Brazil legend and goalscoring genius Romario once described strikers as “egotists” and “selfish” because they have to be, but who holds the continent’s mantle at present?
More often than not we judge a striker on his ability to find the back of the net, garlanding praise on those specialist hitmen who just seem to have an instinctive propensity to place the ball exactly where they want to time and time again.
Those master marksmen tend to steal the headlines, and for good reason, as a club’s silverware aspirations can solely fall on the shoulders of their trusted No.9 – would Leicester have won the Premier League title without the record-breaking goalscoring exploits of Jamie Vardy?
But just as a striker’s goalscoring ability can lead to titles, accolades and adulation, a barren run could equally jeopardise their chances of consistent playing time.
And so, Luis Suarez’s recent comments that a selfless striker is near-impossible to find do not look so conceited all of a sudden: when faced with a chance to shoot, almost every forward will take the opportunity.
With that considered, Squawka have looked to find the most ‘selfish’ striker in Europe right now, based on the number of chances created relative to the number of shots taken.
Cristiano Ronaldo just misses out on the top 10 despite taking at least 38 more shots than any other player in Europe’s top five divisions – 99 in total – as his 25 chances created counterbalance his seemingly relentless shot-taking.
So without further ado, here are the top 10 most ‘selfish’ strikers – who have played at least 10 matches – in Europe this season.
10. Harry Kane (Tottenham)
Chances created: 13
Shots: 51
Chances created per shot: 0.25
It should come as no surprise that the World Cup Golden Boot winner ranks in the top 10 of the most selfish strikers in Europe right now such is his goalscoring prowess; England and Spurs fans will certainly not be complaining so long as the goals keep flooding in.
Kane was even criticised for not shooting enough at the start of the season, his lower output was highlighted as a sign he was due a well-earned rest.
9. Guido Carrillo (Leganes)
Chances created: 6
Shots: 27
Chances created per shot taken: 0.22
Signed last season to boost Southampton’s survival hopes, the Argentine failed to impress at the St Mary’s Stadium and was shipped out on loan to Leganes this term. Carrillo has won more aerial duels than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues this season, meaning he clearly carries out a specific role for his side.
When presented with the option of ‘shoot or pass’, however, he appears to favour the former.
8. Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham)
Chances created: 11
Shots: 53
Chances created per shot: 0.21
Fulham’s fulcrum this season, the Serb has been imperious in the final third and will prove priceless in the club’s basement battle. He currently has seven league goals to his name, and Claudio Ranieri won’t mind Mitrovic’s selfish tendencies in front of goal should Fulham’s premium goal-getter keep them up.
7. Leonardo Pavoletti (Cagliari)
Chances created: 6
Shots: 31
Chances created per shot: 0.19
Pavoletti was not able to hold down a starting berth under Maurizio Sarri at Napoli, but having relocated to the Sardegna Arena, the 30-year-old has taken his game to new heights. Such has been his recent form, that he received a call-up to the Italy squad in September.
6. Andrea Belotti (Torino)
Chances created: 9
Shots: 49
Chances created per shot: 0.18
The highly-coveted striker has long been tipped to part ways with the Bull, but having remained in Turin, the Italy international continues to find the back of the net with immense ease. Scoring goals is Belotti’s bread and butter, and it perhaps won’t be too long before he rocks up at one of Europe’s elite soon.
5. Krzysztof Piatek (Genoa)
Chances created: 9
Shots: 55
Chances created per shot: 0.16
The Polish striker shot to prominence after starting the season like a house on fire, so far netting 16 goals in 16 matches across all competitions for I Rossoblu. He has taken the most shots of any out-and-out striker in Europe this term and is reportedly being courted by Real Madrid for his stellar performances on Italian soil.
4. Andrea Petagna (S.P.A.L.)
Chances created: 6
Shots taken: 38
Chances created per shot: 0.16
S.P.A.L. are currently languishing precariously outside Serie A’s nether reaches and will need their one-time Italy international to seriously step up his game, having found the back of the net just four times – his 10.5% conversion rate needs to improve.
3. Vedad Ibisevic (Hertha BSC)
Chances created: 4
Shots taken: 31
Chances created per shot: 0.13
The Bosnia and Herzegovina icon is still going strong at 34 in the Bundesliga, incredibly netting eight goals in 15 matches across all competitions. If he can continue in this rich vein of form, then the capital club will continue to funnel their chances through their frontman.
2. Raul de Tomas (Rayo Vallecano)
Chances created: 5
Shots taken: 39
Chances created per shot: 0.13
The on-loan Madridista has spent the past season-and-a-half across the capital with Los Franjirrojos. While he enjoyed a sensational goalscoring return last season (24 league goals), he has failed to replicate that form with just four to his name this time around.
Real Madrid lost one shot-hungry striker at the start of the season… perhaps it’s time they recalled the 24-year-old?
1. Radamel Falcao (Monaco)
Chances created: 4
Shots: 34
Chances created per shot: 0.11
And so there we have it, using the metric of chances created per shot, Falcao is by our definition the most selfish striker in Europe right now.
Alongside Ibisevic, the pair have created the least number of chances across the continent. But, having said that, the Colombia international will be remembered as one of the greatest goalscorers of his generation, despite what Chelsea and Man Utd fans might think.
The post Who is the most ‘selfish’ striker in Europe right now? appeared first on Squawka News.
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