As with everything else in football, the art of clinical finishing is divisive.
In theory, a player who finishes more chances than expected from him is a useful player to have. In reality, there is always at least one cry of “unsustainable!” whenever a player gets excited for outperforming their xG.
This season, there seems to be a distinct lack of goals from forwards across Europe. Back then, there were always a number of traditional No9s racking up the goals and golden boots; Robin van Persie, Luis Suarez and Sergio Aguero were all in the same league at one glorious time.
We’ve already seen Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Harry Kane underachieve poorly when it comes to their finishing, but at the other end of the spectrum there are a number of players who crush goals beyond that. that claimed xG was par for the course.
Of course, there are a number of factors that could explain xG’s outperformance beyond being ridiculously clinical, but nonetheless Europe’s top 10 players for goals – expected goals are having good seasons.
It remains to be seen whether they will be able to keep it for a long period of time…
10. Wissam Ben Yedder
A striker who has arguably never received the praise he deserved in recent years, Ben Yedder is enjoying a quietly brilliant season at AS Monaco, with 15 goals in 10.3 xG.
The 31-year-old France international is enjoying life in his home country after a successful few years at Sevilla and hopes to keep his place in the national team when the World Cup comes around later this year.
9. Hwang Ui-jo
Another Ligue 1 entry in the top 10, the Bordeaux striker has 10 goals to his name out of only 5.2xG, a difference of 4.8.
The 29-year-old South Korea international has now reached double the number of goals in consecutive seasons and will be hoping to maintain his current form for the rest of the season as Bordeaux aim to escape the relegation battle in which they find themselves. find themselves involved.
8. Fabien Ruiz
The Napoli midfielder has been sensational all season and somehow makes it onto this list despite not being a natural goalscorer at all.
A deep central midfielder, his left-footed magic wand has seen him score six times from just 1.1 xG this season, and the 25-year-old has been linked with a move to the Premier League this summer.
The Spain international has been vital for Napoli in their title chase and has stepped up in the biggest games to come.
Whoever gets his signature will get a baller.
Oh wow, what a beauty of Fabian Ruiz 🤩😯
Naples regains the lead in the 94th minute and becomes the new leader of Serie A! pic.twitter.com/lkAimfk6rY
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 27, 2022
7. Erling Haaland
The only surprise Haaland made on this list is that he doesn’t go higher than seventh place.
The factory-built Norwegian striker has netted a remarkable 16 goals in 11.1 xG for Borussia Dortmund this season, and the 21-year-old is already one of the best players in the world.
All of Europe’s top clubs will be after Haaland this summer, and Real Madrid would win the race.
Any club that signs him would greatly increase their chances of Champions League glory. Having a striker who can score literally out of thin air is a deadly weapon to have, and Haaland is one of the best at it.
Even the best defenders have no answer to his left ankle.
Strike…
The scenes…
The sound!Enjoy Erling Haaland’s spectacular winning goal against PSG from all angles 😍 pic.twitter.com/4OhGho3TaM
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 19, 2020
6. Emile Smith Rowe
The Arsenal starlet has reached a different level this season, following his explosive emergence in December 2020.
Playing on the left wing or in the centre, the 21-year-old has nine goals to his name from 3.8 xG, and his finishing ability has amazed everyone.
Manager Mikel Arteta was so stunned that he even admitted Smith-Rowe might be able to play as a striker.
“He can play as a left winger, he can play as a left attacking midfielder, a right attacking midfielder and he can play as a nine – very, very well I think,” Arteta said before the match. Arsenal victory over Wolves in February 2022.
READ: Emile Smith Rowe’s 21-22 stat comparison with other England forwards
5. Angel Correa
Angel Correa plays for the Spanish champions, in a team with Luis Suarez, Antoine Griezmann and Joao Felix.
Still, he has been the club’s most impressive striker this season, with 11 goals in just 5.5 xG, but his team fell into a slump after winning La Liga in spectacular fashion last year.
The Argentina international is capable of the extraordinary, and although he plays in a system that is not designed for short, technical strikers, he thrives under Diego Simeone.
4. Moussa Diaby
A speedy winger, Diaby had been touted as one of the hottest prospects and has now found the end product that matches his skill set.
With 12 goals in just 6.4 xG, the 22-year-old is on an upward trajectory for Bayer Leverkusen and looks destined for the top.
Arriving in Leverkusen from PSG in 2019, Diaby received his first call up to the senior France squad for the first time in 2021 and is popular among FIFA players for his extraordinary speed.
3. Patrick Schick
The second Leverkusen player on this list, Patrick Schick has finally found a place to settle down and is thriving.
A failed spell at Roma left Schick in the desert, but a revival at RB Leipzig and now Leverkusen has made the 26-year-old a summer transfer target.
Scoring 20 goals from 14.1 xG, anyone watching EURO 2020 shouldn’t be surprised that Schick can complete low probability chances.
Scotland found out the hard way…
On Patrik Schick’s birthday, enjoy his spectacular Euro 2020 halfway goal and David Marshall flying headfirst into the net
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) January 24, 2022
2. Enes Unal
The Turkish striker, who signed for Manchester City as a wonderkid but never played, has failed to settle down and find a club to call home.
A failed spell at Villarreal, which saw him go on loan on several occasions, did nothing for his confidence, but he was reborn under Quique Sanchez Flores at Getafe.
Seemingly relegation-bound Getafe find themselves 15th, and they have the 24-year-old to thank, as his 13 7.0 xG goals put him second in Europe for clinical finishing.
If he continues his current scoring rate, he could eventually realize the potential he claimed he had as a teenager.
1.Giovanni Simeone
Ironic that Europe’s ‘best’ finisher is the son of a manager who is sometimes allergic to attacking football, but Giovanni Simeone has been sensational for Hellas Verona in Serie A.
With 15 goals from just 7.1xG, a difference of 7.9 is clearly superior to second-placed Unal, and the 26-year-old leads the continent as someone who can finish superbly and can do so no matter what. either the opposition.
Who knows, his dad might try to sign him in the future…
A miracle by Giovanni Simeone! 💥🚀
The striker now has 6️⃣ goals in his last two games!
Verona beat struggling Juventus 2-0 😬 pic.twitter.com/YZd3E0uxFV
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 30, 2021
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