Cristhian Mosquera vs Rudiger, Van Dijk, Kounde & Saliba: How Valencia’s £17m-Rated Star Matched Europe’s Elite Defenders in 2024/25

In this article, we dive deep into the stats to compare Valencia’s rising star Cristhian Mosquera with some of Europe’s most elite centre-backs — Antonio Rüdiger of Real Madrid, Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool, William Saliba of Arsenal, and Jules Koundé of Barcelona.
As Arsenal gear up for another high-stakes season across the Premier League and Champions League, we evaluate whether the £17 million-rated Mosquera has what it takes to challenge or provide dependable cover for Saliba at the heart of Mikel Arteta’s defence.

Overall contribution to team play

Minutes Played – Who Stayed on the Pitch Longest?

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 3,330 minutes
Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia) – 3,320 minutes
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 3,041 minutes
Jules Koundé (Barcelona) – 2,606 minutes
Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid) – 2,291 minutes

When it comes to availability and consistency, Virgil van Dijk led the pack, racking up an impressive 3,330 minutes for Liverpool. But right behind him — and barely 10 minutes short — was Cristhian Mosquera, who clocked 3,320 minutes for Valencia in La Liga.

This remarkable level of participation highlights Mosquera’s physical durability, match fitness, and mental resilience — key traits for any top-tier centre-back, especially one looking to break into the Premier League with a demanding club like Arsenal.

It’s important to note that Antonio Rüdiger’s minutes were limited due to a season-ending injury.

Goals Scored – Who Offers Threat in the Final Third?

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 3 goals
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 2 goals
Jules Koundé (Barcelona) – 2 goals
Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia) – 1 goal
Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid) – 0 goals

Among the defenders compared, Virgil van Dijk once again stood out, finding the back of the net three times in the 2024/25 season — showcasing his consistent threat during set-pieces for Liverpool.

William Saliba and Jules Koundé each chipped in with 2 goals for Arsenal and Barcelona respectively.

While Cristhian Mosquera only scored once, the gap between him and Saliba was minimal, suggesting that with better service and more attacking opportunities, Mosquera could become a genuine threat in the opposition box — especially under Mikel Arteta’s system at Arsenal.

Antonio Rüdiger went goalless in an injury-disrupted campaign for Real Madrid.

Assists

Jules Koundé (Barcelona) – 3 assists
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 1 assist
Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia) – 0 assists
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 0 assists
Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid) – 0 assists

When it comes to providing assists, Jules Koundé led the way among elite central defenders, registering 3 assists for Barcelona during the 2024/25 season. His ability to push forward, deliver precise passes, and link up with attackers gave an extra dimension to Barcelona’s build-up play.

Virgil van Dijk managed one assist for Liverpool, while William Saliba, Cristhian Mosquera, and Antonio Rüdiger all finished the campaign without a single assist.

The numbers show there’s little to separate Saliba and Mosquera in terms of creative output.

Ball Touches – Measuring Game Involvement from the Back

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 3,347 touches
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 2,883 touches
Jules Koundé (Barcelona) – 2,529 touches
Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia) – 2,431 touches
Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid) – 2,098 touches

In terms of game involvement and build-up responsibility, Virgil van Dijk was the most active defender, recording an impressive 3,347 touches in the 2024/25 season — reflecting his critical role in Liverpool’s possession-based system.

William Saliba followed with 2,883 touches, just over 450 more than Cristhian Mosquera, despite playing for a more dominant team in the Premier League. This narrow gap highlights Mosquera’s vital participation in Valencia’s defensive transitions and passing phases.

While Mosquera is involved, there’s still room for growth in terms of ball distribution frequency, especially if he joins a high-possession team like Arsenal. Mosquera had only around 100 fewer touches than Barcelona’s Jules Koundé, even though the young Valencia centre-back played more than 700 additional minutes.

Passing ability

Open-Play Passing – Who Controls the Game Best from the Back?

