With the conclusion of the season, it is possible to conduct a player analysis that measures which players had the most positive impact on their team as well as the players with the best individual performances during the season. The ratings model that we made allows us to find that out. The players with the highest average ratings during the season are the players that fulfil the premises presented previously. For this analysis, the selected players are required to have a minimum of 1500 minutes over the season, not taking into account the type of defence used nor the position played.
Player of the Season: Primeira Liga 22-23
Through the average ratings obtained, we understand that Á. Grimaldo, Benfica’s FB, was the player with the highest average rating obtained followed by Otávio (Porto), R. Horta (Braga), M. Taremi (Porto) and N. Otamendi (Benfica). The 5 players with the highest average rating are players from Benfica, Porto and Braga, the three best performing teams in this season.
In his last season in Portugal, Á. Grimaldo was a key part of the Benfica squad that managed to win the title. In a season in which the player was involved in the majority of the possible minutes, his attacking contribution on the left was vital to the effectiveness of Benfica’s attack.
In order to understand, more precisely, the impact of Benfica’s FB, we made a graphical analysis of all the top performing FBs and WBs in this season. This graphical analysis allows us to better appreciate the tremendous season of Á. Grimaldo. (List of players available here: TOP PERFORMING FBs AND WBs: PRIMEIRA LIGA 22-23).
FBs and WBs Analysis: Primeira Liga 22-23
Observing the graph, we can notice that Á. Grimaldo was, by far, the best FB in the league. Taking into account that we only consider the data in which these players played in the FB or WB position, Grimaldo was the player with the most Interceptions, Progressive Passes, Progressive Carries and Assists. The Benfica player only has less Tackles and Successful Dribles than P. Malheiro, Boavista’s player, and, despite that, the difference in this two indicators is minimal compared to the discrepancy in the other categories.
Taking all this into account, we can consider Á. Grimaldo the player of the season.
Meaning of the used abbreviations:
- INT – Total number of Interceptions
- TKL – Total number of Tackles
- PRG P – Total number of Progressive Passes
- PRG C – Total number of Progressive Carries
- AST – Total number of Assists
- DRIB – Total number of Successful Dribles
- MIN – Total number of Minutes Played
Data from FBref.