
EPL Index
·6 November 2023
Liverpool and Hammers Eye Napoli Star: Midfielder Stats Insight

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Yahoo sportsEPL Index
·6 November 2023
In the ever-evolving carousel of football transfers, a Polish maestro’s future has sparked a flame of interest among several top-tier clubs, a story well-documented by Corriere dello Sport. Piotr Zielinski, Napoli’s midfield dynamo, is at the crossroads of his career with the Serie A giants, as his contract dwindles down to its final six months.
The transfer talk is heating up with the Premier League’s Liverpool and West Ham United joining the chase. The Merseysiders have been no strangers to Zielinski’s narrative, with their interest not just sprouting overnight. It’s the kind of long-term admiration that hints at a serious strategic fit.
West Ham’s quest, under David Moyes, is akin to a carefully curated art piece, seeking to add another stroke of genius to their midfield canvas post-Declan Rice. A player of Zielinski’s calibre could be the marquee signing to rejuvenate their central battleground.
Meanwhile, over in Turin, Juventus find themselves in a predicament, necessitating midfield reinforcements posthaste. With Pogba’s unexpected hiatus and Fagioli’s off-pitch issues, the Old Lady’s eyes are set on Zielinski as a solution that brings both experience and flair to their squad.
With January looming, the stage is set for a pre-contract dance, should Zielinski wish to waltz with clubs beyond Italy’s borders. Alternatively, Napoli could opt to cash in on a January deal, avoiding a summer exodus for free. The figures tossed around in the realms of the transfer market value him at €35 million – a steal, some would argue, for a player of his prowess.
Corriere dello Sport’s report puts Juventus at the front of the queue, but the Premier League duo are more than just idle bystanders in this saga. Each club’s blueprint for success includes a player profile like Zielinski’s – technically gifted, tactically versatile, and with the engine to match the Premier League’s relentless pace.
For Zielinski, the upcoming months are crucial. Will he opt for the familiar pastures of Serie A or seek new horizons in the English Premier League? Only time will tell. But what’s certain is that his next move is more than a transfer – it’s a statement of intent for the next chapter of his career.
Piotr Zielinski’s value to any squad is not a matter of debate but one quantified by cold, hard statistics. Courtesy of Fbref, an analysis of Zielinski’s performance data paints a picture of a midfielder with an impressive capacity for both creative playmaking and defensive solidity.
The data visualisation we delve into showcases Zielinski as an outlier in attacking contributions. His non-penalty goals are soaring high at the 85th percentile compared to his midfield peers, indicating a tendency to find the back of the net without relying on spot-kicks—a trait of an offensively potent midfielder. Moreover, the 98th percentile in shot-creating actions underscores a player who is integral in building up to the moment the ball crosses the line. These performance stats underline Zielinski as a midfield engine designed for offensive powerhouses.
When it comes to maintaining possession, Zielinski’s numbers are just as commendable. He sits comfortably in the upper echelons with an 88th percentile rank for his non-penalty xG (expected goals) plus xA (expected assists), which signifies a player consistently involved in orchestrating key plays that could lead to scoring. His pass completion percentage hitting the 76th percentile reveals a player with a reliable touch, a midfield metronome setting the rhythm of play with precision.
Even on the defensive front, the Polish international’s stats are not to be overshadowed. His percentile for interceptions (78th) and tackles (93rd) puts him among the best in his role, suggesting an all-around capability to regain possession and initiate transitions—attributes any top-flight team would covet.
Piotr Zielinski’s stats offer a compelling argument for why clubs, as stated by Fbref’s data, are lining up for his signature. His all-encompassing midfield attributes resonate through every percentile rank, indicating a player who can not only fit into but also elevate the dynamism of any Premier League team’s core.