Open-Play Passes Attempted (2024/25):

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 2,707
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 2,505
Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia) – 1,929
Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid) – 1,776
Jules Koundé (Barcelona) – 1,740

Open-Play Passes Completed:

Virgil van Dijk – 2,472
William Saliba – 2,368
Cristhian Mosquera – 1,756
Antonio Rüdiger – 1,637
Jules Koundé – 1,539

Open-Play Passing Accuracy:

William Saliba – 94.53%
Antonio Rüdiger – 92.17%
Virgil van Dijk – 91.31%
Cristhian Mosquera – 91.03%
Jules Koundé – 88.44%

When it comes to helping in the distribution of the ball in the team, Virgil van Dijk once again led the charge, attempting a massive 2,707 passes and completing 2,472, with a strong 91.31% accuracy.

Cristhian Mosquera, meanwhile, attempted 1,929 open-play passes and completed 1,756, with an impressive 91.03% pass accuracy. That places him just below van Dijk and Rüdiger, and significantly ahead of Barcelona’s Jules Koundé, who managed only 88.44%.

However, if Mosquera aims to reach the elite standard set by William Saliba, who recorded a league-best 94.53% open-play passing accuracy among these defenders, there’s still room for refinement.

Long Passing – Who’s the Best Distributor Over Distance?

Long Passes Attempted (2024/25):

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 276
Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid) – 182
Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia) – 129
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 110
Jules Koundé (Barcelona) – 102

Long Passes Completed:

Virgil van Dijk – 154
Antonio Rüdiger – 114
Cristhian Mosquera – 73
William Saliba – 70
Jules Koundé – 53

Long Pass Accuracy (%):

William Saliba – 63.64%
Antonio Rüdiger – 62.64%
Cristhian Mosquera – 56.59%
Virgil van Dijk – 55.80%
Jules Koundé – 51.96%

When it comes to long-range distribution, Virgil van Dijk attempted the most long passes by a wide margin — launching 276 balls forward for Liverpool. However, despite his high volume, van Dijk registered only a 55.80% long pass accuracy, the second lowest among the group.

William Saliba led the way in precision, completing 70 of his 110 long passes with a 63.64% accuracy, the highest among the five defenders. Antonio Rüdiger also performed strongly in this area, with a 62.64% success rate for Real Madrid.

Cristhian Mosquera, though he attempted more long passes than both Saliba and Koundé, finished with a 56.59% accuracy. This suggests there is room for improvement in his long-ball execution, especially if he is to meet the possession and progression standards expected at Arsenal under Mikel Arteta.

Contribution to Attack

Crosses Attempted, Crosses Completed & Crossing Accuracy (%)

Crosses Attempted (2024/25):

Jules Koundé (Barcelona) – 63
Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid) – 4
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 3
Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia) – 2
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 1

Crosses Completed:

Jules Koundé – 11
Cristhian Mosquera – 1
Antonio Rüdiger – 1
William Saliba – 0
Virgil van Dijk – 0

Crossing Accuracy:

Cristhian Mosquera – 50.00%
Antonio Rüdiger – 25.00%
Jules Koundé – 17.46%
William Saliba – 0.00%
Virgil van Dijk – 0.00%

It’s worth noting that some reports indicate Mosquera was occasionally deployed as a right wing-back for Valencia during the 2024/25 season — a position that naturally demands more offensive involvement and delivery into the opponent’s penalty area.

Cristhian Mosquera registered a 50% crossing accuracy lasts season — the highest among the five defenders compared. While he only attempted 2 crosses, he successfully delivered 1 accurate ball into the box, showing promising technique when called upon in wide areas.

In contrast, Antonio Rüdiger attempted more crosses (4) over the season but only managed to complete one. Jules Koundé, who often features in an advanced role for Barcelona, attempted a staggering 63 crosses but completed only 11, with a crossing accuracy of just 17.46%.

William Saliba and Virgil van Dijk did not register a single successful cross.

Through Balls – Unlocking the Opposition’s Defense

Jules Koundé (Barcelona) – 6 through balls
Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid) – 3
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 1
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 1
Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia) – 0

When it comes to breaking defensive lines with incisive through passes, Cristhian Mosquera contributed the least among the five elite defenders compared. The Valencia centre-back failed to register a single through ball in the 2024/25 season.

