The Premier League is nearing its conclusion, and the race for the Golden Boot is tighter than ever after another weekend of goals from the leading scorers. But who has been the most effective in the final third this season according to the statistics? Who has contributed the most to his side regarding scoring and creating chances? Here are top five goal scorers analyzed for the current Premier League edition.
Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) – 37 games, 25 goals
Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane has scored 25 goals in 37 Premier League games this season. The Londoners didn’t recruit another striker this summer despite having parted company with Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado, and the outstanding all-round game of Kane is exactly why.
The 22-year-old’s hold-up play is largely unparalleled in the Premier League. Having won more than a third of his aerial duels, the striker poses a creative threat as well as a scoring one, making 43 chances in the league this season. Only 30% of the striker’s shots went off-target which showcases how ruthless he’s been in 2015/16. His work rate has also won heaps of praises.
Kane has made 50 tackles and interceptions in addition to the 29 clearances to protect the defense. On the ball is where Kane shines, however, the Englishman has enjoyed a 50% dribble success rate while he drew more than 50 fouls as well. Kane’s game is physical as technical, and he has shown real athleticism this season thanks to their intensive training under Pochettino.
Jamie Vardy (Leicester City) – 35 games, 24 goals
Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy is another Englishman enjoying a prolific campaign in the Premier League – scoring 24 goals in 35 games – but his strengths are on the opposite side of the spectrum when compared with that of Kane’s. Vardy utilises his pace to sneak through the offside trap and create an opening.
The 29-year-old is a team player too. He has created 48 chances (six assists), but it’s his pressing of the opposition that earns him plaudits. Vardy has made over 50 tackles and interceptions, and most of his game revolves around running without the ball – evident from the 17 passes-per-game he’s averaging.
Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) – 29 games, 24 goals
Arguably the best player in the Premier League, Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero boasts the most individual talent and has been typically prolific this season. The 27-year-old is more of a technical player who likes to isolate defenders, rather than be breaking the offside trap on a regular basis.
Aguero’s movement is outstanding, but this season he’s been forced to be more single-minded due to a lack of goals coming from the forwards. This is evident from the two assists made, compared to his 122 attempted dribbles and 114 shots. However, Aguero has still delivered being less of a team player at times, bagging 24 goals in 29 games and boasting a goal every 95 minutes.
Romelu Lukaku (Everton) – 35 games, 18 goals
Everton striker Romelu Lukaku perhaps has the least of feathers in his cap regarding his attributes, but he’s nevertheless a fantastic striker. The Belgian has scored 18 goals and has made six assists in 35 games, but he’s not without his flaws.
Lukaku’s decision-making at times is questionable, evident from him being dispossessed more than 80 times in addition to more than 70 unsuccessful touches. 24% of his shots are coming from outside the box, of which only one has rippled the back of the net.
However, his physicality and powerful running make him a tricky player to contain. Lukaku has still won more than a third of his aerial duels, and has created 49 chances due to his impressive hold-up play, so he’s a useful cog in the Everton engine.
Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City) – 36 games, 17 goals
The 25-year-old has made over 120 successful dribbles and more than 60 chances. Aside from a quiet period between mid-December and mid-January, Mahrez hasn’t gone more than three games without scoring or making assists in the Premier League. He’s contributed 42% of Leicester’s goals this season too.
