“He only scores tap-ins”
Ok, did you see that wonderful volley he scored against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday?
Guy, Haaland can score any sort of goal, he is so complete for a striker that is just 22 years of age. He is a nightmare for opposition defenders and a dream striker for any coach.
Haaland has scored 13 goals in 8 appearances for Manchester City which is the most scored by any player in the top 5 leagues in Europe this season. Does that make him the most clinical striker in Europe?
The best way to judge the beauty of a lady is by looking at how gorgeous or ugly her face is which also makes it logical that you judge how good a striker is by looking at his shooting.
Therefore, I will be doing a comparison of how effective Haaland’s shooting is with Karim Benzema and Robert Lewandowski who have been the best strikers in Europe in the last two seasons using stats available on Fbref.com, one of the leading statistical websites.
This season, Haaland has recorded 25 shots in the Premier League of which 56% have been on target, Lewandowski has recorded 19 shots with 63% being on target and Karim Benzema has attempted 23 shots with 39% being on target. Now, let’s make it interesting, you may have to bring out your calculator(lol).
According to my source, 0.64 of Haaland’s shots on target have resulted in goals which are more than Lewandowski’s (0.50) and Benzema’s (0.22). It is also interesting to note that 0.36 of Haaland’s shots have resulted in goals which are more than Lewandowski’s (0.32) and Karim Benzema’s(0.09).
If you consider this season’s stats too small to adjudge Haaland as the most effective of this trio, let’s take a look at their shooting stats from last season.
In 24 Bundesliga games for Borussia Dortmund, 0.22 of Haaland’s shots got into the back of the net which is more than Lewandowski’s (0.19) and Benzema’s (0.17). You don gree or make I continue?
While it is easy to say that Benzema and Lewandowski attempt more shots than Haaland, Fbref’s analytics have thrown this argument into the pacific ocean by looking at how dangerous your shots are irrespective of the number of shots.
You see, you only score when you shoot which makes it sensible to know how clinical a striker is by looking at how dangerous his shots are. While some of the goals might be down to poor goalkeeping or luck, statistics from the last two seasons are too evident for you to ignore that Erling Braut Haaland is the Jumong, Jack Bauer, and John Wick of the leading strikers in Europe.
Finally, while I admit that Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema are more rounded than Erling Braut Haaland when you consider how well they are involved in the build-up and other metrics, Haaland is more dangerous in front of goal than the two old men. He is the King of goal scorers in Europe.
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