FootyRecall Player Profiles
Konstantinos Tzolakis: Hull's air-traffic controller
Hull's deep block turns Tzolakis into an active area controller who claims crosses, sweeps space and releases pressure directly.
- Club
- Hull City
- Position
- Goalkeeper
- Age
- 23
The player and the role
Hull do not ask Tzolakis to decorate possession. They ask him to end pressure, erase the space around a deep block and turn the next touch into territory. Their 5-4-1 concedes the final third but packs the box. That makes his command of crosses and the space beyond the defence more important than a pretty pass-completion figure.
At a glance
- 81.0%
- Save rate
- Across five starts
- 11
- High claims
- Already over half last season's total
- 1.50
- Goals prevented
- FotMob model
How they play
When a cross enters Hull's crowded box, a clean claim kills the opponent's second attack. When a direct pass clears the back line, Tzolakis sweeps beyond the block. He can then go long towards McBurnie or a wide transition lane before the opposition resets. About 83% of his 180 attempted passes have been long. His 41.7% overall completion and 32% long accuracy describe a territorial instruction as well as the execution of it.
What the numbers tell us
Tzolakis has 17 saves, 11 high claims, six sweeper actions and 1.50 goals prevented. Among nine league goalkeepers aged 21 to 25, his 3.4 saves per 90 rank fourth and his 60% clean-sheet rate is joint-best. FotMob places him in the 92nd percentile for sweeping and 85th for claims. This is area control, not only reflex performance.
How the role has evolved
Olympiacos gave him about 1.7 saves per league game last season. Hull give him 3.4. He made 21 high claims across 32 Greek league starts; he already has 11 in five English games. The transfer has doubled his shot work and sharply increased his aerial responsibility.
The season in context
2026/272026/27 Premier League: five starts, 3 clean sheets, 4 goals conceded, 17 saves, 81.0% save rate.
2025/262025/26 Olympiacos, Greek Super League: 32 starts, 19 clean sheets, 17 goals conceded, 53 saves, 74.7% save rate.
Cups & Europe2026/27: unused in Hull's only EFL Cup tie; all five competitive starts have come in the league. 2025/26: 41 starts, 22 clean sheets and 33 goals conceded in tracked competitions, including nine Champions League starts.
How they compare
League comparisons use the same FPL position and players within two years of age, with at least 180 minutes this season or 900 last season. Other measures identify their provider or competition below.
- 4th
- Saves per 90
- 9 goalkeepers, age 21 to 25
- He has made 3.4 saves per 90.
- Joint 1st
- Clean-sheet rate
- 9 goalkeepers, age 21 to 25
- Three clean sheets from five league starts.
Where they can improve
An 81% save rate over five games will move, and he has already made one error that led to a goal. Direct distribution must still produce recoverable contests.
What we’re watching next
Follow claims, sweep locations and Hull's next action. The sustainable gain is not every save. It is whether Tzolakis ends one attack and starts another.