Joe Ralls Scout Report
In our latest scout report, we turn our focus to Cardiff City's defensive stalwart, Joe Ralls. Despite being 30, he has been omnipresent for his side, featuring in 35 games within the Championship season of 2023-2024. Naturally positioned as a defensive midfielder, Ralls also shows versatility, operating as a central midfielder on occasion.
Ralls' strongest suit lies in his consistency on the ball. His solid ball retention puts him within the top 12% of players in his position, suggesting he is rarely dispossessed or prone to errant passing. Coupled with his surprisingly high assist ratios, sitting at an astounding 90th percentile, he evidently plays an instrumental role in Cardiff's attacking forays.
However, our player stats analysis reveals some glaring weaknesses in Ralls' gameplay. His goal threat is significantly low, situated in the bottom 4% amongst his Championship peers – a possible area of improvement he ought to consider. Moreover, his progressive carrying skill leaves a lot to desire, with only 15% of similar players faring worse.
Yet, Ralls compensates for his shortcomings through his commanding presence in aerial duels, outperforming roughly 82% of players. This quality is valuable in set-piece situations, both in defending and attacking contexts. His major drawback, though, lies in his disciplinary record, with fouls committed putting him in the 88th percentile, suggesting he needs to mitigate his aggressive tendencies.
Ralls operates mainly in the midfield third, as expected of his position. But notably, his limited presence within the attacking penalty area reinforces his low goal threat statistic.
In conclusion, Joe Ralls exhibits a solid style of play marked by strong ball security and impressive assist ratios. Although he struggles with goal production and discipline, his aerial prowess and dependable presence in the midfield make him a player worth watching.
