AjcW Posted 17 January 2012 Posted 17 January 2012 The Xavi from the Valley Conventional wisdom holds that Xavi is the best passer of a football in Europe, and probably the world. But it's wrong. And the stats prove it. Nor do any of the the midfield magician's Barcelona stable-mates hold the crown, despite gaining an impressive eight nominations between them in Fifa's player of the year competition. In fact, among Europe's top five leagues the player you can back to pick out a team-mate most often is Swansea City’s Leon Britton. The 29-year-old midfielder tops a pile that features some of the best-known footballers from the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1. Britton’s central midfield partner Joe Allen also features in the top 10, which illustrates the style of football Brendon Rogers has instilled in his side. Players with 1000+ passes only As for the team as a whole, Swansea lie sixth in the table; above Italian giants AC Milan and Roma and north London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal – who are generally credited with playing the most attractive football in England at the moment. Less of a surpries is that all-conquering Barcelona lead the way in passing, a full 2.2 percentage points better in their accuracy than closest rivals Bayern Munich. So should Fabio Capello give Britton a chance? Should Rogers be a genuine candidate for the soon to be vacated England manager’s role? Whatever your thoughts, there's no doubt that Swansea have been refreshing to watch this season and maybe results like that against Arsenal will become less of a surprise from now on.
Darkon84 Posted 17 January 2012 Posted 17 January 2012 Read something similar to this a short while ago. At first, I was genuinely surprised, but the more I actually thought about it, the more I realised just how good Brendan Rogers is doing at Swansea. Blackpool were entertaining and very attacking last year, but Swansea have the build up and ability to pass it around with the best at the minute. Brendan Rogers....
Brainy Posted 17 January 2012 Posted 17 January 2012 Thought this was gonna be an article about how Xavi was rejected as a kid at Charlton
lcfcadam Posted 17 January 2012 Posted 17 January 2012 There's a slight error in logic here. Leon Britton's accuracy percentage might be 0.3% higher, but Xavi made 703 more passes. That's a very big difference! Although that's not to suggest that those tables aren't clearly are a credit to Swansea
AjcW Posted 17 January 2012 Author Posted 17 January 2012 There's a slight error in logic here. Leon Britton's accuracy percentage might be 0.3% higher, but Xavi made 703 more passes. That's a very big difference! Although that's not to suggest that those tables aren't clearly are a credit to Swansea I thought this, but then I thought Leon Britton and Swansea have managed to do this in a league where pressure in possession is ten times that of what Almeria, Malaga and the like will be putting on Barcelona every week.
Langston Posted 17 January 2012 Posted 17 January 2012 Always refreshing to see new names flourishing in the top flight, if they're English, it's merely a bonus. I'd love to see some fresh faces in the national set up.
lcfcadam Posted 17 January 2012 Posted 17 January 2012 I thought this, but then I thought Leon Britton and Swansea have managed to do this in a league where pressure in possession is ten times that of what Almeria, Malaga and the like will be putting on Barcelona every week. Good point.
Guest shearfox Posted 17 January 2012 Posted 17 January 2012 Swansea obviously have two very good ball players in the middle, quite surprised to see them amougst the elite though. What a wonderful job they have done this season.
SMX11 Posted 17 January 2012 Posted 17 January 2012 I can't imagine what our stats are. I would imagine them to be around 50 at best
AjcW Posted 18 January 2012 Author Posted 18 January 2012 Always refreshing to see new names flourishing in the top flight, if they're English, it's merely a bonus. I'd love to see some fresh faces in the national set up. That's the thing though, if I asked for odds on Sinclair, Dyer and Britton being in the next England squad, and they ended up being named I'd probably end up a millionaire! Sad but true, form doesn't get you into capello's team... Being a "name" does
SOCCERROO FOX Posted 18 January 2012 Posted 18 January 2012 Stat's aren't the be all and end all but credit to them.
Bert Posted 18 January 2012 Posted 18 January 2012 Stick Barca v Swansea, then let's see what happens.
Aleksz Posted 19 January 2012 Posted 19 January 2012 Stick Barca v Swansea, then let's see what happens. No one is suggesting Leon Britton/Swansea is AS GOOD as Xavi/Barcelona.
Corky Posted 19 January 2012 Posted 19 January 2012 If you keep possession the opposition can't hurt you. Britton has done his job and more this season. All credit to him.
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