Filip Bilbija signs: Derby's lethal new 51?
If Filip Bilbija turns out to be as hard to mark as he is to categorise, Derby County will have a player on their hands.
The Rams have described their third summer signing in an abundance of ways. As a ‘midfielder’, an ‘AM’ or attacking midfielder, and a ‘versatile attacker’ capable of playing as a ‘wide man, and as the focal point of the frontline’. But this is not a case of crossed wires in the scouting department, or editorial mix-ups.
The 26-year-old, who has signed on a free transfer after leaving SC Paderborn, is a footballing Swiss army knife to rival the likes of James Milner. And based on his previous comments about Bobby Clark, I would think that John Eustace will only see this as a positive.
Indeed, there is a glaringly obvious need for reinforcements in support of line-leader Carlton Morris this summer, something which Clark and Bilbija are a good start in addressing.
But while you know what Derby are getting from The Rams’ reigning young player of the year, their newest recruit is a relative unknown. I have been digging into the data to find out more, but one number must contextualise them all.
Fifty-one
To explain this, it’s time to talk about Jude Bellingham.
Stick with me here. I’m not suggesting that Bilbija will celebrate every goal by sticking his arms out with a level of nonchalance that says, ‘I’m world class, what are you going to do about it?’ Nor do I think we’ll hear the south stand singing The Beatles after every game; ‘Hey Filip’ doesn’t have the same ring to it.
No, I mean player roles corresponding to shirt numbers. Indeed, it is something John Eustace references fairly regularly, particularly in relation to Clark, who can play as a six (holding midfielder), eight (central or box-to-box midfielder), 10 (attacking midfielder/behind the striker) and an 11 (left winger).
The story goes that when Bellingham was in the Birmingham academy, he was told not to be just a number 10, but a four (the more traditional English number for a holding midfielder) and an eight as well. The sum of these numbers: 22. And thus he wore it for both The Blues and Borussia Dortmund.
Bilbija can play anywhere in midfield (six, eight, or ten) on either flank (seven or 11) and up front (as a number nine). So, following the above logic, he’s a 51.
And with the rise of percentiles per 90 to compare ‘similar players’ who are categorised by league and position, this really matters as we dig deeper into the German’s stats.
Elite conversion
Let us start with the most eye-catching of statistics – his conversion rate. Bilbija was lethal in front of goal in 2025-26, scoring 15 league goals from just 47 shots across 29 2. Bundesliga games to give him a conversion rate of 32 per cent.
Averaging 0.74 goals per 90 according to Opta data, he was in the 100th percentile for this, as well as expected goals (xG) and xG on target (xGOT). This is compared to players all attacking midfielders and wingers in Opta’s European tier two leagues – the strongest outside of the top five.
Though Bilbaja takes relatively few shots, ranking in the 62nd percentile per 90. The former Paderborn man appears relatively selective, liking to take he probability efforts with just two attempts from outside the box. Instead, he likes to run into channels and uses his poacher’s instinct with late darts into the box too.
It is important to note that 2025-26 was the first time that Bilbija had hit double digits for goals in his career. But he racked up at least 14 goal contributions in each of his three seasons at Paderborn.
Aerial Prowess
At 6’2”, you would expect Bilbija to be capable in the air. He was in the 92nd percentile for headed shots last season with 14, albeit his conversion rate in predictably lower with three headed goals.
In terms of aerial duels, he won 2.21 less than Patrick Agyemang per 90 last season and 5.23 less than Carlton Morris. However, his percentage of duels won is just three percent lower than Agyemang and six percent lower than Morris, who is in the 94th percentile for forwards.
This suggests that, whether due to playing in midfield or differences in styles of play, he contests fewer aerial duels. But Bilbija is still capable of winning them when he does.
Creativity
While Bilbija’s goal-scoring numbers grab the headlines, what about his creative abilities? FotMob puts him in the 31st percentile for chances created – not overly impressive. Again though, let’s dig deeper.
The 26-year-old doesn’t hit many passes, with 17.3 successful per 90 and a 76.9 per cent success rate. But an accurate long ball percentage of 75 per cent puts him in the 96th percentile, showing an eye for a pass.
In touches too, an average of 40 per 90 puts him in the 13th percentile compared to attacking midfielders and wingers but is 3.5 more than Agyemang and 0.4 more than Morris – who is in the 80th percentile for strikers. Plus, Bilbija significantly exceeds both in big chances created (eight) compared to four and five respectively. suggesting that his instincts in the box lead to golden opportunities for others to find the back of the net.
Defensive contribution
From watching the German, he is clearly a hard worker who is very capable of pressing and battling – qualities vital to a Eustace team. Data-wise, being in the 71st percentile for possession won in the final third is solid evidence of this.
Defensive contributions are perhaps where the positional context is most vital, though. The specific metric puts Bilbija in the 61st percentile with 3.02 per 90 according to Opta data.
Compare this to Bobby Clark, who is ranked against other midfielders, not attacking midfielders and forwards, despite also playing in a range of positions and it is less impressive. Clark averaged 3.73 defensive contributions per 90 yet is ranked in the 21st percentile for midfielders.
This is not to say that Bilbija cannot effectively partake in defensive duties. Just that this part of his game is not as impressive as the numbers first suggest, due to their inability to account for his positional fluidity.
What's his best position?
So where will Eustace deploy Bilbija? Based on his biggest strengths, I feel as though he can excel either as a box-crashing midfielder or an inside forward. He should combine well with the smaller, more technical Bobby Clark, using his frame and pressing ability to create pockets of space for the former Liverpool youngster to work in.
And while he may not possess the pace and power of Agyemang, he has spent more of his career on the wing than anywhere else. If he can hold up the ball for an overlapping wing back such as Derry Murkin and make diagonal runs inside, he could be a great option to cover the left-wing position until the American is fit again.
So, his qualities are clear. But his best position? The jury is out.
That is part of the intrigue of this transfer: Filip Bilbija isn’t simply a midfielder, a 10 or a forward. He’s a 51.
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