BBZ says stats don't tell the whole story and then proceeds to write an essay on stats which doesn't even cover Roberto's biggest flaw. Oh BBZ never change
Just imagine in earlier times when there were no online stats, people used their actual eyes to judge players. Lazy/clueless fans are now using stats to showoff their football knowledge without even actually studying the game.
When you resort to "but but stats" to defend your fav player you've lost the argument. You'd think after the Cesc and Ozil cases people would wise up
Stats tell a lot of things.
But they are not perfect.
And there are things which can't be measured in stats.
Again, just that example where Thiago Alcantara looked like an offensive and defensive beast in stats.
And where even Fabregas have better defensive stats that obviously better and more defensive minded midfielders.
Because, if Thiago/Fabregas will apply pressure on the opponent's defenders and make 2-3 tackles per game in that way, it will seem that they are actually good defenders.
But they were good only in applying pressure high up the pitch.
On the other hand, when your team is sitting deep and defending against the opponent who is passing around your box, Fabregas may be a total crap in that version of "actual" defending around your box.
But, in stats, you will only see: 2,8 tackles per match.
And you won't know whether Fabregas/Thiago tackled the opponent's CB while trying to apply a pressure or he made a last minute tackle around our box and saved a deadly through ball or a shot.
So, stats do tell some things, but they are also misleading.
But also, you can't totally ignore stats.
If Messi is scoring 50 goals per seasons and Munir 10, there is usually a strong reason for it.
We should apply both:
1. stats
2. knowledge that stats aren't perfect and can be misleading while analyzing them
3. and a good old eye-test
But an eye test is quite subjective.
I mean, people needed 18 Months to slowly give up from Dembele, who was "a generational talent" for the 18 Months, lol.
While others think that Coutinho-Arthur would be a good midfield combination.
Also, if you read this topic, a lot of people are watching for only 1-2 things in the eye test:
1. majority don't pay attention to Dembele's defending in the eye test
2. majority didn't pay attention to holes which Coutinho was leaving behind his back as a midfielder
3. majority don't see "problems" in Semedo's build up play and they see only his defensive runs to close down a counter
So, yes, stats don't tell a whole story, and the eye test is quite subjective.
Do you have some other idea how to discuss players then except the "obvious":
1. Semedo is "obviously" (lol) better than Roberto
2. Dembele is obviously a generational talent and he played awesome tonight
3. Pique is obviously shit etc
Its not really dribbling what roberto does. He definatley makes a few good runs past opponents but always in a wide open space. In a small room semedo is definatly the better dribbler eith better ball control.
Regarding passes roberto is ofc superior. But due to him being a midfielder normaly this should be standard.
But the most important thing for me is. Semedo usually ( ofc everyone can have a bad day like in coppa) has absolute control over his side in defense and even manages to help out pique pretty often. Thats what i want from a RB and then we can talk about the offense.
If we play 442, then Roberto has more defensive control due to 4 true CMs and a man infront of him (Paulinho/Rakitic last season).
And he can still use his offensive abilities better than Semedo.
Semedo is good only in 433.
While 433 is a crap over and over with our current team, for like 5 years in a row.
So, basically Semedo sucks and is somewhat useful in defense only in a 433, a formation which isn't working too good for us for years.
Not because of EV, lol.
