But currently the best Striker (goals to shots ratio) in the league with 12 goals from 55 attempts! Pretty damn good return from the little fella that one: http://www.teamtalk.com/news/premier-leagues-top-five-sharp-shooters? With the international break coming to a close and the final stretch of the Premier League race in sight, WhoScored.com have eyed up the sharp shooters in England’s top tier this term of those to have scored more than five league goals so far. 5. Diego Costa (Chelsea) – 18.3% The Spain international may have struggled to replicate his debut season form while Jose Mourinho was at the helm, but looks back to his best with Guus Hiddink back in charge. Six of his 11 goals have come this calendar year and while Chelsea won’t be securing domestic or continental glory this season following their Champions League exit at the hands of PSG, Costa is beginning to play himself back into supporters’ good books. Requiring just 60 shots to net his 11 goals this season, in the process returning a conversion rate of 18.3%, Costa’s goalscoring form has fans hoping Chelsea can end a thoroughly underwhelming season on a high note. While reports suggest Costa will depart Stamford Bridge this summer, his recent goalscoring exploits suggests he would leave the club on good terms. 4. Georginio Wijnaldum (Newcastle) – 19.6% Newcastle’s hopes of survival came close to fading completely in the Tyne-Wear derby, but the Magpies were handed a fighting chance courtesy of an Aleksandar Mitrovic equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Sunderland. Indeed, Newcastle will need to stave off relegation if they are to retain the services of another of their big money summer arrivals. Georginio Wijnaldum has quickly become one of the club’s most important players, with the Dutchman netting more goals (9) than any other teammate. Wijnaldum has capitalised on any opportunities thrown his way, with his nine goals coming from 46 shots, returning a conversion rate of 19.6%. Interestingly, all nine of his goals have come at St. James’ Park and while he has a tendency to go missing away from home, Wijnaldum has been a success during his short time in the North East. Should the Magpies drop into the Championship once more, there won’t be a shortage of suitors for the Netherlands international. 3. Jamie Vardy (Leicester) – 19.6% One of the Premier League’s fairytale stories this season, it’s well documented that four years ago, Jamie Vardy was plying his trade for lowly Fleetwood Town. Now having scored 19 goals this season – only Harry Kane (21) has more – Vardy has led the Leicester attack excellently as the they continue their quest to secure domestic glory. Vardy has required 97 shots, the third most in England’s top tier this term, to reach his 19 league goals this season, returning a highly commendable conversion rate of 19.6%. As we near the campaign’s end, Vardy will be vital for the high flying Foxes as they look to secure their first Premier League title, though his outings for club and country suggests he can handle the pressure to fire Leicester to glory. 2. Riyad Mahrez (Leicester) – 20.5% The Premier League’s top rated player with a WhoScored.com rating of 7.85, Riyad Mahrez comes in at second on this list having required just 78 shots to net his 16 goals this season, returning an impressive conversion rate of 20.5%. The Algerian is expected to land the Premier League Player of the Season award, with his efficiency in front of goal aiding his cause this term. Leicester City currently top the Premier League table coming into the business end of the campaign, with Mahrez playing a starring role. His quality in front of goal has helped win him countless admirers and if the Foxes do wind up as surprise title winners, the 25-year-old’s goalscoring displays will have played a vital role in their success. 1. Jermain Defoe (Sunderland) – 21.9% Sunderland face an uphill battle to beat the drop this season, with the Black Cats currently two points from safety. Sam Allardyce will look to his strikers to net the required goals in order to avoid relegation, but it’s fair to say main man Jermain Defoe is abiding to his manager’s demands in front of goal. Defoe is by far and away Sunderland’s top scorer this season with 12 goals; former frontman and Marseille star Steven Fletcher (4 goals) comes up second for Allardyce’s side. For a team that averages just 11.1 shots per league game – one of the lowest returns in the Premier League – Sunderland required a hitman capable of consistently hitting the back of the net. Yet, despite so few chances being presented to him, Defoe makes full use of the opportunities he gets, netting his 12 goals from just 55 shots, returning a conversion rate of 21.9%. The 33-year-old will no doubt need to continue his good form in front of goal in order to ease Sunderland’s fears of relegation. -------------------------------------------------- Funny that they're talking about everyone but him for a striking role at the euro's - if you need someone to come off the bench and score - there's no-one better in this league!
