Premier League Centre-Backs: Aerial Duels vs. Dribbled Past

4th March 2025

The latest data visualization from Statz.ai provides an insightful breakdown of Premier League centre-backs based on their ability to win aerial duels and how often they are dribbled past per 90 minutes. With defenders categorized into four quadrants, we can identify the best all-rounders, aerial dominators, and those who may struggle in key defensive areas.

Complete Defensive Units (Top Right Quadrant)

These defenders excel both in the air and on the ground, making them formidable presences at the back. Players such as Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Max Kilman (West Ham), and Nikola Milenković (Nottingham Forest) boast high aerial duel success rates while being rarely dribbled past. Their dominance showcases their ability to control defensive situations with composure.

Dominant in the Air, Dicey on the Deck (Top Left Quadrant)

This group consists of aerially commanding defenders who, however, can be dribbled past more often than desired. Dan Burn (Newcastle), Konstantinos Mavropanos (West Ham), and Jan Bednarek (Southampton) all rank highly for aerial duels won but may struggle against agile attackers on the ground.

Soft in the Air, Dominant on the Ground (Bottom Right Quadrant)

These defenders are strong at dealing with dribblers but do not win as many aerial duels. William Saliba (Arsenal) and Manuel Akanji (Manchester City) fall into this category, excelling in one-on-one defensive duels but potentially vulnerable against set-piece threats.

Soft in the Air, Shaky on the Ground (Bottom Left Quadrant)

This is the least favorable category, featuring defenders who struggle in aerial duels and are also dribbled past often. Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United) and Murillo (Nottingham Forest) rank in this quadrant, highlighting areas for improvement.

For more in-depth football analytics, visit Statz.ai.

Premier League Duels

Premier League Duels