Cluster 6- Attack-Minded Left-Backs
Where We Left Off:
Attack-Minded Left-Backs: What makes them different?
Players in cluster 6, attack-minded left-backs, are very much an embodiment of the modern fullback. These players are very much involved in buildup and chance creation, with a high number of touches and passes completed as well as shot-creating actions and xA per 90. They are capable and willing dribblers, boasting the 5th most progressive carries and 6th most players dribbled past per 90 among clusters. With such high focus on the attack, these left-backs do sport below-average defensive numbers, ranking 13th in press attempts and successful pressures and 8th in tackles won per 90.
Disclaimer
All the statistics used can be found on fbref. Keep in mind that specific players’ key stats and age may have changed slightly since the writing (not publishing) of this article. If you are subscribed to the newsletter and the email isn’t reaching your inbox, you may want to add my substack email (davidsajdak@substack.com) as a contact to prevent it from going to spam or promotions.
Strengths (cluster rank):
shot-creating actions per 90 (7)
xA per 90 (6)
progressive carries per 90 (5)
players dribbled past per 90 (6)
touches per 90 (6)
passes completed per 90 (6)
Weaknesses (cluster rank):
press attempts per 90 (13)
successful pressures per 90 (13)
tackles won per 90 (8)
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Notable Cluster 6 Players
Jordi Alba
Team: FC Barcelona
FBREF Position: FB, left (Fullback)
Key Stats:
Ben Chilwell
Team: Chelsea FC
FBREF Position: FB, left (Fullback)
Key Stats:
Luke Shaw
Team: Manchester United FC
FBREF Position: FB-WM, left (Fullback)
Key Stats:
Notable Young Talents (u23)
Alphonso Davies
Team: Bayern Munich
FBREF Position: FB, left (Fullback)
Age: 20
Key Stats:
Theo Hernandez
Team: AC Milan
FBREF Position: FB, left (Fullback)
Age: 23
Key Stats:
Renan Lodi
Team: Club Atletico de Madrid
FBREF Position: FB, left (Fullback)
Age: 23
Key Stats: