James Abankwah vs Malick Thiaw
Per-90 stats comparison · Rising Transfers DNA Analysis · 2025/26 season
Data Verdict
Malick Thiaw commands a higher market value (€45.0M vs €1.5M). James Abankwah leads in tackles won / 90. Malick Thiaw is stronger in goals / 90 and clearances / 90. Overall, Malick Thiaw holds the statistical edge across 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Based on per-90 statistics · How we compare players →
Playing Style Profiles
A Physical Stopper. Statistically, he stands out as commanding in the air (5.4 clearances/90), wins the physical battle (60% duel success) and uses long balls frequently (5.9/90).
Thiaw has quietly become one of the Premier League's most complete defensive profiles — a towering centre-back who doesn't just win his battles, he wins them cleanly. His aerial win rate of 65.1% and duel success of 64.2% both sit in the league's top 20%, but the counterintuitive story is his attacking output: 0.16 goals per 90 and 0.98 shots per 90 place him in the top 10% among defenders, suggesting a genuine threat from set-pieces that opponents routinely underestimate.
Per-90 Statistics Comparison
| Metric | James Abankwah | Malick Thiaw | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goals / 90 | 0.04 | 0.13 | Malick |
| Tackles won / 90 | 0.99 | 0.82 | James |
| Interceptions / 90 | 0.90 | 0.91 | — |
| Clearances / 90 | 5.43 | 5.79 | Malick |
| Press intensity / 90 | 1.89 | 2.02 | Malick |
| Pass accuracy % | 79.50 | 90.10 | Malick |
All statistics per 90 minutes · 2025/26 season · FULL quality DNA data only
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the better player — James Abankwah or Malick Thiaw?
Malick Thiaw commands a higher market value (€45.0M vs €1.5M). James Abankwah leads in tackles won / 90. Malick Thiaw is stronger in goals / 90 and clearances / 90. Overall, Malick Thiaw holds the statistical edge across 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
How is this comparison calculated?
Rising Transfers compares players using per-90 statistics normalised for playing time, combined with DNA playing style vectors built from 47 performance dimensions. This ensures fair comparison regardless of team, league, or playing time. Learn more about our comparison methodology →
What are their market values?
James Abankwah has a market value of €1.5M, while Malick Thiaw is valued at €45.0M.