New data revealed who the Premier League's best striker this season is, with one of the top three sides in the division boasting the star talent and it's not Erling Haaland.
The English top-flight is set to resume this weekend following the international break with Arsenal, Liverpool and reigning champions Manchester City locked in a three-way battle for the title.
Meanwhile the race for the remaining Champions League spot also looks to go down to the wire with Aston Villa, Tottenham and Manchester United all still in contention.
Clubs seeking to gain extra competitive advantage delve deep into statistical analysis and a new report by Squawka and Opta has revealed the Premier League's most potent strikers.
The assessment harnessed data on xG (expected goals) without penalties, goals, goals and assists, expected assists, great chances created, feints completed, possession won in the defensive quarter, shots, shots placed, accuracy of shots, percentage of shots that end in goal and touches in the opponent's area.
Every striker in the top division was reviewed and surprisingly the top five doesn't feature Manchester City's superstar striker Haaland, but does include Liverpool and Man United players.
Reds striker Darwin Nunez claims the top accolade after being awarded a total score of 78 per cent with all the attributing factors being considered, despite his struggles in front of goal this season.
The Uruguayan has previously been mocked by rival fans this season for his finishing ability but has still chipped in with 17 goals in all competitions for Liverpool.
The study highlighted Nunez as the Premier League's best based on what each player performs statistically on average every 90 minutes.
Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins scored highest behind Nunez with 76 per cent during what has been a stunning season for the 28-year-old who has scored 16 top-flight goals for Unai Emery's side.
Man United's Denmark forward Rasmus Hojlund clinched third spot in the rankings with an overall score of 75 per cent reflective of his debut efforts playing in England.
The youngster moved to Old Trafford in a £72m summer deal from Atalanta and after a 15-match wait for a first league goal proceeded to become the youngest player to score in six consecutive Premier League matches.
Erik ten Hag's decision to make Hojlund his main centre forward finally appears to be paying off with the Dane beginning to thrive alongside Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.
Two Brazilians make up the final top five of the latest statistical report with Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz scoring 71 per cent and Tottenham star Richarlison awarded a 69 per cent total.
The_Truth
621
This is what happens when people look at the numbers and say a player is great. You need to consider his ability with the FOOTBALL. How good of a football player are you??? The criteria mentioned here show you how good attackers are the listed players. This is how you sort out Great Strikers.
austinooo
564
We all know Nunez is better than Haland the only difference is Haland has a better team.
Licbikny
480
I've said it before. Haaland is not a good striker. Even if he won the treble last season, Haaland won't win the best player in the world or the Ballon d'or. Even in his own country, it's not good to host the Euro's Cup let alone the World Cup. For example, mbappe even didn't win the UCL but won the world cup even that is not sure to win the Ballon d'or but at least feel like winning the world cup for the country instead of not winning at all. No matter how great the striker is but never won the world cup he is still not good as a striker, Example like CR7, the best player, 5x ballon d'or champion, but the world cup, a big cup, has never been tasted and kissed in front of fans all over the world. If messi doesn't need to be discussed anymore because he has swept all the trophies except the UEFA Cup. Make man city fans dream bulih because it is free but don't expect too much stress and jump from the building 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
ArmaniK
426
Strikere aren't meant to dribble or create chances nor assist. They are meant to finish chances created and score goals but it's a bonus if they can do the above mentioned. So rating a striker with just 7 league goals ahead of another striker with 18 league goals is kind of lame, because they all started the season at the same time. Pep didn't sign Haaland to dribble nor to assist. He was signed to score goals or attract defenders to himself in other for his teammates to do the scoring✌🏾✌🏾
Wemlmnoru
361
Scoring statistics matter that's is why you always all football fans complain to Arsenal's striker Jesus and most of you advice Arsenal to sign a goals getter to remain in top sport
malablata
299
Keep out unnecessary statistics in grading a striker. A striker is graded based on his scoring abilities and nothing else. Everyone on the field has their role. Wingers are graded on their assist, midfielders on their passes and tackles, defenders on their defensive abilities, keepers on their saves and clean sheet. Whatever extra abilities a striker has can be used to help win him best player, not to be used for best striker. Nunez is not a striker, he has to find on the field where he's best at. I feel he's really misplaced and confused. Haaland is the real striker who does his work excellently. He doesn't need more than to chances to get a goal and that's what makes him a striker.
pibelntyz
277
We all know Nunez is better than Haland the only difference is Haland has a better team.
so ur saying Liverpool team is shit?
ZionHag
129
It’s better to understand the analysis n let it be the way it is… it doesn’t change the goal tally neither is it wrong in stats…. I will not in anyway discredit Haaland cos that’s the way his manager wants him to play n secondly he does his job excellently… yes Nunez is a better overall contributor to the team than Haaland but hey both managers are happy with the way their strikers play… I fink Klopp would want Nunez to be more clinical up front… Hojlund in my opinion is not yet in the circle, he needs time… yes he has done a bit but form is temporal, class is permanent… he needs more time to prove his prowess… I love Ollie Watkins.. he is one hard worker….🫡
The_Truth
9
So now you can type this ! That’s why Messi is better than CR7 bcos Messi is a baller. Man U fans know the true but they always run away from it when it involves their camel 🐪 🤣🤣🤣
Bro. Chill. I am a Messi fan. I know Messi is the best footballer ever, and Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't even come close. In fact, for the past many years, Cristiano won't make the list of top 10 ballers. I am a Manchester United fan from 2005/2006 onwards. I started to watch football from these years seriously. But there is no denying that Messi is the best and cr won't even come close.