Either way, it’s surely good news for England…
Brendan Rodgers has sparked debate ahead of Liverpool’s crucial top four clash tonight with Tottenham Hotspur by proclaiming Daniel Sturridge as England’s finest striker.
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The Reds boss declared his forward the best despite the emergence of Harry Kane at Spurs with his rapid rise to the top typified at the weekend with his two goals salvo sinking Arsenal in the North London Derby.
The pair will go head to head tonight at Anfield, but just which of the two is the better forward?
We look at key stats below to compare the two strikers and try and settle the debate once and for all.
It should be said, however, that the statistics used are taken from Sturridge’s stellar last season – a full one – and Kane’s are only from this ongoing campaign.
Defensive Contribution
Clearances: Kane 14-5 Sturridge
Interceptions: Kane 10-4 Sturridge
Aerial Duels: Kane 25-7 Sturridge
The numbers definitely demonstrate a difference in style between the two and clearly show just what an impact Kane has on the defensive gameplan of his side despite being the target-man upfront.
And as mentioned, these statistics come from a still incomplete season from the Tottenham man compared with Sturridge’s full contribution last campaign which make it all the more startling Kane has such a lead on his Liverpool counterpart. Just what will these stats show once this season comes to a close?
Finishing
Headed goals: Kane 3 – 4 Sturridge
Set Piece goals: Kane 6 – 4 Sturridge
Outside Area: Kane 2 – 4 Sturridge
Inside Area: Kane 10 – 17 Sturridge
Whilst the data seems to indicate that Sturridge is the superior forward inside the box with his feet, the assumption is that Kane is the more powerful striker from range and with his head.
Kane will find it hard to replicate the impressive 17 goals in the box that the Liverpool man accumulated last term but looks on course to supersede both his goals from outside the area and his headed efforts.
Shots
Accuracy: Kane 59% – 49% Sturridge
Inside Area: Kane 29 – 64 Sturridge
Outside Area: Kane 28 – 35 Sturridge
Again the statistics show how adept the Liverpool striker is inside the penalty box and Kane is on course to show his preference to shoot outside of it.
However, perhaps more intriguingly here, Kane is seen to have a greater accuracy than Suttridge with all attempts on goal – granted there’s still 13 league games left this season.
Perhaps Sturridge has more an urge to shoot whilst Kane waits for the perfect opportunity.
Passing
Completion: Kane 76% – 79% Sturridge
Forwards: Kane 292 – 345 Sturridge
Backwards: Kane 199 – 395 Sturridge
Sturridge certainly seems more adept with his passing and a more interchangeable cog in the side who can move up and down the field to play in his teammates, whereas Kane is the strong presence upfront.
Perhaps this is more down to both side’s respective styles of play but from these figures you’d suggests that the Liverpool man was certainly the better passer.
Duels
Tackles Won: Kane 17 – 6 Sturridge
Successful Take-Ons: Kane 52.63% – 42.05% Sturridge
Tota Duels Won: Kane 40.5% – 46.6% Sturridge
Fouls Suffered: Kane 26 – 39 Sturridge
Whereas Sturridge was part of a more fluid side with interchangeable passing, Kane seems to have the ability to hold onto the ball upfront and repel opposition defenders.
Sturridge’s flair and quick style are proven through the amount of fouls he suffers, most of them probably being last ditch challenges.
However, Kane seems to relish the fight and is not averse to battering his way through a defence rather than pass his way around it.
Goals
Goals Scored: Kane 12 – 21 Sturridge
Perhaps the only stat which matters at the moment though, and the most definitive for a striker.
Last season, Sturridge managed 21 in his stellar campaign whilst Kane has managed just 12 so far in the Premier League.
Which striker is best is certainly debatable and you can make any argument based on the statistics shown above.
But perhaps what they prove most is that the England National Team could have one hell of a forward line in years to come.
All stats taken from Squawka Stats Matrix