Measuring Passing Ability: A Data-Driven Visualization

I’ve written quite a bit about passing since I started this newsletter/project and committed to writing consistently. If you’re interested in past pieces, you can check them out here, here, and here. Today, however, I want to introduce a visualization I originally created for strikers (see here) but adapted specifically for passing.

This visualization aims to condense passing ability — or overperformance — into a single number, measuring how reliable a player is when passing. This contrasts with my previous work, where I focused more on granularity when exploring passing ability/reliability.

Methodology and Adjustments

• Players must have attempted at least 5,000 passes to be included in this analysis, 3,000 for strikers.

• Due to this high threshold, I’ve removed confidence intervals — they were very close to the main values anyway.

• Given the sheer number of passes players attempt, consistent overperformance is rare. When it does occur, it’s typically in roles where high pass completion is expected (e.g., deep-lying playmakers, center-backs).

• The difference between expected passes (xP) and actual completion (where completion is either 0 or 1) favors these roles, as they operate in conditions that allow for high completion percentages.

For this visualization, I’ve used all available data up to Sunday, February 16, 2025. To provide more context, I’ve grouped players by position using clustering techniques, which leads to some interesting placements. For instance, Juan Cuadrado appears between attacking midfielders and wingers — a testament to the flexibility and nuances of positional clustering.

Results: The Most Reliable Passers by Position

Below, you’ll find the visualizations and insights into the best and most reliable passers for each position. Huge thanks to Tony El Habr for his publicly available work, which inspired and allowed me to replicate this approach for strikers and adapt it now.

Goalkeepers:

Centerbacks:

Wingbacks:

Defensive and Center Midfielders:

Attacking Midfielders and Wingers:

Strikers:

Would love to hear your thoughts — who stands out most to you? Let’s discuss!