Understanding Player Ratings

Measures how efficiently a player converts chances into goals. We analyse conversion rates across different chance types, comparing actual output against expected output to identify players who consistently outperform their opportunities. A high finishing rating indicates genuine clinical ability—players who make the most of what they're given.

Captures a player's ability to get into dangerous positions through intelligent movement. This is about being in the right place at the right time—the instinctive positioning that separates elite attackers from the rest. We measure the quality and frequency of shooting positions achieved relative to overall involvement.

Measures effectiveness in aerial duels—combining success rate with volume contested. Important for defenders clearing danger, midfielders winning second balls, and strikers providing a target presence. We factor in physical attributes alongside performance data to assess true aerial capability.

The ability to unlock defences and create goalscoring opportunities for teammates. We measure the frequency and quality of chances created relative to involvement, identifying players who see passes others don't and consistently put teammates in scoring positions. Creativity is assessed per opportunity to ensure fair comparison between starters and rotation players.

Measures a player's ability to beat opponents with the ball at their feet. We weight this heavily toward volume—elite dribblers take on defenders constantly, accepting a lower success rate for the chaos they create. A player who attempts five dribbles and completes three is more valuable than one who attempts one and completes it.

The ability to maintain possession for the team under various circumstances. We combine multiple retention indicators to identify players who rarely give the ball away cheaply—reliable outlets who control tempo and provide security in possession. This balances safe play with the understanding that creative players sometimes lose the ball attempting the extraordinary.

Effectiveness in short-range passing—the foundation of possession football. We assess accuracy and involvement in build-up play, with position-specific expectations. A centre-back completing 90% of passes isn't equivalent to an attacking midfielder doing the same—our scales reflect these different demands.

The ability to switch play, find runners in behind, and execute accurate long-range passes. We measure success rate and volume of progressive long passing, identifying players who can change the point of attack and create opportunities with their range. Through-ball accuracy is weighted heavily for its difficulty and impact.

Quality and frequency of crosses into the box. We assess both the accuracy of delivery and how often a player gets into crossing positions, identifying wide players who consistently provide dangerous service for their attackers.

Measures a player's ability to actively win the ball back through tackles and interceptions. We adjust for possession context—a player in a team with 35% possession should make more tackles than one in a team with 65%. This ensures fair comparison between ball-winners in different tactical systems. Clean engagement rate factors in to reward those who win the ball without conceding fouls.

Captures the outcome of good defensive positioning—being part of a unit that restricts the opposition's quality chances. Players who consistently appear in matches where their team concedes little demonstrate strong positional intelligence. We combine team defensive outcomes with individual indicators like avoiding being beaten in one-on-one situations.

Measures how hard a player works off the ball—their willingness to track back, press opponents, and contribute defensively regardless of their attacking role. Essential in modern football where even elite strikers are expected to press from the front. We measure defensive involvement relative to overall contribution, adjusted for team style.

Captures how physically competitive a player is—their willingness to engage in duels, challenge for the ball, and impose themselves on opponents. We measure duel frequency and success rate, with bonus weighting for drawing fouls in dangerous areas. High aggression doesn't mean dirty—it means competitive and engaged.

A player's physical presence on the pitch—their ability to use their body effectively. We combine physical attributes with performance data in aerial and ground duels to assess overall physical capability. Important for target men, centre-backs, and holding midfielders who need to dominate their area.

Measures how much a player dictates their team's play—their influence on possession and centrality to build-up. High involvement ratings indicate players who are essential to how their team functions—the metronomes who set tempo, the playmakers through whom everything flows.

Captures a player's direct involvement in goals—scoring and assisting relative to their team's output. High ratings indicate match-winners who regularly produce the moments that decide games. We measure share of team goal contribution, chance creation, and attacking involvement.

Measures a player's ability to play full matches consistently and maintain performance during fixture congestion. We track playing time patterns and performance sustainability during busy periods to identify players who can handle the demands of modern football calendars.

The core goalkeeping skill—preventing shots from crossing the line. We measure save percentage alongside expected save difficulty to identify keepers who consistently make saves that statistically should be goals. Elite shot-stoppers don't just stop more shots—they stop harder ones.

A goalkeeper's ability to command their area on crosses and high balls. We assess claiming ability and clearance effectiveness to identify keepers who relieve pressure on their defence by dealing with aerial threats decisively.

Modern goalkeepers are expected to play as an extra defender. This rating measures their ability to distribute the ball effectively—both short passes to maintain possession and long balls to initiate attacks. Accuracy across different pass types determines the rating.

A goalkeeper's command of their penalty area and ability to act as a sweeper—coming off their line to deal with through balls, intercepting danger before it develops, and providing an extra layer of defensive security behind the back line.