2026-10-26, 06:36 AM - Word count:
There are a lot of great articles written every week here in the SSL, but I selfishly find myself always making sure to click on the ones that are directed at my draft class.
So, I wanted to write some sort of update that looks at the s26 class and gives a s27 update!
Always looking to build on what I’ve already come up with for different formulas, you might remember my Rookie of the Year prediction article from last season.
https://forum.simulationsoccer.com/showt...?tid=10306
In that article, I talk about how I pulled the stats for the season, created per-90 metrics for each player, then broke the player into all the possible roles they could play based on the positions they have purchased.
Next, I used z scoring to compare each player against each position they could play, and then finally, added weighting for each position to emphasize certain stats.
If you want to see the details of that, go back to the RotY article to see the raw numbers.
The Top 5s
Striker
Dennis van Huntelrooy claimed the top striker ranking with a commanding lead over the rest of the field, combining outstanding scoring production with exceptional shot volume. His 0.92 goals and 6.42 shots per 90 led the group, while an impressive 0.98 xG per 90 highlighted his ability to consistently generate high-quality scoring opportunities.
Leonardo Stone finished second through a more balanced attacking profile, pairing strong finishing with useful creative contributions and the second-highest average rating.
Dante Von Wolfe secured third with an effective combination of goal scoring and shooting accuracy, consistently testing opposing goalkeepers.
Blaise N'Kufo returned to the top five with a productive blend of goals and assists, while THRAXXii La'Mort rounded out the rankings through solid shooting numbers and contributions to chance creation.
Unlike the closely contested striker race of the previous season, Dennis established a clear advantage at the top, with his attacking output setting him apart from the rest of the group.
Attacking Midfielder
Joe Mormor comfortably topped the attacking midfielder rankings with an exceptional creative performance, recording an outstanding 7.72 key passes and 2.18 chances created per 90. His 0.76 xA per 90 further highlighted his ability to consistently generate opportunities for teammates, establishing a commanding advantage over the rest of the field despite relatively modest direct goal contributions.
Kairo Vox finished second with a contrasting attacking profile, leading the group in goals per 90 while combining strong finishing with excellent creative output and the highest average rating.
Baptiste Azzola claimed third through an impressive blend of assist production, key passing, and efficiency in possession, while Sadie Black continued to demonstrate versatility with another top-five appearance built around strong distribution and creativity.
Isaiah Ali rounded out the rankings with the highest passing accuracy and successful passes per 90 among the group, complementing reliable possession play with contributions in front of goal.
The rankings highlighted two distinct approaches to attacking midfield excellence, with Joe's exceptional chance creation setting him apart from players whose contributions were more evenly distributed between scoring, assisting, and maintaining possession.
Midfielder
Kairo Vox claimed the top midfield ranking through an impressive combination of creativity, defensive activity, and overall attacking influence. His 0.47 xA and 4.58 successful presses per 90 led the group, while strong tackling numbers and the highest average rating highlighted a well-rounded contribution despite comparatively modest passing volume.
Isaiah Ali finished second with a contrasting profile built around outstanding distribution, leading the field with 51.75 successful passes per 90 and an excellent 88.59% completion rate while maintaining strong defensive involvement.
Baptiste Azzola secured third through a blend of accurate passing and creativity, producing the highest key pass rate among the top five alongside solid tackling numbers.
Joshua Homme III Esquire Limited followed in fourth, standing out particularly for his 3.58 interceptions per 90 and strong pressing activity, while Nick Kasak completed the rankings with an effective combination of passing accuracy, chance creation, and defensive contributions.
The midfield rankings highlighted the variety of ways players could influence matches, with Kairo's attacking creativity and pressing narrowly outweighing Isaiah's exceptional distribution and the more balanced contributions of the chasing group.
Defensive Midfielder
Scorp E. Unshark retained the top defensive midfielder ranking with a commanding performance built around outstanding defensive awareness and consistent contributions across multiple categories. His 3.58 interceptions and 2.58 clearances per 90 led the group, while strong tackling, pressing, and reliable distribution helped establish a substantial advantage over the competition.
Ignignokt finished second with a more aggressive defensive profile, leading the field in tackles won and successful presses per 90 while also recording the highest average rating among the top five.
S Sei secured third through an effective combination of defensive activity and ball distribution, pairing excellent pressing numbers with strong passing volume and accuracy.
Isaiah Ali followed in fourth, virtually tied with S Sei before rounding, demonstrating a contrasting approach through exceptional possession statistics, leading the group with 51.75 successful passes per 90 and an 88.59% completion rate.
Josh Harper rounded out the rankings with solid defensive contributions and dependable passing.
The results highlighted the different demands of the defensive midfield role, with Scorp's exceptional interception and clearance numbers providing clear separation at the top, while the remarkably close contest between S Sei and Isaiah demonstrated how contrasting defensive and possession-oriented profiles could produce nearly identical overall scores.
