PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Mario Lemina - Gabon star in top 10 of Europe’s dribblers

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Tuesday Feb 27, 2018. 16:00

The central midfielder and his Southampton FC team-mate Sofiane Boufal and Mario Lemina are in the top ten of Europe's dribblers, according to CIES Football Observatory.

According to the Daily Echo, the research group have compiled, using OptaPro data, a dribbling index to analyse statistics from the continent's big-5 leagues.

Boufal, who is a Morocco international, is placed in eighth in the rankings, trying 4.6 dribbles per 90 minutes of play with 53 per cent of those successful.

Gabon international Lemina enters the index in ninth position, recording three dribbles per 90 minutes, of which 79 per cent were successful.

"The dribbling index is calculated by multiplying the average number of dribbles achieved per 90 minutes with the percentage of successful ones," the football observatory said.

The two African players have established themselves as key players for Saints, who have been inconsistent this season.

Lemina, who is in his first season in the English Premier League, has made 20 appearances in the competition and scored once in the process.

Boufal, who is an attacking midfielder, has featured in 24 league games and hit the back of the net twice.