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The other day, I had a random conversation with my enemy @ItsNotPjay on who the top 5 most complete strikers in the world are (based on current form).
It piqued my curiosity, so I decided to do a stat-dive.
It piqued my curiosity, so I decided to do a stat-dive.
I made a list of 73 players using the following criteria:
1. At least 450 minutes played in any of the top 5 leagues this season.
2. At least 5 league goals scored this season.
3. Positional description of Centre Forward or Second Striker on http://transfermarkt.com
1. At least 450 minutes played in any of the top 5 leagues this season.
2. At least 5 league goals scored this season.
3. Positional description of Centre Forward or Second Striker on http://transfermarkt.com
I ended up with
14 Bundesliga
,
12 Premier League
,
13 La Liga
,
20 Ligue 1
, and
14 Serie A
players.
14 Bundesliga
,12 Premier League
,13 La Liga
,20 Ligue 1
, and14 Serie A
players.
My analysis was along these lines:
1. Shooting and goalscoring ability from open play
2. Chance creation from open play
3. Ball retention and progression
4. Defensive output
5. Aerial prowess
1. Shooting and goalscoring ability from open play
2. Chance creation from open play
3. Ball retention and progression
4. Defensive output
5. Aerial prowess
1. Shooting
This turned out pretty much as expected. The more prolific strikers (with the exception of Lautaro Martinez) were frequently getting their shots off from dangerous positions (xG/shot ≥ 0.15).
Robert Lewandowski and Erling Håland's numbers are incredible.
This turned out pretty much as expected. The more prolific strikers (with the exception of Lautaro Martinez) were frequently getting their shots off from dangerous positions (xG/shot ≥ 0.15).
Robert Lewandowski and Erling Håland's numbers are incredible.
Side note: Zlatan Ibrahimovic's stats might be taken with a pinch of salt due to him playing only 5.9 90s so far this season. Still a dangerous striker at 39 years of age, and probably the most lethal in Italy off these numbers.
2. Chance Creation
Thomas Müller (quantity) and Memphis Depay (quality) are the standout players here. A bit unfair to class them as strikers, considering they generally play a more supporting role.
Romelu Lukaku, Andrea Belotti and Iago Aspas were the surprises for me.
Thomas Müller (quantity) and Memphis Depay (quality) are the standout players here. A bit unfair to class them as strikers, considering they generally play a more supporting role.
Romelu Lukaku, Andrea Belotti and Iago Aspas were the surprises for me.
Harry Kane not being an outlier was also a surprise initially. But when you consider the fact that 9 of his 11 assists so far have been for a significantly overperforming (xG-wise) Heung-Min Son, it makes a bit of sense.
Wonder if his assist numbers drop off.
Wonder if his assist numbers drop off.
3. Ball Retention and Progression
Again, Romelu Lukaku impresses, simply due to his major improvement in playing with his back to goal under Antonio Conte.
But Zlatan Ibrahimovic is otherworldly. What a man. And of course, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Again, Romelu Lukaku impresses, simply due to his major improvement in playing with his back to goal under Antonio Conte.
But Zlatan Ibrahimovic is otherworldly. What a man. And of course, Cristiano Ronaldo.
4. Defensive Output
Marcos Llorente has played a number of games as a midfielder this season, so his defensive numbers benefit from that.
Mattheus Cunha and Lars Stindl also catch the eye.
Marcos Llorente has played a number of games as a midfielder this season, so his defensive numbers benefit from that.
Mattheus Cunha and Lars Stindl also catch the eye.
5. Aerial Prowess
Ibrahimovic is ridiculously good. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ollie Watkins have also done pretty well aerially this season, and are key to the directness of their teams when attacking.
Ibrahimovic is ridiculously good. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ollie Watkins have also done pretty well aerially this season, and are key to the directness of their teams when attacking.
Completeness in a striker means different things to different people. I feel there were a lot of stats I missed out that might have helped paint a better picture. Let me know what you think.
What metrics do you use to define completeness?
What metrics do you use to define completeness?
(My first time making visuals of any kind, so I apologize because they are pretty terrible. Would hopefully do a better job subsequently).
