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The Best Ball Carrying Centre Backs in EFL League One.

Overview

The role of the centre-back has evolved beyond traditional defensive duties, with ball-carrying ability now a key asset for teams looking to build play from the back. With football data analytics we identify the best ball-carrying centre-back in EFL League One, using our Player Performance Framework that evaluates defensive contributions, aerial ability, possession play, progressive passing and, most importantly, ball carrying. By leveraging WyScout data, we will show which players excel in carrying the ball out of defence while maintaining strong defensive fundamentals, providing insight into the standout performers in the league.

Data Analysis Rankings

Baily Cargill, central defender for Mansfield Town data analytics
Baily Cargill percentile rankings from WyScout data
Lewis Brunt, central defender for Wrexham AFC data analytics
Lewis Brunt percentile rankings from WyScout data
George Nevett, central defender for Peterborough data analytics
George Nevett percentile ranking in EFL League One data analytics
Christoph Klarer, central defender for Birmingham City data analytics
Christoph Klarer percentile ranking in EFL League One data analytics
Krystian Bielik, central defender for Birmingham City data analytics
Krystian Bielik percentile ranking in EFL League One data analytics

Performance Framework

Ball-Carrying Centre Back Evaluation Framework

This framework evaluates Ball-Carrying Centre Backs by assessing their defensive reliability, aerial ability, possession retention, progressive passing, and ball carrying. The ScoutDeck® weighting structure applied reflects the demands of modern football, where central defenders are increasingly required to contribute to build-up play, while maintaining defensive solidarity. Defensive attributes remain crucial but are balanced with metrics that assess technical ability and composure in possession. Each category has been weighted to prioritise skills that define a true ball-carrying CB, ensuring that those who excel in progression, both through passing and dribbling, stand out while maintaining core defensive responsibilities.

Defensive Ability (20%)

While a ball-carrying CB is expected to contribute significantly in posession, their defensive responsibility remains a key part of their role. This category accounts for 20% of the total weighting, ensuring that reliability in defence is still emphasised.

Metrics and Weighting :

Defensive Duels per 90 (25%)
Measures a CB’s engagement in one-on-one defensive situations.

Defensive Duels Won % (35%)
Prioritises efficiency in defensive challenges, ensuring quality over quantity.

PAdj Interceptions (20%)
Evaluates anticipation and the ability to disrupt opposition possession

Successful Defensive Actions per 90 (20%)
Captures overall defensive effectiveness across multiple actions.

Aerial Ability (10%)

Aerial prowess is important or dealing with aerial duels and set-piece situations. Since ball-carrying central defenders focus more on possession and progression, this is weighted lower at 10%.

Metrics and Weighting :

Aerial Duels per 90 (30%)
Measures involvement in aerial challenges.

Aerial Duels Won % (70%)
Prioritises efficiency in aerial dominance.

Possession (25%)

Ball-carrying Centre Backs must must be composed and precise in possession. This category is given 25% weight, as controlled passing and retention are vital for a defender who initiates build-up play.

Metrics and Weighting :

Short/Medium Passes per 90 (40%)
Measures involvement in ball circulation.

Accurate Short/Medium Passes % (45%)
Ensures stability and precision in passing.

Passes Received per 90 (15%)
Highlights the defenders role in receiving the ball under pressure.

Progressive Passing (20%)

While carrying the ball is a defining trait, progressive passing is crucial for advancing play. This category ensures the centre-backs who break opposition lines with passes are rewarded.

Metrics and Weighting :

Progressive Passes per 90 (30%)
Measures the frequency of forward, penetrative passes.

Successful Progressive Passes % (45%)
Prioritises efficiency in progression.

Accurate Long Passes % (15%)
Recognises the ability to switch play and bypass opposition pressure.

Accurate Passes into the final third % (10%)
Captures incisive passing into advanced areas.

Ball Carrying (25%)

As the defining characteristic of a Ball-Carrying Centre-Back, this category receives 25% weighting. Players who progress the ball by running with it are rewarded.

Metrics and Weighting :

Progressive Runs per 90 (50%)
The most important metric for ball-carrying defenders.

Dribbles per 90 (20%)
Highlights a centre-backs willingness to beat opponents when needed.

Successful Dribbles % (30%)
Ensures efficiency and accuracy when carrying the ball forward.

