Stats show £43m Bellerin would only be small upgrade on Sagna

Simon Wilkes
Hector Bellerin: Defender close to agreeing new deal

Hector Bellerin: Defender close to agreeing new deal

A look at the stats show exactly why Manchester City would be landing one of the best right-backs in world football should they capture Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin.

Gunners right-back Hector Bellerin has emerged as a target for Pep Guardiola, according to reports in Spain.

The Spanish international has emerged as one of the brightest young talents in the Premier League in the past two seasons after making his Arsenal debut in 2014.

Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo says while Bellerin is happy at the Emirates, he could be swayed to join Man City with the lure of playing under Guardiola, who is said to be a long-term admirer of the 21-year-old.

Bellerin was still in Barcelona’s youth set-up when Guardiola was manager there.

The full-back was the only Arsenal player to be included in the PFA Team of the Year last season, highlighting his importance to the Gunners.

He is renowned for his pace, notably beating Theo Walcott in Arsenal’s 40m sprints by 1/100th of a second.

Bellerin would compete for a place alongside former Arsenal man Bacary Sagna and the stats show the former would be a much better fit for the Eastlands outfit.

In fact, this graphic from Oulala shows Bellarin is an upgrade on Sagna in five out of seven key statistics, with the Spaniard holding the upper hand by making more tackles, interceptions and passes, as well as showing his attacking flair with 1.8 take ons per game.

Hector Bellerin graphic