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Napoli has been linked with Como midfielder Máximo Perrone for several months now, and with just four games to go in Serie A this season, it is worth taking a look at the statistics between the two players that led the club to identify the 23-year-old as a potential target.
A report by Calcio Napoli 24 presents a statistical breakdown of the two players, Stanislav Lobotka and Máximo Perrone, for this season. Last season, the Argentine was made to switch between different positions by Cesc Fàbregas, improving the quality of his game, both as a deep-playing midfielder and in surrounding areas. He could not prove himself to be an absolute engine room dominator, but in this campaign, he grounded himself in his role as one of the two midfielders in front of the defence and did exceptionally well in Fàbregas’ 4-2-3-1 formation.
Napoli are aiming to sign Perrone this summer, and although he has played under a slightly different interpretation of the defensive midfielder position under the Spanish coach, he is expected to fit well as Lobotka’s successor, whose contract ends in 2027. While Fàbregas instructs the youngster to distribute the ball and move forward into the box when Nico Paz moves deeper, Antonio Conte asks Lobotka to play less as a playmaker and be capable of attracting high pressure from the midfielders. He is also often seen joining the attack with his team and keeping the opposing playmaker at bay.
A statistical comparison between Stanislav Lobotka and Máximo Perrone
Lobotka has featured in 28 Serie A games this season for a total of 2,144 minutes, registering a goal, an assist, and an xG of 0.51. The Slovak international has made 8 shots on target till now. The 31-year-old has a 92.8% pass accuracy rate and an average completion rate of 58.9 per match. Defensively, he has won an average of 0.9 tackles per match with 0.4 interceptions. Lobotka made 0.8 key passes and sustained 1.3 fouls, while making an average of 1.5 long passes per game.
Meanwhile, Perrone has played in 32 Serie A matches till now this season for a total of 2,435 minutes, scoring thrice, registering four assists with an xG of 2.25 (significantly higher than Lobotka, but both players play in different ways). He has made 17 goals on targets this campaign. His passing accuracy has so far been 91.2% and an average completion rate of 60.9 passes per game. Defensively, Perrone has won an average of 1.7 tackles per outing with 0.6 interceptions, committing a mean of 1.2 fouls. Offensively, he has made 0.9 key passes, suffered 0.7 fouls, with 1.9 long passes.
Why Napoli made the decision to go for Máximo Perrone
Comparing the stats of these two players, Perrone emerges to be a much more versatile than Lobotka in midfield. Under Luciano Spalletti, the Slovak played the role of a classic playmaker and was the center of every attacking move, but his role changed with Conte’s appointment, involving less in the build-up. The Argentine international is being deployed as a defensive midfielder with the task of moving forward the pitch and shooting at goal.
Trambak Bhattacherjee | GIFN
