View: 57% disappointment has been worst Sunderland performer this season
Alan Browne hasn’t reached expectations for Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland side so far this season with the midfielder arguably the most underwhelming performer this term.
Sunderland have formed a strong foundation to build on in their opening nine games, sitting top of the Championship table.
The Irishman has been on the scoresheet once so far, having another one ruled as an own goal when his attempted cross against Leeds United deflected off Junior Firpo and remarkably through the hands of Illan Meslier, leaving Firpo visibly angered after the final whistle.
However, Browne has been Sunderland’s lowest-rated player to have featured regularly this season although his rating demonstrates how good those around him have actually been.
Alan Browne has much more to offer for Sunderland
In stats provided by FotMob, Browne has an average match rating of 6.73, with only Nazariy Rusyn rated lower, although the Ukranian has played just 64 minutes in six games, not being utilised for more than 18 minutes on any occasion.
The Irishman, despite featuring in Sunderland’s midfield for 251 minutes, has made just two tackles and whilst they both ended successfully, it is a slightly concerning statistic when taking into account Sunderland’s style of play which has a heavy emphasis on midfield players winning the turn over of the ball.
It places him in the lower 12 per cent percentile for players concerning that statistic.
Browne’s other downfall so far this campaign is the lack of control he has had in games. Despite having made six appearances, two of which included 90-minute cameos, the Irishman has completed just 76 passes.
For a player who is very calm and collected on the ball, his lack of involvement in possession could be cause for concern going forward with ball retention a key factor for success at Sunderland.
Furthermore, according to FotMob, Browne has won just 57 per cent of ground duels and 56 per cent of aerial duels – figures you’d want to be higher for a central midfielder – while he loses possession 5.5 times per game on average.
There is no doubt that Browne will improve as the season pans out and the very fact that he is the lowest-rated player again just outlines how high the performances of other players have been.
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