Kate Maria Taylor

Kate Maria Taylor, a central defender for Dijon in the Division 1 Féminine, is making her presence felt with a commanding defensive style and notable on-field intelligence. At 23 years old, the New Zealand international has already established herself as a reliable figure at the heart of the defense. With 12 league appearances under her belt this season, she has accumulated 905 minutes of playing time, showcasing her endurance and tactical awareness. Her contributions to the team don’t come from goal-scoring or assists, as her primary strengths lie in defensive capabilities. Despite recording no goals or assists, Taylor excels in other areas crucial for a central defender, such as interceptions and challenges.

Taylor's defensive prowess is illustrated by her possession-adjusted metrics, showing 4.18 interceptions and 1.5 challenges per game, with a respectable challenge success rate of 61%. These statistics highlight her ability to read the game and act preemptively to disrupt opposition plays. Her role as a defensive leader is further cemented by her impressive playmaker rank of 2.5 and an estimated transfer value of €253K, indicating her value to the team. Beyond her defensive responsibilities, Taylor contributes to build-up play with an average progressive passing distance of 470.91 meters and a progressive carrying distance of 39.17 meters per game, helping to transition defense into attack efficiently. Her play style aligns with the defending leader archetype, characterizing her as a player who balances robustness with composure on the ball.