A little look at strikers

The best we can get? Well we know we need one. Or maybe two. That number is a matter of opinion but what is fact is that our striking options need bolstering.

To explain this article before I get going... This is a rough overview of just a few stats and then some gossip and ideas. I've divided the strikers into three groups. What we have, who we have been linked with, and few outsiders.

The stats I'm using are career data where available and readily available, I'm far too lazy to do in depth stuff. There is a bit of a profile age, value, gossip etc, then goals per minute. So therefore the lower the number the better. So a figure of under 180 means better than 1 goal every two games, whereas a figure of over 300 means an Ameobi. Sorry about that Shola is actually better than that. The last figure is the assists rate. What this is is the number of assists divided by games played. So not minutes so me being lazy there. This time the bigger the number the better.

So who have we got currently?

Pappis Cisse is 28 has a value (according to transfermarkt) of about £13m scores every 175 minutes and with 21 assists from 268 games that gives a ratio of 0.078. What we need is a partner.

Yoan Gouffran is 27, £6.6m 282mins and 27/317 = 0.085

Gabriel Obertan is 24 £2.2m 415mins and 22/194 = 0.113

Hatem Ben Arfa is 26 £12m 343mins 30/236 = 0.127

Shola Ameobi is 31 £1.8m 276 mins 26/350 = 0.074

Sylvian Marveaux is 27 £2.6m 409mins 25/162 = 0.154

Sammy Ameobi is 21 £2.6m 360 mins 7/61 = 0.114

Adam Campbell is 18 unvalued 182 mins 9/30 = 0.300

So on that basis Papiss Cisse is our best striker with a goal every 175 minutes and Sylain Marveaux has the best assist rate. Adam Campbell has superb figures and should be featuring more often. Whether he is ready to be a regular starter is another matter.

Now for names we have been linked with...

Kevin Gameiro we have been linked with in the past before he took a big money move to PSG, which hasn't worked out. He is currently not wanted and hence available probably discounted from the £8m+ transfermarkt valuation. He is 26 years old, scores every 194 minutes and has 41 assists from 267 games = 0.153. Whilst he is not the best striker from our big five statistically he is the best in assists by a long way. Up in the Marveaux region. He is described as fast dribbler. Wages may be a problem, he has two years left on his contract and is on about £55kpw.

Bafetimbi Gomis at 27 would normally be expensive at £12.5m but Lyon are keen to sell as they need the money. Gomis has made all the right noises saying that he won't be forced out etc, however, don't be surprised if he moves. With a goal every 184 minutes and 36 assists from 370 games = 0.097 he may be the answer. He has been described as Baby Drogba.

Andre-Pierre Gignac also at 27 is a reasonable option at a valuation of £7.5m however with goals at 211 minutes and only 25 assists from 288 games = 0.087 he would not be my choice. He is however described as powerful and dangerous with an aerial presence. Also I know of no gossip that indicates that we may be pursuing him He currently plays for Olympique Marseille.

Loic Remy of course was supposed to be our Christmas Present before he moved to QPR. Available at less than the quoted £8.8m, his wages and court case might prevent us moving for him despite Pardew's admiration. At 26 his record of a goal every 199 minutes and 24 assists from 243 games = 0.099 are in the right ball park.

Darren Bent is 29 available at well below the £7.9m valuation and a proven EPL goalscorer. With a goal every 182 minutes he is the most prolific of these five players, and with 33 assists from 350 games = 0.094 he is no greedier than the others.

So for me It's down to who would best suit playing alongside Cisse whose figures surpass all of the above.

Outsiders...

There have been various names mentioned by people on the blog, some of whom I can remember others I can't so if your favourite is not mentioned please post below.

Brown Ideye at 24 has been mentioned as the next Drogba I think. Anyway at a market value of £9.7m he ain't a cheap alternative. But with a goal every 180 minutes he looks like someone to match Cisse. And with 32 assists from 219 games = 0.146 his assist rate is very respectable.

Kevin Villand is only 20 so at £7.9m I'm looking for something special. At 215 minutes per goal and 32 assists from 188 games = 0.170 he also looks like a good shout.

My to are Phillip Hosiner from Austria Vienna who at 24 and only £2.2m is a bargain with just 140 minutes per goal and 27 assists from 227 games = 0.119. I would also like to add Angel Correa who at 18 is £2.6m but with a goal every 177 mins and 3 assists from his 11 games = 0.3 he looks a prospect. The other thing I like about him is he plays for San Lorenzo so could be part of any deal with Colo going the other way.

So my choice?

I would have a strike team of Papiss Cisse, Brown Ideye, Phillipe Hosiner, Yoan Gouffran, with Adam Campbell and Angel Correa keeping them honest. However that may be too many for some.

It's hard to speculate when the summer has been thus far so underwhelming but please feel free to post your thoughts below.