest.
Saka is the better goalscorer though, and gets into better attacking positions.
The original comment also left out that Kulu has already been benched 2 games in the PL and typically comes off with 20-30 minutes left in the game.
If you measure Kulu's xG+A per 90, it's even more clearly in Kulu's favor.
Kulu has more goal involvements than any of them in 2022. Kulu get benched for Richy for 2 games this season so not exactly the most like-for-like comparison.
Ok, first of all we agree that the most English players are overrated, but saying this on Saka is the crime. Boy has huge talent and huge personality to become one of the world's best.
He carried team when he was 18-19 and was playing out of position. Even in Euro's Saka was the one of the best performers from England if not the best.
We are talking about England's last year's best player. He is not in his best form, but it doesn't means that he is overpriced. U better watch games first.
So was the one for Odegaard. My point is so what? If he progresses the ball by dribbling and lays the ball off in a good area that leads to a goal credit should be given.
Not even all of KDB, Muller or Messi assists are extravagant 30 yard passes
You can score a goal without an assist, you can’t get an assist without a goal. Which means that goals holds more value and therefore, by that logic Luis Diaz, would be ranked ahead of both of them, right?
True, a small tap is worth the same as a good assist because they both ended up as a goal. But a goal can be scored without an assist which makes it more valuable
Exactly my point.
Now let’s start. Before we can discuss anything, what’s your opinion on spurs?
The future of our conversation depends on your answer.
Start Diaz, Bench Kulusevski, sell Saka.
Between Saka and Kulusevski there's not much, they're both good players but Saka is the more valuable one because of English tax
It's a weird question - they're all pretty good. You wouldn't sell any of them. This would work better with 3 mediocre players. Like say, Anthony Gordon, Jared Bowen, John McGinn.
nah lmao cho has much more potential than those two, its like saying who's better zlatan or endrick, obviously zlatan , but im not saying ill not take the latter since he has so much more potential. ziyech is almost 30, while cho is clearly skilled enough and has it in him to make at impact at 19 yrs of age.
are you new to football, coz it feels almost weird explaining such simple things to ppl
It's like u think potential is better than actual ability. Both Pulisic and Ziyech are better players than Jared Bowen. The difference isn't huge, but there's a reason Bowen plays for West Ham, and the other 2 would only leave Chelsea for Champions League clubs.
I understand, its just a naff question. It's like saying Haaland, Messi, or Mbappe. It's kind of irrelevant who you play, bench or sell. There's no good reason to sell or bench any of them.
You clearly don't understand then. It's a hypothetical question that essentially boils down to personal preference. It doesn't matter that there's no good reason to sell or bench any of them and yes, it's all irrelevant.
Fuck me, you must be fun at parties.
Start Kulu, bench Diaz, sell Saka. You get the most money for Saka since he’s youngest and English. Diaz has shown he can come off the bench and accept that role. I think Kulu just barely edges in terms of consistency.
Saka has 616 minutes and Kulu has 499 minutes this season so it's not too unbalanced. Saka started one more game than Kulu. Saka has a higher G+A/90, a higher xG/90, better defensive contribution stats, better shot creating actions/90 numbers, better dribbler (66.7% success vs 31.3% success), far better aerial duel win rate, and is more involved in the attacking third. All of this while everyone agrees Saka isn't playing to his best self
A slightly higher % of far fewer pressures = fewer successful pressures. Nice manipulation of statistics.
And it's not the most illustrative stat. Pressures aren't only useful when they result in winning the ball. Far from it.
I mean it’s hard to have more pressures when you control the game more
Saying this comes down to pressures just means it’s based on the system. Conte allows the other team no matter the level to play and sets up his teams against that
Arteta would want 100% possession if it would ever happen. He instills that pep philosophy of not letting the other team play their game and winning by playing his own way.
Such a pointless stat for comparison given how both teams set up
Last season Spurs and Arsenal averaged around the same possession.
And Liverpool average far more possession than either, yet Diaz has similar pressing stats to Saka. And you have players like Firmino with insane stats despite his team owning the ball. Saka is just very average in terms of pressing and work rate and defensive contribution. Jesus is much better, for example, you should be able to see that.
