The 4 Spanish Wizards

Much has been said about the four Spanish wizards and debate has gone round and one regarding which of these four is the best. All are regarded among the world’s most dangerous and potent attacking midfielder. Each player was heavily involved in their clubs last season with each player playing 32+ league games, with none starting less than 29. . Although their styles of play vary slightly they are all capable of bringing goals, assists and footballing intelligence to whichever team they’re playing for.

Goals and Shot Conversion

Player Name	Goals Scored	Shot to Goal Conversion Rate
Santi Cazorla	12	16%
Cesc Fabregas	11	28.2%
Juan Mata	12	26.1%
David Silva	4	11.1%

Cazorla and Mata were the most prolific in front of goal with 12 each while Fabregas was the most clinical. Silva was poor in comparison to the other three, scoring only 4 at a conversion rate of 11.1%

Assists and Key Passes (The final pass leading to the recipient of the ball having an attempt at goal without scoring)

Player Name	Assists	Key Passes
Santi Cazorla	11	84
Cesc Fabregas	11	39
Juan Mata	12	83
David Silva	8	95

David Silva made the highest number of key passes but had the lowest number of assists out of those in question. Mata led the way with 12 assists with Cazorla and Fabregas close behind on 11 apiece. As the Silva and Fabregas stats show the quality of teammates/finishers can distort assist numbers.

Pass Length, Accuracy and Direction

Player Name	Pass Length	Pass Accuracy	Pass Direction (Forward)
Santi Cazorla	17m	87%	65%
Cesc Fabregas	15m	89%	57.4%
Juan Mata	17m	85%	59%
David Silva	15m	85%	60.5%

Fabregas was the best passer of the ball, completing 89% of his pass, although at the shortest average length.  Mata and Cazorla had the longest average length with the latter also being the most direct with 65% of his passes going forward.

Duels

Player Name	Take Ons	Success rate
Santi Cazorla	86(/131)	66%
Cesc Fabregas	23(/50)	46%
Juan Mata	21(/52)	40%
David Silva	31(/51)	62%

Cazorla is by far the most talented with the ball at feet completing more take ons than the rest combined at a success rate of 66%. Silva was 2^nd best but still completed around 1 take on a game. Fabregas and Mata are similar I this sense but Mata came off slightly worse with 2 less take ons and at a lower success rate.

Player Name	No. of Greens	No. of Yellows	No. of Reds	Points Accumulated
Santi Cazorla	5	4	0	19
Juan Mata	3	4	2	12
Cesc Fabregas	2	5	2	11
David Silva	1	5	3	6

Refer to the bottom of This Post for clarity on the system used.

As the league table shows, on the basis of league performances last year Cazorla is the best of the four followed by Mata, Fabregas and then Silva. Cazorla consistent in all areas and is never the worst performer. He is the most well rounded and complete player. This may be expected as he is the oldest and most experienced. Mata was the 2^nd best on display and we wold expect him to improve and surpass Cazorla as he is younger. The aspect of his game that was weakest is his dribbling, although he may be able to become a great player without it. His productivity supports this theory. Fabregas had a low number of key passes and forward passes. This seems to be as a result of the Barcelona philosophy of the nearest player, retaining possession etc. Silva, by his own high standards, had a poor season last time out and will need to reproduce his 2011/12 season form if Man City are to win the league.