Defender
Scorp E. Unshark narrowly claimed the top defender ranking in one of the closest contests of the season, edging Cairo City teammate Eric Duic by just 0.25 Role Z Score points. Scorp's outstanding interception numbers, strong tackling, and balanced defensive contributions helped secure first place, while Eric presented a contrasting profile built around exceptional aerial dominance and efficiency in possession. His 7.50 successful headers per 90, 89.11% heading success rate, and 87.98% passing accuracy led the group, alongside an impressive 3.83 clearances per 90.
Joe Mormor finished third, adding another high ranking to an exceptional season through strong tackling, interceptions, and the highest block rate among the top five.
Joshua Homme III Esquire Limited followed just 0.04 points behind in fourth, matching Scorp's 3.58 interceptions per 90 while contributing solid defensive numbers across the board.
STAR SCREAM rounded out the rankings with the highest tackling rate in the group and excellent aerial production, combining 5.58 successful headers per 90 with an 83.75% success rate. The results highlighted contrasting defensive strengths, with Scorp's all-around activity narrowly prevailing over Eric's commanding aerial presence, while the substantial gap to third place emphasized how clearly the two Cairo City defenders separated themselves from the rest of the field.
Wing Back
Ignignokt dominated the wingback rankings with one of the most commanding positional performances of the season, finishing more than 35 Role Z Score points ahead of the nearest challenger. His exceptional combination of attacking creativity and defensive activity set him apart, leading the group with 0.50 assists, 3.33 key passes, 2.42 successful crosses, and 4.33 successful presses per 90.
Scorp E. Unshark finished a distant second, adding another strong positional ranking through outstanding interception numbers and reliable defensive contributions, although his attacking output fell considerably short of the leader.
Sadie Black claimed third, continuing to demonstrate versatility with a balanced combination of assists, chance creation, and defensive involvement.
Joshua Homme III Esquire Limited followed in fourth, recording the highest crossing accuracy among the top five alongside strong interception and pressing numbers, while Jimothy Erickson rounded out the rankings with the group's highest tackling rate and useful contributions in possession.
The results revealed a substantial divide in overall wingback performance, with Ignignokt's ability to combine high-end attacking production with aggressive defensive work establishing a clear advantage, while the negative Role Z Scores of the fourth- and fifth-place finishers highlighted the drop-off in the position's overall statistical strength.
Goalkeeper
Cory Stevens claimed the top goalkeeper ranking with a commanding performance, overturning the previous season's result to finish more than 26 Role Z Score points ahead of defending leader Umaq Yupanqui. Cory's exceptional shot-stopping numbers led the group, recording a 79.52% save rate and 0.41 xG prevented per 90 alongside the highest average rating. His 2.42 saves parried, 1.83 saves held, and 1.25 saves tipped per 90 further highlighted his involvement in keeping opposing attacks at bay.
Umaq finished second through a more controlled defensive profile, leading the group in clean sheets and conceding the fewest goals per 90, although his individual save percentage and goals prevented fell short of Cory's impressive figures.
Moew enBach secured third with solid shot-stopping production and a positive 0.26 xG prevented per 90, suggesting a stronger individual performance than his goals conceded might otherwise indicate.
Lencho Ash rounded out the rankings but endured a considerably more difficult season, recording the lowest save percentage and a negative 0.80 xG prevented per 90.
The results highlighted a clear separation in goalkeeper performance, with Cory's outstanding individual shot-stopping establishing him as the standout performer, while the substantial gap between third and fourth emphasized the contrasting fortunes of the remaining goalkeepers.
Notable Takeaways
One of the defining themes of the Season 27 rookie class was the emergence of several standout performers across multiple positional rankings. Scorp E. Unshark delivered one of the most impressive all-around campaigns, finishing first among both defensive midfielders and defenders while also placing second among wingbacks. Joe Mormor demonstrated remarkable versatility of his own, leading the attacking midfielder rankings through exceptional creativity while also finishing third among defenders. Ignignokt established a commanding lead in the wingback rankings alongside a second-place defensive midfield finish, while Kairo Vox claimed the top midfield ranking and second place among attacking midfielders. Isaiah Ali, Joshua Homme III Esquire Limited, and Sadie Black further highlighted the depth of positional flexibility throughout the class, each appearing in three separate top-five lists.
Another notable development was the emergence of clear positional leaders alongside several remarkably competitive races. Dennis van Huntelrooy dominated the striker rankings through exceptional shooting volume and goal production, while Cory Stevens established himself as the standout goalkeeper, reversing the previous season's result against Umaq Yupanqui. Ignignokt's enormous advantage among wingbacks contrasted sharply with the defender rankings, where Cairo City teammates Scorp E. Unshark and Eric Duic were separated by just 0.25 Role Z Score points. The defensive midfield battle between S Sei and Isaiah Ali was even closer, with less than 0.01 points dividing third and fourth. Personally, I'm pleased that the role-based weighted z-score model continues to highlight these contrasting performances, recognizing both dominant individual contributions and the different statistical profiles that can produce similar overall results. Season 27 demonstrated once again that excellence can take many forms, whether through prolific scoring, creative influence, defensive reliability, or outstanding shot-stopping.
