The statistics are clear, MHSC captain Téji Savanier is one of the best European midfielders

Jamais expulsé cette saison, au contraire de la précédente (3), Téji Savanier paraît plus discipliné, régulier et efficace. Midi Libre – GIACOMO ITALIANO

S’il estime réaliser une saison moins étincelante, le meneur de jeu montpelliérain affole les statistiques et se mêle à l’élite européenne, selon une étude du CIES publiée ce samedi 13 avril.

A right hook in front of Louza, a big bridge over Abergel then an orbit from Arnaud Nordin. Although he scored again from the penalty spot last Sunday, Téji Savanier was mainly at the origin, triggering this success against Lorient (2-0). Illustration of an influence on which appearances are deceptive. Unlike statistics. Those published on Saturday by the CIES, the very serious Football Observatory, thus highlight the Hérault midfielder and captain, among the cream of the European crop.

These figures, at first glance nebulous for laymen, reveal the deep impact of the playmaker. He thus ranks in the top 10 attacking midfielders in the Big 5 (Germany , England, Spain, France, Italy) among four of the six criteria analyzed: distribution, percussion, assistance and finishing.

Alongside the headliners of the position

At his side, headliners of the position, such as Isco (Betis Sevilla), James Maddison (Tottenham) or Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich) and Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen). Without forgetting Rémy Cabella, former partner now in Lille.

Le maestro Téji 🪄 pic.twitter.com/uNjP7216Rj

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The study, carried out from the beginning of April 2023 to the end of last March, sheds another light on the current Pailladin season, described by the interested party as "less good than the previous ones"."I don’ have no precise explanation , it happens to any player, even the best to be less good in a season and that's my case today", said Savanier on the site of MHSC, mid-March.

Gastien: "He’is a player for whom I would pay my place"

An observation undoubtedly biased by unprecedented performances for the 32-year-old player: no expulsions (compared to three in 2022-2023), no missed matches (2nd playing time of the season). effective behind Lecomte) and, certainly, no notable recital. Basically, the MHSC environment seems to have found a form of regularity in performance, efficiency and discipline. Less soloist, more captain.

Also read: How Téji Savanier, after a failed Panenka two years ago, became the king of penalties, racing towards a fabulous record

Which does not prevent Savanier from bringing out the magic, as against Lorient, beyond his 7th penalty of the campaign, the 15th in a row, two points behind Fabinho's record (17). "He’is a player I would pay for […] I found him exceptional in their last match", complimented Clermont coach Pascal Gastien on Friday, quoted by the Mountain. Because there’s more to life than stats.

In the top 10 of the CIES rankings

Distribution of Big 5 attacking midfielders
1. Savanier 78.1* ; 2. Isco (Bétis) 75.4 ; 3. Maddison (Tottenham) 75.4; 4. Trejo (Rayo Val.) 72.5; 5. Sancet (Athletic) 64.6.
Percussion of the Big 5 attacking midfielders
1. Isco (Bétis) 78 ; 2. Wirtz (Bayer) 76.7; 3. Maddison (Tottenham) 75.8… 6. Savanier 69.5.
Assist from Big 5 attacking midfielders
1. Wirtz (Bayer) 90.6; 2. Maddison (Tottenham) 90; 3. Isco (Bétis) 85.7… 9. Savanier 75.9
Finishing Big 5 attacking midfielders
1. Kluivert (Bournemouth) 78.2; 2. Maddison (Tottenham) 77.8; 3. Hofmann (Bayer) 77.3… 9. Savanier 72.8.

*This number is a value index determined by by CIES.