Kevin De Bruyne Criticises ‘Passes Completed’ Statistic as ‘Useless.
Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has expressed his disdain for the ‘passes completed’ statistic, labelling it as the “most useless statistic” in football. Speaking candidly about the metrics used to evaluate player performance, De Bruyne argued that a high pass completion rate does not necessarily equate to a productive or impactful performance on the pitch.
The Belgian playmaker pointed out that it is possible to achieve a 96% pass completion rate by making safe, sideways, or backward passes throughout a match. However, such statistics do not reflect a player’s contribution to creating goal-scoring opportunities or influencing the game’s outcome. “I can have 96% pass completion playing sideways or backwards without being dangerous for the whole game. That means I haven’t done anything. What’s the point?” De Bruyne remarked.
De Bruyne’s comments highlight a broader debate within football regarding the use of statistics to measure a player’s effectiveness. While metrics like pass completion are often used to assess performance, De Bruyne’s statement suggests that these numbers can be misleading and do not always capture the true value a player brings to the team.
As one of the most creative and influential midfielders in the game today, De Bruyne’s views carry significant weight and may prompt further discussion on how player performance should be evaluated beyond mere statistical analysis.