Season 27 - Overall Top 5
With the positional rankings complete, it's time to bring everything together and look at the top five performers across the entire s27 class.
As with last season, the individual role rankings were designed to highlight the different ways players could excel within their respective positions. To produce a single overall ranking, I followed the same process:
Joe Mormor (@Haramcha ) claimed the top overall ranking for Season 27 with an impressive Overall Z Score of 2.44, establishing himself as the standout performer in a competitive rookie class. His exceptional attacking midfielder campaign produced a Best Role Score of 53.55, driven primarily by extraordinary creative production. Averaging 7.72 key passes, 2.18 chances created, and 0.76 expected assists per 90, Joe demonstrated an ability to generate scoring opportunities at a rate unmatched by the other leading attacking midfielders. Perhaps even more impressive was the versatility behind those numbers, with Joe also finishing third in the defender rankings through strong tackling, interceptions, and shot-blocking contributions. His ability to perform at such a high level across two very different positional roles made his overall statistical profile particularly noteworthy.
Ignignokt (That’s me) finished second with an Overall Z Score of 1.86, powered by a dominant wingback performance that produced a Best Role Score of 42.231. Leading the wingback rankings by more than 35 points, Ignignokt combined outstanding attacking contributions with aggressive defensive activity, recording 0.50 assists, 3.33 key passes, 2.42 successful crosses, and 4.33 successful presses per 90. A second-place finish among defensive midfielders further demonstrated the value of that all-around production. While Joe's exceptional creativity ultimately secured the top spot, Ignignokt's combination of attacking and defensive contributions provided a very different example of positional excellence.
Cory Stevens (@Toast ) claimed third place with an Overall Z Score of 1.50, representing the goalkeepers among the season's top performers. His Best Role Score of 35.32 reflected an outstanding shot-stopping campaign, highlighted by a 79.52% save percentage and 0.41 xG prevented per 90. Cory also recorded the highest average rating among the ranked goalkeepers, while his substantial lead in the positional rankings demonstrated the strength of his performance relative to the competition. After finishing second among goalkeepers in Season 26, his rise to first at the position and third overall represented a significant improvement.
Kairo Vox (@Hoodz_91) secured fourth with an Overall Z Score of 1.42, narrowly trailing Cory while establishing himself as one of the most complete attacking players in the class. His Best Role Score of 33.72 came from the attacking midfielder rankings, where he combined 0.58 goals, 0.33 assists, and 0.47 expected assists per 90 with an excellent 7.51 average rating. Kairo also topped the central midfield rankings, demonstrating that his contributions extended beyond direct attacking production. Strong pressing, tackling, and creative numbers allowed him to excel across both roles, making him one of the most versatile midfield performers of the season.
Scorp E. Unshark (@hhh81) rounded out the overall top five with an Overall Z Score of 1.18, built around a Best Role Score of 29.04 as a defensive midfielder. Scorp's outstanding defensive production included 3.58 interceptions, 2.67 tackles won, and 2.58 clearances per 90, complemented by reliable passing and a strong 7.39 average rating. What made the performance particularly impressive was its consistency across different defensive roles, with Scorp also finishing first among defenders and second among wingbacks. While the defensive midfield score ultimately represented the strongest individual role, the ability to lead multiple positional rankings reinforced Scorp's value as one of the class's most accomplished defensive players.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the final rankings was the variety of positional strengths represented. The top five included an attacking midfielder, wingback, goalkeeper, another attacking midfielder, and defensive midfielder, each reaching the upper tier of the overall standings through very different statistical contributions. Rapid Magyar SC and Cairo City each placed two players in the final five, while AS Paris claimed the remaining spot. The results also demonstrated that exceptional performances were not limited to traditional attacking statistics, with defensive contributions and shot-stopping proving equally capable of producing high overall rankings.
Personally, I'm pleased to see the role-based weighted z-score model continue to recognize such a diverse range of performances. Joe Mormor's remarkable creativity earned the highest overall ranking, but the presence of Ignignokt, Cory Stevens, Kairo Vox, and Scorp E. Unshark showed just how many different ways a player could distinguish themselves statistically. With three different areas of the pitch represented among the top three alone, Season 27 provided another strong example of why evaluating players through their individual positional responsibilities can reveal performances that might otherwise be overlooked.
Alright, that’s all for my selfish draft class focused article. Probably going to make this a regular series alongside my Top 10 articles, as this one specifically is a ton of fun to write.
So, I wanted to write some sort of update that looks at the s26 class and gives a s27 update!
