Finding the best wingers from the Primeira Liga – data analysis

In this data analysis piece, we will be looking out for the best wingers currently playing in the Portuguese Primeira Liga using statistics. The wingers’ evolution in football has been well documented where they were once only key to creating chances but not scoring goals. The modern-day wingers have changed the trend by getting more involved than their strikers in front of the goal.

In our analysis, we will be considering both the attacking as well as defensive attributes.  We will be looking at players who registered at least 800 minutes of football in the 2021-22 league season.

We will shortlist the best options according to the statistics and data analysis.  In this piece, we look into the players who are amongst the best-performing wingers in the league going into the 2022-23 season. Let’s dive deep into the analysis.

Scoring

Wingers over the past 20 years have had their roles re-defined. Where once they were used for playing crosses into the box for strikers, the last 20 years have seen wingers being in more inverted positions and become more of a goal threat to the team than their strikers. The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo for Manchester United and Real Madrid, Lionel Messi for Barcelona or even Mohamed Salah for Liverpool are some of the best goal-scoring wingers of the current generation.

Pablo Sarabia – The 30-year-old from Sporting CP. He recorded 0.61 xG per game last season and also scored 0.54 goals from it, both of which are the leagues highest for a winger.  He also averaged 2.86 shots per 90 for his club which shows that he is a high-volume shooter.

Iuri Medeiros – The 27-year-old from Sporting Braga. He recorded 0.35 xG per game last season and also scored 0.41 goals from it, both of which are the leagues highest for a winger.  He also averaged 2.95 shots per 90 for his club which shows that he is a high-volume shooter.