## Juventus' Cuadrado: A Look at His Data and Performance
For years, Juan Guillermo Cuadrado has been a vibrant, if sometimes polarizing, figure on the flanks for Juventus. While never quite reaching the absolute peak heights of other wide stars in Serie A, his statistics tell the story of a consistent, high-energy contributor vital to Bianconeri balance. Let’s dive into what the numbers reveal about "La Pantera".
**Explosive Dribbler & Workhorse Stamina (Strengths):**
* **Progressive Runs & Successful Dribbles per Game:** Consistently ranks among the top in Italy for both metrics. He averages **~2.5 successful dribbles per 90 minutes**, showcasing his ability to beat defenders and drive forward with purpose. Crucially, nearly half of these are "progressive" – meaning they move the ball significantly upfield towards goal – highlighting his intent beyond just showing off footwork. This directly translates into creating space for teammates or himself shooting opportunities. He also clocks immense distances covered weekly (often exceeding 10km), underpinning his relentless pressing and overlapping runs down the right channel. His heatmap is typically painted broadly across the entire attacking third and midfield zones.
* **Key Passes & Crosses:** Averaging around **1 key pass per game**, he frequently delivers dangerous balls into the box from wide areas. His cross accuracy sits solidly in the mid-high range (~30%), providing reliable service for strikers like Vlahović. When drifting centrally during rotations, this vision becomes even more valuable. Under managers like Allegri who demand width and verticality, these remain critical outputs.
**Areas for Evolution (Weaknesses):**
* **Goal Contribution Inconsistency:** The main critique reflected in his stats is end product. Goals and assists per minute played fluctuate season-to-season. While capable of bursts (e.g.,La Liga Frontline double assist games), his overall conversion rate from chances created is modest compared elite wingers (roughly 0.15 xG + xA combined per 90). Some seasons show lower efficiency scores (Sofascore often 6.8-7.2 avg), indicating missed opportunities despite good involvement near the box. Decision-making in the final third sometimes lacks refinement.
* **Defensive Discipline Costs Possession:** His aggressive style leads to occasional yellow cards and fouls conceded deep in dangerous areas. High tackle attempt numbers come with risks; losing possession under pressure can happen. Teams exploit his side when he bombs forward. Possession loss percentage on defensive actions occasionally spikes above league avg.
**Overall Impact & Value:**
Despite imperfections, Cuadrado remains indispensable at Juventus. His physicality, work rate, and ability to unlock defenses through dribbling offer something unique. He isn't just a destroyer; he builds attacks from deep positions. Coaches trust his engine to cover ground others won’t. On any given week against less organized defenses, his raw talent shines through spectacularly (think crucial goals vs Milan derby teams). More importantly, he provides width, relentless pressure, and unpredictable momentum changes that lift the entire team's tempo – assets far beyond base stats alone. For Juve, he represents reliable grit alongside flashes of brilliance on their challenging right wing. His contract renewal speaks volumes about the club's valuation of this experienced engine room component over pure finishers. When fit and firing, "Cuaradona" still lights up Allianz Stadium.