Always looking to build on what I’ve already come up with for different formulas, you might remember my Rookie of the Year prediction article from last season.
https://forum.simulationsoccer.com/showt...?tid=10306
In that article, I talk about how I pulled the stats for the season, created per-90 metrics for each player, then broke the player into all the possible roles they could play based on the positions they have purchased.
Next, I used z scoring to compare each player against each position they could play, and then finally, added weighting for each position to emphasize certain stats.
If you want to see the details of that, go back to the RotY article to see the raw numbers.
The Top 5s
Striker
| Rank | Name | Club | Season | Role | Role Z Score | Goals p90 | xG p90 | Assists p90 | xA p90 | Shots p90 | Shots on Target p90 | Key Passes p90 | Average Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dennis van Huntelrooy | Seoul MFC | 27 | ST | 27.86 | 0.92 | 0.98 | 0.08 | 0.05 | 6.42 | 2.50 | 0.42 | 7.44 |
| 2 | Leonardo Stone | Cairo City | 27 | ST | 15.54 | 0.58 | 0.38 | 0.25 | 0.17 | 1.67 | 1.08 | 1.17 | 7.30 |
| 3 | Dante Von Wolfe | F.C. Kaapstad | 27 | ST | 10.65 | 0.58 | 0.65 | 0.08 | 0.12 | 2.92 | 1.75 | 1.08 | 7.03 |
| 4 | Blaise N'Kufo | Krung Thep FC | 27 | ST | 2.66 | 0.42 | 0.26 | 0.33 | 0.14 | 1.42 | 0.83 | 0.75 | 6.99 |
| 5 | THRAXXii La’Mort | AF Masques Sacrés | 27 | ST | 0.17 | 0.33 | 0.54 | 0.17 | 0.18 | 2.17 | 1 | 1.17 | 6.76 |
Dennis van Huntelrooy claimed the top striker ranking with a commanding lead over the rest of the field, combining outstanding scoring production with exceptional shot volume. His 0.92 goals and 6.42 shots per 90 led the group, while an impressive 0.98 xG per 90 highlighted his ability to consistently generate high-quality scoring opportunities.
Leonardo Stone finished second through a more balanced attacking profile, pairing strong finishing with useful creative contributions and the second-highest average rating.
Dante Von Wolfe secured third with an effective combination of goal scoring and shooting accuracy, consistently testing opposing goalkeepers.
Blaise N'Kufo returned to the top five with a productive blend of goals and assists, while THRAXXii La'Mort rounded out the rankings through solid shooting numbers and contributions to chance creation.
Unlike the closely contested striker race of the previous season, Dennis established a clear advantage at the top, with his attacking output setting him apart from the rest of the group.
Attacking Midfielder
| Rank | Name | Club | Season | Role | Role Z Score | Goals p90 | Assists p90 | xG p90 | xA p90 | Key Passes p90 | Chances Created p90 | Successful Passes p90 | Pass % | Average Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joe Mormor | Rapid Magyar SC | 27 | AM | 53.55 | 0.08 | 0.34 | 0.04 | 0.76 | 7.72 | 2.18 | 34.05 | 83.03 | 7.27 |
| 2 | Kairo Vox | Cairo City | 27 | AM | 33.72 | 0.58 | 0.33 | 0.59 | 0.47 | 2.42 | 1.08 | 21.83 | 83.17 | 7.51 |
| 3 | Baptiste Azzola | Cairo City | 27 | AM | 26.54 | 0.09 | 0.55 | 0.19 | 0.27 | 3.46 | 1 | 31.18 | 87.95 | 7.18 |
| 4 | Sadie Black | AF Masques Sacrés | 27 | AM | 12.70 | 0 | 0.42 | 0.12 | 0.27 | 2.50 | 0.58 | 49.58 | 83.10 | 7.12 |
| 5 | Isaiah Ali | AF Masques Sacrés | 27 | AM | 8.10 | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.12 | 0.16 | 1.33 | 0.58 | 51.75 | 88.59 | 7.14 |
Joe Mormor comfortably topped the attacking midfielder rankings with an exceptional creative performance, recording an outstanding 7.72 key passes and 2.18 chances created per 90. His 0.76 xA per 90 further highlighted his ability to consistently generate opportunities for teammates, establishing a commanding advantage over the rest of the field despite relatively modest direct goal contributions.
Kairo Vox finished second with a contrasting attacking profile, leading the group in goals per 90 while combining strong finishing with excellent creative output and the highest average rating.
Baptiste Azzola claimed third through an impressive blend of assist production, key passing, and efficiency in possession, while Sadie Black continued to demonstrate versatility with another top-five appearance built around strong distribution and creativity.
Isaiah Ali rounded out the rankings with the highest passing accuracy and successful passes per 90 among the group, complementing reliable possession play with contributions in front of goal.
