Fashion Sakala: Awful or useful?

[yuddie 1,693]

I'll start off by saying I'm fond of Fashion and I'm pro keeping him in the squad. I wanted to see what you guys thought as generally the online discourse in the fanbase is pretty negative and absolute on the guy. I've heard podcasters, bloggers etc say 'he gets numbers' in an almost disparaging way, almost like damning him with faint praise so I thought I'd look into his actual numbers and see what he offers:

 

(Transfermarkt as the reference, not sure if that's reliable or not)

 

G/A: Goals and Assists.

p90: per 90

 

22/23

 

Total Minutes: 2,341

G/A: 17

p90: 0.65

 

 

Prem Minutes 1,564

G/A: 17

p90: 0.97

 

SFAC Minutes: 177

G/A: 0

p90: 0

 

SLC: 368

G/A: 0

p90: 0

 

UCL Minutes: 236

G/A: 0

p90:0

 

Starts: 25

 

I've heard the argument that he needs to start games regularly to contribute so here's his numbers from last season as an irregular player:

 

21/22

 

Total Minutes: 2,182

G/A: 19

p90: 0.78

 

Prem Minutes: 1,465

G/A: 15

p90: 0.92

 

SFAC Minutes: 230

G/A: 4

p90: 1.56

 

SLC Minutes: 42

G/A: 0

p90: 0

 

UCL Qual Minutes: 55

G/A: 0

p90: 0

 

UEL Minutes: 390

G/A: 0

p90: 0

 

Starts: 15

 

Prem Total Minutes: 3,029

G/A: 32

p90: 0.95

 

Domestic Total Minutes: 3,846

G/A: 36

p90: 0.84

 

Total Minutes: 4,527

G/A: 36

p90: 0.71

 

That's pretty much it, his numbers outwith Europe are pretty staggering to be fair, as a squad option you can't really sniff at it. Haven't looked into his xG or other stuff just wanted to have a quick look and write it down, he probably compares favourably to furuhashi.

 

Hopefully this makes sense, might've made some errors.

 

Cheers.

Edited May 15, 2023 by yuddie

[CammyF 8,109]

If Fashion Sakala had it all, he wouldn't be playing for Rangers. 

 

His finishing is erratic but there is no doubting his pace. 

 

I'd say he is a modern day Ted McMinn with goals. 

[Scott7 6,009]

He is more a disruptor than a finisher. He always tries. So, he’s useful. I’d be inclined to keep him.

Edited May 15, 2023 by Scott7

[26th of foot 6,082]

We have all seen enough of Sakala to know both his advantages and disadvantages.

 

Often his first touch ensures his second is a tackle. His finishing can be erratic; particularly his one on ones with the opposition Keeper. Saturday's third goal is the irony, a wonderful finish.

 

Fashion does not hide, he is always available. He has genuine pace and that attribute keeps opposition back lines honest.

 

I would keep him because he is the guy that allowed me to see Rangers defeat Real Madrid 2-1.

[Malangsob 1,264]

Pros

-Good attacking work rate

-Positive attitude-fans-press

-Scores--erratic or not--the man puts in goals

-Stays fit

 

Cons

-Poor Positioning and awareness-Drifts offside far too much

-Poor decision making--shots/passes

-lacks final touch

 

On a scale measured 1-10

 

One being "drunk hobo with football" and ten being "your footballing God, here"

 

I put Fashion at a 4.5. 

 

Solid bench player.

 

He presents with enough energy, and positive motivation to affect the game, yet far enough away to be that big game go to guy. 

[Bill 13,717]

I wish we could replace him with better but, given our other more pressing priorities, I'd vote for him staying.

I'd also imagine he's popular around the dressing room and that can also make him a useful asset.

[Devil's advocaat 1,541]

As ever, the truth is somewhere in between.

[Sutton_blows_goats 5,340]

In the big games he missed when it counted. 

[onevision 1,571]

He's awfully useful.

[BlackSocksRedTops 3,752]

Only as a squad player. Not first pick.