Leicester’s Wesley Fofana v Rúben Dias: How roles, team impacts statistics

This season, Pep Guardiola exclusively utilised formations with a back four, meaning Dias would only play inside of a two. Often, the only “defending” the centre-backs will do is last ditch – in one-vs-one’s with the opposing forwards. With Leicester shifting to a back three for the majority of this season, Fofana could be a lot more active as one of the wide centre-backs. They’re given freedom to occasionally press into midfield and a lot more license to aggressively pursue forwards. Dias is the equivalent of Jonny Evans for the Foxes – a more composed presence at the back, adding assurance.

However, I don’t think Dias’ season would’ve been as influential had the Citizens not provided such an adept level of cover for their defenders. They’re one of the best pressing sides in the league, so a lot of turnovers occur in the opposing half – not reaching Dias or John Stones, and they play with a fixed defensive-midfielder in either Fernandinho or Rodrí (two of the better DM’s in the league). The one example of Manchester City playing without a recognised defensive-midfielder was in the UEFA Champions League final, and I though Dias was quite poor throughout that game. His tracking of Timo Werner vacated the central space that allowed Chelsea to score, and eventually win the game.

Overall, I think the comparison doesn’t accurately portray the players influence on their respective clubs. I think Dias was deserving of an award, especially considering Manchester City’s dominance domestically since his arrival; but I also felt Fofana’s season deserved a nomination for the Young Player of the Season. Ultimately, when you see two players being compared try and contextualise their roles, instead of being fixated on the numbers in any given metrics. You can check the stats for your self by comparing the two here, at WhoScored.