The rankings highlighted two distinct approaches to attacking midfield excellence, with Joe's exceptional chance creation setting him apart from players whose contributions were more evenly distributed between scoring, assisting, and maintaining possession.
Midfielder
| Rank | Name | Club | Season | Role | Role Z Score | Successful Passes p90 | Attempted Passes p90 | Pass % | Key Passes p90 | xA p90 | Interceptions p90 | Tackles Won p90 | Successful Presses p90 | Average Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kairo Vox | Cairo City | 27 | M | 20.27 | 21.83 | 26.25 | 83.17 | 2.42 | 0.47 | 1.50 | 2.67 | 4.58 | 7.51 |
| 2 | Isaiah Ali | AF Masques Sacrés | 27 | M | 16.49 | 51.75 | 58.42 | 88.59 | 1.33 | 0.16 | 2.17 | 1.67 | 3.58 | 7.14 |
| 3 | Baptiste Azzola | Cairo City | 27 | M | 12.18 | 31.18 | 35.46 | 87.95 | 3.46 | 0.27 | 1.82 | 2.18 | 1.73 | 7.18 |
| 4 | Joshua Homme III Esquire Limited | F.C. Kaapstad | 27 | M | 9.85 | 31.58 | 37.75 | 83.66 | 1.50 | 0.24 | 3.58 | 1.92 | 3.83 | 7.02 |
| 5 | Nick Kasak | F.C. Kaapstad | 27 | M | 8.37 | 34 | 39.25 | 86.62 | 3 | 0.23 | 2.33 | 2 | 2.83 | 6.89 |
Kairo Vox claimed the top midfield ranking through an impressive combination of creativity, defensive activity, and overall attacking influence. His 0.47 xA and 4.58 successful presses per 90 led the group, while strong tackling numbers and the highest average rating highlighted a well-rounded contribution despite comparatively modest passing volume.
Isaiah Ali finished second with a contrasting profile built around outstanding distribution, leading the field with 51.75 successful passes per 90 and an excellent 88.59% completion rate while maintaining strong defensive involvement.
Baptiste Azzola secured third through a blend of accurate passing and creativity, producing the highest key pass rate among the top five alongside solid tackling numbers.
Joshua Homme III Esquire Limited followed in fourth, standing out particularly for his 3.58 interceptions per 90 and strong pressing activity, while Nick Kasak completed the rankings with an effective combination of passing accuracy, chance creation, and defensive contributions.
The midfield rankings highlighted the variety of ways players could influence matches, with Kairo's attacking creativity and pressing narrowly outweighing Isaiah's exceptional distribution and the more balanced contributions of the chasing group.
Defensive Midfielder
| Rank | Name | Club | Season | Role | Role Z Score | Tackles Won p90 | Interceptions p90 | Successful Presses p90 | Successful Passes p90 | Pass % | Clearances p90 | Average Rating | Mistakes Leading to Goals p90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scorp E. Unshark | Cairo City | 27 | DM | 29.04 | 2.67 | 3.58 | 3.25 | 32.58 | 82.32 | 2.58 | 7.39 | 0 |
| 2 | Ignignokt | AS Paris | 27 | DM | 14.69 | 2.75 | 2.92 | 4.33 | 26.17 | 80.72 | 1.42 | 7.53 | 0.08 |
| 3 | S Sei | Rapid Magyar SC | 27 | DM | 11.61 | 2.58 | 2.42 | 4.25 | 41.33 | 84.64 | 1.83 | 7.12 | 0.08 |
| 4 | Isaiah Ali | AF Masques Sacrés | 27 | DM | 11.60 | 1.67 | 2.17 | 3.58 | 51.75 | 88.59 | 1 | 7.14 | 0 |
| 5 | Josh Harper | Rapid Magyar SC | 27 | DM | 4.33 | 2 | 2.17 | 3.25 | 34.42 | 79.27 | 1.33 | 7.32 | 0 |
Scorp E. Unshark retained the top defensive midfielder ranking with a commanding performance built around outstanding defensive awareness and consistent contributions across multiple categories. His 3.58 interceptions and 2.58 clearances per 90 led the group, while strong tackling, pressing, and reliable distribution helped establish a substantial advantage over the competition.
Ignignokt finished second with a more aggressive defensive profile, leading the field in tackles won and successful presses per 90 while also recording the highest average rating among the top five.
S Sei secured third through an effective combination of defensive activity and ball distribution, pairing excellent pressing numbers with strong passing volume and accuracy.
Isaiah Ali followed in fourth, virtually tied with S Sei before rounding, demonstrating a contrasting approach through exceptional possession statistics, leading the group with 51.75 successful passes per 90 and an 88.59% completion rate.
Josh Harper rounded out the rankings with solid defensive contributions and dependable passing.
The results highlighted the different demands of the defensive midfield role, with Scorp's exceptional interception and clearance numbers providing clear separation at the top, while the remarkably close contest between S Sei and Isaiah demonstrated how contrasting defensive and possession-oriented profiles could produce nearly identical overall scores.
