In the reverse of our feature studying the world's leading wingers for their attacking threat from wide, we continue our look at the leading players in the same positions for their defensive contribution to their respective sides, with our penultimate episode focussing on Ligue 1.
All figures shown relate to the performances each player made from wide positions only and are based on WhoScored.com ratings for defensive contribution, including tackles and interceptions per game. Players analysed all played 10 games or more from wide positions last season.
Our list sees an inclusion from runners-up Marseille, and somewhat of a surprise one at that, as well as a representation from 7th placed Bordeaux. However, it is the presence of no less than three Brest players in our leader board that catches the eye, indicative of the importance in which manager Alex Dupont relays to his wide men to show industry in both attack and defence. The wingers’ ability to do this was a feature that helped them secure survival in France's top division having been promoted from Ligue 2 the year before.
Benoit Lesoimier
The first player to make the leader board from Brest, and indeed top the rankings for wingers with the highest defensive contribution, is Benoit Lesoimier. The 28-year-old French wide man was a main stay for his side last year, starting 28 games from the left side of midfield. His exceptional defensive work rate was backed up by some impressive attacking figures to see him lead the way in 7 of the 10 categories analysed. These included both tackles per game (2.71) and interceptions per game (2), but he also topped our 5 contenders in terms of crosses per game (3.46), dribbles per game (4.89), assists (5) and key passes per game (1.46). His outstanding all-round contribution last term sees him deservedly occupy 1st place.
Lesoimier's figure of 12% cross accuracy is not what one would expect from a winger but still ranks as joint second of our top 5 in this regard. A dribble success rate of 35% is much more adequate, though a goals tally of just 2 could be improved upon.
Andre Ayew
The appearance of Andre Ayew on a list commending defensive contribution may surprise many. The young Marseille winger is known for his attacking threat from wide and indeed made 21 starts of his 32 in the league from a left forward position, making his defensive statistics all the more impressive. The 21-year-old made 2.69 tackles per game on average along with 1.69 interceptions. His 15% cross accuracy from 2.58 deliveries a match was unremarkable but fared the best of our top 5, while he also led the way for goals from the wing, with 7 of his 11 for the season coming from the left.
Ayew's figures across the board were high in all regards and he was arguably the lists best dribbler, beating an opponent with 42% of the 4.04 attempts he made per game. The Ghanaian international will hope to supply more assists for his teammates than the 2 he managed last season but at his tender age, Ayew looks set for bigger and better things.
Larsen Toure
The second Brest player to make his way onto the leader board is Larsen Toure- nothing more than a bit part player in Ligue 1 last season. The 26-year-old made 13 of his 17 starts from the right last season and weighed in with 2.62 tackles and 1.77 interceptions per game from wide. His 12% accuracy with his crosses was tied for second with Lesoimier having attempted 2.62 deliveries per game, the third best of our 5. 2.92 dribbles per game and 3 goals from wide areas were also enough to see him place third in our leader board.
Toure's ability to set-up teammates from the wing is undoubtedly his main flaw. Having made a pretty dismal 0.54 key passes per game from an advanced position, the Frenchman managed just 1 assist all season and will need to contribute more in order to gain a regular starting berth at Brest.
Romain Poyet
The final player of our three from Brest is Romain Poyet, who kept Toure out of a wide right berth on 23 occasions last season, setting up on the opposite flank to Lesoimier. Poyet's second best figures in terms of interceptions per game (1.91) and crosses per game (3.09) standout, whilst shipping in with 4 goals from the wing was also a handy asset for his side.
Poyet had a number of downfalls to his game that led to the infrequent wing appearances for teammate Toure. His list-low dribbles success rate of 17% was half the figure of Toure in fourth, while a key passes per game rate of 0.7 led to 0 assists for the 30-year-old. His worst statistic by some margin lays in his cross accuracy having reached his target with an undeniably woeful 4% of his attempted deliveries.
Wendel
Bordeaux winger Wendel concludes our top 5 Ligue 1 wingers in terms of defensive contribution. The 29-year-old Brazilian was the only player outside the top 2 on the list to manage to lead the way in any category. For Wendel this came with regards to a 48% dribble success rate, though he did only attempt 0.62 runs at opponents per game- the lowest on the leader board. 2 tackles and 1.62 interceptions per game saw him included in our leading 5, while a key passes per game figure of 1.33 was also decent from his 21 starts from wide.
The experienced winger's crossing is his most obvious facet for improvement having not only attempted less per game than any of the other contenders with 2.05 but also reaching his target with a poor 9% of his deliveries.
