Deft Touch Football | PES Stats and General Football Opinion: 2023

KARIM BENZEMA | PES 2017 STATS

An absolute monster of a player, who's simply good at everything. Benzema really was becoming a real household name since the departure of CR7, dominating La Liga and Champions League with stellar performances. In the later stages of his career, Benzema became more and more influential for Real Madrid, leading the line with immense winning mentality, leadership, and self belief which was not present during CR7 stint at the Spain's Capital. No other player could match his intelligence and technical quality in front of the goal, not to mention his heading abilities which was amazingly improved during this period. Benzema really was a deadly striker, one of the best ever in my opinion.

PEDRO GONÇALVES | PES 2017 STATS

LUCAS PAQUETÁ | PES 2017 STATS

SERGIO AGÜERO | PES 2011 STATS | 2011-2014

Back in 2011, Aguero started the Premier League campaign as a record signing from Atletico, and immediately scored 2 goals. This pretty much set the tone for the rest of his illustrious career at Manchester. Aguero is a no non sensical striker, who always managed to find the back of the net in the most rightful, and efficient way. He's quick, strong, and technically gifted. He's probably the most technically gifted striker in the Premier League since Henry. In his first few years at Manchester, Aguero was still an enthusiastic striker, has decent energy and work rate to support his team mates. This is somewhat fading away as his career progresses, might be due to constant injuries that hampered him. His mobility and movement becomes more and more limited, and thus made him looked lazy.

DIMITAR BERBATOV | PES 2011 STATS | 2009-2011

What a player, very unique and elegant. A striker equipped with one of the best first touch ever, So very relax in his approach to the game, and everything he does seems so easy in the eye. He's a great goal scorer too. Technically speaking probably one of the best ever in Premier League history. He also has a very supportive attitude towards his team, often become a danger creator rather than a mere finisher. A very rare player who optimizes his tactical game plan and mind without seemingly ever pushing his physical ability.

ALEXANDRE PATO | PES 2011 STATS | 2008-2011

Young Alexandre Pato was full of promises, yet as his career progresses, those promises remains only a promises, never to be fulfilled. A center forward with unbeliveably gifted technique and pace, Pato was once dubbed the new Ronaldo, as he exploded into the frame when he was only a teenager. Even before his 23rd birthday, Pato already reached 50 Serie A goals, despite missing chunks of games due to injuries. Pato was an intelligent forward with an eye for goal, and could accelerate like nothing you've ever seen. He's so overwhelmingly good, but for only a short period of time. This set represented him quite well, shame he couldn't maintain or improved this incredible form. 2011 afterwards has only been a downward spiral for Pato, he's getting worse and worse, his abilities were gone.

CRISTIANO RONALDO | PES 2011 STATS | 2010-2013

For the sake of matching Messi's output, Cristiano has to alter his playing style a bit. First his dribbling, which becomes more and more efficient. He didn't do those crazy step overs anymore, instead he opted for more modest, effective approach. As he's becoming an established LWF during this era, his blue print of playing becomes more focused on one thing, that is, cutting inside and shoot. He'll do it time and time again, it's becoming his main approach. He did this for one purpose, that is to match, or surpass, Messi's number. Yet he's only human. And for a human to try and compete with an alien, would be an uphill struggle. But we're not talking about an ordinary human in this case. Cristiano might just be the best version of human.

This is him in his physical peak. He's as fast as an Olympic sprinter, could jump as high as an Ace Spiker, has great stamina, strength, and agility for a man his size. He's a physical monster. This all complement his opportunistic approach, helps him to get dozens of chances every game, but unfortunately, during this period his mental side and decision making hasn't matured yet. He'll get frustrated when the outcome of the game didn't came up as he wants, and he would struggle to influence or making an impact in the most deciding game. As I've explained, his game plan revolves around one thing, cut inside to shoot. Hence, he's world class in aspects that can support that game plan. Those aspects were: high level of attack, speed, shooting, technique, and aggression. Plus great heading that's in line with his great jumping ability. All the other aspect like passing and free kicks, are more so an add-ons for his main qualities. All these "add-ons", can be pretty decent, but more so benefited from playing in an offensively creative teams, supported by the likes of Ozil, Benzema, Marcelo, and Di Maria. It's arguable that if it weren't for that supporting casts, those "add-ons" wouldn't be that great. Cristiano is more so a goal oriented player, he's not a winger or a striker, he just someone who's very focus to get in the end of things.