Defender
| Rank | Name | Club | Season | Role | Role Z Score | Tackles Won p90 | Interceptions p90 | Clearances p90 | Blocks p90 | Successful Headers p90 | Header % | Pass % | Average Rating | Mistakes Leading to Goals p90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scorp E. Unshark | Cairo City | 27 | D | 25.14 | 2.67 | 3.58 | 2.58 | 0.75 | 4.17 | 61.73 | 82.32 | 7.39 | 0 |
| 2 | Eric Duic | Cairo City | 27 | D | 24.89 | 1.92 | 2.50 | 3.83 | 0.58 | 7.50 | 89.11 | 87.98 | 7.28 | 0 |
| 3 | Joe Mormor | Rapid Magyar SC | 27 | D | 10.56 | 2.43 | 2.60 | 1.85 | 1.17 | 2.10 | 37.88 | 83.03 | 7.27 | 0 |
| 4 | Joshua Homme III Esquire Limited | F.C. Kaapstad | 27 | D | 10.52 | 1.92 | 3.58 | 1.75 | 1.08 | 3.08 | 44.05 | 83.66 | 7.02 | 0 |
| 5 | STAR SCREAM | Seoul MFC | 27 | D | 8.04 | 3.33 | 3 | 1.50 | 0.58 | 5.58 | 83.75 | 78.35 | 7.14 | 0.08 |
Scorp E. Unshark narrowly claimed the top defender ranking in one of the closest contests of the season, edging Cairo City teammate Eric Duic by just 0.25 Role Z Score points. Scorp's outstanding interception numbers, strong tackling, and balanced defensive contributions helped secure first place, while Eric presented a contrasting profile built around exceptional aerial dominance and efficiency in possession. His 7.50 successful headers per 90, 89.11% heading success rate, and 87.98% passing accuracy led the group, alongside an impressive 3.83 clearances per 90.
Joe Mormor finished third, adding another high ranking to an exceptional season through strong tackling, interceptions, and the highest block rate among the top five.
Joshua Homme III Esquire Limited followed just 0.04 points behind in fourth, matching Scorp's 3.58 interceptions per 90 while contributing solid defensive numbers across the board.
STAR SCREAM rounded out the rankings with the highest tackling rate in the group and excellent aerial production, combining 5.58 successful headers per 90 with an 83.75% success rate. The results highlighted contrasting defensive strengths, with Scorp's all-around activity narrowly prevailing over Eric's commanding aerial presence, while the substantial gap to third place emphasized how clearly the two Cairo City defenders separated themselves from the rest of the field.
Wing Back
| Rank | Name | Club | Season | Role | Role Z Score | Assists p90 | Key Passes p90 | Successful Crosses p90 | Cross % | Tackles Won p90 | Interceptions p90 | Successful Presses p90 | Average Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ignignokt | AS Paris | 27 | WB | 42.23 | 0.50 | 3.33 | 2.42 | 27.88 | 2.75 | 2.92 | 4.33 | 7.53 |
| 2 | Scorp E. Unshark | Cairo City | 27 | WB | 7.14 | 0.33 | 1.75 | 1.08 | 17.33 | 2.67 | 3.58 | 3.25 | 7.39 |
| 3 | Sadie Black | AF Masques Sacrés | 27 | WB | 2.81 | 0.42 | 2.50 | 1.67 | 16 | 1.75 | 3.17 | 2.92 | 7.12 |
| 4 | Joshua Homme III Esquire Limited | F.C. Kaapstad | 27 | WB | -4.01 | 0.08 | 1.50 | 1.17 | 28.57 | 1.92 | 3.58 | 3.83 | 7.02 |
| 5 | Jimothy Erickson | Inter London | 27 | WB | -9.36 | 0.23 | 1.80 | 0.75 | 13.70 | 3 | 2.10 | 3.38 | 7.12 |
Ignignokt dominated the wingback rankings with one of the most commanding positional performances of the season, finishing more than 35 Role Z Score points ahead of the nearest challenger. His exceptional combination of attacking creativity and defensive activity set him apart, leading the group with 0.50 assists, 3.33 key passes, 2.42 successful crosses, and 4.33 successful presses per 90.
Scorp E. Unshark finished a distant second, adding another strong positional ranking through outstanding interception numbers and reliable defensive contributions, although his attacking output fell considerably short of the leader.
Sadie Black claimed third, continuing to demonstrate versatility with a balanced combination of assists, chance creation, and defensive involvement.
Joshua Homme III Esquire Limited followed in fourth, recording the highest crossing accuracy among the top five alongside strong interception and pressing numbers, while Jimothy Erickson rounded out the rankings with the group's highest tackling rate and useful contributions in possession.
