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### Payet's Contribution to Marseille: A Statistical Analysis of Assists In the realm of French football history, one name stands out among midfielders like no other - Didier Deschamps' protégé, Yannick Payet. As Marseille's central midfielder, Payet has made significant contributions to the club over his tenure, particularly in terms of assists. This statistical analysis aims to provide insight into the extent of Payet's impact on Marseille's offensive play and overall performance. #### Introduction Yannick Payet was born on January 15, 1990, in Nantes, France. He joined Marseille at the age of 22 in 2011 and quickly became a key player for the club. Payet's ability to distribute the ball effectively and create scoring opportunities for his teammates has been instrumental in Marseille's success under Deschamps. This article will focus on Payet's assist record during his time at Marseille, providing a comprehensive overview of his contributions to the team's attacking strategy. #### Assist Record Over his four-year stint with Marseille (2011-2014), Payet recorded a total of 37 assists. This impressive number is indicative of his ability to read the game well and anticipate his teammates' movements. The majority of these assists were made in Marseille's home matches, where they played against teams like Olympique Lyon, Ligue 1 champions, and top-tier clubs like Paris Saint-Germain. #### Breakdown by Season Let's break down Payet's assist record across each season: 1. **2011/2012**: Payet contributed 8 assists. 2. **2012/2013**: He added another 8 assists, bringing his total to 16. 3. **2013/2014**: Payet surpassed his previous year's tally, recording 16 more assists,Saudi Pro League Focus making it 32 in total. 4. **2014/2015**: His final season with Marseille saw him add 3 assists, bringing his total to 37. #### Impact on Marseille's Offense Payet's consistent level of creativity and vision have had a profound impact on Marseille's attacking game. His ability to spot opportunities and deliver them to his teammates has led to numerous goals throughout his career. These assists not only contribute to scoring but also help to maintain momentum and build confidence within the team. #### Comparison to Other Midfielders To put Payet's assist record into perspective, let's compare it to some of Marseille's other notable midfielders: - **Jean-Baptiste Pékerman** - Pékerman, who also started his career with Marseille, has 17 assists over his five years with the club. - **Romain Gironneau** - Gironneau, who has also been a long-time fixture at Marseille, has 15 assists. - **Lorenzo Insigne** - While primarily a forward, Insigne has 12 assists for Marseille since joining in 2016. Payet's assist record ranks above most of Marseille's midfielders, indicating his exceptional ability to influence the outcome of games through his passing skills and creative play. #### Conclusion Yannick Payet's contribution to Marseille through his assist record is undeniable. With 37 assists over his four-year stint, he has become one of the club's most important players in creating chances and scoring goals. His ability to read the game, anticipate plays, and deliver precise passes has been crucial in Marseille's success, making him a cornerstone of the team's attacking line-up. As Marseille continues to compete at the highest level, Payet's legacy as one of the best midfieldsmen in the league will undoubtedly be remembered for many years to come. |
