Best players in the Premier League by xG: Expected Goals Ranking - March 2019

Anthony Martial has regained his form under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Anthony Martial has regained his form under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

With the Premier League entering the month of March, the race for the title is only bound to heat up as the days pass by. While the teams battle it out for the silverware, the players are also locking antlers to emerge as the best amongst the entire lot.

The best players are usually judged on the number of goals they score. However, the xG and xA metrics of performance measurement by Opta intend to change the age-old perception of people about how the number of goals is the sole and only way to pass judgement on players.

On that note, let's have a look at the top ten footballers in the Premier League based on their xG values.


#10 Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton)

Gylfi Sigurdsson commands a lot of respect at Everton
Gylfi Sigurdsson commands a lot of respect at Everton

Gylfi Sigurdsson commands a lot of respect at Goodison Park, simply because he is the most vital cog in the wheel at the club. The Iceland international might be underrated for the fact that he does not play for a giant club, but his numbers are enough to prove that he is on par with more than most of the players at top clubs.

For example, Sigurdsson has netted 11 goals in 28 appearances this term, a sum better than those of Marcus Rashford (9), Anthony Martial (9), Roberto Firmino (9) and Leroy Sane (8).

The 29-year-old has an xG value of 8.69 and exceeds it by 2.31 points, meaning he has scored two more goals than the nine that were expected of him, according to the shots he has taken on goal.

Also, Sigurdsson deserves special praise for making it to this list since he is competing with some top attackers in spite of playing as a midfielder for Everton.

#9 Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)

Borussia Dortmund are ready to break the bank for Wilfried Zaha following his emphatic performances
Borussia Dortmund are ready to break the bank for Wilfried Zaha following his emphatic performances

Wilfried Zaha is seemingly gathering pace in his development since leaving Manchester United and re-joining Crystal Palace.

In terms of how important he is to Roy Hodgson's men, the 26-year-old has scored seven goals in 24 appearances for Crystal Palace this season. The number may be mediocre, but his xG stats state otherwise.

Willfried Zaha has exceeded his xG value of 4.61 by 2.39 points, meaning he has scored 2 more than the 5 goals expected of him.

As of late, Borussia Dortmund are prepared to break the bank to sign the Englishman following his emphatic performances. If he continues to impress, he could well be donning the iconic yellow shirt in the Bundesliga next season.

#8 Ciaran Clark (Newcastle)

Ciaran Clark is the most dangerous defender in the English Premier league at the moment
Ciaran Clark is the most dangerous defender in the English Premier
league
at the moment

Ciaran Clark's inclusion might leave some people lost for words, but his stats justify his claim as one of the top 10 dangerous players in the Premier League right now. Even though he operates as a centre-back, the 29-year-old is a force to be reckoned from corners and set-pieces.

Clark has notched 3 goals in 11 appearances for the Tyneside club. He has an xG value of 0.47 and exceeds it by 2.53 points. His xG stats make him the most dangerous defender in the English Premier League at the moment.

Apart from the important role he plays in the heart of the defence, he is also a fine crosser of the ball and likes to play long balls. Ciaran Clark has also been a menacing presence in the air both during defence and on attacks.

#7 Andre Schurrle (Fulham)

Andre Schurrle won the Carling Goal of the Month award for 2019
Andre Schurrle won the Carling Goal of the Month award for 2019

A majority of the football faithful must have been left dumbfounded when they found out Andre Schurrle had joined Fulham FC. The move appeared to be a backward step for the German World Cup winner, but his numbers clearly show that he still is a world-class attacker.

The 29-year-old has found the net 6 times in 22 games for Fulham this season. He has an xG value of 3.27 and has exceeded it by a margin of 2.73 points. He has scored 3 more goals than his expected tally of goals.

As a fine testament to his attacking abilities, Schurrle also bagged the Carling Goal of the Month in January for his sublime strike against Burnley.

Fulham were promoted to the Premier League after six years away from the top flight this season, however, their hopes for survival look slim. They have a long way to go to get out of the relegation zone and will need the German at his belligerent best to survive in the English top tier for the next campaign.

#6 Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal)

Alexandre Lacazette has finally started showing his mettle for Arsenal
Alexandre Lacazette has finally started showing his mettle for Arsenal

Arsenal are finally reaping the rewards they craved for after roping in Alexandre Lacazette last year from French outfit Lyon FC. The Frenchman has been a vital cog in the wheel in Unai Emery's first season at the club and his habit of scoring match-winners will make sure he remains one of the first names on the Arsenal team sheet.

The Frenchman has netted 12 goals in 27 games for the Gunners this season. With an xG value of 9.0, he has scored three more and exceeded expectations. Interestingly, nine of those 12 have been match-winners, underlining his mammoth importance in the Londoners' setup.

