By David Butler
Following on from my last post, another way to consider the elite standards of the top European leagues is to evaluate the performance of players entering the foremost division from the tier below via the promotion system. I’ve looked at this before for goals but now with better data so it can be considered for more advanced statistics.
The graph below charts the output declines of top scorers contracted to promoted clubs upon reaching the top of the football pyramid. The data is at a seasonal level and shows attackers output in the Championship and then for their first season in the elite league from 2017 to present. On average, the leading attackers of promoted clubs have an Expected Goals (xG) rate of 14.8 in the lower tier. This falls to 5.5 at the top level. Their Expected Assists (xA) also fall from on average 6 to 2.4.
Following on from my last post, another way to consider the elite standards of the top European leagues is to evaluate the performance of players entering the foremost division from the tier below via the promotion system. I’ve looked at this before for goals but now with better data so it can be considered for more advanced statistics.
The graph below charts the output declines of top scorers contracted to promoted clubs upon reaching the top of the football pyramid. The data is at a seasonal level and shows attackers output in the Championship and then for their first season in the elite league from 2017 to present. On average, the leading attackers of promoted clubs have an Expected Goals (xG) rate of 14.8 in the lower tier. This falls to 5.5 at the top level. Their Expected Assists (xA) also fall from on average 6 to 2.4.
It’s not just key goal scoring metrics that highlight the standard change. The decline can also be seen in progressive carries and progressive passes statistics. The significant decline in the number of progressive passes received (blue bar) speaks to football being a team sport. The lead striker for the promoted club is not the only one finding it more challenging at the most elite level.
Considering these standard changes is important for promoted clubs designing a strategy to survive at the top and for potential buying clubs watching on. Not all goods are equal.
Considering these standard changes is important for promoted clubs designing a strategy to survive at the top and for potential buying clubs watching on. Not all goods are equal.
RSS Feed