Jules Koundé stood out as the most effective playmaker from the back, completing 6 through balls — a clear reflection of his attacking intent and positional freedom at Barcelona. It’s no surprise Koundé also led the group in assists, showing a vital offensive contribution to his team.

Even William Saliba, who operates in a more structured defensive system at Arsenal, managed to register a through ball — putting him ahead of Mosquera in this specific creative department. If Mosquera is to seriously compete for the right-centre back role at Arsenal, improving his ability to unlock compact defenses with accurate forward passes could be key to earning Arteta’s trust on the big stage.

Forward vs. Backward Passing – Who Drives the Team Forward?

Forward Passes (2024/25):

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 975
Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia) – 690
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 665
Jules Koundé (Barcelona) – 574
Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid) – 570

Backward Passes:

Jules Koundé – 348
Cristhian Mosquera – 124
Antonio Rüdiger – 96
Virgil van Dijk – 103
William Saliba – 93

Looking at the data, Cristhian Mosquera completed 1,756 open-play passes last season. Of those, 39.3% were forward passes, 7.0% were backward, and 53.7% were sideways — showing a strong intent to move the ball progressively and support attacking transitions from the backline.

That’s remarkably close to Virgil van Dijk, who registered 39.4% forward passes for Liverpool and just 4.2% back passes, suggesting a high degree of composure and control under pressure.

Compared to Virgil van Dijk, Mosquera is more likely to pass backwards to the goalkeeper, a pattern that could potentially expose his team to pressing traps.

Interestingly, Mosquera played more forward passes than Arsenal’s William Saliba, who recorded only 28.1% of his passes in the forward direction, and 68% sideways — the highest lateral passing rate among the group.

This highlights Saliba’s risk-averse, ball-retaining role in Arteta’s build-up system, compared to Mosquera’s more vertical and adventurous passing approach.

Yet, Saliba’s minimal use of backward passes (only 3.9%) also reflects his tactical discipline and preference to recycle possession through safe channels, rather than putting the goalkeeper under pressure.

Koundé, meanwhile, had the highest backward passing rate (22.6%) — a likely result of positional switches and tactical rotations at Barcelona.

Cristhian Mosquera’s tendency to pass forward more than Saliba shows promise and can help improve Arsenal’s attacking moves.

Defensive duties

Duels contested, duels won, duels win rate (%)

Duels Contested (2024/25):

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 252
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 237
Jules Koundé (Barcelona) – 241
Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia) – 215
Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid) – 120

Duels Won:

Virgil van Dijk – 173
William Saliba – 152
Jules Koundé – 134
Cristhian Mosquera – 128
Antonio Rüdiger – 73

Duel Win Rate (%):

Virgil van Dijk – 68.7%
William Saliba – 64.1%
Antonio Rüdiger – 60.8%
Cristhian Mosquera – 59.5%
Jules Koundé – 55.6%

In raw defensive battles, Virgil van Dijk once again proved his dominance, winning 173 duels and recording a league-leading win rate of 68.7% — a true hallmark of a world-class centre-back.

William Saliba also shone, winning 152 duels with a 64.1% success rate, further cementing his place as one of EPL’s most dependable one-on-one defender.

Cristhian Mosquera, meanwhile, contested 215 duels, the second-lowest in this group behind only Antonio Rüdiger. His win rate of 59.5% was decent — better than Barcelona’s Jules Koundé, who won just 55.6% of his battles, but still behind the elite defensive benchmarks set by Van Dijk and Saliba.

When adjusted per 90 minutes, Mosquera averaged 5.9 duels, compared to Rüdiger’s 4.8, Van Dijk’s 6.9, Saliba’s 7.1, and Koundé’s 8.4 — reinforcing the idea that while Mosquera is involved, he may need to become more aggressive and proactive in defensive confrontations.

If Mosquera is to challenge William Saliba for a spot in Arsenal’s backline, he must elevate his ability to win duels consistently. Mikel Arteta has repeatedly emphasized the importance of not losing duels, especially in high-pressure matches.

