Player Threat Map: how to measure the threat generation

Category: Player Analysis

How can we measure the threat generated by a player? We take a closer look at our new metric: Player Threat Map.

Published:17/06/2021

Driblab launched two months ago the Expected Threat Map with the purpose to visualize the threat generation on football matches. Now we introduce the follow up tool, Player Threat Map, that gives the user the possibility to measure the threat generation of players over the course of selected seasons. 

The information coming from this new tool comes in handy when preparing future matches against rivals. Knowing when, how and where the attackers of the rival will generate threat to your goal can become a real competitive advantage to use. 

Coming back to this Driblab publication, and taking a glimpse to the top 5 leagues, some profiles are highlighted. Atalanta’s attacker, Josip Iličić, The Villains Jack Grealish and Bruno Fernandes, from Manchester United, will be addressed on today’s article. 

Josip Iličić – Top xT performer on the top 5 leagues from the right wing

Iličić has emerged as the top performer on Threat Generation (excluding Set Pieces) on this season, reaching a total of 0.33 xT per 90 minutes played. The above scatter plot clearly shows the massive distance against the rest of players despite only playing 42% of the minutes.

Taking a look at the field, the player has a significant weight on the right wing as starter point for his threat generation, eventually reaching into the box. The Slovenian player ended up with sheet of 4 goals (3.5 xG) and 9 assists (7.6 xA) on the Serie A this season. 

Jack Grealish – Highest team contribution attacking from the left wing

It is relevant to account for the great weight that Jack Grealish has within his team when moving the ball into more favorable situations for his team. Reaching a total of 0.16 xT per 90 minutes, his contribution covers above 28% of Aston Villa’s threat generation. This fact is even more remarkable if we recall that the player missed 12 Premier League games due to injury this season.

Just on the opposite side on the field of Josip Iličić, Jack Grealish influence clearly comes from the left side of the field and moving into the box, both from carries and from passes. Final numbers for him, 6 goals (4.6 xG) and 10 assists (7.8 xA). 

Bruno Fernandes – Attacking Midfielder focusing on the Center

Last but not least, Bruno Fernandes profile is worth mentioning. After scoring 9 goals (7.8 xG) and distributing 8 assists (9.4 xA), the Threat Map of the Portuguese displays the characteristics of a player that does not seek out the wings to generate danger, but rather the opposite, attacking through the center of the field.

The top Manchester United contributor, accounting for a total of 20% of the team’s Open Play xT managed to average 0.11 xT per 90 minutes of game. 

We are Driblab, a consultancy specialized in the statistical analysis of players and teams; our work is focused on advising and minimizing risk in professional football decision-making in areas related to talent detection and footballer evaluations. Our database has more than 130,000 players from more than 120 competitions, covering information from all over the world. Here you can learn more about how we work and what we offer.

Autor: Pablo Marcote
For Player Analysis we also recommend you:

Jan Oblak, the last great goalkeeper to improve his ball-playing

We look at how Atlético de Madrid and Jan Oblak have changed the way they play, getting the Slovenian more involved and more accurate with his feet.

‘Progressive runs’: the best 25 wingers

We uncover the top 25 wingers performing progressive runs in Europe’s top five european leagues.

Visualising Jude Bellingham’s impact in LaLiga

In just five games Jude Bellingham is playing a very different role to BVB. We visualise this change with maps and data.

Serie A 23/24: eight signings not to be missed

We highlight eight very interesting signings from Serie A, providing visualisations to put their potential into context.

Ligue 1 23/24: seven signings not to be missed

We highlight seven very interesting signings from Ligue 1, providing visualisations to put their potential into context.

‘Copa Oro 2023’: players to watch

Thanks to our extensive coverage of leagues and players, with which you can visualise the performance of each player in their respective leagues.

‘Expected Passing %’: between accuracy and difficulty

How complicated is the pass I just saw on television? It is a question as simple as it is complex. With your powers of analysis and perception you may conclude that it is easy or difficult, or you may put an adverb in front of it to add some degree of difficulty or...

‘driblabPRO Scout’: under-23 left-footed centre-backs with a market value of less than 7M

We use all our filters to find left-footed U-23 centre-backs with good ball handling and aerial skills, with a market value of less than 7 million.

Belgium and Netherlands U21 fullbacks ready for a bigger challenge

We are looking for full-backs in Belgium and the Netherlands who meet the defensive requirements that would allow them to make the jump to a big league.

‘Through balls’: Messi’s latest impossible statistical peak

Leo Messi has no rival in this aspect of the game where he has always been the best. We compare him with other great players.

Driblab

Información corporativa

Somos una empresa con sede en Madrid fundada en 2017 por Salvador Carmona y Cristian Coré Ramiro. Desde nuestros inicios nuestro trabajo se ha centrado en el análisis estadístico de datos para ayudar a los clubes en la planificación deportiva. Somos una consultora big data que ofrece servicios personalizados para cada cliente y defiende un modelo de gestión mixto y una comunicación constante para acompañar el día a día de las instituciones. Nuestro punto fuerte es la más amplia cobertura disponible en número de torneos profesionales y juveniles. Para más detalles, póngase en contacto con nosotros.

Colaboramos con:

           

Hemos aparecido en: