Cédric Soares' Statistical Analysis: Assessing His Impact in Sporting CP's Attacking Strategy

**Cédric Soares' Statistical Analysis: Assessing His Impact in Sporting CP's Attacking Strategy**

**Introduction**

Cédric Soares, a versatile Portuguese professional footballer, has been a pivotal figure in Sporting CP's recent success. As a right-back, he has consistently demonstrated his ability to contribute to both defense and attack, making him a key asset in manager Paulo Fonseca's system. This analysis delves into Soares' statistical impact on Sporting CP's attacking strategy, highlighting his role in driving the team's offensive play.

**Attacking Impact**

Soares' primary contribution to Sporting CP's attacking strategy lies in his ability to overlap effectively with the forward line. His high work rate and attacking mindset allow him to join the attack with regularity, creating numerical superiority in advanced positions. Defensively, his positioning often forces opponents to drop deep, which in turn opens up space for midfielders and wingers to advance.

Statistically, Soares has been directly involved in a significant number of goals since joining Sporting CP. He has scored 15 goals and provided 33 assists in 135 games across all competitions up to the 2022-2023 season. His goal contribution rate (goals + assists) stands at approximately 1.44 per game,Saudi Pro League Focus a figure that underscores his influence on the team's attacking output. Moreover, his ability to deliver the ball into dangerous areas has resulted in a higher percentage of his crosses leading to shots on target.

**Defensive Responsibilities**

While Soares is primarily known for his offensive contributions, his defensive work rate and positional awareness are equally impressive. As a right-back, he often tracks back to help his center-backs, preventing opponents from easily breaking in counter-attacks. His defensive statistics reflect this dual role: he averages around 2.5 tackles per game and has a high interception rate, often neutralizing opposition attackers.

**Influence on Team Style**

Soares' presence has had a transformative effect on Sporting CP's attacking play. His ability to cover ground quickly and his positional intelligence have allowed the team to adopt a more fluid and dynamic attacking strategy. Fonseca's system relies heavily on overlapping full-backs, and Soares has embraced this role, becoming one of the most effective exponents of this style in European football.

**Conclusion**

Cédric Soares has proven himself to be a cornerstone of Sporting CP's attacking strategy, contributing both goals and assists while maintaining a high defensive work rate. His ability to adapt to multiple roles and drive the team's offensive play makes him an invaluable asset. As Sporting CP continues to push for success, Soares' influence will remain crucial in their quest for silverware. His combination of attacking flair and defensive discipline ensures he remains a key player in the club's future endeavors.

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