Aerial Duels – Who Rules the Skies?

Aerial Duels Contested (2024/25):

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 165
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 100
Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia) – 93
Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid) – 62
Jules Koundé (Barcelona) – 55

Aerial Duels Won:

Virgil van Dijk – 119
William Saliba – 62
Cristhian Mosquera – 42
Antonio Rüdiger – 36
Jules Koundé – 30

Aerial Duel Success Rate (%):

Virgil van Dijk – 72.12%
William Saliba – 62.00%
Antonio Rüdiger – 58.06%
Jules Koundé – 54.55%
Cristhian Mosquera – 45.16%

In the air, Virgil van Dijk was untouchable, contesting a towering 165 aerial duels and winning 119 of them — an elite 72.12% success rate that reaffirms his reputation as Europe’s most dominant aerial defender.

William Saliba came in second, winning 62 of his 100 aerial battles, giving him an impressive 62.00% success rate — a key asset in Arsenal’s set-piece defense and physical duels.

Cristhian Mosquera, despite ranking third in aerial duels contested (93), posted the lowest success rate among the five defenders at just 45.16%. While his involvement shows he’s willing to compete in the air, the numbers reveal a need to improve his timing, positioning, and physical strength if he’s to match the Premier League’s aerial demands — especially under Mikel Arteta, where aerial dominance is crucial in both boxes.

Even Antonio Rüdiger and Jules Koundé, who engaged in fewer aerial duels, registered significantly better win rates than Mosquera — suggesting that efficiency, not just frequency, is key when evaluating aerial presence.

If Mosquera aims to provide real competition for Saliba at Arsenal, sharpening his aerial game is among his top priority.

Ground duels contested, ground duels won, ground duels success (%)

Ground Duels Contested (2024/25):

Jules Koundé (Barcelona) – 186
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 137
Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia) – 122
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 87
Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid) – 58

Ground Duels Won:

Jules Koundé – 104
William Saliba – 90
Cristhian Mosquera – 86
Virgil van Dijk – 54
Antonio Rüdiger – 37

Ground Duel Success Rate (%):

Cristhian Mosquera – 70.49%
William Saliba – 65.69%
Antonio Rüdiger – 63.79%
Virgil van Dijk – 62.07%
Jules Koundé – 55.91%

Among all five elite defenders, Cristhian Mosquera ranked as the most efficient in ground duels, winning an outstanding 70.49% of his 122 one-on-one contests — the highest success rate in this sample.

Despite facing fewer ground duels than William Saliba and Jules Koundé, Mosquera proved more effective in winning his challenges, highlighting his agility, timing, and reading of the game — all crucial traits for a centre-back operating under pressure.

Saliba, while engaging in more ground battles (137), posted a respectable 65.69% win rate, making him a trusted force in Arsenal’s defensive setup.

Koundé, despite contesting the most duels overall (186), trailed with a 55.91% success rate, showing that high involvement doesn’t always equal efficiency.

These numbers suggest that Cristhian Mosquera is already an elite ground defender, and his ability to win duels cleanly could make him a valuable asset to Arsenal’s backline — particularly in tight Premier League games where every 1v1 matters.

Ball Recoveries

Total Ball Recoveries (2024/25):

Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia) – 190
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 154
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 115
Jules Koundé (Barcelona) – 107
Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid) – 102

Ball Recoveries per 90 Minutes:

Cristhian Mosquera – 5.2
William Saliba – 4.6
Antonio Rüdiger – 4.1
Jules Koundé – 3.7
Virgil van Dijk – 3.2

In terms of defensive awareness and positional intelligence, Cristhian Mosquera led all five defenders in ball recoveries during the 2024/25 season, reclaiming possession 190 times — more than any of his elite counterparts.

Even more impressive is his 5.2 recoveries per 90 minutes, the highest among this group. This stat underlines Mosquera’s ability to read danger early, intercept passes, and react quickly in defensive transitions.

