‘Mousinho buzzing’ as Portsmouth land most clinical young player in world football
Portsmouth are continuing to explore their transfer options as they look to build a side capable of making strides up the Championship.
The Blues confirmed their first recruit of the transfer window last Wednesday (June 18), when Australian playmaker Adrian Segecic signed a three-year contract at Fratton Park.
Segecic mentioned that the opportunity to play under John Mousinho was a key factor behind his decision to move to Portsmouth.
And the Blues manager has predicted that many more new signings at Fratton Park this summer.
Segecic ranked as the most clinical young player in world football
Mousinho would have scouted and researched his new signing, of course.
However, it’s not clear whether he would have been privy to new research ranking Segecic as the most clinical young player in world football.
The data comes from CIES Football Observatory, which compared the ‘xG gap’ per 90 minutes played for all players aged under 23 in the world’s top 66 domestic leagues.
A player’s ‘xG gap’ reveals how many more (or fewer) goals a player is scoring than expected, based on the chances created for them.
Segecic registered the joint-highest xG gap per 90 minutes played (0.35), alongside FC Porto starlet Rodrigo Mora.
Segecic will need to prove he can handle the intensity of Championship football
A lot more players are being scouted and signed based on data like this in the modern day.
However, there is one flaw in this data set that Segecic’s doubters will point out; the quality of the opposition.
| Appearances | Minutes Played | Goals | Assists |
| 35 | 1956 | 18 | 3 |
Highlight reels of Segecic’s goals have been doing the rounds on social media since he signed for Portsmouth, and while there are some impressive strikes among them, the youngster is often afforded a lot of time to set himself.
He won’t be given that much space in the Championship. It’s one of the world’s most physical and fast-paced leagues.
Mousinho will be buzzing to have landed Segecic on a free transfer, but he’ll know that it’ll take a lot of hard work to prepare the 20-year-old for this step up.
Pompey fans will hope he has what it takes to make an impact.
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