According to DataMB, Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro are both among the top five fullbacks across the Premier League in terms of progressive carries per 90 minutes.

At the start of the season, there were doubts as to whether Udogie or Porro possessed the attributes needed to operate as inverted full-backs.

The Italian had played exclusively as a wing-back for Udinese during the two prior seasons while the Spaniard showed chinks in his armour defensively last season following his arrival from Sporting Lisbon.

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 19: Pedro Porro of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 19, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images)

However, both players have started the season in fine form and have silenced doubters, not only playing a crucial role in helping Ange Postecoglou’s men progress the ball up the pitch but also proving dangerous in the final third.

According to DataMB, Udogie is second in the Premier League for fullback progressive carries so far, with only Chelsea’s Malo Gusto averaging more than him, while Porro has registered the fifth-highest across the division.

Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie shining for Spurs

Spurs Web Opinion

Udogie and Porro have both undoubtedly had excellent starts to the season but the list above shows exactly what is wrong with how progressive carries are measured.

The fact that all of the top names are full-backs is obviously because they pick the ball up deeper than midfielders do and are thus allowed to progress a few more yards before being pressed or challenged. So, I am not sure if we can read too much into this stat.

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