The most influential players in the Premier League are not who you’d expect
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An Opta analysis of the Premier League season so far, published by the Daily Mail, has revealed just which players are involved in the highest proportion of their side’s goals.
There are some pretty surprising names on the list, with a host of mid-table stars apparently contributing more to their sides than some of the league’s most expensive players.
10.) Steven Fletcher (Sunderland) – 41.7%
After suffering with numerous injuries during his time with the Black Cats, Fletcher looks to be making up for lost time this season with four goals and one assist already.
The Scottish forward has had involvement in just under half of Sunderland’s 12 goals this season.
9.) Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa) – 42.9%
It’s been a tough season for Villa with a dreadful run of form after a solid but not impressive start. Three goals for Agbonlahor in the campaign have further cemented his place as the club’s record Premier League goalscorer.
8.) Danny Ings (Burnley) – 44.4%
After notching up 26 goals in Burnley’s promotion campaign last season in the Championship, England U-21 star Ings has scored four goals in his last five games after a six game Premier League goal drought.
The forward has been involved in 44.4% of his sides’s nine goals.
7.) Leonardo Ulloa (Leicester City) – 46.2%
Five goals in Leicester’s first five Premier League games for the Argentine – it’s no coincidence that as his goals have dried up Leicester’s form has suffered.
However he has still managed to be involved in 46.2% of the Foxes goals despite not scoring since 21st of September.
6.) Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) – 47.6%
It’s surprising Sanchez isn’t running away with this accolade considering he seems to have been singe handedly keeping Arsenal in the running.
Still, an impressive eight goals and two assists since his £35 million summer move from Barcelona.
5.) Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) – 51.9%
Aguero’s 12 goals and two assists this season do little to reveal just how vital City’s talismanic forward is to their side.
Just over half of City’s goals have had Aguero’s involvement in some way – a staggering statistic when you realise the Citizens have already scored 27 times this season.
4.) Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion) – 53.8%
Taking the league by storm, the youngster has jumped from zero to hero. Questions over his attitude and behaviour away from the pitch aside, the 21 year old has scored seven goals this season after just 13 games – a big money move looks on the horizon.
3.) Charlie Austin (QPR) – 57.1%
The top scoring Englishman in the league alongside fourth placed Berahino, Austin has proved instrumental in QPR’s recent turnaround of fortunes.
The ex-bricklayer has already seven goals for the Hoops and will be looking to build towards an even greater season.
2.) Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea City) – 58.8%
It’s been a renaissance for the Icelandic midfielder at Swansea following a hard spell at Spurs where he couldn’t hold down a starting role.
The attacking midfielder has sacrificed his goalscoring exploits at the Welsh club with just two goals so far but has more than made up for it with eight assists allowing him to be involved in 10 of the Swans 17 goals.
1.) Andreas Weimann (Aston Villa) – 71.4%
And the name nobody expected at number one. Admittedly Villa’s paltry seven goals in 13 Premier League games doesn’t make it hard for the statistics to paint a distorted view.
But Weimann has been key to Villa’s league campaign to date scoring three goals, providing two assists to make him involved in an unbelievable 71.4% of his team’s goals.
Impressive or worrying for the Villans?