The numbers that show how good Dejan Kulusevski has been this season - for a third time | OneFootball

You're probably bored of reading these sort of pieces - given this is the third time this is being written up for this season (first here, and second here), but this is yet another piece showing just how good Dejan Kulusevski has been this season. Perhaps he should stop being so good at football if these pieces are to stop.

Once again looking at the numbers with Dejan Kulusevski

As always, these numbers are provided by the ever top class DataMB. Per their data, when ranked to midfielders in the top seven leagues, Kulusevski comes out first for; key passes (26), dribbles (152), shot assists (48), progressive runs (100), accelerations (29), crosses (76), offensive duels (337), and deep completions.

Furthermore, he ranks in the 100th percentile for progressive carries, and 99th percentile for key passes. Compared to another top midfielder that also plays in the Premier League - Cole Palmer - Kulusevski ranks better for defensive actions, progressive carries, forward pass percentage, and key passes.

When compared to someone like Phil Foden, the reigning player of the year (not deserved, but that's another debate), Kulusevski ranks higher for all of; defensive actions, progressive carries, forward passes, forward pass percentage, key passes, and progressive passes, with Foden only ahead for duel percentage.

There is little doubt that the Swedish international is better when he plays in midfield. After playing there a lot at the start of the season, he has had to play on the wing more recently, particularly in the absence of Brennan Johnson. Although he has played well there at times, particularly during the win over Manchester City at the Etihad, playing in midfield gets the best out of his qualities.

Going to the more basic, traditional stats, he has scored six goals, provided four assists, and created nine big chances in 1951 minutes in the Premier League. He draws 1.3 fouls per game, whilst winning 4.5 duels a game.

Ideally, the signing of Mathys Tel helps keep Kulusevski in midfield. Some may see him as more of a left winger or striker, but he did play and score on the right a couple of times for Bayern Munich last season. That said, he may play up front until Dominic Solanke is back - so ideally Johnson is back soon, and Kulusevski can play in midfield.

If we do get Tel on the right at some point, the link up with these two will be exciting. The 24-year old will relish at the chances of playing through balls into those half spaces for the Frenchman to run onto. If the Frenchman plays on the left hand side at any point, that will also suit angles for Kulusevski to play through balls for him to make out to in runs and get towards the box.