The final international break of 2023 is upon us before it’s full steam ahead with a packed Premier League schedule.
Astonishingly this is the third time domestic and European games have been halted for Euro 2024 and World Cup qualifiers, but there’s absolutely not too much football being played around the world – just ask FIFA if you’re not sure on that one.
What the enforced hiatus from the Premier League does allow for is reflection. Almost three months into the new season, summer signings have now settled and we have a fair idea of who’s going to be in the title picture, who’s going to be contending for Europe and who’s in the mixer for a drop down to the Championship.
It’s also a great time to have a look at which players are really stealing the show, drilling down into the analytical detail offered up by the modern game.
Here, 90min looks at the ten players getting into the best goalscoring positions, their current xG, and, more importantly, whether or not they are outperforming the modern day metric.
Expected goals (xG): 4.9
Goals: 8
Difference: +3.1
West Ham’s season got off to an exceptionally bright start, taking ten points from a possible 12, but things slowed down for David Moyes and his merry band of Conference League winners after that.
They sit ninth in the table at the time of writing – pretty decent all things considered – but wouldn’t be where they are without the goals of Jarrod Bowen.
He’s already bagged eight for the season, including in six consecutive away games, and has outstanding xG of +3.1 – evidence of how clinical he’s been in front of goal.
Expected goals (xG): 5
Goals scored: 4
Difference: -1.0
The first thing Darwin Nunez needs to nail down at Liverpool is a regular starting spot in Jurgen Klopp’s front three.
In and out of the side, the Uruguayan looks capable of absolutely everything but is yet to really light the blue touch paper. His goal return of four is slightly under the xG radar – something to work on prior to a hectic run of fixtures in the lead up to Christmas.
Expected goals (xG): 5.4
Goals scored: 6
Difference: +0.6
The fact that Dominic Solanke, in a Bournemouth team that has struggled to generate momentum under new boss Andoni Iraola, has already matched his Premier League goal tally for 2022/23 tells you things are finally moving in the right direction.
The 26-year-old was capped by England in 2017 but hasn’t been seen on the international stage since. If Solanke keeps outperforming the xG, he’ll at least register in Gareth Southgate’s thoughts once more.
Expected goals (xG): 5.4
Goals scored: 6
Difference: +0.6
Newcastle‘s season hasn’t derailed yet, but a number of injuries to key players really has damaged the momentum of Eddie Howe’s side.
One player he’s been without lately is sharpshooting Alexander Isak, who has again outperformed his xG for the season by registering six goals. If the Swede can get fit again fast, the Magpies could be on to great things again this season.
Expected goals (xG): 6.0
Goals scored: 7
Difference: +1.0
If Isak doesn’t get you, chances are Callum Wilson will do the damage for the Toon Army instead. He’s up to seven goals for the campaign, outperforming his Swedish teammate, but has also ended up on the treatment table with a hamstring injury.
Chances are Newcastle will be without him for at least six weeks – a huge blow to the club’s European ambitions as well as their domestic ones.
Expected goals (xG): 7.1
Goals scored: 6
Difference: -1.1
England have relied on the goalscoring of Harry Kane for so long, making Ollie Watkins’ breakthrough all the more glorious.
The 27-year-old has netted six goals for Villa to back up his career-best haul of 15 Premier League goals in 2022/23, though the statistics show that things could have been even better for him at this point.
Nonetheless, Watkins has been vital for Unai Emery to help Villa win an astonishing 13 Premier League home games in a row.
Expected goals (xG): 7.2
Goals scored: 6
Difference: -1.2
With Ivan Toney suspended from playing until January, Brentford have had to find an alternative goal supply in 2023/24.
Enter, Bryan Mbeumo, who is just three goals away from the number of goals he scored during the entirety of last season. The Cameroonian has chipped in with assists too, making up for the odd time that he has missed a chance of his own.
Expected goals (xG): 7.8
Goals scored: 6
Difference: -1.8
Chelsea‘s lavish summer of spending focused primarily on fixing the club’s fragile midfield, but a decent whack was forked out on Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal.
Truth be told, the Senegalese international wasn’t intended to be a regular starter so early into his Blues career, but a devastating injury blow to Christopher Nkunku has seen the 22-year-old take up the mantle up front.
Jackson has copped some flak for missing chances – his xG suggests he’s not the most prolific finisher – but a hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur and vital goal against Manchester City will do wonders for his confidence.
Expected goals (xG): 9.1
Goals scored: 10
Difference: +0.9
If you believe everything you’ve read and heard, chances are you’ve clocked on to Liverpool being completely and utterly finished under Jurgen Klopp.
Except that doesn’t appear to be the case whatsoever, with the Reds asserting themselves as potential title challengers with a really strong start to the 2023/24 season.
Their new midfield is clicking nicely and Mohamed Salah, on ten Premier League goals, is showing no signs of slowing down. He’s even outperforming his xG, because of course he is.
Expected goals (xG): 12.7
Goals scored: 13
Difference: +0.3
Absolutely nobody is surprised at Erling Haaland topping the Premier League goalscoring charts and Manchester City topping the Premier League table.
But you may not know is that the Norwegian isn’t really out performing the metrics, with his xG tally really not far away from the 13 goals he’s actually bagged. That does mean Haaland is getting into all the right positions, but he’s not doing anything extraordinary.
READ THE LATEST PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS, RUMOURS & GOSSIP
Read More: World News | Entertainment News | Celeb News
90Mins
