Yesterday many people were probably pretty surprised to find out that Paul Pogba is statistically the best central midfielder in Europe. But perhaps more surprisingly is the fact a central midfielder is the second best full-back in Europe right now.
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After spending the first chunk of the season mocking Pogba and wondering just how the Frenchman cost £89 million this summer some people have been made to eat their words with recent performances from the Manchester United midfielder.
Whilst Pogba might have come as a surprise to many who haven't been watching recently, or those who think that statistics can tell you anything you want to read, then the entrant of a midfielder as the second best full back in Europe might be even more surprising.
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Juventus' Alex Sandro leads the CIES Football Observatory 's list of best full backs in Europe so far this season with a ranking of 89 out of 100, leaving him behind only 10 players including Thiago Alcantara, Pogba, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, but in second place is Liverpool's James Milner!
With no decent options at left back for Jurgen Klopp the German turned to Milner at the beginning of the season, as he didn't trust Alberto Moreno, and it has worked out well with the former England midfielder slotting in nicely.
Milner has played 18 times in the league this season and has scored five times for the Reds, mostly from the penalty spot, whilst he's also set up two goals for the club during his stint at full-back.
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With the club's midfield performing so well without him there doesn't look any chance of him moving back to his original position at the moment but considering he's playing so well he probably wouldn't want to.
Milner has the same score as another midfielder come full-back David Alaba, whilst the Austrian's teammate Phillip Lahm is behind the pair. Perhaps equally surprising is the presence of United winger turned right-back Antonio Valencia.
Maybe the trick is to start as midfielder and end up as a defender!
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