Craig Scott

Mon 6 April 2020 17:00, UK

Stuart Dallas is very much a Jake of all trades with the Northern Ireland international playing in a number of different positions this season for Leeds United.

The 28-year-old has made 38 appearances across all competitions with him scoring three goals and supplying one assist in the process.

According to transfermarkt, Dallas has played seven times in the centre of the midfield, eight times on the right-wing, 11 times at right-back and 12 times at left-back.

Many have suggested that Dallas has been Leeds’ player of the season due to how well he’s played in a multitude of positions – but which position is Dallas’ best?

Before the coronavirus pandemic brought football to a halt, Dallas had made six consecutive league appearances at left-back, with Leeds picking up 16 out of 18 points in the process.

That would suggest the ex-Brentford player is best at left-back, or at least that is what Marcelo Bielsa thinks.

Here, MOT Leeds News has taken a look at Dallas’ Championship stats in each position using WyScout:

Central-midfield

Dallas has scored once as a central midfielder this season when he equalised against Preston on Boxing Day. In his seven appearances in that position he’s averaged 1.83 shots at goal and 1.61 touches inside the box per 90 minutes and has an 80.4 per cent pass accuracy. Of course, as he’s played more centrally, he’s only averaged 2.56 crosses per 90 minutes and only 22.9 per cent of those have been accurate. Defensively, he’s won 60.8 per cent of defensive duels and averaged 4.9 recoveries per 90 minutes.

Right-wing

Dallas’ defensive contribution is not half as important when playing out on the right-wing, but attacking-wise, the stats do not make great reading. He’s not completed a single cross playing in that role but averaged two touches inside the box per 90 minutes and transfermarkt shows two of his goals have come from the right-wing.

Right-back 

Dallas has averaged 4.63 crosses, 2.53 dribbles and 2.53 touches inside the box per 90 minutes of league football at right-back this season. Those attacking numbers are far more impressive than his attacking numbers on the right-wing and in the centre of the midfield. Defensively, Dallas has won 53 per cent of the defensive duels he’s been in – which is 8.46 per 90 minutes. He’s also averaged 8.02 recoveries and 3.47 interceptions. So far, right-back has certainly been Dallas’ most-impressive position.

Left-back

Dallas has played more times at left-back than any other position but how do his stats stack up against his displays at right-back? According to WyScout he’s averaged 1.94 crosses, 2.04 dribbles and 0.97 touches inside the box per 90 minutes in the Championship – a significant drop on his attacking output from right-back. When it comes to his defensive duties, Dallas has won 63.5 per cent of his defensive duels while being involved in 9.14 per 90 minutes of league football. He’s also averaged 9.68 recoveries and 6.02 interceptions.

It is pretty clear that Dallas has played his best football when he’s played in one of the full-back roles for Leeds United this season and it is hard to judge which one he’s actually done better in.

When playing at right-back, the Northern Ireland international is far more efficient in the attack but lacks defensively. When playing at left-back, it’s the opposite with his defensive numbers far more impressive than his attacking stats.

Luke Ayling has sealed down the right-back spot – and rightly so. And that should suggest that Dallas is better off being played at left-back for the sake of the team.

In other Leeds United news, what an EFL manager told this Sky Sports commentator about Ben White.