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Statistics Show that EA Sports’ Assessments of Alexis Sanchez and Eden Hazard are Wrong
By Josh Sippie
Just like every other year, Arsenal will surely find a crop of their stars underrated by EA Sports’ all-knowing overlords. One has already been revealed. Alexis Sanchez’s rating is an 86 and just like last year, that rating is a whopping 3 points less than Chelsea’s Eden Hazard. Both improved one point since last year. How exactly Alexis Sanchez only improved one point after such a stellar campaign is beyond me.
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Of course, Hazard won the player of the year last year when voted on by the players. But given that Alexis was a new arrival, he was never going to sway much favor. Alexis did go on to win the best player when voted on by the fans.
There is one undeniable trait that Eden Hazard has over Alexis Sanchez. He is a very qualified magician. Yes, that is just a (not very) clever way of saying that he disappears, particularly in the big games. We saw it when Arsenal trounced Chelsea in the Community Shield and that is not his first act as a professional.
Let’s talk statistics. Comparing the stats from last season, Chelsea’s title-winning season, Alexis has the upper hand. Here are how they match up on a per-90 minute basis (via Squawka)
[table id=70 /]
That is the real world, where things matter. Now here is how EA Sports rates them:
[table id=71 /]
What am I missing here? While EA Sports got the bare bones of the ratings correct, digging deeper into the disparity between the two reveals a keen under-appreciation for what Alexis Sanchez does and a blatant over-appreciation for what his Chelsea counterpart does
I will concede dribbling and passing to Hazard. Those are his two strong suits and he does them both very well. However, Alexis does both well also. For now though, lets be reasonable and give Hazard his due credit.
What I will not concede is that Alexis Sanchez’s shooting capability is only one measly point higher than Hazard. Alexis is a clinical finisher with an ability to score anywhere in or around the goal box, a trait that has clearly gone unnoticed. Pace should be much closer as well, as either one can blaze past defenders down the sideline with ease.
And now we get to the truly egregious error. A 39 in defense and a 73 in physicality. Those are some of the most heinous crimes ever committed in the video game industry (yes, that is an over-exaggeration). Alexis Sanchez has an incredibly high defensive work rate. That is noted in EA Sports apt “High” defensive work rate for Alexis. How his defensive work rate is only 7 points higher than Hazard is a question that needs answering. Particularly when EA Sports adjudged Hazard’s defensive work rate as a bland “Medium”. Alexis Sanchez’s defensive rating should be around 50.
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No one pursues and engages the opposition as well as Alexis from a forward position. He tracks back masterfully and provides competent help on the defensive side of the ball.
In physicality, too, Alexis is underrated. A 73 to Hazard’s 64 is a little more acceptable but this goes beyond a comparison. Alexis Sanchez fights for the ball and does not go down easily. That 73 may be caused by his short stature but he makes up for it with strength and determination. His rating should be kicked up to a 78.
It is a shame that EA Sports has fueled the fallacy that Hazard is superior to Alexis Sanchez. Some of it probably comes down to a bias towards Premier League players and given that Hazard has been in the league for longer, he is getting preferential treatment. But justice must be done.
This year has continued right where the two left off. Alexis Sanchez’s defense is miles ahead of Hazard’s, as he is completing near 2 tackles and 2 interceptions a game. Meanwhile Hazard has yet to record a single tackle or interception. Not only that, but Alexis is catching up in pass completion as well.
Come on, EA Sports. FIFA 16 may only be a game but this is a mistake. Get with reality.
Next: Did Wenger lie about Welbeck?