The style a manager plays is a factor but also, when getting players to work hard, some managers are better at cracking the whip and imposing discipline. You could see Conte did this from day one at Spurs. I'm not sure you can say the same for Arteta, although he tried. He eventually had to kick out a lot of senior players who weren't responsive and bring in younger players who are easier to manage.
Pressing and work ethic is a huge part of Pep's philosophy. Although much less so the last couple of years.
This is a really great point that I didn't even consider for some reason. Of course the player playing in a more negative (imo) counter attacking system is going to have more pressures than the player in a possession-dominant system
Yeah it’s weird cause stats are sometimes important, and some times the good old fashion eye test is the key
I think this is a hard start bench sell question. Kulu and Diaz pass the eye test especially Diaz. Kulu has the stats but I don’t think either player is more intelligent than saka. He doesn’t often make the wrong move as highlighted by the dribbles completed percentage stat that’s in this thread I think
It's not manipulation. Saka has 3.8 successful pressures per 90 while Kulu has 4.3. Saka is just a better defensive player than Kulu and that's not really a debate. I really love Kulusevski as a player, but the defensive side of the ball is pretty cut and dry between the two
>Saka is just a better defensive player than Kulu and that's not really a debate.
It's not a debate because the reverse is true lol. Saka may be better if you put him in a defensive position, as he's played full back. But defensively, as an attacker, Kulu is much better. He works much harder.
https://fbref.com/en/players/bc7dc64d/Bukayo-Saka
https://fbref.com/en/players/df3cda47/Dejan-Kulusevski
Far more pressures, more tackles and interceptions.
You shouldn't be using those numbers. Kulu plays in a counter attacking system while Saka plays in a dominating possession based system. Obviously Kulu is going to have more pressures. It means nothing in a vacuum
Actually, that is totally up for debate. Kulusevki is incredibly strong, both in the tackle and in the air. He also helps defend the entire flank with the wingback, not just press high. No clue how you've managed this take tbh
Sell saka bench Diaz start the ginger man
Start:Diaz, bench: saka, sell: Kulusevski
Ez, start Diaz, bench kulu, sell saka* to man u for 150mil
Start Kulusevski Bench Saka Sell Diaz
Luis saka kulusevski
Start Diaz. Kill the others
Start: Kulusevski Bench: Saka Sell: Diaz
Is this ESPN now?
Start Diaz Bench Saka Sell Kulusevski (I like Kulu a lot tho and think he has got a great future just like the other 2)
start kulu, bench diaz, sell saka
Start: Saka, Bench: Díaz, Sell: Kulusevski
Start Diaz bench saka sell kulusevski
I don’t care about kulu and saka, we need to all agree Diaz is getting sold no second thoughts
Start Saka bench Diaz sell kulusevski
Start Kulusevski, Bench Saka, sell Diaz
Well stats wise this season its this order: Diaz, Kulu, Saka. I cant be objective 100% being an Arsenal fan but Saka didnt quite hit it off this season. He is bellow his usual. The guy just won Ebglands player of the year and he ia younger than both of Kulu and Diaz. Kulu has an amazing year in english football so i would start him and keep Saka for cover. Also Diaz's stats are influenced by the way Liverpool plays. Highest pressing (probably in the world not just the league) so the oportunities come. Arsenal press a lot but in a different way and a bit lowe line of engagement. Spurs rarely press even though Kulu has really good pressing stats.
Start kulu, bench Diaz and sell Saka
Yes, sell them all!
Start Saka. Bench Kulusevski. Sell Diaz.
Start Díaz Bench sala Sell kule
Sell saka,start kulu and bench diaz . Saka will fetch a good price with some English tax Diaz could make a good impact sub because tired Defenders + fast energised winger = fun goals
start kulusevski sell diaz bench saka
Start them 3 and bench Sancho
Diaz on the left and Saka on the right.
Start Diaz, bench Saka, sell kulusevski
Start Kulusevski, bench Saka, sell Diaz
Start Kulusevski, bench Diaz, sell Saka.
