The stats that put Mooy and Jones in Europe's elite

Australia's Aaron Mooy is averaging more successful passes per 90 minutes than the likes of Toni Kroos, David Silva and Sergio Busquets while creating more chances per match than Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Andres Iniesta. Meanwhile, Brad Jones has kept more clean sheets per 90 minutes than any other goalkeeper in Europe.

Mooy Jones

Aaron Mooy (left) and Brad Jones Source: Getty Images

Mooy continues to impress in his debut season with Huddersfield, with even Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola hailing the on-loan Australian as "amazing". 

This season Mooy has played in a deeper role for Huddersfield than he did for Melbourne City, going from being a creative number 10 to a holding midfielder.

But the former Western Sydney Wanderers player seems to be adjusting aptly, averaging 74 successful passes per 90 minutes. The second highest in the Championship behind Tom Cairney of Fulham on 74.7.
What makes that number even more impressive is when you compare it to some of Europe's finest players. 

Mooy is above Manchester City pair Fernandinho (67) and David Silva (62), as speculation grows as to whether Guardiola will ever bring the Aussie into his squad.

Mooy is also above Barcelona's Sergio Busquets (61) and Real Madrid's Toni Kroos (71) who both play very similar roles to the Australian and equal with Manchester United's Paul Pogba (74).

Admittedly these players face harder opposition, although they also play with far superior teammates around them.

And it's not just passing for the sake of keeping possession and maintaining control. Mooy averages 2.1 chances created per match, which is more than Liverpool's Firmino (2), Pogba (1), United's Juan Mata (1.7), Madrid's Luka Modric (1.5) and Barca's Andres Iniesta (1.1).
Meanwhile, Australian goalkeeper Brad Jones is pushing his claims for Socceroos selection with his outstanding form at Eredivisie league leaders Feyenoord.

Jones has conceded just 11 goals in 22 matches, keeping 14 clean sheets. No player in Europe has more clean sheets per 90 minutes than him. FC Porto's Iker Casillas is closest with 13 in 22 matches.
To add perspective, Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois has 13 clean sheets in 25, Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer has 9 in 21 and Barcelona's Marc ter Stegen has 10 in 21.

The only two 'keepers to have more is Scott Carson in the Championship with Derby, 14 but in 29 matches, and Zenit St. Petersburg's Yuri Lodygin, 16 in 28 matches. 

Jones has also conceded fewer goals (11) than Neuer (13), Gianluigi Buffon (16), Hugo Lloris (17) and Cortois (18) and is equal to Casillas (11 in 22). 


Share
Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España, Dakar Rally, World Athletics / ISU Championships (and more) via SBS On Demand – your free live streaming and catch-up service. Read more about Sport
Have a story or comment? Contact Us

Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España, Dakar Rally, World Athletics / ISU Championships (and more) via SBS On Demand – your free live streaming and catch-up service.
Watch nowOn Demand
Follow SBS Sport
2 min read
Published 21 February 2017 12:53pm
By Nick Stoll
Source: SBS


Share this with family and friends