The data metrics we will be looking at are:

• Forward passing
• Progressive Passing
• Defensive Duels
• Aerial Duels

In addition, the center-backs found are all under 30 years old, as many of the older ones tend to sign shorter contracts with their clubs as the clubs do not know when the player’s value will be lost. Therefore, shorter contracts allow the clubs to have them for a short period and if they play well, they can extend, for instance, this happens at Real Madrid, where Luka Modrić has been doing this for several seasons now. Furthermore, all the center-backs in the charts have more than 400 minutes under their belt this season.

We will begin by forming scatter plots of the data metrics mentioned beforehand, to find the level of the center backs who end contract in June compared to the rest of the center backs in the league. In this manner, we can identify how they are performing and decide which center backs clubs should be looking at on a free transfer. Later, we will find the best center backs depending on how they perform in the scatter plots and we will look at each one individually.

Forward Passing

Forward passes are crucial for center-backs as they are the ones who have to initiate the play.

Progressive Passing

This passing metric gives us more depth into the danger of each player’s passing rather than just passing the ball forward 5m. This is because this metric only includes more specific passes such as a pass 10m closer to the opposition goal if the pass comes from the opposition side of the pitch.

Defensive Duels

Dominating defensive duels is essential for any defender, as their fundamental purpose is to defend his goal, and for that, winning duels is key.

Aerial Duels

Aerial duels are essential for any defender who wants to succeed and even more, for those who press high and recover the ball up the pitch, as the opposing team will look to play long, and for that, aerial duels are required.

Results

From the charts, we can observe that Jorge Sáenz is the most complete defender, while Juma Bah and Juanma Herzog stand out in the defensive matters.

However, we also have to give a special mention to Abdel Abqar who perhaps is not having a great season with his team currently in the bottom half, nonetheless, he was essential last season for Alavés when they reached 8th place in the league, just one spot off European competitions. Furthermore, his value on transfermarkt is the highest amongst these defenders at €7.5 million, and will surely get picked by a club challenging for Europe.

Jorge Sáenz

Name: Jorge Sáenz

Position: Center Back

Country: Spain

Age: 28

Height: 188cm

Preferred Foot: Right

Current Club: Leganés

Context: Jorge Sáenz began his career at Tenerife where he played in the first team for 4 seasons until Valencia signed him for €2 million. Two weeks later, he was loaned out to Celta where he remained for two years, and then went on a series of loan spells to Marítimo in Portugal, Mirandés, and finally, Leganés who signed him permanently for €400k where he has played the last two seasons.

In the charts, we can observe that Jorge Sáenz is quite a complete defender, however, his best attributes come in his defensive and aerial duels. Nonetheless, he does attempt many forward and progressive passes, though the precision of these is below the average.