This season’s race for the Golden Boot is getting tastier with every passing week. Sporting Lisbon’s Bas Dost is an unlikely name thrown into the hat this season with a dream scoring run in the Liga Portuguesa. And then there are the usual suspects in Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski and Luis Suarez.
But scoring goals across a whole season is one thing, scoring a lot of it in a regulated amount of time is another. There are a few strikers/attackers in Europe who might not have necessarily scored the highest number of goals in their league but have found the back of the net almost every time they take to the field.
They’re either fringe players, young players, or truly superb players and they’re being recognised as the most productive strikers in all of Europe. So, here’s looking at the top five most decisive strikers in Europe counting both their assists and goals and leaving out the penalties they put away:
#5 Edin Dzeko – 82 minutes per goal/assist
Former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko is having quite the season with AS Roma this time around. Having never been given the chance to shine constantly with the Serie A giants, the Bosnian is now showing the world just how good a striker he is.
With 35 goals (1 penalty) and 10 assists in all competitions this season, Edin Dzeko is the fifth most productive striker in all of Europe’s top leagues. Having played 3617 minutes this season, Dzeko has helped get the ball to the back of the net – both directly and indirectly – once every 82.204 minutes.
Dzeko has come off the bench eight times this season and has made a total of 46 appearances, but with the kind of support he has at AS Roma, has been able to seamlessly waltz into the game in peak form.
#4 Luis Suarez – 73.980 minutes per goal/assist
Arguably one of the finest strikers the game has ever seen, Luis Suarez is on this list despite the mammoth amount of minutes he gets under Luis Enrique at Barcelona. The Uruguayan has been in scintillating form this season and the stats show once again why he was worth all the money the club paid to secure his services.
Suarez has scored 32 goals (0 penalties) and has provided 19 assists in all competitions this season. With 45 appearances, included one substitute appearance, the former Liverpool forward has played 3773 minutes for the Catalan club.
All those numbers added, you’ll find that Suarez averages a goal or an assist very 73.980 minutes – the fourth highest of any forward in any of Europe’s top leagues.
#3 Dries Mertens – 73.297 minutes per goal/assist
The second Serie A forward on this list is Napoli’s Dries Mertens. The Belgian has been in fine form this season for the Naples club and is justifying the many links that see him potentially joining Manchester United or Arsenal in the summer.
In the 40 appearances he’s made for Napoli, Mertens has made 12 substitute appearances and that number is probably what puts him on this list as one of the more productive ones. Although, we aren’t taking anything away from the 27 goals (two penalties) and the 12 assists he’s had a part in this season.
In total, the 29-year-old has played 2712 minutes for the club meaning he’s able to produce a goal or an assist every 73.297 minutes and is the third most productive striker in all of Europe.
#2 Lionel Messi – 68.345 minutes per goal/assist
Barcelona’s talisman and the leading European golden boot forward, Lionel Messi, is only second on this list. The Argentine has had yet another superb season with the Catalans finding the back of the net a staggering 45 times! (7 penalties)
Add to that the 17 assists he’s had a hand in, and in a total of 44 appearances, with two coming from the bench, and you have a rough idea as to why the diminutive forward is this high up the list – barring his usual field-dominating performances, of course.
Messi has played a total of 3759 minutes for FC Barcelona this season and averages a goal or an assist every 68.345 minutes making him the second most productive striker in all of Europe.
#1 Kylian Mbappe – 60.468 minutes per goal/assist
AS Monaco’s latest darling and definitely, one of the most sought-after strikers in all of Europe is the 18-year-old sensation, Kylian Mbappe. The French forward has enjoyed a fine first season with the club and is already setting records and milestones for youngsters to follow.
Mbappe has scored 21 goals (0 penalties) in all competitions, has provided 11 assists and has played a total of 35 appearances with 14 of those coming from the bench. His composure in front of goal and his confidence when on the ball means he’s only going to improve with the figures he’s set.
The Frenchman has played a total of 1935 minutes in all competitions which means he’s either found the back of the net or provided an assist every 60.468 minutes making him the most productive striker in all of Europe. Not bad for a teenager in his first full season at the club.
