Euro Football Rumours

Nicolas Nkoulou

vs

Ervin Zukanovic

Position: Centre-back

Serie A – 2017/2018

Statistical Analysis

Date: 03.06.2018

Nicolas Nkoulou vs Ervin Zukanovic. The two fantastic defenders in Serie A, but who has performed better in 2017/18 season?

Therefore we have made an analysis of the statistics achieved by Nicolas Nkoulou and Ervin Zukanovic in seven defensive categories:

• Tackles per match
• Clearances per match
• Blocks per match
• Interceptions per match
• Dribbled past per match
• Offside won per match
• Fouls per match

Nicolas Nkoulou played more games in 2017/18 season for his team than Ervin Zukanovic did — 37 to 32.
Nkoulou played more minutes than Zukanovic – 3260 to 2791.
Ervin Zukanovic has recorded 1.6 tackles per match in Serie A (EFRating = 3.61), which is more than Nicolas Nkoulou’s 1.5 tackles per match (EFRating = 3.39).
Zukanovic has managed to get 5.1 clearances per match in Serie A (EFRating = 3.24), which is more than Nkoulou’s 4.2 clearances per match (EFRating = 2.67).
Ervin Zukanovic has 0.6 blocks per match in Serie A (EFRating = 4.20), same like Nicolas Nkoulou (EFRating = 4.20).
Nkoulou has managed to get 1.5 interceptions per match (EFRating = 4.09), same like Zukanovic did (EFRating = 4.09).
In Serie A, Nicolas Nkoulou has 0.3 dribbled past per match (EFRating = 1.67), while Ervin Zukanovic has 1.0 dribbled past per match (EFRating = 0.50).
Nkoulou won more offsides in Serie A, he won 0.9 offsides per match (EFRating = 4.09), 0.8 more than Ervin Zukanovic did (EFRating = 0.45).
In Serie A, Ervin Zukanovic has 0.9 fouls per match (EFRating = 1.11), while Nicolas Nkoulou has 1.2 fouls per match (EFRating = 0.83).

Based on the analysis above, Nicolas Nkoulou is clearly the king of 2 defensive categories (dribbled past per match and offside won per match).

Ervin Zukanovic is the king of 3 defensive categories (tackles per match, clearances per match and fouls per match).

In conclusion, with all the statistics, Nicolas Nkoulou seems like superior defender in Serie A.