The results revealed a substantial divide in overall wingback performance, with Ignignokt's ability to combine high-end attacking production with aggressive defensive work establishing a clear advantage, while the negative Role Z Scores of the fourth- and fifth-place finishers highlighted the drop-off in the position's overall statistical strength.
Goalkeeper
| Rank | Name | Club | Season | Role | Role Z Score | Clean Sheets p90 | Conceded p90 | Saves Parried p90 | Saves Held p90 | Saves Tipped p90 | Save % | Penalties Faced p90 | Penalties Saved p90 | xSave % | xG Prevented p90 | Average Rating | Player of the Match p90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cory Stevens | Rapid Magyar SC | 27 | GK | 35.32 | 0.17 | 1.42 | 2.42 | 1.83 | 1.25 | 79.52 | 0.17 | 0 | 83.97 | 0.41 | 7.12 | 0.08 |
| 2 | Umaq Yupanqui | Cairo City | 27 | GK | 9.10 | 0.33 | 1.33 | 1.50 | 1.08 | 0.50 | 69.81 | 0 | 0 | 81.06 | 0.17 | 6.92 | 0 |
| 3 | Moew enBach | Athênai F.C. | 27 | GK | 1.21 | 0.25 | 1.92 | 2.08 | 1.42 | 0.92 | 69.74 | 0.17 | 0 | 81.38 | 0.26 | 6.71 | 0 |
| 4 | Lencho Ash | AF Masques Sacrés | 27 | GK | -45.63 | 0.08 | 2.33 | 0.75 | 0.92 | 0.58 | 49.09 | 0.08 | 0 | 81.65 | -0.80 | 6.54 | 0 |
Cory Stevens claimed the top goalkeeper ranking with a commanding performance, overturning the previous season's result to finish more than 26 Role Z Score points ahead of defending leader Umaq Yupanqui. Cory's exceptional shot-stopping numbers led the group, recording a 79.52% save rate and 0.41 xG prevented per 90 alongside the highest average rating. His 2.42 saves parried, 1.83 saves held, and 1.25 saves tipped per 90 further highlighted his involvement in keeping opposing attacks at bay.
Umaq finished second through a more controlled defensive profile, leading the group in clean sheets and conceding the fewest goals per 90, although his individual save percentage and goals prevented fell short of Cory's impressive figures.
Moew enBach secured third with solid shot-stopping production and a positive 0.26 xG prevented per 90, suggesting a stronger individual performance than his goals conceded might otherwise indicate.
Lencho Ash rounded out the rankings but endured a considerably more difficult season, recording the lowest save percentage and a negative 0.80 xG prevented per 90.
The results highlighted a clear separation in goalkeeper performance, with Cory's outstanding individual shot-stopping establishing him as the standout performer, while the substantial gap between third and fourth emphasized the contrasting fortunes of the remaining goalkeepers.
Notable Takeaways
One of the defining themes of the Season 27 rookie class was the emergence of several standout performers across multiple positional rankings. Scorp E. Unshark delivered one of the most impressive all-around campaigns, finishing first among both defensive midfielders and defenders while also placing second among wingbacks. Joe Mormor demonstrated remarkable versatility of his own, leading the attacking midfielder rankings through exceptional creativity while also finishing third among defenders. Ignignokt established a commanding lead in the wingback rankings alongside a second-place defensive midfield finish, while Kairo Vox claimed the top midfield ranking and second place among attacking midfielders. Isaiah Ali, Joshua Homme III Esquire Limited, and Sadie Black further highlighted the depth of positional flexibility throughout the class, each appearing in three separate top-five lists.
Another notable development was the emergence of clear positional leaders alongside several remarkably competitive races. Dennis van Huntelrooy dominated the striker rankings through exceptional shooting volume and goal production, while Cory Stevens established himself as the standout goalkeeper, reversing the previous season's result against Umaq Yupanqui. Ignignokt's enormous advantage among wingbacks contrasted sharply with the defender rankings, where Cairo City teammates Scorp E. Unshark and Eric Duic were separated by just 0.25 Role Z Score points. The defensive midfield battle between S Sei and Isaiah Ali was even closer, with less than 0.01 points dividing third and fourth. Personally, I'm pleased that the role-based weighted z-score model continues to highlight these contrasting performances, recognizing both dominant individual contributions and the different statistical profiles that can produce similar overall results. Season 27 demonstrated once again that excellence can take many forms, whether through prolific scoring, creative influence, defensive reliability, or outstanding shot-stopping.
Season 27 - Overall Top 5
With the positional rankings complete, it's time to bring everything together and look at the top five performers across the entire s27 class.
As with last season, the individual role rankings were designed to highlight the different ways players could excel within their respective positions. To produce a single overall ranking, I followed the same process:
- Selected each player's best-performing role.
- Calculated the mean and standard deviation of those best-performing Role Z Scores.
- Created a new Overall Z Score using that mean and standard deviation.