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Finishing

Goals per 90

65

Non-Penalty Goals per 90

65

Head Goals per 90

43

Shots on Target %

67

Goal Conversion %

59

Attacking Threat

xG per 90

100

NPxG per 90

100

Shots per 90

42

Touches in Box per 90

73

Chance Creation

xA per 90

24

Assists per 90

14

Key Passes per 90

30

Shot Assists

44

Passes to Penalty Area per 90

5

Accurate Passes to Penalty Area %

42

Build Up Play

Received Passes per 90

17

Received Long Passes per 90

17

Passes per 90

19

Accurate Passes %

96

Short / Medium Passes per 90

22

Accurate Short / Medium Passes %

77

Ball Carrying

Dribbles per 90

8

Successful Dribbles %

63

Aerial Ability

Aerial Duels per 90

19

Aerial Duels Won %

47

The Best Attacking Fullbacks and Wingbacks in EFL League One.

The role of the Fullback and Wingback has evolved beyond traditional defensive responsibilities, with attacking contributions now an essential asset for teams looking to dominate wide areas. In this analysis, we take a data-driven approach to identify the best attacking Fullbacks and Wingbacks in EFL League One, using our Player Performance Framework that evaluates defensive capabilities, aerial ability, crossing accuracy, chance creation, ball carrying and dribbling. By leveraging WyScout data, we will quantify which players succeed in progressing the ball and creating attacking opportunities, whilst excelling defensively, providing valuable insight into the standout performers in the league.

Methodology :

Attacking Fullback/Wingback Evaluation Framework

This Player Performance Framework evaluates attacking Fullbacks/Wingbacks by assessing their defensive reliability, aerial ability, crossing accuracy, chance creation, and ball-carrying/dribbling proficiency. Our weighting structure reflects the modern football landscape, where fullbacks and wingbacks are increasingly expected to balance defensive duties with offensive output. Defensive attributes remain essential but are balanced with metrics that assess technical ability, creativity, and effective progression in wide areas. Each category has been carefully weighted to prioritise skills that define a modern attacking fullback/wingback, ensuring those who excel in advancing the ball, creating chances and maintaining defensive discipline, stand out.

1. Defensive Ability (20%)

Attacking Fullbacks and Wingbacks must still perform defensive duties effectively, even if their primary role involves pushing forward. The defensive category is weighted at 20% to reflect the necessity of defensive reliability while allowing room for more offensively-focused metrics.

Metrics and Weighting :

  • Defensive Duels per 90 (25%)
    Measures how often a player engages in defensive situations.
  • Defensive Duels Won % (35%)
    Reflects the player’s ability to win challenges and gain possession.
  • PAdj Interceptions (20%)
    Shows how often the player intercepts passes to disrupt the opposition.
  • Successful Defensive Actions per 90 (20%)
    Combines key defensive actions to assess effectiveness.

2. Aerial Ability (10%)

Aerial ability is important for Fullbacks/Wingbacks, especially when defending against crosses or set-pieces, and in aerial duels during transitions. While less critical than for central defenders, it remains significant in both defensive and offensive situations.

Metrics and Weighting :

  • Aerial Duels per 90 (30%)
    Measures involvement in aerial challenges.
  • Aerial Duels Won % (70%)
    Focuses on efficiency in aerial dominance.

3. Crossing (15%)

Crossing is fundamental for attacking Fullbacks and Wingbacks who frequently operate in wide areas. Delivering accurate crosses from advanced positions is crucial for creating goalscoring opportunities – especially against compact defences. 

Metrics and Weighting :

  • Crosses per 90 (40%)
    Indicates crossing frequency, showing how often the player delivers balls into the box.
  • Accurate Crosses % (60%)
    Measures the precision of these deliveries, as accurate crosses are vital for creating high-quality chances.

4. Chance Creation (30%)

Fullbacks/Wingbacks are increasingly tasked with creating chances, especially in systems that rely on width for attacking depth. As such, this category holds a significant 30% weighting.

Metrics and Weighting :

  • Expected Assists (xA) per 90 (40%)
    Quantifies the quality of passes that lead to shots. Highlighting the players ability to create high-value opportunities.
  • Key Passes per 90 (30%)
    Tracks passes that directly lead to a shot, reflecting creativity and passing vision.
  • Passes into the Penalty Area (20%)
    Assesses the ability to break through defensive lines with incisive passes.
  • Accurate Passes into the Penalty Area % (10%)
    Evaluates the quality and reliability of penetrating passes, crucial for maintaining attacking momentum.

5. Ball Carrying and Dribbling (25%)

Modern Fullbacks/Wingbacks are expected to progress the ball up the pitch, both to alleviate opposition pressure and to instigate attacks. Ball carrying and dribbling are key components of this responsibility.

Metrics and Weighting :

  • Progressive Runs per 90 (50%)
    Measures the ability to carry the ball forward into advanced areas, often bypassing multiple opponents.
  • Dribbles per 90 (20%)
    This metric indicates how frequently the player attempts to beat an opposition player and showcases their confidence and skill.
  • Successful Dribbles % (30%)
    This highlights technical ability and effectiveness in maintaining possession during dribbling actions.
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