📊Clustering u23 Attacking Midfielders and Wide Forwards Using Principal Component Analysis, I've clustered all u23 T5 "attackers" (900+ minutes, attacking midfield or wide forward primary or secondary tag on Wyscout) based on the 22 metrics in the second image. u23 attackers are highlighted in white, three "talisman" attackers that are older are in green to help illustrate the profile in each quadrant. Breaking down each quadrant: - top right: high dribble and long pass received rate, vertical actions, penalty area touches, shots, crosses, lower passing numbers and total defensive output; this will be your classic wide forwards like Luis Diaz, very interesting that this quadrant is dominated by u23 players, almost certainly because the pace and power to execute this role is one that favors those with less exposure to father time - bottom right: aerial duels won, direct actions like runs and especially long passes received, output from xG not xA; bigger, direct runners like Kevin Schade, output is from moments and are best in transition, often top level athletes and/or bigger wingers that never (or haven't yet) strung together impact as a dribbler or creator - bottom left: passing volume, defensive output; more "midfielder" than "attacking" AM like Mason Mount, these are often midfielders that are labeled as attacking midfielders, but they are involved much deeper in build up than most on the graph (also using primary and secondary tags means there are a lot of true midfielders that are tagged secondarily as an AM, and they will appear in this quadrant) - top left: progression and chance creation are the biggest standout traits; "maestro" types like Alex Baena, these are often the attackers that see a high volume of touches, and win with their minds and their technique rather than their muscles and lungs My favorite IRL application from this graph is a player like Assane Diao (or Rayan or Martial Godo or any winger near the horizontal axis on the right side); all of the physical tools necessary to be a top winger, the direct actions and output across the pitch all identify them as a candidate to break out, but can they put it all together and convert that into output? Players like Lamine Yamal, Michael Olise, and Vinicius Jr. (all of which are in the top/middle of the top right quadrant) were closer to the midway line earlier in their careers, and as they improved, they shifted up. So, a split in the path emerges: do you become Vinicius Jr, or Gabriel Martinelli? Thanks for reading!