Thread by @Reuser5

"AND HE'S ON SET-PIECES......" - A SHORT THREAD

When valuing players, set-piece duties are rightly seen as a desirable "added extra". An opportunity for additional goals and assists throughout the season.

But how much value do freekicks and corners actually add?

(1/7)

The answer very much depends on the player (and their team-mates), but an analysis across all players indicates that only 9 players gained 15 or more points across the season due to free-kicks and corners (not accounting for bonus points awarded).

(2/7)

Worth noting that very few of these points came from corners. Indeed, of the 3906 corners taken in 18/19, only 140 led to goals - and only 102 of those were assisted.

Digne has one of the best corner conversion rates - and got a single assist from a total of 89 corners.

(3/7)

A player who often comes up in this discussion is Sigurdsson.

But whilst his penalties are an important source of potential points, his other set-pieces earned him just 6 points extra (pre-bonus). Of course, his duties are shared with Digne (15 points).

(4/7)

JWP failed to register a single assist from his freekicks and 92 corners - somewhat compensated by his 2 spectacular direct freekicks (10 points earned, pre-bonus).

(5/7)

Meanwhile, Moutinho proved to be the undisputed king of the set-piece assist, (21 points) despite being firmly under our radars all season.

Eriksen, Maddison and TAA all followed him closely - with Xhaka, Fraser, Holebas and Knockaert fairing decently.

(6/7)

Set-piece takers continue to be worthy of our attention - but we need to be aware that any potential points gained may not necessarily be worth any premium we may be spending - unless penalties are part of the deal, of course.....

(End)

@threadreaderapp unroll please