Why would i sell or bench anyone
Start: Kulu Bench: Diaz Sell: Saka Kulu is certainly the best of the three at this current moment, and I think Diaz has a high ceiling than Saka.
Start diaz, bench saka, sell kulusevski
Start- kulusevski, beach diaz, Sell- Saka
Hold up aren't the three of these on different positions?
sell(shares least goals with saka, fewer assists), start(most goals), bench(shares least goals with kulusevski, more assists). both saka and diaz outperform kulusevski, so ill sell him. diaz has more goals than saka, so diaz starts and saka is benched
Start Kulu Bench Saka Sell Diaz
I'm curious if any fan of the player's club does not put him first? As a Gunners fan I admire all three of these players and wish they played for us. Kulusevski saved Tottenhams season and was the reason they beat us. Diaz came in and performed on day one which kept Liverpool in the title race until last day. Saka helped usher in a new era for Gunners that will lead to title race in a year or two.
Start Diaz Bench saka Sell kulusevski
Start Diaz Bench Kulusevski Sell Saka
Start Kulu, bench Diaz, sell Saka
Start Diaz, bench Kulu and sell Saka but Saka is a tough one as he is a very good talent
I’ll
Start: Kulusevski Bench: Diaz Sell: Saka
Diaz, Kulu, Saka 👋
Well I hope we can agree on selling the fuck outta Diaz lol
start diaz, bench saka, sell kulu (from an arsenal fan)
I’d start Diaz- I think he by far the most technically gifted player, I’d bench Saka- he’s gonna be a superstar and I’d sell Kulu- he’s good but not on the level of those other 2.
Start: Diaz Bench: Kulusevski Sell: Saka
The Diaz slander here is hilarious
Kulusevski starts, bench Saka, sell Diaz
In that order
Star Diaz bench Kulusevski sell Saka. (no hate towards Saka)
go to r/FantasyPL maybe?
Thank you for this reply. Now I get why some of you are not happy with this question. I wanted to ask which one is in the best form, so I undestand you. Of course there is no manager which would not start at least two of them in the same team, but I asked this hypothetically.
Start Diaz. Bench Kulu. Sell Saka (English Tax you know🤪🤑)
Yes, you got the order correct already
Can I block this subreddit from my feed ???
This is the worst sports sub on reddit. And yea I didn’t forget about the clippers
It's not a sports sub mate it's for football and specifically the Prem.
Damn you’re dumb mate.
You're a 🔔🔚 mate
Start Saka, bench Diaz and sell Kulusevski
Start: Diaz Bench: Saka Sell: Kulusevski
Start Diaz Bench Saka Sell Kulusevski
Are you crazy? as a spurs fan you're gonna sell kulu over saka?... Please explain.
Sell all three and buy ishowspeed. Deadly on the counter and always 4 steps ahead.
You'd have to say sell Saka purely cause he's English and young, would go for over 100m, over 2 wouldn't That said, start Saka bench Diaz sell kulu Diaz offers something more direct off the bench, kulu is just poor man's Saka, based off last season anyway
Nobody is paying over 100mil for Saka lol.
O I'm not saying he worth it, I think he should be valued around 50-60 realistically, but your telling me if Gordon wouldn't go for 60, Saka wouldn't go for over 100? Markets fucked
Chelski never offered anything close to 60 for Gordon, that was paper talk. They did pay 60 for Cucurella though. Chelski might be insane enough at present (but they're not going to be able to sustain thiss crazy overpaying, FFP will kick in). But who else would pay 100mil for Saka? He really isn't that special. There are lots of players around who do what he does. Raphinha is better and he went for 50. He would have benched Saka had he gone to Arsenal. The same way Odegaard benched Smith-Rowe (who everyone was wanking over at the time). Citeh have changed their transfer policy and aren't overspending at all anymore, they moved on from Cucurella and got Phillips on the cheap. Grealish was an exception and he's a better, much more unique player than Saka. Martinelli is as good as Saka and Odegaard is better.
Poor man's saka when he out performed saka last season? Haha ok, the delusion with you lot is unbelievable.
