Young West Ham United midfielder Edimilson Fernandes burst into the headlines over the weekend after scoring a delectable low drive for Fiorentina in their away Serie A draw with Udinese.
The 22-year-old is currently on a season-long loan in Florence from Manuel Pellegrini’s Hammers and in his time in Italy so far has been able to reinstate himself as an important member of the Switzerland squad. But looking beyond his spectacular first goal under Stefano Pioli and his international success, how has Fernandes performed for Fiorentina? Today we’re going to find out in a statistical tactical analysis.
The stats
For the main part of our analysis, we’re going to use the below graphic from wyscout.com in order to analyse Fernandes’ average general statistics for Fiorentina this season so far. Following his temporary move from East London after Pellegrini’s decision to loan him out for the entirety of 2018/2019.
As you can see from the image, these figures are per 90 minutes and include the two competitive competitions the man signed from FC Sion in summer 2017 has featured in during his time in Italy, the Serie A and Coppa Italia. And not any international or friendly action.
Let’s dive right in and our first stat, beside a column containing a mini heatmap of the Swiss star which shows he’s primarily operated in his natural midfield role this campaign and one that tells us these stats are per 90 minutes. Is total actions and his rate of success in them.
As we can see, Fernandes has been a busy bee in most matches this campaign, averaging almost 70 actions per 90 minutes with over half of them completed successfully. It will have frustrated him to have to wait until February for his first goal, hence his low goal average and he will also be disappointed that he’s yet to bring an assist to the table in Italy.
However, 1.07 shots per match tells us that he does regularly try his luck at goal, no surprise given the strong attacking side to the young star’s game. Once again, though, Fernandes will be desperate to up his expected goals rating in what time he has left in purple.
Fernandes’ passing is what helped him earn the move from the Swiss Super League to the Premier League in the first place and it hasn’t let him down in Italy’s top division either, with his impressive passing stats speaking for themselves. A poor accuracy rate of 37.2 per cent from his crosses is no surprise considering he is more of a central player.
A skillful and talented player, the cousin of Gelson and Manuel has shown off with over two dribbles attempted per full match, even if they haven’t always gone to plan. And not been shy to put himself about in an unfamiliar league, averaging a high 21.83 and 3.46 duels and aerial duels, winning 36.1% and 30.9% respectively.
Fernandes has also helped his temporary team who sit ninth in Serie A during the second half of the season greatly in a defensive sense, with an eye-catching five interceptions. In addition, he’s weighted out 8.83 losses with 8.47 recoveries, on average.
But, as our last two stats convey, there has been one area where the Sion academy product has fared poorly in 18/19, discipline. The accumulation of seven yellow cards in all competitions and one red, picked up for a second bookable offence in the 3-3 draw with Sampdoria last month, sees him average a worrying 0.42 yellow cards and 0.6 red cards per 90 minutes this term.
Overall, however, for a player uncertain of his future and on loan at the age of 22, coming off the disappointment of non-selection for the FIFA World Cup 2018 by his nation following a long-term injury last season. These average figures are very good. They prove Fernandes has shone in certain aspects for Fiorentina and made a name for himself, statistically, he is doing himself justice in Italy.
Summary
In conclusion, our statistical tactical analysis today has discovered that Fernandes has performed well for Fiorentina this season. He’s battled hard to establish himself as a regular in the starting Xl and aided Pioli’s men in getting into a good position in the top half of the table, ahead of the run-in.
This will bode well with Pellegrini back home in east London as it’s understood that the Chilean in his first campaign at London Stadium is keen on keeping Fernandes when he returns from his loan in the summer. Members of the Claret & Blue Army should be encouraged by reports that the bright midfielder is a part of the new gaffer’s plans and hope that he can return like a new signing at the end of the season and contribute once again for the Hammers.
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