The numbers behind Fulham’s centre-backs

Marco Silva potentially signalled the end of the five-at-the-back experiment by substituting Issa Diop at half time against Ipswich. This move could also signal Diop’s return to the bench after deputising well for Joachim Andersen when the Dane has been out of the team. But just how well has Diop fared so far this season in comparison to Joachim Andersen and Calvin Bassey?

Joachim Andersen

Joa has featured in 12 matches this season, accumulating two clean sheets and three yellow cards, along with one red card at home against Aston Villa. The Dane has brought leadership and composure to the backline following his summer return to the club, with eight blocks, 13 interceptions and has been successful in eight out of his 11 tackles so far. He has also been a presence with 61 clearances, 30 of which were headed.

Calvin Bassey

Calvin has featured the most regularly of our centre-backs this season, playing 19 games and featuring in every game aside from our trip to Anfield, when he was suspended. Bassey has one more clean sheet than Andersen, with three, and has accumulated five yellow cards and zero red cards. He is known to be an aggressive and forward-thinking defender, and has shown that so far, having made 13 blocks (five more than Andersen), 26 tackles, which is 15 more than Joa, and one less interception than him – 12. Calvin has been successful in 16 tackles this season, which is double Andersen’s total, however he has performed 57 clearances, 19 of which were headed, which is less than his Danish partner.

Issa Diop

Diop has actually featured more than Joachim Andersen (in 15 games so far this season) , however he only has one clean sheet to his name and two yellow cards. He has made the fewest blocks and the least interceptions out of the trio, (seven and five respectively), however he has made 21 tackles, showing a more aggressive and front footed-nature, similar to Bassey, with 10 of those tackles being made successfully. He has made 49 clearances, which is the fewest out of the trio, with 30 of those being headed clearances, showing the aerial prowess that we expect from him.

Analysis

It’s notable that our centre-back position has not been without error this season. Calvin Bassey will quickly want to forget the goal conceded to Ipswich’s Sammie Szmodics, Issa Diop will be ruing his misplaced pass that led to the equaliser at home against Bournemouth, and Joachim Andersen has shown errors, for example when he was unaware of Evanilson lurking in behind for Bournemouth’s first goal.

However, these names have proved themselves to be accomplished performers so far this season, including that of Jorge Cuenca, who performed in a proficient manner in his Anfield outing. The key to many successful teams is building from a solid base, and as long as we can rid ourselves of freak errors, long may the high performances continue.