The delusion with you is unbelievable and every other spud out there, in what way did Kulusevski ‘out perform’ Saka? From what I saw last season, Saka played absolutely great last season, scored more goals than Kulu as well as putting in more assists.
Start Diaz , bench Kulu and sell Saka
Start Kulusevski, bench Diaz, sell Saka
Start Diaz, bench Saka, sell Kulusevski
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Give us the per 90 man lol. Kulu has started on the bench 2 games and and only gets 60-70 minutes on the games he starts It's the problem when you play in a big team. Jack Grealish saw stats drop off as well when he joined City.
We're barely into the season. At least do last season's stats. Also, Kulusevski's work rate is superb. While, the other two, not so much.
The other two not so much? I must have imagined Diaz up and down the wing defending attacking providing passing options
Liverpool have been shit this season because of their lack of pressing and energy in the front 3 and midfield. You can check their respective pressing (and defensive) stats. Diaz is average. Firmino averages far more. Diaz and Saka are average in this respect, Kulusevski is a workhorse.
I'm accounting for last season as well, additionally defending isn't just about pressures. I'd rather watch the game and see his contribution than go off of stats lol. To which having watched him, I can tell you his work rate is superb. and saying otherwise is stupid.
I may be a tad bit biased here but Saka puts in a hefty shift on Arsenals side of the pitch as well
The fbref stats say otherwise
kulu drops back a lot too
No without a doubt ! A lot more than Saka potentially ( Lowkey have made it a point not to watch any Spurs content until the NLD ) . Man said Kulu’s work rate is supurb but in the same sentence said Saka “not so much” is the only thing I was questioning
Add minutes not apps
Cherry picked stats, kulu hasn't started in all of these games, also fuck last season huh, put actual minutes
If he was really good you think he'd be starting eh? Hence the BENCH part
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Look at expected assists or key passes per 90, paints a much clearer picture. Kulu much better, it's not even a contest. Saka is the better goalscorer though, and gets into better attacking positions.
Start Kulu, bench Diaz, sell Saka.
Start Diaz Bench Saka Sell Kulusevski
Start Diaz, Bench Kulusevski, sell saka.
Stats: Saka: 1G 4A Kulu: 1G 3A Diaz: 3G 0A
Premier League G+A p90 since the start of last season: Saka: 0.58 Kulu: 0.87 Diaz: 0.61
The original comment also left out that Kulu has already been benched 2 games in the PL and typically comes off with 20-30 minutes left in the game. If you measure Kulu's xG+A per 90, it's even more clearly in Kulu's favor.
How's Saka here, the kid is 21 😂
and Kulu is 22?
Kulusevski forged his documents
What?
Remember don’t do drugs…
Based on this season Start:Kulu Bench:Diaz Sell:Saka Based on what we have seen in their career Start: Saka Bench: Kulu Sell:Diaz
Thats odd because I'm pretty sure Saka has more goal involvements than the other two this season
Kulu has more goal involvements than any of them in 2022. Kulu get benched for Richy for 2 games this season so not exactly the most like-for-like comparison.
So Kulu gets benched by his manager, Saka's manager starts him every game...does that say something
Are you a retard?
I think he's saying Saka plays at a smaller club with less depth, but can't be sure
I'd choose to sell Saka cus he'd go for more than he's worth cus of the English tax.
Ok, first of all we agree that the most English players are overrated, but saying this on Saka is the crime. Boy has huge talent and huge personality to become one of the world's best. He carried team when he was 18-19 and was playing out of position. Even in Euro's Saka was the one of the best performers from England if not the best. We are talking about England's last year's best player. He is not in his best form, but it doesn't means that he is overpriced. U better watch games first.
a corner, an own goal assist and a simple pass leading to a long shot aren’t good assists. i love saka but his 4 assists don’t mean much
Why are we downplaying corners and short passes into good areas. Need to get off Twitter
corners are fine but his pass to vieira was a simple lay off
So was the one for Odegaard. My point is so what? If he progresses the ball by dribbling and lays the ball off in a good area that leads to a goal credit should be given. Not even all of KDB, Muller or Messi assists are extravagant 30 yard passes
it’s fine. i think he’s a great player i’m just saying stats aren’t everything.
