Smarter Scouting - Profiling Players Beyond the Position Group: Wingers

Modern football has evolved from defined positions to functions and principles players perform within different tactical systems. Smarter Scouting is a new video series that explores how clubs can use advanced data to easily identify player profiles that go beyond traditional position labels.

In each episode, we highlight a position group and uncover the key archetypes that exist within it — combining physical, technical, tactical, and contextual insights to show how data brings clarity to complex roles.

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This article is also available in Italian, Spanish, French and Portuguese. 

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In this episode, we focus on the modern winger — from the inside-pulling Inverted Winger to the touchline-stretching Wide Winger — exploring what sets them apart and how SkillCorner data helps uncover players who excel in each role.

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The Wide Winger 

A fast, direct Winger, able to carry the ball at pace and stretch defenses with constant forward runs both in behind and ahead of play. Proactive in feeding teammates in crossing positions, the Wide Winger brings a continuous attacking threat and contributes directly to creating chances.

To quantify and evaluate the various functions and behaviours, we used the following metrics belonging to our Physical and Game Intelligence data:

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(Information on the normalization method for each metric is provided at the end of the blog) 

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• PSV-99 (99th percentile Peak Velocity): maximum sustainable and repeatable speed of the player.
  
  
• Carries at Speed (P30 TIP): number of times a player drives forward with the ball above running speed — showing intent and control in progressing play toward goal.
  
  
• Runs Ahead of the Ball (P30 TIP): number of runs by the player in front of the ball-carrier, without attacking the space behind the last line of defense.
  
  
• Runs in Behind (P30 TIP): number of runs into the space behind the opponent's last defensive line.
  
  
• Pass Attempts to Cross Receiver Runs (P30 TIP): number of times a player attempts a pass to a teammate making a run to receive a cross.

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The Inverted Winger

A creative player who operates between the lines, offering options through the opposition midfield.

Comfortable in receiving in crowded areas and turning forward to face the goal and initiate progressive actions. The Inverted Winger links up play in the final third and finds runners in behind with key passes.

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Relevant metrics:

• Passing Options Through Second Last Line (P30 TIP): occurrences of the player moving to receive a pass, creating a passing lane that breaks the opponent’s second-to-last line of pressure, usually the midfielders line, from an inside position.
  
  
• Receptions in Tight Spaces (P30 TIP): number of times the player receives the ball while being closely surrounded by opponents or in a constrained area.
  
  
• Forward Momentum (P30 TIP): number of times a player receives a pass, either forward or sideways, turns under pressure, and performs a progressive action.
  
  
• Possessions in Finish (P30 TIP): number of possessions in the Finish phase — primarily occurring in the final third of the pitch, where the attacking team is attempting to score while the defending team is forming a block.
  
  
• Pass Attempts to Runs in Behind (P30 TIP): number of times a player attempts a pass to a teammate making a run into the space behind the opponent's last defensive line.
  
  

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Normalization methods:

• P90: average per 90 minutes — highlights what a player would achieve if they played a full match, allowing fair comparison across players with different playing times.
  
  
• P30 TIP: per 30 Minutes Time in Possession — shows performance as if every player had the same 30 minutes of team possession within games.
  It levels the playing field, so you can compare players fairly even if some teams are more or less dominant.
  
  
• P30 OTIP: per 30 Minutes Time out of Possession — reveals performance as if every player experienced the same 30 minutes without the ball during matches.
  It makes comparisons fair, so you can evaluate players even if some spend more or less time defending.