Not sure I would want his mind turned anyway...He is getting on a bit and an England spot might have saw him unconsciously saving his legs and trying to avoid injury..
Rather have him there than Walcott 100% Having said that he really doesn't offer anything that Vardy/Sturridge/Kane can't bring between them, so I'd be more inclined to take a Crouch/Carroll type as the 4th (assuming Rooney gets injured again or something) striker who could give us the long ball option if we need it.
I disagree mate. I reckon if there was even a sniff of a chance of him being selected, he'd play his heart out to try and get a start.
that would be my opinion. he hasn't developed into a proper footballer at all. he's gash in relative terms
Hypothetically Defoe gets picked in the squad: People really expect Defoe to half arse the rest of the season? If he did he'd watch from the stands. Not much reward for 'saving himself'. He'd play his heart out and attempt to give himself a chance of playing games there. No point in going if you're not going to play.
True enough but he needs less chances to score than anyone you've mentioned (including Rooney!12 goals from 55 attempts is a damn good return in a team playing rubbish - that return playing for a top side who regularly give him the ball and he'd have 30+ this season! (hypothetically) If the ball falls to someone 15 yards out (on either foot) and I'd back defoe to hit the target - Sturridge is more left footed than a man with only a left leg! Right leg is for standing on and he spends more time looking and whinging at the ref with those spooky eyes! (Don;t like Sturridge!) To be honest - I don;t really give a **** about England anyhow so no idea why I created this thread!!
This is why stats are dangerous to big players up. Comparing him to Rooney is pointless, you're talking about a number 9 and a number 10 compare their chances created, key passes... Rooney will piss all over him. That's what a number 10 will give you, why take another 9? He's not better than Vardy or Kane and Sturridge will go either way as he's a Woy's Boy. Rooney's got a very good record at the Euro's for goals by the way, 5 in 6 I believe. He's going if he's fit, and he's starting, because if you can take anything from them two friendlies, it's that Lallana is ****ing ****.
(I like Rooney by the way - just used him as a point of reference!) To be honest, If it was between Defoe or Sturridge on the penalty spot with the ball dropping I'd back defoe (I'd also prefer it to be Rooney BTW!) that's more the point I'm trying to make
Let's be honest mate, we don't expect Woy to be picking his team on merit, he'll have his favourites, from Merseyside... if Sterling (ex-Merseyside) is fit he'll start, despite the fact that he's nowhere near the levels of Vardy or Welbeck for England.
Yeah too true! Although let's be honest - can you remember the last tournament where an England manager picked a side based on merit?
There's no way Defoe should go to the Euro's. He's nowhere near as good as Sturridge or Vardy, and how many of one type of striker do we really need?? Both of those are probably going to be on the bench already. That said I'd take him over Welbeck who will almost certainly start... Defoe ****ed his career by going to Canada to be a greedy prick. May well have been a shoe in if he'd stayed in the Premier League.
What exactly are you basing that on? The fact that he plays for Sunderland? 12 goals in a ****e side versus 20 odd in a very good side. I'd rather have Defoe coming on with us needing a goal than Sturridge any day - sturridge's finishing leaves a lot to be desired - particularly with his "wrong" foot - which is why most defenders know to push him on his right - Defoe can and has scored with both. Defoe needs less shots to score which, statistically, makes him better than those mentioned
Vardy started this season in a ****e side mate, it's only him being so good alongside a couple of other players who've turned out to be great, that's propelled Leicester into a title competing side. In terms of form and consistency, Defoe is nowhere near Vardy and Kane, who are his direct competition for the number 9 spot. **** Sturridge, he's gonna get the nod because he's a Woy's boy, like Henderson, like Sterling, like Jagi-****ing-elka, he doesn't bring anything other than silky flicks that never come off, he's an ego who happens to know where the net is, he'll be 4th choice.
