Unai Emery must make John McGinn change after what Aston Villa star has done
John McGinn’s performance for Scotland has shown why Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery must use him more in central midfield.
McGinn occupied a wide midfield berth for his country in their 2-2 friendly draw against Finland on 7 June in which the Scots threw away a two-goal lead.
However, the 29-year-old’s limited involvement in the game is evidence of the fact that his skills are better suited to a more central role.
What is John McGinn’s best position for Aston Villa?
McGinn has spent much of the 2023/24 season out wide at club level, making 18 Premier League appearances on either the left or right of midfield.
And he was used in that role for Scotland against Finland, but his numbers are indicative of how he can struggle to influence the game as effectively when deployed out wide as he can through the centre.
Against Finland, while McGinn was tidy with his passing (completing 34 of his 40 attempts for an 85 per cent passing accuracy) and efficient with his dribbling (three successful take-ons out of four for a 75 per cent success rate), he failed to hit the target with either of his two shots and did not connect with any of his four crosses [FotMob].
His Premier League numbers paint a similar picture of a player whose central midfield skillset is obvious when contrasted against other wingers or attacking midfielders in the division.
McGinn’s high take-on success rate of 56.3 per cent should be compared against his comparatively low average of 2.88 take-ons attempted per 90, for example [FBref]. This is a player who is used to occupying areas of the pitch in which frivolous dribbles that lead to cheap turnovers are often punished.
His 3.72 passes into the final third, 5.67 progressive passes and 0.96 dribblers tackled per 90 provide a snapshot of his best qualities – creative passing paired with defensive graft.
However, his 1.2 shots, 1.74 touches in the penalty area, 0.3 carries into the penalty area and 2.52 progressive passes received per 90 all rank in the bottom five per cent of Premier League attacking midfielders and wingers.
His 79.5 per cent passing accuracy arguably offers the best example of his muddled individual role. That figure ranks in the 79th percentile among attacking midfielders and wingers in the division but is down in the 34th percentile among central midfielders.
Emery appears to be keen on the balance McGinn can help provide out wide as a natural central midfielder – but his best position remains in the centre of the park.
In other Aston Villa news, the club are making the right call on Clement Lenglet.
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