As Liverpool looks to bolster its squad, one name consistently emerging as a prime target is Florian Wirtz, the prodigious 22-year-old attacking midfielder from Bayer Leverkusen. Wirtz has been a pivotal figure in Leverkusen’s recent successes, and his impressive stats underscore why he’s considered one of Europe’s most exciting young talents. This report delves into Wirtz’s performance metrics and offers a head-to-head comparison with Manchester City’s Phil Foden, providing a comprehensive scouting analysis.
Player Profile: Florian Wirtz (2024/25 Season Stats)
Wirtz’s 2024/25 season statistics paint a clear picture of a dynamic and highly effective attacking midfielder:
- Goal Contribution: Wirtz demonstrates a strong presence in the final third with 10 goals and 11 assists, highlighting his direct impact on his team’s scoring. His xG (Expected Goals) of 12.59 suggests that he’s consistently getting into high-quality scoring positions, indicating a sustainable goal threat.
- Shooting & Passing Accuracy: With 75 total shots and an impressive 50.67% shots on target, Wirtz shows both volume and precision in his attempts. His 81.31% accurate passes underscore his reliability in ball retention and circulation, crucial for a modern playmaker.
- Dribbling & Progression: Wirtz’s ability to beat defenders is evident in his 60.32% successful dribbles. He’s excellent at carrying the ball into dangerous areas, highlighted by 4.24 touches in the box per 90 minutes and a remarkable 3.92 progressive runs per 90 minutes, indicating his constant drive to push the team forward.
- Defensive Effort: Beyond his offensive prowess, Wirtz also contributes defensively, winning 62.5% of his defensive duels. This suggests a committed player willing to track back and regain possession for his team.
Comparative Analysis: Florian Wirtz vs. Phil Foden – A Clash of Young Playmaking Giants
To further understand Wirtz’s standing among elite young talents, a comparison with Manchester City’s Phil Foden (24) provides valuable context. Both are creative forces, but their statistical profiles reveal distinct strengths.
(Stats per 90 mins, 2024/25 season: Wirtz – 31 matches, Foden – 28 matches)
Key Scouting Insights from the Comparison:
- Overall Offensive Impact: Wirtz exhibits a significantly higher per-90-minute output across almost all attacking metrics. He boasts more goals and assists, a higher xA, and a much greater number of successful attacking actions than Foden. This suggests Wirtz is currently a more direct and prolific offensive threat.
- Creativity & Chance Creation: Wirtz’s numbers for key passes (1.16 vs 0.42) and smart passes (1.12 vs 0.56) are notably higher, indicating a superior ability to unlock defenses and create clear-cut scoring opportunities. His volume of through passes (1.47 vs 0.79) further underscores his vision.
- Dribbling & Progression: This is where Wirtz truly stands out. His 6.62 dribbles per 90 minutes compared to Foden’s 2.33, along with his higher progressive runs (3.92 vs 2.05), highlight his exceptional ball-carrying ability and his tendency to drive play forward through individual brilliance.
- Involvement in Build-Up: Wirtz also shows greater involvement in overall passing (56.77 vs 39.67) and forward passing (13.06 vs 7.22), suggesting he’s more central to Leverkusen’s ball circulation and progression patterns than Foden is for City, where roles might be more specialized.
Conclusion:
Florian Wirtz is undoubtedly a special talent. His comprehensive attacking statistics, combined with his defensive contributions and elite ball progression, paint the picture of a complete modern playmaker. The comparison with Phil Foden, a world-class player in his own right, further emphasizes Wirtz’s current statistical superiority in several key offensive and creative areas.
For Liverpool, acquiring Florian Wirtz would not just be adding another midfielder; it would be bringing in a generational talent capable of orchestrating attacks, breaking down defenses, and consistently contributing to goals. His profile aligns perfectly with a team looking for a creative spark and a player who can drive forward from midfield. Is he the missing piece for Liverpool’s midfield puzzle? His numbers certainly make a compelling case.
Note: All data and statistics presented in this article are sourced from the Eleven Square Scouting Dashboard application.
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