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Consistency is a trait that is rare in football. In a game where one-season wonders and injury-prone players are prevalent, consistent players are worth their weight in gold. Over the last few years, a few players have built a reputation of being consistent.
Scoring goals every once in a while is not tricky. What makes a striker stand out is regularly hitting the back of the net. Harry Kane, Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski have been some of the most consistent strikers in the last five years.
Sustained consistency is a prerequisite for all-time greatness
Consistency is what separates a good player from a great. The likes of Yaya Toure and Mesut Ozil were terrific in the Premier League. However, their inconsistency meant they were seldom compared with Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.
Some consistent players have experienced a dip in form this season, such as N’Golo Kante, Lionel Messi and Harry Kane. However, a handful of players have lived up to expectations. On that note, here's a look at the five consistent players in the game right now:
#5 Marquinhos
Marquinhos was made the PSG captain after Thiago Silva’s Parc des Princes departure in 2020. Since then, the 27-year-old has gone from strength to strength. The Brazilian’s importance to the Parisians has only increased, which is reflected in his performances.
The PSG defender has played the entire 90 minutes in 18 Ligue 1 and six Champions League games this season. Apart from being the French side’s best defender, Marquinhos has led the team brilliantly at the other end too, scoring three goals.
Marquinhos is one of the world’s best centre-backs, inheriting the mantle from Silva. Thanks to his consistency, he received a place in the FIFA 22 Team of the Year. The PSG man is versatile enough to play at right-back and in defensive midfield.
#4 Casemiro
Casemiro is arguably the most underrated player of the last decade. A pivotal part of Real Madrid’s Champions League-winning teams, Casemiro was often overshadowed by Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. This year, while Kroos and Modric have been inconsistent, the Brazilian has maintained his fine displays.
Real Madrid’s first-choice defensive midfielder since 2015, Casemiro has pocketed many opposition playmakers. The 29-year-old continues to be one of the best holding midfielders in the world. Los Blancos’ €6 million acquisition of him is one of the bargain deals of the last decade.
Casemiro has featured in over 30 games for the La Liga leaders this season. While Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior have received plaudits for their attacking exploits, Casemiro has held the ship at the back. He has also made four assists this campaign.
#3 Erling Haaland
Consistency is a virtue that comes with time. Players aren’t expected to deliver week in week out at a young age. However, Erling Haaland is one who has bucked that trend. At just 21, the Norwegian has already scored 129 goals in club football.
The Borussia Dortmund striker has scored 80 goals in 79 games for Borussia Dortmund. Haaland has 16 strikes in 14 appearances in the ongoing Bundesliga campaign, and has also recorded five assists. Recently, he became the quickest player (in terms of games) to score 20 goals in the UEFA Champions League. His consistency is impressive, considering his age.
Youngsters have been given the long rope in recent years to help them produce a steady output. However, the current crop of players under the age of 23 are changing that perception. Kylian Mbappe and Trent Alexander-Arnold are also quite consistent, but Haaland personifies consistency.
#2 Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah suffered heartbreak in the AFCON 2022 final a few days ago. The Egyptian king was an unused penalty taker in his nation’s penalty shootout loss against Senegal. Instead of sulking in defeat, Salah got back to Anfield as soon as possible.
This mentality has helped earn the Liverpool number 11 numerous accolades over the years. Salah has been remarkably consistent throughout his Anfield career. However, he has reached fifth gear this campaign.
He has scored 16 goals already this season. He is just three strikes away from reaching the 19-goal mark he has hit every season at Liverpool. Moreover, the right winger has also provided nine assists, second only to his teammate Alexander-Arnold in the Premier League.
#1 Robert Lewandowski
There hasn’t been a more consistent player than Robert Lewandowski since 2019. The Polish marksman broke Gerd Muller’s long-standing Bundesliga record (40 goals) by scoring 41 goals in just 29 appearances last season. He has already scored 24 times this term.
The former Borussia Dortmund striker has scored goals galore since jumping ship to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2014. Lewandowski has scored 329 times in 358 games during his stint at the Allianz Arena, epitomising the definition of consistency.
Lewandowski has scored 35 goals in all competitions this term. The 33-year-old was unlucky not to win a Ballon d’Or award last year, finishing second to Lionel Messi. If the Bavarians win the Champions League this year, their talisman will make another strong case for the Ballon d’Or.
