Stats don't tell you the speed and weight of the pass - something that Dinho manipulates expertly to put players into space.
To my knowledge, it doesn't tell you the distance of the pass - eyes tell me Dinho is riskier and routinely goes further into the lines.
It doesn't tell you who the ball is being passed to.
It doesn't tell you what kind of passes are being played at different moments of a game.
These are part of the reasons why stats do not make proper representations of a player's ability. You're going only by what you're being given, without giving due consideration to the full range of aspects that gives the player the quality that they possess.
The stats that you are claiming are important here are, in fact, garbage. My eyes and the eyes of many say that Gundogan and Rodri have a poor effect on the team with their passing. If anyone has no credibility here, it's you.
Again, your making strawman arguments.
1. "Stats don't tell you the speed and weight of the pass - something that Dinho manipulates expertly to put players into space."
Gundogan is a master at this. Dinho is probably better than Rodri, but not Gundogan. This is my "eye test" as you will.
2. "To my knowledge, it doesn't tell you the distance of the pass - eyes tell me Dinho is riskier and routinely goes further into the lines."
Distance passing doesn't mean "riskier" passing, it can be, but doesn't necessarily mean that. There are many short passes that are VERY risky but can be very rewarding, Gundogan is extremely good at "Short pass and move" play. Rodri is excellent at long range passing (better than both probably). Dinho is good at both but not as excellent as either in their strength.
3. "It doesn't tell you who the ball is being passed to."
This statement needs more because it doesn't mean anything as you presented it. If you mean to say Dinho passes vertically MORE than Dinho/Rodri, then say that to make your point, because otherwise I don't understand the meaning. Again, my eye test and stats show our other midfielders pass vertically as well, and know when to pass backwards or sideways to recycle possession. Dinho is not special in this regard.
4. "It doesn't tell you what kind of passes are being played at different moments of a game."
Fair. But I never said that stats is ALL that matters, they are used as an addition to your perspective as well. If the stats show Gundogan passes vertically very often, but your eyes "see" differently, then you need to resolve what's happening.
One theory could be that Gundogan usually has the most passes in the game when he plays, that when you see him pass sideways or backwards you think he doesn't do vertical passing, but he does, its just that he has so many passes in the game you find it difficult to notice it.
The other could be the midfield role, Dinho took place of Gundogan's role here today, and usually Gundogan is more progressive than Rodri (freedom wise), so Dinho had that freedom over Rodri as well.
5. On your last 2 paragraphs (too long to quote, this would be too long), I believe I have talked about your first paragraph in that you don't ONLY look at stats.
But your 2nd paragraph is so weird, to completely throw out all passing stats a garbage is very naive when they are very useful as an addition to your perspective.
I mentioned you lost credibility to me because you said something as stupid as "
then I don't believe you understand what the point of the game is" to another football fan.
Saying I have no credibility just because I think Gundogan is a great passer (psst btw, literally most experts agree he is a good passer because its what he's known for) is nonsensical.
Edit: Just to finish, Dinho had a great game and I am happy to have him back to the squad. But I'm not personally about slagging off other players who have been playing great recently while praising Dinho, but that's me.