With Manchester United and Everton the only teams likely to prove a challenge for Arsenal in their remaining fixtures, it won't be a surprise to see the 27-year-old improving on his tally and keeping his consistency intact this season.

#5 Pedro (Chelsea)

Pedro holds mammoth importance in spite of being benched for the majority of the game
Pedro holds mammoth importance in spite of being benched for the majority of the season

Pedro has hit the news headlines yet again with an emphatic performance against Tottenham in mid-week - something that is definitely bound to buy Maurizio Sarri some more time at Chelsea. The Spaniard hasn't been a regular starter under the Italian, but he has never disappointed whenever the coach has turned to him for help.

Pedro has netted 8 goals in 22 games for Chelsea this campaign. He has an xG value of 4.94 and exceeds it by 3.06 points, meaning he has scored 5 more goals than what was expected of him.

The 31-year-old has operated on the right flank for the Blues. However, it would be more interesting to see how the Spaniard performs if Sarri affords him more playing minutes than those that he is getting at the moment.

#4 Anthony Martial (Manchester United)

Anthony Martial is back to his usual torpor of scoring goals
Anthony Martial is back to his usual torpor of scoring goals

Frankly speaking, Manchester United's downfall from the top of English football meant the footballing fraternity might also have lost the habit of being used to seeing the club's stars so high up on the list of the best performers. However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is aptly seeing to it that the United players are back to where they belong - at the top with the best of the lot.

Anthony Martial has been one of the players who has drastically improved under the interim boss. Following a lacklustre start to the season amidst his uncertain future at the club, the Frenchman has come a long way since then to stamp his authority and importance at Old Trafford.

Martial has scored 9 goals in 20 league appearances for Manchester United this season. Although the number may be small in contrast to what others have gained, his xG values have been praiseworthy.

The 23-year-old has an xG value of 5.49 which he exceeds by 3.69 points, meaning he has scored three goals more than the six that were expected of him.

#3 Sadio Mane (Liverpool)

Sadio Mane has been one of Liverpool's best players this season
Sadio Mane has been one of Liverpool's best players this season

When it comes to Sadio Mane, it isn't just about scoring or notching up volumes of goals. The Senegalese attacker is well-adept at finding the net in the most unusual circumstances and from tight angles.

The 26-year-old has rattled the net 14 times in 28 league games for the Merseysiders this season. He contributes substantially when it comes to the depth Liverpool have in their goalscoring department, with Mohammed Salah and Roberto Firmino also featuring in their ranks.

Sadio Mane operates on the left and is famous as a speedster and for his partnership with Salah and Firmino. He has an xG value of 10.32 and exceeds it by 3.68 points.

Mane's numbers speak volumes about his importance in Liverpool's setup. Mohammed Salah might take all the credit and fame for his impeccable goalscoring skills, but his Senegalese counterpart has proven to be of equal importance when it comes to accumulating goals.

#2 Felipe Anderson (West Ham United)

Felipe Anderson holds a surprising position high up on this list
Felipe Anderson holds a surprising position high up on this list

Hardly anyone would have expected Filipe Anderson to feature in these rankings, let alone so high up on this list. The West Ham attacker might be relatively unknown to people other than die-hard Premier League fans, but the Brazilian is slowly making a name for himself with his goalscoring abilities.

Operating predominantly on the left flank, the Brazilian is a danger to watch out for when the Hammers initiate counter-attacks. He has scored 8 goals in 28 league appearances for the club, but his xG values tell a different story.

Anderson has an xG value of 4.31, which he comfortably exceeds by 3.69 points. The 25-year-old's impressive performances for West Ham have proven enough for him to earn a call-up for Brazil in the friendlies to be held this month. Anderson has made only one appearance for his country, which came back in June 2015 as a substitute against Mexico in a Copa America warm-up game.

#1 Son Heung Min (Tottenham Hotspur)

Son Heung Min has been in top form for Tottenham in the absence of Harry Kane this season
Son Heung Min has been in top form for Tottenham in the absence of Harry Kane this season

Son Heung Min has forced footballing folks to rethink their respective perceptions about him. Previously underrated in spite of the qualities that he possesses, the South Korean has built a reputation as one of the most feared attackers in the English top-tier this season.

Son has scored 11 goals in 22 games for Tottenham in the Premier League this season. He surpasses his xG value of 6.73 with 4.27 points, which makes him the league's most dangerous player right now.

Son has operated majorly on the left flank under Mauricio Pochettino this season but has also functioned as a central and right attacker in times of need. The 26-year-old is being looked upon to carry the responsibility of scoring goals in the absence of club captain Harry Kane.

All Stats Courtesy: Whoscored.com

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Edited by Liam Hoofe