William Saliba came second, registering 154 total recoveries at a solid 4.6 per 90, showcasing his composure and reading of the game in the Premier League. In contrast, Virgil van Dijk and Jules Koundé averaged fewer than 4 recoveries per game, while Antonio Rüdiger posted 4.1.

Clearances – Who Clears the Danger Best?

Total Clearances (2024/25):

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 190
Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia) – 123
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 118
Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid) – 94
Jules Koundé (Barcelona) – 58

Clearances per 90 Minutes:

Virgil van Dijk – 5.2
Antonio Rüdiger – 3.7
William Saliba – 3.5
Cristhian Mosquera – 3.1
Jules Koundé – 2.1

When it comes to sheer volume of clearances, Cristhian Mosquera ranks second, making 123 clearances for Valencia across the season — only behind Virgil van Dijk, who led with 190.

However, when adjusted for minutes played, Mosquera drops to fourth in clearances per 90 minutes, averaging just 3.1, compared to Van Dijk’s 5.2, Rüdiger’s 3.7, and Saliba’s 3.5.

By contrast, Virgil van Dijk’s elite 5.2 clearances per 90 demonstrates his proactive defensive style for Liverpool, while William Saliba had 3.5 clearances per 90.

If Mosquera is to succeed in the Premier League, particularly at a club like Arsenal where defenders are expected to stay calm under pressure, he may need to sharpen his instincts in high-pressure clearances.

Interceptions

Total Interceptions (2024/25):

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 56
Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia) – 35
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 21
Jules Koundé (Barcelona) – 20
Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid) – 9

Interceptions per 90 Minutes:

Virgil van Dijk – 1.6
Cristhian Mosquera – 1.0
William Saliba – 0.7
Jules Koundé – 0.7
Antonio Rüdiger – 0.4

Cristhian Mosquera ranked second in total interceptions (35) among the five defenders, showcasing his defensive awareness and anticipation across the 2024/25 La Liga season. Only Virgil van Dijk recorded more, with a commanding 56 interceptions — highlighting his elite positioning and game-reading ability for Liverpool.

In terms of interceptions per 90 minutes, Mosquera averaged 1.0, once again behind Van Dijk (1.6), but ahead of William Saliba and Jules Koundé, who both managed 0.7, and well ahead of Antonio Rüdiger, who posted just 0.4.

These numbers show that Mosquera is good enough at reading opposition passes and stepping in at the right time, however, Mosquera’s interception stats could improve further.

Blocked Shots – Who Puts Their Body on the Line?

Total Blocked Shots (2024/25):

Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia) – 24
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 16
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 15
Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid) – 14
Jules Koundé (Barcelona) – 5

Blocked Shots per 90 Minutes:

Cristhian Mosquera – 0.7
Antonio Rüdiger – 0.6
Virgil van Dijk – 0.5
William Saliba – 0.5
Jules Koundé – 0.2

When it comes to bravery and positional discipline, Cristhian Mosquera leads the way, blocking 24 shots over the course of the 2024/25 La Liga season — more than any of the elite centre-backs in this analysis.

Even more telling is his 0.7 blocked shots per 90 minutes, the highest rate among the five defenders. Mosquera knows how to place himself in the right positions to deny shooting opportunities, a sign of sharp anticipation and commitment in front of goal.

Antonio Rüdiger and Virgil van Dijk followed with 0.6 and 0.5 per 90 respectively, while William Saliba also averaged 0.5 for Arsenal. Jules Koundé, whose role often involves pushing forward, posted the lowest block rate at 0.2.

If Arsenal are seeking a centre-back with a warrior’s mindset, Mosquera’s shot-blocking performance positions him as a top candidate to reinforce Mikel Arteta’s defensive setup.

Tackles Made – Who’s the Most Aggressive Ball-Winner?

Total Tackles Made (2024/25):

Jules Koundé (Barcelona) – 68
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 62
Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia) – 56
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 38
Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid) – 20

Tackles Made per 90 Minutes:

Jules Koundé – 2.2
William Saliba – 1.9
Cristhian Mosquera – 1.6
Virgil van Dijk – 1.1
Antonio Rüdiger – 0.8

Jules Koundé leads the pack in tackles made per 90 minutes, averaging 2.2 per game for Barcelona. Close behind is William Saliba, who registered 1.9 tackles per 90 for Arsenal.

