Liu Yang is a 31-year-old defensive midfielder at Shandong Luneng, enjoying a standout season — 2 goals and 4 assists in 29 appearances, a Season grade of 41, top 26% of Super League defensive midfielders. On long-term scout potential he's rated 18.2, ranking 124th of 279 in the Super League. A seasoned veteran, he has been an ever-present (84.9% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 3.89 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Yang.

Judged on this season alone, Yang graded 41 — a strong campaign that ranks top 26% of the 27 defensive midfielders in the Super League, on 2 goals, 4 assists and 3.889 defensive actions per 90.

We hold a single season for Yang, so there's no year-on-year comparison to draw yet — the read above is this campaign only.

On long-term talent our Rating reads 18, 13th of 27 of the 27 defensive midfielders in the Super League. At 31 Yang is into the veteran stage, where the age curve weighs on the projection, and a market index of 1.4 reflects that trajectory.

Current potential13th of 27 defensive midfielders · Super League Current seasonTop 26% defensive midfielders · Super League7th-best defensive midfielder in the Super League124th in the Super League · potential13th-highest potential defensive midfielder in the Super League

18.2

Ratingi

13th of 27 defensive midfielders

41.1

Seasoni

developing / rotation level

84.9%

Minutes

near ever-present

3.89

Def. actions / 90

solid defensive volume

Output in context · Shandong Luneng finished 5th of 16 · an upper-table side

3.89

Def. / 90

Tackles

Interceptions

Clean sheets

3.89 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — solid defensive volume, with 3 clean sheets across 29 appearances. Behind an upper-table side (5th of 16) the side controls more games, so the defensive load is lighter — the value sits as much in composure and ball progression as in raw volume. Going forward he chipped in 2 goals and 4 assists — a useful bonus from the back.

Strengths

Availability. On the pitch for 84.9% of available minutes — a dependable presence in the XI.
Attacking threat. Chips in from deep: 0.24 goal involvements per 90, useful for a defensive midfielder.
Defensive volume. 3.89 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — does the unseen work.

Watch points

Age curve. At 31, both level and resale value are on the downslope.
Level. Rates below a nailed-on top-tier starter on our model.

Outlook

With a Rating of 18.2, Yang carries the 13th-highest potential of the defensive midfielders in the Super League of 27. Defensively he reads as solid defensive volume (3.89 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90), with a bit more on the ball than most in the role. Veteran phase — a short-term, lower-fee proposition as both level and value decline (0.9× and falling).

Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.

Per 90 & availability

Minutes played %84.9%

Available fixtures30 of 30

Goals / 900.079

Assists / 900.157

Goal contribution / 900.236

Defensive actions / 903.889

Player flow

Goal involvements6

Shot conversion %25

Shot accuracy %42.1

Dribble success %58.1

Cards / 900.118

Foul involvement / 901.493

Value & potential by age

Market valueRating

Solid = now · dashed = projected

The gold line is market value — an index (not €) blending rating, age and league. It climbs through the early 20s, peaks around ages 23–27 (~3), then tapers with age. At 31, Yang sits on 1.4, past its peak and easing. The blue line is Yang's projected Rating — 18.2 today — recomputed at each age, so it follows the same rise-and-fall as a career matures and declines. Solid = up to today; dashed = projected.