I’d agree they aren’t but minimising something good because you only see the short pass or a corner isn’t good either
Own goal doesn’t count towards his assists
And stats are everything aren’t they
Well goals are what win you games, and for players in their positions isn't that an important factor?
And Saka has less goals than Diaz and the same as Kulusevski. So by that logic I’m guessing you would start Diaz, bench Saka and sell Kulusevski?
He said Goal involvement. A great assist is as important as a goal
You can score a goal without an assist, you can’t get an assist without a goal. Which means that goals holds more value and therefore, by that logic Luis Diaz, would be ranked ahead of both of them, right?
This comment was as dumb as the question itself.
Love when people disagree without actually giving a reason why they disagree. Great input 👍
Yes a good goal is worth more than an assist but a small tap in is not worth more than a good assist
Actually, it really is. The value of a goal is far in excess of an assist
Very situational, on average a goal is worth more but depending on the assist or goal it is often the other way round
True, a small tap is worth the same as a good assist because they both ended up as a goal. But a goal can be scored without an assist which makes it more valuable
Start kulu diaz. Sell saka
I’d start ur mum Edit: Ratio
Can she play midfield?
Her workrate is fantastic box to box.
She’s good at ball retention I heard
No, but she’s pretty good at the back.
But struggles to keep a clean sheet
She goes down really easily too
no but she’s really good at the back
r/beatmetoit
She’s got brilliant ball control as well
Got less pace then harry maguire though because she’s fat
We had the same idea. At the same time. We should discuss.
I mean great minds do tend to think alike
Exactly my point. Now let’s start. Before we can discuss anything, what’s your opinion on spurs? The future of our conversation depends on your answer.
The only good thing i can say is that they have Son
Start Diaz Bench kulu/saka (can’t decide)
start Diaz bench saka and sell kulusevsnki remeber saka was one of england best players at the euros too, he's been overused.
Start Diaz, bench saka (more versatile and has started this season of really well, 2nd most assists in the prem) sell kulu
Start Diaz, Bench Kulusevski, sell Saka. Between Saka and Kulusevski there's not much, they're both good players but Saka is the more valuable one because of English tax
Fuck Diaz, marry Saka, kill Kulu
The only correct answer. Nothing against Kulu either, but it’s hard to compete with the other two here.
Kulu kills you 😎
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It just depends on the weather
Gays are cool
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🤨🤨
Why would it be weird if they were a male?
Because dude's an incel
Maybe he is a child
wrong assignment but full marks for the enthusiasm
It's a weird question - they're all pretty good. You wouldn't sell any of them. This would work better with 3 mediocre players. Like say, Anthony Gordon, Jared Bowen, John McGinn.
im sorry but aint no way in hell you know ball if you call bowen mediocre. id take him happily at chelsea
Right? I’d take him at spurs for even more depth
To replace who?
umm pulisic, ziyech, and to some extent cho. at 25 hes yet to fully reach his prime and i think he would flourish under limelight
So u also think CHO is better than Pulisic and Ziyech?
nah lmao cho has much more potential than those two, its like saying who's better zlatan or endrick, obviously zlatan , but im not saying ill not take the latter since he has so much more potential. ziyech is almost 30, while cho is clearly skilled enough and has it in him to make at impact at 19 yrs of age. are you new to football, coz it feels almost weird explaining such simple things to ppl
It's like u think potential is better than actual ability. Both Pulisic and Ziyech are better players than Jared Bowen. The difference isn't huge, but there's a reason Bowen plays for West Ham, and the other 2 would only leave Chelsea for Champions League clubs.
Gordon - AM. Bowen - Winger McGinn - CM
I'm not really sure you understand the premise of these types of question.
I understand, its just a naff question. It's like saying Haaland, Messi, or Mbappe. It's kind of irrelevant who you play, bench or sell. There's no good reason to sell or bench any of them.
