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Goals win football matches, and there can be no simpler way to put out this eternal fact. Defending is an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to securing a win. However, if there is no goal, there's neither anything to defend nor something to separate the two teams.
The rising importance of goals has seen modern managers revolutionize their systems. Gone are the days when the burden of scoring and setting up goals solely depended on the attackers.
With both goals and assists moving up in football in modern times, goal involvement is a great way to track who makes the most direct contribution to a goal. There have been many wonderful performers in the year 2021, but the following five names have been the top ones for goal involvements across all major competitions.
Note - Only Club Competitions have been included. Stats from Transfermarkt
#5 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 37 goals + 11 assists
Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah has been one of the best players in the last few years since he joined Liverpool. Salah rediscovered his abilities at Roma before switching back to the Premier League. He has been a phenomenal player since his move to Liverpool. Salah makes the most of his trickery and pace to beat his opponents. He has been the primary offensive talent for Liverpool and has shared the main burden of goals over the last few seasons.
2021 has been a big year for Salah at a personal level. Although he didn't win a major trophy, Salah has again been in red hot form. He has made 48 goal involvements in 53 appearances, including an incredible 37 goals and 11 assists. In an injury-stricken season, Salah helped compensate for Liverpool's defensive weaknesses.
#4 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) - 38 goals + 12 assists
Real Madrid may not have had a year to remember after missing out on La Liga and the Champions League, but that hasn't impacted Karim Benzema's performances. Benzema has been one of Real Madrid's most consistent performers for several years, and he has found a separate gear in recent seasons.
Benzema is extremely good at controlling the ball and using his body to shield it from defenders. Benzema is as good in the air as he is with shooting on the ground.
Benzema may have missed out on major trophies in 2021, but he has been clinical in front of goal. Benzema scored 38 goals and even notched up 12 assists to bring up one-goal involvement-a-match in 2021.
Also read about Karim Benzema's wife, Cora Gauthier, and how they got together.
#3 Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund) - 43 goals + 16 assists
The Norwegian goal-machine has gone from strength to strength since breaking on to the scene with Red Bull Salzburg. Many European clubs wanted to bring Erling Haaland in, but Borussia Dortmund ultimately were able to secure his signature. He has been sensational for the German outfit and has already won the DFB-Pokal. Such has been Haaland's rise that he has been once again linked with a move to major European clubs in the upcoming summer.
If his performances in 2021 are anything to go by, any European club will want to have Haaland in their side. Haaland made an incredible 59 goal involvements in only 43 appearances in the season, including a stunning 43 goals.
#2 Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) - 56 goals + 6 assists
Many fans argued that Robert Lewandowski should have won the Ballon d'Or in 2021. Such has been Lewandowski's performance in 2021 that many fans were heartbroken as the Polish striker narrowly missed out on the trophy to Lionel Messi. Over the years, Lewandowski has developed into a world-class striker since joining Bayern Munich. But it has been the last couple of years where he has found his rhythm and has performed enviably.
Lewandowski has a stunning 62 goal involvements in 2021, where he scored 56 goals. Age has not taken its toll yet, and with a contract expiring in 2023, there will be no shortage of suitors for Robert Lewandowski. Despite his age, Lewandowski is arguably the best forward right now.
#1 Kylian Mbappe (PSG) - 43 goals + 22 assists
Bursting on to the scene with Monaco, Kylian Mbappe has achieved a lot in such a short time. He has won many things for both club and country, and people often forget how young Mbappe is.
Mbappe, however, has been a world-class player since a very young age, and is an extremely versatile player who can play in all attacking positions. 2021 has been a mixed year for Kylian Mbbape as PSG failed to win the Ligue 1 title.
But there have been no such shortcomings in Mbappe's performances. He proved his abilities once again in 2021 with 65 goal involvements. He may have scored less than Robert Lewandowski with 43 goals, but Mbappe tops the charts regarding goals involvement in 2021.
Get to know who is Alicia Aylies, Kylian Mbappé's girlfriend and how long they've been together.
