Manchester United have been crying out for natural wide players in recent weeks with them being forced to play Januzaj and Mata in wider roles. It comes as no surprise that United have been linked with Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon.
With Lennon, should he decide to join the club, being a replacement for Antonio Valencia, lets us have a look at the numbers and decide if it would really be an upgrade.
Lennon is far more prolific as compared to Valencia when it comes to creating chances. This season, Lennon has created 27 chances including 1 assist in 19 appearances while he created 66 chances, including 7 assists, in 34 appearances last season. He also scored 4 goals last season and has one goal to his name this season.
Compared to that, Valencia has created only 20 chances including 2 assists in his 24 appearances while he managed to create 40 chances including 5 assists in his 30 appearances last season. While he scored only one goal last season, he has already bettered that tally by scoring twice this season.
Lennon outscores Valencia in terms of shooting just like in terms of creating chances. Lennon has had 100% of his 5 shots on target this season and 50% of 16 shots on target last season. Compared to that, Valencia has had 44% of his 9 shots on target this season and 29% of 7 shots on target last season.
In terms of taking on defenders, the two players are more or less even. This season, Lennon has succeeded in 49% of 51 take ons he has attempted this season while he was successful in 45% of 95 take ons he attempted last season. Valencia on the other hand has succeeded in 48% of 56 take ons he has attempted this season while he was successful in 48% of 87 take ons he attempted last season.
This is one area where Valencia is better than Lennon. This season, Valencia has made 7 blocks, 36 interceptions and 25 clearances compared to Lennon’s 1 block, 11 clearances and 13 interceptions. The numbers were similar last season as well – Valencia made 2 blocks, 24 interceptions and 27 clearances compared to Lennon’s 4 block, 20 clearances and 28 interceptions.
In terms of tackling as well, Valencia’s numbers are better. This season, Valencia has won 40% of the 70 tackles that he attempted while he won 64% of the 70 tackles he attempted last season. Compared to that, this season Lennon has won 49% of the 41 tackles that he attempted while he won 52% of the 56 tackles he attempted last season.
Offensively, Aaron Lennon is definitely an upgrade on Antonio Valencia as he uses his trickery and pace to get past fullbacks and as a result creates more chance for his team. However, defensively, Valencia contributes more to the team’s cause. Now, it will be up to David Moyes to decide whether he would like to upgrade his offensive unit at the cost of defensive contribution or not.
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