Carrying The Ball
As a wingback, you are generally one of the team’s main ball carriers, being asked to run up and down the length of the pitch, and it is fair to say both James and Hakimi are strong in this regard.
The Chelsea fullback is slightly weaker in terms of progressive carries. If a player has control of the ball and takes it five yards forward into the attacking third, it is classed as a progressive carry, and James managed 6.5 per 90 last season, compared to Hakimi’s 7.47. In terms of dribbles completed, though, it is a slightly different story, with the Moroccan (1.2 per 90) just being edged out by James (1.35).
Who Wins? – DRAW
