For Southampton fans, Aaron Ramsdale is their best player of this season. But as per a stat, he ranks among the worst Top Flight keepers. What's the reality?
Pick any Southampton fan and just ask, who's the one current player they certainly want next season? Their instantaneous safety would be towards Aaron Ramsdale for sure.
In fact, let alone the club fans, any analyst or pundit would reply the same. Such has been the keeper's repute in Southampton's net.
Praised by opposition managers, boss Juric, and many, Ramsdale's Southampton image draws parallels with the club savior many times.
But would you believe me when I say perhaps your view of the keeper is somewhat mistaken? Sounds surreal, but indeed it's a reality.
Intriguing stat questions Aaron Ramsdale's Southampton efforts
This is because, in FBref's advanced goalkeeping stat, Southampton stands as the 3rd worst in the PsxG metric. Naturally, the mantle falls on Ramsdale who has been in the goal almost consistently.
To note, PsxG represents the difference between the number of goals expected and the number of goals conceded. Naturally, a positive PsxG represents better shot stopping, while a negative PsxG is a worrying stat.
But what's surprising is that with a PsxG of -2.7, Southampton is just better than Wolves and Fulham.
Now, that's what puts Aaron Ramsdale's credibility in question, who has been praised all along for his heroic performances.
Well, hearing such a stat, concluding Ramsdale's tenure as a failure might be easy but not a wise job. Why? Because sometimes even numbers don't paint the complete picture.
After all, there are still a plethora of clubs who have been vying for Ramsdale's signature all this while. Obviously, they can't be wrong all at once.
Still, for sure, this worrying tally has put all of us in doubt over the reality. For now, the only thing certain is that making a firm claim on Ramsdale's Southampton performances isn't as simple as it appeared.