Gianluigi Donnarumma

[lee_wsm]

I would imagine it's agent talk to boost a new contract

 

[Lancet Fluke]

Didn't tolmie post we will never do business with his agent...ever!

Well if he wants anything like he got for the pogba deal then I imagine we will tell him to do one.

 

[domalino]

Statistically Donnarumma is the clear leader. For me a combo of Donnarumma first choice and Caballero as reserve would be ideal.

Diana's passing stats are pretty impressive. Always knew he was a superior shotstopper. But never thought of him as a sweeper keeper.

Those statistics don't mean much to us though. You can have very high distribution accuracy by being at a team who never kicks long, but that doesn't mean you've got the passing range to do what Pep wants. Similarly, you can have shit distribution stats like Pickford's but actually be an incredible passer, your manager just wants you to boot it long though.

What we need is a keeper who can execute those chipped balls to LB, RB and defensive midfielder, often over opposition players and under pressure. That kind of mid-range 20-30m distribution is only seen at clubs as dedicated to beating the press as Pep's, and there aren't that many of them.


I imagine OPTA or Prozone do have the exact stats you'd want to see how good a keeper is at that kind of play, but Whoscored, Squawka etc. don't use them.

On top of that, what really sets the "Pep keeper" apart is what he praises Bravo for the most - Getting their head up, and seeing which way play should go in order for us to create an overload 10 passes later...that's not something you're going to pick up statistically, and it's very hard for anyone who isn't watching games regularly live, in the stadium, to see.

 

[doobyedoobye]

Well if he wants anything like he got for the pogba deal then I imagine we will tell him to do one.

Mino is touting both Lukaku and Donna around like it's bid up TV and we are clearly just being used as chandelier bids.

 

[Plain Speaking]

For completeness I have also added Ederson and Hart, to the GK stats for Cabellero, Valdes, Bravo, Pickford and Donnarumma to see how they compared this season:

Average saves per goal: Caballero-2.09, Valdes-1.78 , Bravo-1.08, Pickford-2.26, Donnarumma-3.12, Ederson Moraes-4.08, Hart-1.65

Distribution success: Caballero-77%, Valdes-57%, Bravo-75%, Pickford-51%, Donnarumma-78%, Ederson Moraes-70%, Hart-72%

Average punches: Caballero-21%, Valdes-32%, Bravo-41%, Pickford-52%, Donnarumma-39%, Ederson Moraes-22%, Hart-39%

Average Distribution Distance: Caballero-30m, Valdes-44m, Bravo-33m, Pickford-53m, Donnarumma-31m, Ederson Moraes-40m, Hart-37m

Number of saves this season: Caballero-23, Valdes-63, Bravo-27, Pickford-96, Donnarumma-112, Ederson Moraes-49, Hart-84

Statistically Donnarumma and Ederson Moraes are both excellent. Donnarumma (18 years old) has the best distribution, he has been the "busiest keeper" with 112 saves and he has done very well in a tough league; Ederson Moraes (23 years old) has a better average saves per goal ratio but plays in a lower level league.

Obviously each keeper is influenced by the style and abilities of the team and league they are playing in.

Overall statistically Donnarumma seems best, closely followed by Ederson Moraes. Caballero is solid.
Pickford seems to have disappointing distribution stats, probably influenced by a Moyes/Sunderland policy of "clearing long"?

 

[cadds92]

He only has one year left so I think we have seen an opening here to get a really top talent for a decent fee.

 

[BigOscar]

Don't really think stats are that useful in football, especially for keepers. Different teams and particularly different leagues make it pretty impossible to draw particularly accurate conclusions. I'd be much more interested in what people who actually watch him think of his distribution, whether he's quick, whether he makes good decisions and whether he has any composure when pressed.

 

[Plain Speaking]

Those statistics don't mean much to us though. You can have very high distribution accuracy by being at a team who never kicks long, but that doesn't mean you've got the passing range to do what Pep wants. Similarly, you can have shit distribution stats like Pickford's but actually be an incredible passer, your manager just wants you to boot it long though.

What we need is a keeper who can execute those chipped balls to LB, RB and defensive midfielder, often over opposition players and under pressure. That kind of mid-range 20-30m distribution is only seen at clubs as dedicated to beating the press as Pep's, and there aren't that many of them.


I imagine OPTA or Prozone do have the exact stats you'd want to see how good a keeper is at that kind of play, but Whoscored, Squawka etc. don't use them.

On top of that, what really sets the "Pep keeper" apart is what he praises Bravo for the most - Getting their head up, and seeing which way play should go in order for us to create an overload 10 passes later...that's not something you're going to pick up statistically, and it's very hard for anyone who isn't watching games regularly live, in the stadium, to see.

I take your point any statistical analysis only goes so far. Generally the longer the kick the less likelihood of accuracy. I have included the average distance of distribution kicks.

 

[cadds92]

Don't really think stats are that useful in football, especially for keepers. Different teams and particularly different leagues make it pretty impossible to draw particularly accurate conclusions. I'd be much more interested in what people who actually watch him think of his distribution, whether he's quick, whether he makes good decisions and whether he has any composure when pressed.

I agree.

Very hard to judge keepers off stats.

I think no doubt we will be looking at shots conceded to shots faced and distribution completion percentage.

Donarumma may have a lower average saves per goal ratio than Ederson, but one plays in Serie A and the other in Liga NOS, that surely has to be taken into consideration.

 

[Plain Speaking]

Don't really think stats are that useful in football, especially for keepers. Different teams and particularly different leagues make it pretty impossible to draw particularly accurate conclusions. I'd be much more interested in what people who actually watch him think of his distribution, whether he's quick, whether he makes good decisions and whether he has any composure when pressed.

I agree you don't use stats on their own but stats can highlight long term strengths and weaknesses of players over a season or series of years. Some matches I watch a player and his distribution may be fantastic but other games the reverse. Stats can average performance variations and give a good overview, but they have to used with other observations and analysis.