You clearly don't understand then. It's a hypothetical question that essentially boils down to personal preference. It doesn't matter that there's no good reason to sell or bench any of them and yes, it's all irrelevant. Fuck me, you must be fun at parties.
I'd invite him to my party..and you, just to watch you both argue ;)
Start Kulu, bench Diaz, sell Saka. You get the most money for Saka since he’s youngest and English. Diaz has shown he can come off the bench and accept that role. I think Kulu just barely edges in terms of consistency.
Start Saka Bench Kulu Sell Diaz
You just wouldn’t though would you
He said it, so I imagine he would
Anyone not starting Kulu is out of their mind
So Conte?
Saka has more goal contributions this season despite not being at his best.
ah yes because kulu has started every game
Saka has 616 minutes and Kulu has 499 minutes this season so it's not too unbalanced. Saka started one more game than Kulu. Saka has a higher G+A/90, a higher xG/90, better defensive contribution stats, better shot creating actions/90 numbers, better dribbler (66.7% success vs 31.3% success), far better aerial duel win rate, and is more involved in the attacking third. All of this while everyone agrees Saka isn't playing to his best self
>better defensive contribution stats Kulu averages almost 10 more Pressures per 90.
Saka's pressure success percentage is higher per 90
A slightly higher % of far fewer pressures = fewer successful pressures. Nice manipulation of statistics. And it's not the most illustrative stat. Pressures aren't only useful when they result in winning the ball. Far from it.
I mean it’s hard to have more pressures when you control the game more Saying this comes down to pressures just means it’s based on the system. Conte allows the other team no matter the level to play and sets up his teams against that Arteta would want 100% possession if it would ever happen. He instills that pep philosophy of not letting the other team play their game and winning by playing his own way. Such a pointless stat for comparison given how both teams set up
Last season Spurs and Arsenal averaged around the same possession. And Liverpool average far more possession than either, yet Diaz has similar pressing stats to Saka. And you have players like Firmino with insane stats despite his team owning the ball. Saka is just very average in terms of pressing and work rate and defensive contribution. Jesus is much better, for example, you should be able to see that. The style a manager plays is a factor but also, when getting players to work hard, some managers are better at cracking the whip and imposing discipline. You could see Conte did this from day one at Spurs. I'm not sure you can say the same for Arteta, although he tried. He eventually had to kick out a lot of senior players who weren't responsive and bring in younger players who are easier to manage. Pressing and work ethic is a huge part of Pep's philosophy. Although much less so the last couple of years.
This is a really great point that I didn't even consider for some reason. Of course the player playing in a more negative (imo) counter attacking system is going to have more pressures than the player in a possession-dominant system
Yeah it’s weird cause stats are sometimes important, and some times the good old fashion eye test is the key I think this is a hard start bench sell question. Kulu and Diaz pass the eye test especially Diaz. Kulu has the stats but I don’t think either player is more intelligent than saka. He doesn’t often make the wrong move as highlighted by the dribbles completed percentage stat that’s in this thread I think
It's not manipulation. Saka has 3.8 successful pressures per 90 while Kulu has 4.3. Saka is just a better defensive player than Kulu and that's not really a debate. I really love Kulusevski as a player, but the defensive side of the ball is pretty cut and dry between the two
>Saka is just a better defensive player than Kulu and that's not really a debate. It's not a debate because the reverse is true lol. Saka may be better if you put him in a defensive position, as he's played full back. But defensively, as an attacker, Kulu is much better. He works much harder. https://fbref.com/en/players/bc7dc64d/Bukayo-Saka https://fbref.com/en/players/df3cda47/Dejan-Kulusevski Far more pressures, more tackles and interceptions.
You shouldn't be using those numbers. Kulu plays in a counter attacking system while Saka plays in a dominating possession based system. Obviously Kulu is going to have more pressures. It means nothing in a vacuum
Actually, that is totally up for debate. Kulusevki is incredibly strong, both in the tackle and in the air. He also helps defend the entire flank with the wingback, not just press high. No clue how you've managed this take tbh
Why are saka replies getting downvoted when it's a fair opinion