In this data analysis piece, we will be studying the Danish top division to find talent using purely statistical data. As we can appreciate, finding talent is different for each club as it mainly depends on their style of play.

For example, a striker that wins more aerial duels may not be a requirement for a team who plays with a false 9 and prefer to pass it around on the floor. In contrast, for a club that puts more crosses into the box or plays route one, the striker with good aerial duels will be looked at in more detail.

Using Data To Identify A Readymade Championship Centre Back From League One

Therefore, for the sake of this piece, we will be assuming that we are recruiting for an Eredivisie club who prefer to:

• Play a 4–3–3
• Build out from the back
• Hold more possession
• Attacking wingers who play more as inside forwards
• Full backs who push up more
• CDM who protects the back 4 but also is involved in the build-up phase

The metrics that will be presented today will be based on the above objectives but also the key principles for that position. For example, although we will be looking for a centre-back who can pass the ball well, and be comfortable by bringing it out, they still need to somewhat be good in the air, as that is a key principle for a centre-half.

Moreover, the data analysis will ensure that the players have played at least 15 games for the 2021/2022 season to get a true reflection of the player’s profile.

When profiling players, it is important to note what type of team you are recruiting for and also take into account the league you’re compiling an analysis on.

Finding the Best Championship Centre Midfielder Purely From Data

For this particular piece, it would not be wise to find talent for the Premier League as the standard is way off, hence picking the Dutch league where players from Scandinavia typically move a level such as the Dutch league & develop before making their bigger moves.

A final point to make is that we will be looking at players at the age of 24 or under, as we are looking to players who can potentially develop further rather than players closer to their peak. Now that we have set the expectations, let’s get into some of the analysis which has been performed.

Centre Back Analysis

• Aerial — Soulas came out on top for this metric as he recorded 66% for aerial duels won, compared to Heggheim who recorded 58% & Nagalo at 50%
• Defending — Soulas again ranked highest in this metric as he recorded 72% for defensive duels won, compared to Heggeim who recorded 67% & Nagalo at 63%
• Passing — Heggheim came out on top this time around for this metric as he recorded 13.95 progressive passes per 90, compared to Soulas who recorded 8.25 & Naglo at 7.68
• Ball Carrying — Nagalo came out on top this time around for this metric as he recorded 1.77 progressive runs per 90, compared to Soulas who recorded 0.69 & Heggheim at 0.82

Full Back Analysis

• Ball Carrying — Riveros came out on top for this metric as he recorded 3.72 for progressive runs per 90, compared to Carstensen who recorded 2.77 & Bruus at 2.1
• Running — Riveros came out on top again for this metric as he recorded 2.71 for accelerations per 90, compared to Bruus who recorded 1.16 & Carstensen at 1.12
• Defending — Carstensen edged out on top for this metric as he recorded 10.44 for defensive duel per 90, compared to Riveros who recorded 4.92 & Bruus at 4.24. However, one thing to note is that Riveros won 66.67% of defensive duels whereas Carstensen won 66.57%.
• Key Passes — Bruus came out on top for this metric as he recorded 0.79 for key passes per 90 compared to Riveros who recorded 0.63 & Carstensen at 0.47

CDM Analysis

 Received passes — Brink came out on top for this metric as he recorded 65.3 received passes per 90, compared to Bell who recorded 31.7 & Ferreira at 27.5

• Long progressive passes — Bell came out on top for this metric as he recorded 72% for accurate long passes per 90, compared to Brink who recorded 57% & Ferreira at 48%
• Short/Med passes — Brink edged out on top for this metric as he recorded 92% for accurate short/medium passes per 90 compared to Bell who recorded 91% & Ferreira at 88%
• Interceptions — Ferreira came out on top for this metric as he recorded 7.42 interceptions per 90 compared to Bell who recorded 5.67 & Brink at 3.72

Wingers Analysis

• XG VS XA — Jorgensen came out on top for this metric as he recorded 11.1 XG, compared to Sabbi who recorded 7.29 Isaksen who recorded 6.65 Frokjaer at 4.35
• Shots — Isaksen came out on top for this metric as he recorded 55% for shots on target compared to Jorgensen who recorded 45%, Frokjaer who recorded 38% & Sabbi at 33%
• Key Passes — Frokjaer came out on top for this metric as he recorded 1.01 for key passes per 90, compared to Jorgensen who recorded 0.87, Isaksen who recorded 0.67 Sabbi at 0.36
• Ball Carrying — Sabbi came out on top for this metric as he recorded 9.92 dribbles per 90, compared to Isaksen who recorded 7.22, Frokjaer who recorded 5.29 & Jorgensen at 4.18

Striker Analysis

• Attacking — Adingra came out on top this time around for this metric as he recorded 8.01 for successful attacking actions per 90, compared to Dreyer who recorded 4.09 & Odey at 3.86
• Running — Adingra came out on top again for this metric as he recorded 2.2 accelerations per 90, compared to Odey who recorded 1.18 & Dreyer at 0.74
• Shots — Dreyer came out on top this time around for this metric as he recorded 52% shots on target per 90, compared to Odey who recorded 48% & Adingra with just under 48%. As a side note, Adingra did have more shots per 90 than the other 2 players.
• Goals — Adingra came out on top here for this metric as he recorded 9 goals compared to Dreyer with 8 & Odey with 7

Shortlisting For The Eredivisie

Based on the above data analysis, the below players have been shortlisted who we think should be looked into further in terms of recommending them for further scouting/research for Eredivise clubs:

• H. Heggheim
• B. Riveros
• M. Brink
• S. Jørgensen
• S. Adingra

Now we will look into their individual stats in more detail before deciding who we will recommend and why.

Who Would We Recommend for Further Scouting?

Based on all the data analysis complied, we would recommend that Blas Riveros & Mark Brink are scouted further. Below are the reasons why:

Blas Riveros:

• High dribbling rate which looking at the progressive runs and accelerations, looks like a full-back who likes to get forward, which is what we often see with full-backs in the Eredivisie

• A high rate of defensive actions & interceptions per game which looks as though Riveros is solid when it comes to his offensive game

• Finally, a high number of progressive passes along with a good number of attacking movements per game is another great attribute for a full back

All the factors above suggest Riveros is a good attacking fullback and is young so has the potential to grow even further.

Mark Brink

• A high number of progressive passes & passes to the final third suggest that the holding midfielder creates from deep which is a good attribute to have, especially if the team typically likes to build up from the back, so Brink can set a pass into the final third for an attack. This also links well with the long passes per 90 metrics which again taps well into what has been mentioned already

• A decent number of defensive actions, duels & interceptions show Brink’s defensive capabilities, as he appears to be a strong holding midfielder who could do well in terms of protecting the backline, especially with the principals mentioned, where the fullbacks like to venture up the field, this can become very useful

• Finally, the low progressive runs and dribbling indicate that Brink is someone who may not venture out of his position and instead hold his position which for a CDM is ideal.

Conclusion

This has been an interesting dive into statistical data for the Danish league for sure. Brighton have already secured the services for Adingra & has loaned him out to gain further development, we wonder how much of the above data they explored before looking into him further.

Player Analysis: Seko Fofana

Although we can appreciate the type of football being played in Denmark is somewhat different, it is good to see how statistically some of the shortlist players look as we went into more detail. These sorts of metrics are a great guide on what qualities the player possesses and with the right coaching can develop even further.

We will be tracking the movements of the shortlisted players and how their future progresses. There may even be an individual scout report on the 2 players mentioned who we recommend reviewing in more detail.

By: Dhillon Gill / @FMGegen

Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Lars Ronbog / FrontzoneSport