Interestingly though, some of his underlying PL stats/90 are really good.
- his Team success +/- (goals scored vs goals allowed when he is on the pitch) is a team-best + 1.14
- Ditto for xG/xGA, he's second, behind Martial.
- Touches in the oppo penalty area, best on the team (disregarding Garnacho, who has less than 1 full 90)
- Attempted dribbles, second on the team. (Successful dribbles only sixth, but still ahead of Dalot, Ronaldo, Bruno)
- Second in expected assists and expected assisted goals, in both cases behind Martial. Also second in actual assists (still per 90, remember).
- Second in fouls drawn, after Martial.
Then there's a few bits where he doesn't place very highly, but are ahead some of our other regulars with an offensive role: Goal-creating actions; seventh, but ahead of Shaw, Rashford and Antony. Shot-creating actions 9th, but ahead of those same players.
Then there's quite a few areas where he has been among the least impactful on the team, so it's a very mixed picture.
This seems to indicate that he may bring a bit more value than it looks like. I for one was more than a little surprised at those stats. If you're drawing a picture based on the stats, it'd be one of a player of very uneven quality who does bring some real things to the table, especially around and in the oppo box. Which again could be construed as a player with some serious developing left to do, but with real potential. Or, of course, of an essentially limited fringe player who gives you some things but lacks overall quality. But given his relative youth and inexperience, they strike me as pointing more to the former than to the latter.
Just sayin'.
Thanks for the information, interesting read!
I will say this on Elanga, I think ETH is a lot more pleased with his actual performance than the average guy in the stand. His actual performance is just better than his appearance. Simply, a scouting report on Elanga would not and should not be great, right? When you watch him, is an above average PL player? No. He is lacking in many areas. He is a bit nervous on the ball. Some touches aren't the best. He can beat guys with sprints and dribbles, but its a bit chaotic.
At the same time, the 2-3 times per game he fumbles possession of the ball is only a smaller part of what he actually contributes on the field, and in addition he gets things done without it always looking that pretty, but that doesn't really matter.
His work rate is really good, his speed will push defenders back, not many would want to end up in a footrace with Elanga down the field. He leaves about any defender in the dust. He is really quick on loose balls to regain possession. He is loyal defensively. Very rarely dwells on the ball, move it forward to our more talented players instantly, if he isn't challenging his guy 1 on 1.
Ultimately, from my POV, Elanga is today just as little of a ETH type of player as Maguire is. At least on the wing. ETH wants his wingers to be able to lick the line, send in crosses, beat their guy. A big creative responsibility lies on them. That is not Elanga. As a winger, I think Elanga is more of a fit for like a Bundesliga team playing some sort of
gegenpress focused style. If his future is on the wing, I wouldn't mind selling him to like Leipzig or Leverkusen or a club like that.
At the same time, Elanga is the typical versatile type of footballer from my POV. Could he adopt to become more of a
Kingsley Coman type of winger? I.e., be more the licking the line/sending in crosses type. Or could he even like change position and become say an
Alphonso Davies type of wing-back? He just got -- in a 100% positive wibe -- that team first errand boy vibe. He definitely has potential in that.
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