VINÍCIUS JÚNIOR | PES 2017 STATS | 2020-2021

This is an earlier set of Vinicius Jr, during the season which he was truly "arrived" at Real Madrid. During his first two seasons, he looked like a headless chicken more or less, so poor in both technical aspect and decision making, and found it difficult to connect with the rest of the squad. 2020-2021 season is a different story however, he's becoming a trusted regular starter, showed both maturity and calmness. He was influential in Madrid's great UCL run up to semifinal. He's still far from what he is nowadays of course, but the talent is undeniably there: super speed and acceleration, endless energy, and great dribbling. He's like an Olympic sprinter when given opportunities to run, and almost uncatchable when in full flight. But his decision making and finishing is still questionable albeit inconsistent, so he was still wasting lots of chances, and still far from an effective attacker. Nevertheless, this is pretty much a preview of what he would become in years to come. A future contender for the best LWF in my opinion. And also, he's likely going to be one of the best player in the world.

RAFAEL LEÃO | PES 2017 STATS

A phenomenal young talent that's already been considered one of the most potent attacker in world football, Leao seems to have everything, even at a very tender age. He has extreme pace, strength, athleticism, and decent technical quality, making him a formidable player to play against. Plus he also has a great attacking mind and instinct, capable of maximizing opportunities, even if it's only considered half a chance. The one thing that's lacking from him is of course consistency. He's not reliable enough to be dubbed as the main man, and could ghost out of the game in a number of matches. Yet for those matches when he really does showed up, He looks amazing, almost unstoppable at times.

THIAGO ALCANTARA | PES 2017 STATS

Probably the most technically gifted player in the Premier League. Thiago just moves and passes in such a way that is beautiful and unique. He's such a delight for any forwards. He has this sixth sense to be able to find spaces and players to pass to. He also has unbelievable ball control, that enables him to receive the ball in every situations, even when surrounded by people or in awkward body position. He's one of those geniuses that only born once every decade.

AURÉLIEN TCHOUAMÉNI | PES 2017 STATS

Tchouameni is a tough, combative midfielder, that has no hesitation in diving into challenges. That's his main characteristic. Whatever the situation is, he will engage in tackles to win the ball back. He's so aggressive in trying to get the ball from the opposition, regardless of who it is, and what the outcome will be. Even if it leads to a severe injury, he would do it, he's very brave but somewhat reckless. He will become a bit more cool headed in this aspects, for sure, as he's very young. When I see him, I always reminded of Casemiro. Probably this is why Real Madrid bought him. He's somewhat still unrefined in his technicality and passing, but already has a very high quality LPA, which looks promising. He's expected to be a dominant DMF in La Liga for the next few seasons.

SON HEUNG-MIN | PES 2017 STATS | 2020-2021

A super fast and exciting forward who's really adept at exploiting spaces. That's why he scored tons of goals by playing alongside Harry Kane, as Kane is very intelligent at advancing play and passing through the lines. That's what Son is all about. He would thrive in quick transition and counter attacking situation. But different thing can be said about his abilities once the spaces were gone, as he would struggle. He's not a traditional winger or a wide second striker who could takes everybody on one-on-one, He just doesn't have the ability to dribble past players. He's a "run in behind" type of player. He did show some nice dribbling runs, for example the one against Burnley which leads to a spectacular goal, but that's about it really. This type of play is more of a one off than a regular display, because I have to say, he's not particularly a gifted footballer.

You could argue about his numbers and question me like: "how could you become a Premier League top scorer if you're not gifted?", well don't get me wrong here, player like Son is actually a decent footballer, but there has to be some context to be placed when talking about him. For example, he's playing with prime Harry Kane, who's arguably one of the best passer that I've ever seen in modern era. Without him, Son is nothing. Son is more of a player who's good when arriving in the end of things, more so like Cristiano Ronaldo, which of course a far superior player, but there's some similarity between them. In what way? well imagine CR7 playing in Madrid team without the likes of Benzema, Modric, Casemiro, and Kroos, then CR7 would not become CR7 that we know of. Same thing can be said about Son. Son is not a creator, he only gets in the end of things. His main qualities are his finishing and speed, other qualities is more of a luxury, and would be significantly lower had he not playing in a team containing Harry Kane.

