Constraints: Under 27 (enabling 3+ years of playing + potential re-selling), under £25m (Daniel Levy) & minimum of 900 minutes in his last season.
Two options:
1. A well-built strong forward to lead the line alone
2. An agile forward to press & play multiple roles as required.
Two options:
1. A well-built strong forward to lead the line alone
2. An agile forward to press & play multiple roles as required.
Playstyle: I looked for strikers who brought a capable mix of pitching in with goals both when starting & off the bench and ability to feed others to score goals. This is important given Spurs' recent playstyle and reliance on wingers to score (Son, Lucas, Bergwijn).
Key stats to look at:
Attacking prowess -> Shots & non-pen xG -> These reflect ability to get into good goal-scoring positions & ability to get shots off, which is key given limited gametime
Attacking prowess -> Shots & non-pen xG -> These reflect ability to get into good goal-scoring positions & ability to get shots off, which is key given limited gametime
Creativity -> Throughballs & Shot Creating Actions -> TB important to feed wingers who are overlapping into space. Shot creating actions shows ability of striker to make good passes that can lead to shots/goals.
1: Gonçalo Paciência - Eintracht Frankfurt
Just turned 26, he has done well: 24 apps (15 starts), 7 goals + 4 assists.
Radar shows he is very well-rounded, and has above league average in all stats bar turnovers. Capable of scoring as well as assisting & works hard in defense.
Just turned 26, he has done well: 24 apps (15 starts), 7 goals + 4 assists.
Radar shows he is very well-rounded, and has above league average in all stats bar turnovers. Capable of scoring as well as assisting & works hard in defense.
Comparison radar with Kane highlights how Paciencia is able to fulfill role well. Only points of improvement is holding onto the ball better.
2: Christoph Baumgartner - Hoffenheim
26 apps (17 starts), 7G + 4A. Played most of the games as an AM but has shown potential as a ST.
Much more agile than Paciencia, works harder off the ball but does not create as much, a more well-rounded forward player.
26 apps (17 starts), 7G + 4A. Played most of the games as an AM but has shown potential as a ST.
Much more agile than Paciencia, works harder off the ball but does not create as much, a more well-rounded forward player.
Compared to Kane, Baumgartner performs well across the board, particularly defensively. Superior at creating chances but loses the ball more often (still above league AVG)
Finally, I compared the three strikers with the rest of the attackers in Europe's Big 5 Leagues.
Paci & Baum perform very well in the attacking department and are decent creatively, highlighting their mixed playstyle.
Kane lags behind on most stats, bar through balls.
Paci & Baum perform very well in the attacking department and are decent creatively, highlighting their mixed playstyle.
Kane lags behind on most stats, bar through balls.
Conclusion:
Both can perform their duty well as a deputy to Harry Kane.
Imo, Paciencia's body & play style are more similar to Kane giving him the edge to lead the line. However, if Spurs prefer a more agile forward capable of playing multiple roles, Baumgartner is the man.
Both can perform their duty well as a deputy to Harry Kane.
Imo, Paciencia's body & play style are more similar to Kane giving him the edge to lead the line. However, if Spurs prefer a more agile forward capable of playing multiple roles, Baumgartner is the man.
Thanks to:
@fbref & @StatsBomb for the data
@StatsBomb & @slothfulwave612 for the radars
@petermckeever for the design inspiration with the swarm charts
Retweets & Feedback appreciated.
@fbref & @StatsBomb for the data
@StatsBomb & @slothfulwave612 for the radars
@petermckeever for the design inspiration with the swarm charts
Retweets & Feedback appreciated.
