Fan perception of our forward players

[MadchesterCity]

Interesting stats, as for you question I'd go Foden, Marhez, Silva with Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne behind them.

With who in the 9 position?

 

[Inter Me Nan]

With who in the 9 position?

Silva or De Bruyne, probably Silva for the press though.

 

[Bandofblues]

I find it interesting as fans how we interpret/ favour some players over others.

I wanted to do some analysis and rank our players over the last 2 seasons (per 90 minutes) for some key metrics for the Premier league and champions league.
From my findings, I think some of our fanbase underate Jesus and Mahrez and I think we're all perhaps guilty of overrating Foden.
Sterling appears to be our weakest player from the statistical standpoint.
Personally, I am most please when I see Foden, Mahrez and Jesus starting in the big matches over Sterling and Grealish. Who do you think our best forward 3 are as it stands?

I was going off the assumption that Midfield is Rodri, KDB and Bernardo


View attachment 35759

Well at a quick glance that say Sterling is sh*t so you will get lots of likes from the usual moaners.
On the other hand that same quick glance also says Mahrez is better than Foden.

So in summary it's a load of *****

 

[MadchesterCity]

When it comes to stats, you can have 80% possession, 10 shots on target, 15 Corners, etc etc etc and still lose 1-0 to a goal on the break. In a game the only stat that matters is the final result.

The constant breakdown of stats is a nerds wet dream, like super top trumps.

Optics tell the real story, none of those stats would recognise a player who picked up the ball on his box, lazily dribbled past 6 players to the opponents 18 yard box and slid a ball in that was intercepted.

It would instead reflect as a missed pass.

Put down the Excel and join us on Saturday in the ground, it will be a cracker (with at least a 2.7% Aerial duel success rate) !

we are self-isolating so can't come Saturday :(

I do 100% agree that stats aren't the be-all and end-all but are a useful tool, nothing beats watching a player though

 

[J.G.Blue.]

Someone's gone to rather large lengths to create discussion for the forum, that's much more welcome than comments like yours tbf.



Anyway, I'm not 100% sure a combination of ranked raw data is really sufficient enough to make judgements, but it does really help me see which players do things better or worse than I previously imagined so thanks for that OP

Blimey, I consider myself to be well & truly told off. (snigger)

 

[BlueMoonAcrossThePond]

I think that the perception of our forward players is coloured by our lack of a true striker. I like all of our forwards - yet I dislike any of them when playing striker.

At times a false 9 isn't as good as a traditional 9.

 

[MadchesterCity]

So basically, Jesus plays up front more and against weaker sides so scores more...

I'm not sure your statement is correct!! I intentionally only selected Prem and CL to avoid smaller team factor.
His goals this season came against PSG, Arsenal and Chelsea

This season Jesus started in the league (mostly as a right winger) against

• Arsenal (H)
• Leicester (A)
• Chelsea (A)
• Liverpool (A)
• Man U (A)
• Arsenal (H)

of the big games he didn't start versus Chelsea at home!

This season Jesus played mainly from the bench as a CF in the champions league scoring 3 goals and 1 assist (4 goal contributions) in 77 minutes, so this does skew his stats somewhat. he did score and assist against PSG at home.

If we look back to last season Jesus wasn't utilized as much in champions league and when he was available started and scored against Liverpool. He also started against united twice, Chelsea and Leicester away.
He was inured/ covid so missed matches versus Leicester, Arsenal and Chelsea

Gabriel Jesus - Stats 21/22 | Transfermarkt
Gabriel Jesus - Stats 20/21 | Transfermarkt

 

[Bobby the blue]

My own views purely on what i see rather than the stats although kudus op for all of that.
Jesus. Hard working and gives it his all. Some under appreciate him and some think he can do more. I think that he lacks the ability and technique to be considered world class. Doesn’t have one stand out quality to play as a nine and for me doesn’t bring enough when playing out wide. Not enough pace and doesn’t have a bag of tricks to utilise. Was hoping for so much more from Jesus but just missing that vital quality.

Foden. Has the lot. Not sure if playing in a front 3 will be his position forever but always looks a threat and takes it to the opposite defence. Outrageous technique and strikes the ball as well as anyone you want to mention. Always looking to make something happen.

Riyad mahrez. Wonderful technique. Best first touch in the league. Scores some wonder goals and work rate has impoved. Lacks pace to be able to get away from a man and sometimes try’s to much to chop back onto his left foot. Good player for us though.

Sterling. Always a threat. Technique not the standard of others in our squad but is always lively and a willing runner. Gets unfairly criticised in some quarters but his goal record for us can’t be in ignored. Scored some important goals but has missed some proper sitters. When he turns it on though he is very effective.

 

[BM96]

The perception of our whole team by fans of Liverpool, Utd and even Chelsea. Is that were a team full of superstars that any manager can win with.
They miss two contradictions to it. 1 is that they all say enjoy it while peps here your dominance wont last. Interesting considering he is a cheque book manager they say, well the money isnt going anywhere so why should the success.
2 is that whenever they do the combined 11. Liverpool fans will genuinely put 7 or 8 of there players in ahead of ours, Chelsea fans and even United fans will have the combined 11s split aswel. Which completely de values the argument were a bunch of superstars and pep has it much easier than the rest.
Also the benches of all 3 teams are full of national team players, that are more often than not bought for millions. You wouldn't think it the way our squad is reported compared to the other 3.

Sorry that didn't mean to be a rant but turned into one....

 

[dublinblue12]

For a team that supposedly have a cheat code to pick the best players, the impression I get from most opposition fans in regard to our forward players are:

- Jesus = rubbish
- Grealish = not a 100m player, not even worth half that
- Sterling = overrated. Fustrating. Not world class
- Foden = quality
- Mahrez = great player and wasted at City