Stats: Federico Fazio’s biggest contribution to Spurs’ season so far

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The Tottenham Hotspur defender comes off very impressively upon a look at the statistics.

Federico Fazio seems to be the source of recent debate at Tottenham.

Boss Mauricio Pochettino has promoted the summer signing to first-choice at centre-back alongside Jan Vertonghen, with club captain Younes Kaboul nowhere near the starting XI at present.

And, with Fazio in the team, Spurs have won a remarkable number of their games.

Whether the Argentine himself has been the most solid player in Pochettino’s side, however, seems to have been in dispute ever since he was first selected by his fellow countryman.

But one statistic perhaps proves just why Fazio now constantly features in Tottenham’s starting line-up.

Indeed, as Opta stats show, Fazio is one of the best players in the Premier League in the air.

Only Andy Carroll and Peter Crouch average more aerial duels won per game than the 27-year-old and Pochettino appears to value that aspect of his game.

Compared to the rest of the Tottenham squad, meanwhile, Fazio’s aerial ability puts his team-mates to shame. Eric Dier is the nearest rival to the Argentine in the air and he averages more than three aerial duels won less per game.

Fazio also averages more clearances per appearance than any other Spurs player, meaning that, while the centre-back continues to generate debate about his displays, there is a clear line of thought behind his inclusion in Tottenham’s starting XI.