A different perspective

[Zinedine Iniesco 172]

There are so many dimensions to statistics in football that using them without other evidence with it is not recommendable imo.

But statistics are relevant, and they can help clear up or emphasize some things.

Now this statistic you showed in the OP, what is the main purpose you are trying to get out of that? Contribution? Because even then, if you are to compare defenders like Azpilicueta or Cole, surely the amount of turnover or passes wont tell you enough about their positioning, mistakes and losses when it comes to duels, keep integrity of their defensive lines...

Same with midfielders, what if you compare a player like Khedira to Martinez, if you go to whoscored.com and compare their defensive and passing numbers there isnt huge difference but when you see them on the pitch there is differences of tremendous proportions when it comes to runs, covering, marking, etc.

So i dont think you can create a formula that is too exact, we have to search further.

Im writing this quickly and being a little bleak with the explanation of my point perhaps but the point is that right now im not so sure there is a universal formula one can use to measure "contribution" properly, and i think stats are a good thing but should be used with other evidence in football.

There are way too many dimensions to cover, if anything the statistics shouldnt be so broad on all players.

We should probably define the rules to see what the importance and contributions of the players are, differentl and separately depending on what their roles are to get more exact tellings.

And maybe that can help us understand with numbers how efficiency of a scheme works.

I think i saw you mention something about ronaldo's shots seeming less impressive and also taking away from other's efficiency and you are correct.

Numbers can help emphasize things. But we need to create very good dimensions to use those numbers in, to get more value out of them.