Sara Vallinaho

Sara Vallinaho is a seasoned central defender currently playing for Keski-Uusimaa in the Kansallinen Liiga, Finland's top-tier women's football league. At 35 years old, she brings a wealth of experience to the squad, serving as a stalwart in the defensive lineup. Despite her limited game time this season, with only 305 minutes spread across 10 appearances, Vallinaho's presence on the field is defined by her strong physicality and defensive skills.

As a player, Sara Vallinaho excels in a physical defender archetype, a role where her attributes such as tackling and intercepting become crucial. She averages 3.92 possession-adjusted interceptions per game and faces approximately 5.39 challenges per game. Despite not registering a challenge success rate, her strategic positioning and experience still contribute to disrupting opposition play, a vital aspect for any defense-focused team.

While Vallinaho does not focus on the attacking side of the game, as indicated by zero goals, assists, and shots per game, her contributions are seen in the build-up phase and transition. She offers a progressive passing distance of 151.03 meters per game, facilitating forward play from the back. Additionally, her progressive carrying distance of 32.49 meters per game indicates a capability to advance the ball upfield when needed.

Rated with a Playmaker Rank of 0.5 on a scale where 1 signifies the best, Vallinaho's role is more defensive-focused rather than creative. Her expertise as a central defender remains an asset to Keski-Uusimaa, ensuring solidity and composure at the back. Though her estimated transfer value is currently €0, her real value lies in the stability and experience she brings to the squad, attributes that are critical for any team aspiring to compete at higher levels.