Cristhian Mosquera, with 56 total tackles and an average of 1.6 per 90, is not far behind Saliba, which is encouraging for a young defender eyeing a move to the Premier League.

However, if Mosquera is to seriously challenge Saliba for a starting role at Arsenal, he’ll need to raise his tackle output slightly to match the Frenchman’s consistency in one-on-one defensive scenarios.

Meanwhile, Virgil van Dijk and Antonio Rüdiger ranked lower with 1.1 and 0.8 tackles per 90 respectively.

Overall, Mosquera is showing promise in this department, and with tactical refinement under a manager like Mikel Arteta, he could evolve into an even more effective ball-winning centre-back.

Discipline and errors

Tackling Discipline – Who Times It Best?

Fouls from Tackle Attempts (2024/25):

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 12
Jules Koundé (Barcelona) – 12
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 9
Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia) – 8
Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid) – 2

Fouls from Tackles per 90 Minutes:

Antonio Rüdiger – 0.1
Cristhian Mosquera – 0.3
William Saliba – 0.3
Virgil van Dijk – 0.4
Jules Koundé – 0.5

It’s not just about how often a defender tackles — it’s about how cleanly they win the ball. In this regard, Antonio Rüdiger leads the way, averaging just 0.1 fouls per 90 from tackle attempts, making him the most disciplined tackler in this group.

Cristhian Mosquera and William Saliba are level, each averaging 0.3 fouls from tackle attempts per 90, demonstrating a balanced approach between aggression and control — a valuable trait for centre-backs operating in possession-based, high-risk systems like Arsenal’s.

Meanwhile, Jules Koundé and Virgil van Dijk posted the highest foul rates at 0.5 and 0.4 per 90 respectively, indicating a higher likelihood of poorly timed challenges or committing fouls under pressure.

Mosquera’s foul stats show a quality that bodes well for adapting to the Premier League, where precision tackling is essential, especially in the final third.

Fouls Committed

Total Fouls Committed (2024/25):

William Saliba (Arsenal) – 28
Jules Koundé (Barcelona) – 22
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 17
Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid) – 15
Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia) – 14

When it comes to defensive discipline and composure, Cristhian Mosquera committed the fewest fouls among the five top-tier defenders analyzed — just 14 across the entire season. This reflects a high level of maturity, anticipation, and clean tackling technique, especially for a 20-year-old playing in one of Europe’s top leagues.

In contrast, William Saliba gave away 28 fouls, exactly twice as many as Mosquera, highlighting an area where the Arsenal star may occasionally overcommit or mistime his challenges — a risk that could lead to penalties, dangerous free-kicks, or last-man red cards.

Virgil van Dijk (17 fouls) and Antonio Rüdiger (15 fouls) sat in the middle range, while Jules Koundé, who often takes on more mobile wide players, committed 22 fouls across the season.

In high-stakes matches, a defender’s ability to stay composed and avoid unnecessary fouls is critical. Mosquera’s low foul count strengthens his profile as a disciplined, high-IQ centre-back — and further makes the case that he could adapt well to the Premier League’s physical demands without becoming a liability.

Possession Lost – Who Keeps the Ball Safe?

Total Possession Lost (2024/25):

Jules Koundé (Barcelona) – 367
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 264
Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia) – 228
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 180
Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid) – 164

Possession Lost per 90 Minutes:

William Saliba – 5.4
Cristhian Mosquera – 6.2
Antonio Rüdiger – 6.5
Virgil van Dijk – 7.2
Jules Koundé – 12.7

Losing possession as a defender can expose the team to dangerous transitions, counters, or costly errors — often stemming from poor decision-making, lapses in concentration, or miscommunication with teammates.

In raw numbers, Jules Koundé lost the ball the most, with 367 instances. On the opposite end, Antonio Rüdiger was the most secure, giving up possession only 164 times.

