Manchester United have made a sizzling start to their campaign both in the Premier League and also in Europe, and Jose Mourinho’s summer signings have had a huge role to play in this start. Belgian star Romelu Lukaku has hit the ground running but one player who deserves more appreciation is Serbian midfielder, Nemanja Matic.
The former Chelsea man was snapped up by the Red Devils in a £40m deal this summer and Matic has taken no time to settle in at Old Trafford, establishing himself as the first choice under Jose Mourinho.
He has added balance and solidity to the midfield, allowing players around him to thrive and his performances so far this season make him one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. But is Matic actually the best CDM in England?
Here are his stats for this season compared to some of the best midfielders in the league at the moment:
After United’s game against Everton, Matic now has 372 successful passes with 457 touches of the ball this season. Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka has 429 successful passes to his name while Manchester City’s Fernandinho and Southampton’s Oriol Romeu have 396 and 375 successful passes and are the only players better than Matic in this regard.
Interestingly, Matic also has the best pass percentage among players who play in his role. At 90%, Matic’s pass success rate is only matched by Everton’s Idrissa Gueye while the likes of Xhaka, Fernandinho, Henderson and even N’Golo Kante are all lurking far behind.
With strength in the air his speciality, Matic is a commanding midfielder who loves to put in tackles and make interceptions constantly. He has won 59% of his aerial duels so far this season but is bettered by the likes of Fernandinho, Wilfried Ndidi and even Jordan Henderson, who have won 65%, 62% and 60% of the aerial duels respectively.
Having also made 10 interceptions, Matic is right up there with the best, only bettered by Fernandinho, Gueye and N’Golo Kante, all of who have been consistent this season.
He rules the charts for tackles won, interceptions, successful passes and touches for his club, and has easily been one of their best players so far this season. He has been influential in almost every game and has picked up from where he left off in a title-winning campaign at Stamford Bridge last season.
Do you think Matic is the signing of the summer in the Premier League?
Stat Credit: Squawka.com
Experiencing a live football match in a stadium is genuinely remarkable. The atmosphere differs significantly from watching on a screen. The energy and excitement are contagious, immersing you in the game like never before. If you're gearing up for your inaugural football match, knowing what to expect is essential. The sheer intensity of being surrounded by hundreds or thousands of passionate fans can be overwhelming. To ensure you make the most of this unique experience, here are some tips for first-timers: Secure Tickets Early Getting tickets is crucial, especially for popular events like the World Cup or highly anticipated matches. Buying online is often the most convenient method. As the season progresses, ticket demand increases, leading to quick sell-outs. Prices can vary based on team popularity, stadium quality, and other factors. You can think about buying your tickets in cryptocurrency. Consider using USDT but first understand tether meaning to know how to go about it. If you have a specific team or player you want to see, plan accordingly by checking their schedule and securing tickets early for the best experience. …
FRANCE WIN 14-0 🤯Les Bleus score 14 (FOURTEEN) times vs. Gibraltar for their biggest-ever win.…
Aston Villa are having a very fine season so far in the Premier League. The…
The Premier League run-in, the backend of the title race for Manchester City sees them…
Everton is having a bad season so far, from their poor form in the league…
Communication is the heartbeat of any successful soccer team. On the field, amidst the flurry…