Player Focus: Stephane Sessegnon Progress Report

As Sunderland reap the benefits from Martin O’Neill’s arrival and continue to climb the table, one player in particular has proved pivotal to their recent upturn in form; Stephane Sessegnon. Despite his undoubted talents, the Benin international had mainly flattered to deceive under the leadership of Steve Bruce, but the canny man-management skills of new boss O’Neill have seen his form flourish. WhoScored takes a look at Sessegnon’s season so far, highlighting just how crucial he is to the Black Cats’ cause:

Sunderland Comparison

With the ability to play out wide or in central attacking positions, Sessegnon has mainly been fielded “in the hole”, just behind a lone striker; 12 of his 22 appearances have seen him start in this position for Sunderland. To date, he is the club’s joint-top scorer with 5 goals, and has also produced more assists (6) than any other player for the Black Cats thus far.

Given that his side have scored a total of 29 goals in the Premier League, this means Sessegnon has played a part in 11, or 38%, of all goals scored, a clear indication of their reliance on his contribution in the crucial final third of the pitch. Both Nicklas Bendtner (3 goals, 4 assists) and Seb Larsson (5 goals, 2 assists) are next best with 7, or 24%, highlighting just how much more Sessegnon is contributing in comparison.

The only player to start every game so far for the club, Sessegnon has averaged 2.7 shots per game, the highest at the club, and has found the net with every 12 shots. Given that Bendtner, their main forward, has scored just 3 goals in his 17 appearances - an average of 1 every 14 shots - Sessegnon’s eye for goal, while not too impressive in terms of conversion rate, has been crucial.

Sessegnon also leads the way in terms of creating chances for the Wearsiders. An average of 2.1 key passes per game means he has produced a total of 46, but with his teammates failing to find the net with any sort of consistency, he has picked up an assist with every 7.67 key passes. Seb Larsson’s set-pieces have seen the Swede provide 2 key passes per game but, despite averaging 2.4 accurate crosses, he has picked up just 2 assists, an average of 1 assist per 20 key passes.

A look at Sessegnon’s successful dribbles also sees him far ahead of any other Sunderland player. He makes 2.1 per game, with James McClean – another player benefitting hugely from O’Neill’s arrival – next best with 1.3. Given that David Vaughan and Ahmed Elmohamady, on 0.5, are third-top, it’s a further indication of just how much Sessegnon has stood head and shoulders above anyone else in the side in this respective area.

O’Neill’s record of 5 wins in just 8 games has meant a substantial increase in Sessegnon’s consistency, too. Under Bruce, he had scored or assisted in just 3 of Sunderland’s 14 fixtures, whereas he has produced in 5 of O’Neill’s games already - his stats look likely to increase further as the Black Cats go from strength to strength under the Irishman’s guidance.

Premier League Comparison

While it’s obvious how key Sessegnon is to Sunderland, his all-round game compares more than favourably with others in the Premier League, too. A look at our Premier League Player Statistics reveals that, over the three main categories for Attacking stats (Shots, Key Passes and Successful Dribbles), only three players in England’s top-flight have exceeded the average of 2 per game; Sessegnon, Nani and Luis Suarez. While others excel in one, or maybe a couple of those categories, Sessegnon remains consistent right across the board; clearly, he has the whole package as a player.

Having moved to Wearside last January, Sessegnon’s first season saw him average 2.1 shots, 1.2 key passes and 1.7 shots. In his second campaign at the Stadium of Light, then, there has been a considerable upturn in his attacking stats, as he becomes more accustomed to the frenetic pace of the Premier League.

In terms of shots, he has equalled the threat of the likes of Didier Drogba and is not far behind Mario Balotelli (2.9); given that both play for top-four sides, they are always likely to see more chances but Sessegnon’s skills afford him the opportunity to create chances for himself, as much as for others.

His 2.1 key passes per game is the equal of Emmanuel Adebayor and just behind Rafael Van der Vaart and Robin Van Persie, both with 2.2, and again fares well against players in far more attacking teams. Sessegnon’s ability to take a man on when in possession really stand out, though; he is joint-third for successful dribbles, with Nani and Suarez both equalling his average of 2.1

What’s particularly significant, and furthermore impressive regarding these comparisons, is how little Sunderland see of the ball. They are fifth-lowest for possession this season, with an average of just 44.9%, yet still Sessegnon manages to record such high quality statistics.

While O’Neill may be reliant on him to make the difference, the higher Sunderland climb, the more Sessegnon will perhaps attract interest from suitors further up the table. Clearly, he has the talent to shine on a bigger stage and, if he continues to progress in the current fashion, the Black Cats will do well to fend off any potential bids in the next season or so.