Arsenal-linked Ryan Augusto leads young full-backs in expected assists
The 19-year-old Bragantino defender recorded 0.32 expected assists per 90 minutes in a CIES study covering 52 top-flight leagues.
Ryan Augusto, the Brazilian right-back linked with Arsenal, placed first in a CIES Football Observatory study measuring chance creation by young wide defenders. The 19-year-old Red Bull Bragantino player averaged 0.32 expected assists per 90 minutes.
Researchers assessed full-backs and wing-backs under 20 across 52 top-flight leagues, requiring a minimum of 450 minutes played in domestic league competition. Frederik Emmery, based in Denmark, followed Augusto with 0.27, while Milan Györfi recorded 0.23.
Expected assists measures how likely shots arising from a player's passes are to become goals. It is distinct from actual assists, and the ranking does not establish which young defender is best overall.
Brazilian outlet Trivela highlighted Augusto's 28 key passes and five big chances created across 12 Brazilian Serie A appearances this season, including eight starts. His key-pass tally exceeded those of fellow Bragantino right-backs Agustín Sant'Anna, who recorded 26 in 15 appearances, and Andrés Hurtado, with 14 in 17.
ESPN Brazil reported in October that Arsenal had made informal contact about a possible future transfer. No formal offer or advanced negotiations have been confirmed. Augusto's Bragantino contract runs until the end of 2029, and he has received another Brazil Under-20 call-up for November friendlies against Peru.
