Max Kilman has blossomed into a top Premier League centre-back – and a very impressive statistic has emerged about the Wolves captain.
Kilman assumed the captaincy last summer at Molineux after Ruben Neves was sold to Saudi Pro League outfit Al Hilal.
Initially, the armband appeared to weigh heavy, with Kilman putting in some fairly average performances. But as the season has gone on, and especially when Wolves have lined up with him, Craig Dawson and Toti Gomes as a three, Kilman has looked really good overall.
The 26-year-old has been ever-present in the Premier League so far, and has only missed the Carabao Cup game with Ipswich Town earlier in the season.
Everyone knows Kilman for his passing and ability to carry the ball out of defence.
These things are his bread and butter – but a statistic has now emerged about another impressive part of his game…
Wolves captain Max Kilman has the second-highest aerial duel success rate in the Premier League
Kilman’s passing remains arguably his best quality.
The star is fantastic at recycling the ball, but can also hit those long diagonals out to the wing-backs, and break the lines through the middle.
It doesn’t really matter what side he’s playing, more often than not Kilman will find a teammate as he is great with both feet.
One part of Kilman’s game that hasn’t really been spoken about much though is his aerial ability.
Despite being 6ft 4in tall, Kilman hasn’t been particularly dominant in the air in campaigns gone by – until this season. WhoScored have now reported that Kilman actually currently has the second-highest aerial duel success rate of all Premier League players to have contested over 100, with a percentage of 72.9%.
Only Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk has a higher percentage than Kilman, with 82%.
Kilman is becoming more fearsome
It is great to see Kilman mixing it with van Dijk as one of the best aerial ball winners in the Premier League.
Previously, Steve Davis called on Kilman to start becoming a bit more ‘aggressive’ at Wolves, as this would perhaps improve his chances of being selected by England.
This season, Kilman has certainly looked a little more dominant and fearsome at the back – perhaps that is down to wearing the captain’s armband, and that need to inspire through performance.
The £50,000-a-week star is still that classy ball-playing centre-half, but does now have a bit more steel about him, both in the air and on the ground.
There has been a little bit of transfer speculation recently about Kilman, and how Manchester United are keen on him and could swoop this summer. Wolves may well hear offers, but statistics like this are only going to encourage Wanderers officials to make it very difficult for other clubs to sign him.