Our scout report focuses today on Hayden Hackney, the versatile 21-year-old English midfielder of Middlesbrough. His style of play emphasizes engagement, illustrated by his excellent possession metrics. He consistently remains part of the game, with a high touches percentile ranking indicative of a player who constantly seeks the ball. His skillset is underpinned by significant progressive carrying and passing talent, placing him in the top tiers of his Championship peers.
In terms of productive action, his ball retention rate is commendably high, showcasing strong control under pressure. His vision, exhibited by an above-average xA per 90 rate, complements his on-the-ball involvement to create favorable opportunities for his team. However, a critical place Hackney falls short is his goal efficiency and duel win percentage; he's below average amongst Premier Championship Defensive Midfielders. His chance creation is middle-of-the-pack too - solid, yet with room for improvement.
Defensively, he exhibits an terrific recoveries record, exemplifying his determination and tenacity in regaining possession. However, a low interceptions percentile contrasts these figures, revealing a potential weakness in anticipatory positioning. It's to be noted, his commitment in challenges is a double-edged sword; while it hints at a gritty determination, it's been followed by an unsettlingly high number of fouls and yellow cards, a point Hackney would do well to address.
In terms of possession area, Hackney proves to be a true midfield maestro - frequently influencing the play in the midfield third, and not shying away from both the attacking and defensive ends of the pitch. This fluidity marks him as a player to watch, his adaptability a key strength in his exciting potential trajectory.
Hayden Hackney Key stats
Hayden Hackney Career Trend
Hayden Hackney Shot Maps
Hayden Hackney Shot Summary
In the 2024-2025 season, Hayden Hackney took 11 shots, scoring 0 goals. This output came from an Expected Goals (xG) of 0.5, averaging 0.05 xG per shot.
Right Foot: 0 goals from 10 shots. A 0.0% conversion rate. 0.05 xG per shot.
Left Foot: 0 goals from 1 shots. A 0.0% conversion rate. 0.04 xG per shot.
Headers: 0 goals from 0 headed attempts. A 0% conversion rate. 0 xG per shot.