ANDY DELORT | PES 2017 STATS

A great striker, with some of the most unorthodox skillset ever. So strong and clinical in the air, Delort strangely is not as good with his shooting. In fact he almost never takes aim for his shots, he just blasted it as hard as he could. If you think that Muriel is inconsistent with his accuracy, Delort is even worse. He would missed so many sitters time and time again, which would be a question of his overall finishing ability. But aside from his shooting, he's a perfect striker to link up to, courtesy of great attacking mind and decent passing skills. Not to mention his first touches and technique which is otherworldly. So Delort is a striker with silky touch of a number 10, Radamel Falcao's level of heading skill, but very mediocre shooting accuracy it would be more fitted for a center back. Delort really is a unique footballer.

JONATHAN DAVID | PES 2017 STATS

SERGIO AGÜERO | PES 2017 STATS

DAVID DE GEA | PES 2017 STATS

STEFAN DE VRIJ | PES 2017 STATS

Probably the best Serie A defender in his prime, De Vrij is a safe house at the back, providing great foundation for what I think was the best defensive unit in Europe, consisting of him, Skriniar, and Bastoni, forming a solid three at the back system. He's somewhat a bit overlooked, especially in the national team. I mean who could blame him? Van Dijk's presence is overwhelming for any players that played alongside him, even as good as De Vrij. But there's no denying his quality and reading of the game, that was such in a high level, even going back in his Lazio's time. He's also very competent in the build up, courtesy of his high quality passing. De Vrij is a very competent yet somewhat underrated CB.

ACHRAF HAKIMI | PES 2017 STATS

HANS VANAKEN | PES 2017 STATS

Is Vanaken the most overlooked Belgian player? Maybe. His languid and rather slow style looks unattractive for the eyes of spectator. But make no mistake, underneath that unconvincing aesthetics, lies a very good technical proficiency, and a top, top class talent. Vanaken might just be, one of the best attacking midfielder in Europe. Club Brugge has been competing at the top of Belgian League's first divison for the past few seasons, and has produced some promising talent like De Ketelaere and Noa Lang. And there's Hans Vanaken, who happens to be their most important figure. Yet so far, there's no rumours of interest from European big clubs. Maybe because he's already entering late 20s, and maybe his prime years is going to run out soon. But there's no denying his abilities on the pitch. Vanaken is a great midfielder, capable of conducting the play from a deeper position, or making late runs into the box to score. He's a very talented footballer, and seems to have special touch on the ball.

Vanaken is such a rarity in modern football. A 6 ft 5 midfielder with an eye for goal, an unusually crisp touch and skill, and decent passing ability, he pretty much looks like a modern day number 10. But, he often operates as a number 8 that tends to move a bit wide, occupying the left side area. He has good vision and creative mind, somewhat similar to Paul Pogba, as they're both tall yet technically talented midfielders. In addition to his skills, Vanaken is also hardworking and has great link up play. He has tendency to do combinations and link ups rather than taking on players, due to his awkwardness in controlling his body. In short, Vanaken is a unique type of footballer to build your team around.

MASON GREENWOOD | PES 2017 STATS

Greenwood is an absolutely special talent, that's destined for greatness. He is the most prolific teenager in Man United's history. Even at the age of just 18, he already has everything. Greenwood is an all round forward with decent skills, pace, and attacking mind. And an absolutely fantastic shooting skills. In my opinion, no teenager has this level of shooting skills and finishing, not even young Michael Owen. His finishing style is not a fancy one, but devastating. It's accurate, hard, and lethal. And he could hit it accurately with both feet as well, makes it more unpredictable, almost unstoppable. But obviously, his way of seeing things and situation on the pitch is not yet refined, at least not as refined as his partners upfront, i.e. Rashford and Martial. But with more experience it will get better, and so does other aspects. That is if he can keep his attitude and behavior in check.

WILLIAM SALIBA | PES 2017 STATS

In contention of becoming the best CB in the future alongside Gvardiol and Schlotterbeck, Saliba oozes calmness, maturity, and leadership in such a young age. There aren't many defenders nowadays that has proper DF leader quality. Saliba is one of them, he's a proper organizer of defence, who could amplify the quality of players around him. But he does have weakness, and its a massive one, that is his aerial abilities. For a guy of his stature, he doesn't have good strength in the air, which could be a massive issue when defending long balls.