However, when adjusted per 90 minutes, William Saliba leads the pack, averaging just 5.4 losses per 90 — the lowest among the five defenders. Cristhian Mosquera follows closely at 6.2, showing that despite playing in a less possession-dominant Valencia side, he maintained a high level of ball retention and composure under pressure.

By comparison, Van Dijk (7.2) and Koundé (12.7) were more likely to concede possession per game, potentially putting their teams at risk in high-pressure moments.

Mosquera’s strong showing in possession retention per 90 is yet another indicator that he may be well-suited to the ball-control demands of Arsenal’s tactical system, where accuracy, decision-making, and calm distribution under pressure are critical.

Penalty Goals Conceded – A Costly Stat?

Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia) – 6
Jules Koundé (Barcelona) – 3
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 2
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 1
Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid) – 1

Cristhian Mosquera gave away the most penalties (6) among the five defenders in the 2024/25 season — a concerning figure, especially considering the stakes in high-level games. This highlights the need for more composure inside the box, especially under Premier League pressure where one mistake can change everything.

Total Cards – Discipline Record

Cristhian Mosquera – 6
Virgil van Dijk – 5
Jules Koundé – 4
Antonio Rüdiger – 3
William Saliba – 2

Mosquera also received the most yellow and red cards, another sign of defensive immaturity that may need polishing before he can be trusted consistently at a club like Arsenal, where discipline is paramount in tight matches.

Handballs – A Moment of Lapse?

Cristhian Mosquera – 1
Others – 0

Mosquera was the only defender among the five to commit a handball, a minor yet telling indicator of potential concentration lapses under pressure — the kind that can be costly in the Premier League or Champions League.

Times Tackled – Holding the Ball Too Long?

Jules Koundé – 40
Cristhian Mosquera – 14
William Saliba – 14
Virgil van Dijk – 7
Antonio Rüdiger – 4

Times tackled reflects how long a player holds onto the ball before passing. Jules Koundé was tackled 40 times, the highest by far, which might indicate a tendency to overplay in dangerous areas. In contrast, Mosquera and Saliba were tied at 14, showing a shared instinct to move the ball quickly and safely — an important trait for defenders in possession-dominant systems like Arsenal’s.

General Team Effort

Clean Sheets – Team Defensive Strength

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 14
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 12
Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid) – 11
Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia) – 8
Jules Koundé (Barcelona) – 8

Despite playing in a mid-table team, Cristhian Mosquera featured in 37 out of 38 games, helping Valencia to 8 clean sheets — equal to Barcelona’s tally with Koundé, and respectable given Valencia’s level of opposition and resources.

Goals Conceded – The Bigger Picture

Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia) – 47
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 38
Jules Koundé (Barcelona) – 30
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 27
Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid) – 25

Valencia conceded the highest number of goals (47) among the teams analyzed, reflecting the collective defensive shortcomings of the squad, not necessarily Mosquera alone. In fact, his individual stats in ball recoveries, blocks, interceptions, and duels suggest he was a key contributor in limiting further damage.

Conclusion: Is Cristhian Mosquera Good Enough to Start for Arsenal?

Cristhian Mosquera, despite being the youngest defender in this elite comparison, has shown he can hold his own against Europe’s best centre-backs — including William Saliba, Antonio Rüdiger, Virgil van Dijk, and Jules Koundé.

Playing for a less dominant team in Valencia, Mosquera still impressed with:
✅ Elite ground duel win rate
✅ High ball recoveries per 90
✅ Top-tier shot blocking
✅ Excellent passing accuracy and forward passing intent
✅ Consistent availability and durability over 3,300+ minutes

However, he also showed signs of rawness:
⚠️ Most penalties conceded
⚠️ Highest total cards
⚠️ Only defender with a recorded handball

If Arsenal are looking for a young, progressive, high-ceiling defender who can offer reliable cover and even push Saliba in the long run, Mosquera is a strong candidate. But defensive discipline, aerial presence, and penalty decision-making must improve to earn a starting role at a club with title and Champions League ambitions.

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