- Ranked the s27 class!
| Rank | Name | Club | Season | Best Role | Best Role Score | Overall Z Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joe Mormor | Rapid Magyar SC | 27 | AM | 53.55 | 2.44 |
| 2 | Ignignokt | AS Paris | 27 | WB | 42.23 | 1.86 |
| 3 | Cory Stevens | Rapid Magyar SC | 27 | GK | 35.32 | 1.50 |
| 4 | Kairo Vox | Cairo City | 27 | AM | 33.72 | 1.42 |
| 5 | Scorp E. Unshark | Cairo City | 27 | DM | 29.04 | 1.18 |
Joe Mormor (@Haramcha ) claimed the top overall ranking for Season 27 with an impressive Overall Z Score of 2.44, establishing himself as the standout performer in a competitive rookie class. His exceptional attacking midfielder campaign produced a Best Role Score of 53.55, driven primarily by extraordinary creative production. Averaging 7.72 key passes, 2.18 chances created, and 0.76 expected assists per 90, Joe demonstrated an ability to generate scoring opportunities at a rate unmatched by the other leading attacking midfielders. Perhaps even more impressive was the versatility behind those numbers, with Joe also finishing third in the defender rankings through strong tackling, interceptions, and shot-blocking contributions. His ability to perform at such a high level across two very different positional roles made his overall statistical profile particularly noteworthy.
Ignignokt (That’s me) finished second with an Overall Z Score of 1.86, powered by a dominant wingback performance that produced a Best Role Score of 42.231. Leading the wingback rankings by more than 35 points, Ignignokt combined outstanding attacking contributions with aggressive defensive activity, recording 0.50 assists, 3.33 key passes, 2.42 successful crosses, and 4.33 successful presses per 90. A second-place finish among defensive midfielders further demonstrated the value of that all-around production. While Joe's exceptional creativity ultimately secured the top spot, Ignignokt's combination of attacking and defensive contributions provided a very different example of positional excellence.
Cory Stevens (@Toast ) claimed third place with an Overall Z Score of 1.50, representing the goalkeepers among the season's top performers. His Best Role Score of 35.32 reflected an outstanding shot-stopping campaign, highlighted by a 79.52% save percentage and 0.41 xG prevented per 90. Cory also recorded the highest average rating among the ranked goalkeepers, while his substantial lead in the positional rankings demonstrated the strength of his performance relative to the competition. After finishing second among goalkeepers in Season 26, his rise to first at the position and third overall represented a significant improvement.
Kairo Vox (@Hoodz_91) secured fourth with an Overall Z Score of 1.42, narrowly trailing Cory while establishing himself as one of the most complete attacking players in the class. His Best Role Score of 33.72 came from the attacking midfielder rankings, where he combined 0.58 goals, 0.33 assists, and 0.47 expected assists per 90 with an excellent 7.51 average rating. Kairo also topped the central midfield rankings, demonstrating that his contributions extended beyond direct attacking production. Strong pressing, tackling, and creative numbers allowed him to excel across both roles, making him one of the most versatile midfield performers of the season.
Scorp E. Unshark (@hhh81) rounded out the overall top five with an Overall Z Score of 1.18, built around a Best Role Score of 29.04 as a defensive midfielder. Scorp's outstanding defensive production included 3.58 interceptions, 2.67 tackles won, and 2.58 clearances per 90, complemented by reliable passing and a strong 7.39 average rating. What made the performance particularly impressive was its consistency across different defensive roles, with Scorp also finishing first among defenders and second among wingbacks. While the defensive midfield score ultimately represented the strongest individual role, the ability to lead multiple positional rankings reinforced Scorp's value as one of the class's most accomplished defensive players.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the final rankings was the variety of positional strengths represented. The top five included an attacking midfielder, wingback, goalkeeper, another attacking midfielder, and defensive midfielder, each reaching the upper tier of the overall standings through very different statistical contributions. Rapid Magyar SC and Cairo City each placed two players in the final five, while AS Paris claimed the remaining spot. The results also demonstrated that exceptional performances were not limited to traditional attacking statistics, with defensive contributions and shot-stopping proving equally capable of producing high overall rankings.
Personally, I'm pleased to see the role-based weighted z-score model continue to recognize such a diverse range of performances. Joe Mormor's remarkable creativity earned the highest overall ranking, but the presence of Ignignokt, Cory Stevens, Kairo Vox, and Scorp E. Unshark showed just how many different ways a player could distinguish themselves statistically. With three different areas of the pitch represented among the top three alone, Season 27 provided another strong example of why evaluating players through their individual positional responsibilities can reveal performances that might otherwise be overlooked.
Alright, that’s all for my selfish draft class focused article. Probably going to make this a regular series alongside my Top 10 articles, as this one specifically is a ton of fun to write.
![[Image: CTtL39n.jpg]](https://iili.io/CTtL39n.jpg)
