The statistics that prove Matt Ritchie is close to undroppable for Newcastle United

With the Saudi takeover mapping out Newcastle United’s future, fair questions are being asked of who will stay at the football club under Eddie Howe as the rebuild begins.

One player, bought by Rafa Benitez but a key figure of the Steve Bruce era, who United may want to hold on to is Matt Ritchie - and here’s why.

Key pass king

The former winger, who has been deployed at left back in recent years, is one of Newcastle’s most important creators so far this season.

Ritchie has the fourth highest number of key passes - which are passes which directly result in a shot - in the Premier League, totalling 26. This places him second among defensive players in the top flight and fourth overall.

Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes tops this category with 37, with his key passes resulting in three assists in comparison to Ritchie’s one.

Key Passes (stats from FBref*)

1 - Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) - 37

2 - Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) - 29

3 - Jack Grealish (Manchester City) - 28

4 - Matt Ritchie (Newcastle United) - 26

5 - Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 23

6 - Luke Shaw (Manchester United) - 23

7 - Youri Tielemans (Leicester City) - 22

8 - Raphina (Leeds United) - 21

9 - Andros Townsend (Everton) - 21

10 - Michail Antonio (West Ham United) - 20

Chances but few assists?

Looking at the above statistics, it’s fair to say Ritchie can definitely be classed among the Premier League’s elite this season when it comes to chance creation, even though he has just the one assist to his name.

Only Ritchie and Allan Saint-Maximin have more than 10 key passes to their name this campaign for United.

Leading the way with ASM

Additionally, the Gosport-born player has produced 36 shot creating actions so far this season - the 14th highest in the league and second among defenders- while teammate Saint-Maximin also has 36.

Again, Fernandes tops this category with 54.

Ritchie’s importance, and that of Saint-Maximin, to Newcastle is again highlighted by the next statistic, especially as the next highest number in the team belongs to Miguel Almiron with 24.

Shot-creating actions for defenders

1 - Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) - 48

2 - Luke Shaw (Manchester United) - 37

3 - Matt Ritchie (Newcastle United) - 36

4 - Lucas Digne (Everton) - 28

5 - Joao Cancelo (Manchester City) - 26

6 - Andrew Robertson (Liverpool) - 24

7 - Aaron Cresswell (West Ham United) - 23

8 - Reece James (Chelsea) - 23

9 - Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea) - 21

10 - Marc Cucurella (Brighton & Hove Albion) - 21

Ritchie’s increased creative output

There is a significant gulf between the Newcastle creator in third and the chasing pack below, demonstrating the strength of his ability to create shooting chances.

Ritchie is not only showing himself to be one of the best creators in the league but is also vastly outperforming his creative output from last season.

The defender has already recorded one more key pass than he had last season and is well on course to beat his 40 shot creating actions from last season.

As Newcastle look ahead to their test against newly promoted Brentford, Ritchie may hold the key to unlocking the Bees, as his creative output will be hopefully hold be allow the Magpies to thrive against a side on a four-game losing streak.

(*FBref is owned and operated by Sports Reference LLC.)