Let's take a detailed, comprehensive look at under-24 strikers from the top 5 leagues. This study considers both conventional centre forwards as well as players who switch between the wings and the central "9" role.
Data thanks to the brilliant @fbref as always! (THREAD)
Data thanks to the brilliant @fbref as always! (THREAD)
A more unconventional way to gain advantage is by winning set-pieces by getting fouled and by recovering loose balls. In this aspect, the likes of Lautaro, Richarlison and Thuram are fantastic as they do both to a very high level thanks to their quick feet.
On the back of this analysis, let's take a took at certain individual profiles that are very interesting, starting with Gabriel Jesus.
GABRIEL JESUS
Besides getting into high quality positions, Jesus has also shown the ability to get shots away quickly and contribute enormously to his team's general play. He is without a doubt one of the five best U-24 forwards right now. #MCFC
Besides getting into high quality positions, Jesus has also shown the ability to get shots away quickly and contribute enormously to his team's general play. He is without a doubt one of the five best U-24 forwards right now. #MCFC
ERLING HAALAND
E for Erling, E for Efficiency. Haaland is averaging a mind-boggling 1.8 non penalty goals+assists right now, sweeping away the Bundesliga. His 1.94m frame is accompanied by a speed, elite movement and a desire to press, meaning he is a defender's nightmare! #BVB
E for Erling, E for Efficiency. Haaland is averaging a mind-boggling 1.8 non penalty goals+assists right now, sweeping away the Bundesliga. His 1.94m frame is accompanied by a speed, elite movement and a desire to press, meaning he is a defender's nightmare! #BVB
TAMMY ABRAHAM
Give the ball to Tammy and he'll score. Tammy is a buzzing presence inside the box and gets away a lot of high quality chances. His 1.91m frame makes a potent threat in the air too. #CFC
Give the ball to Tammy and he'll score. Tammy is a buzzing presence inside the box and gets away a lot of high quality chances. His 1.91m frame makes a potent threat in the air too. #CFC
TIMO WERNER
Werner has elevated himself world class status in the past 12 months at Leipzig. His exceptional movement results in him getting on the end of plenty of chances. Furthermore, his decision making also enables him to create buckets of chances. #RBL
Werner has elevated himself world class status in the past 12 months at Leipzig. His exceptional movement results in him getting on the end of plenty of chances. Furthermore, his decision making also enables him to create buckets of chances. #RBL
LAUTARO MARTINEZ
Lautaro is the definition of never-ending energy and motion. His constant pressing does not give defenders a moment's rest and his ability to get plenty of shots away makes him a threat regardless of game state. #Inter
Lautaro is the definition of never-ending energy and motion. His constant pressing does not give defenders a moment's rest and his ability to get plenty of shots away makes him a threat regardless of game state. #Inter
LUKA JOVIC (2018-19)
While Jovic has endured a difficult start at Madrid, it should not take away the fact he remains an exceptional young striker. His ability to associate himself in open play while also getting on the end of chances is very rare and valuable. #RMFC
While Jovic has endured a difficult start at Madrid, it should not take away the fact he remains an exceptional young striker. His ability to associate himself in open play while also getting on the end of chances is very rare and valuable. #RMFC
JOAQUIN CORREA
Moving on to wide forwards, Joaquin is a very underrated player who has a highly unique skillset. He is 1.88m tall yet has superb ability to run with the ball. His versatility is also highly commendable as he can fill in basically anywhere across the attack.
Moving on to wide forwards, Joaquin is a very underrated player who has a highly unique skillset. He is 1.88m tall yet has superb ability to run with the ball. His versatility is also highly commendable as he can fill in basically anywhere across the attack.
MARCUS THURAM
Thuram has taken the Bundesliga by storm this season, making complete use of Monchengladbach's attacking set-up to rack up exceptional numbers. Like Correa, his height combined with his dribbling ability is a scary proposition for defences.
Thuram has taken the Bundesliga by storm this season, making complete use of Monchengladbach's attacking set-up to rack up exceptional numbers. Like Correa, his height combined with his dribbling ability is a scary proposition for defences.
RICHARLISON
Richarlison is consistently good across the board, a testament to his versatility and a varied skillset. His productivity, tendency to get on the ball and willingness to press makes him a highly valuable young player. #EFC
Richarlison is consistently good across the board, a testament to his versatility and a varied skillset. His productivity, tendency to get on the ball and willingness to press makes him a highly valuable young player. #EFC
MARCUS RASHFORD AND ANTHONY MARTIAL
United's dynamic duo are both highly productive players who offer plenty in open play. Their technical ability allows them to receive the ball well in dangerous positions and hurt opponents. #MUFC
United's dynamic duo are both highly productive players who offer plenty in open play. Their technical ability allows them to receive the ball well in dangerous positions and hurt opponents. #MUFC
Thank you for the reading the thread till this point! RTs and follows are much appreciated to spread the word.
Is there any other under-24 striker you'd like to see visualized like this?
As requested by @LDNFootbalI, here is a side-by-side comparison of Tammy Abraham and Lautaro Martinez in 2019-20. Both are fantastic young forwards in very different ways.
BONUS: KYLIAN MBAPPE
Mbappe was not included in the original study simply because of how good he is. But what happens if we include him? How does compare to others? Here's your answer. He's already one of the five best players on the planet.
Mbappe was not included in the original study simply because of how good he is. But what happens if we include him? How does compare to others? Here's your answer. He's already one of the five best players on the planet.
CONCLUSION
To conclude the thread, I tried different visualizing techniques to compare strikers. Which one looks better? Feedback and RTs would be greatly appreciated!
To conclude the thread, I tried different visualizing techniques to compare strikers. Which one looks better? Feedback and RTs would be greatly appreciated!
I've received requests to recommend #footballindex buys based on this data. The following would be my safest underrated buys for the #ficommunity 🚀
1. Marcus Thuram
2. Dominic Calvert-Lewin
3. Victor Osimhen
4. Richarlison
5. Milot Rashica
6. Luka Jovic
7. Joaquin Correa
1. Marcus Thuram
2. Dominic Calvert-Lewin
3. Victor Osimhen
4. Richarlison
5. Milot Rashica
6. Luka Jovic
7. Joaquin Correa
Any Liverpool interest in Joaquin Correa would not come as any surprise. They have long been a data driven club and data suggests that Correa is an outstanding player. #LFC
