Francis Coquelin, Villarreal's French central midfielder, seems to be in the twilight of his career at age 33. Notably diligent in his defensive responsibilities, he shines in the sphere of interceptions, positioning himself astutely to cut off opponent's progress, a standout trait among his La Liga contemporaries. Coquelin also knows how to express his physicality, earning a reputation due to a relatively high foul and yellow card record.
While he shows a promising recovery rate and above-average goal efficiency, other metrics point towards shortcomings. The goal threat he presents is marginal, reflected in his minimal influence in the attacking penalty area. It's clear Coquelin rarely poses as a direct threat to the opposition's goal. Moreover, his capacity to drive the team forward with progressive carries is severely limited.
Additionally, another overlooked aspect of his game is chance creation - an area where he struggles to make an impact. The veteran Frenchman primarily operates in the midfield third but offers little in terms of creativity or ball retention. Despite handful of matches under his belt, his pass accuracy remains rather worrying for a central midfielder.
In summary, although Coquelin provides a solid defensive shield, his lack of contribution in attacking aspects, particularly progression and chance creation, remains a palpable concern for Villarreal. His inconsistency in ball retention could disrupt Villarreal's rhythm, an area they will keenly address in the near future.
Francis Coquelin Key stats
Francis Coquelin Career Trend
Francis Coquelin Shot Maps
Francis Coquelin Shot Summary
In the 2023-2024 season, Francis Coquelin took 3 shots, scoring 0 goals. This output came from an Expected Goals (xG) of 0.11, averaging 0.04 xG per shot.
Right Foot: 0 goals from 1 shots. A 0.0% conversion rate. 0.06 xG per shot.
Left Foot: 0 goals from 1 shots. A 0.0% conversion rate. 0.03 xG per shot.
Headers: 0 goals from 1 headed attempts. A 0.0% conversion rate. 0.02 xG per shot.
