The 2025 summer transfer window has been dominated by speculation surrounding Europe’s most promising strikers.

Viktor Gyökeres, Benjamin Šeško, and Hugo Ekitike have emerged as prime targets for Premier League clubs, with Arsenal, Manchester United, and others actively exploring potential deals. But how do these rising stars stack up against Europe’s elite?

In this article, we compare their 2024–25 season stats with those of established goal-scorers like Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Alexander Isak. We also assess Matheus Cunha—recently signed by Manchester United—based on his final campaign stats at Wolves.

This data-driven analysis covers the following players:

• Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting Lisbon)
• Benjamin Šeško (RB Leipzig)
• Matheus Cunha (Manchester United, stats from Wolves)
• Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
• Alexander Isak (Newcastle United)
• Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
• Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
• Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt)
• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
• Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid)

Let’s break down their numbers to see who truly leads the way in goals, creativity, and overall attacking influence.

Goals per 90: Who Are Europe’s Most Efficient Strikers?

One of the most reliable metrics to assess a striker’s goal-scoring efficiency is Goals per 90 minutes, including penalties. It tells us how often a player finds the net during an average full match—and reveals just how lethal they are in front of goal.

Here’s how the top strikers across Europe’s major leagues performed in 2024–25:

• Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP) – 1.25
• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) – 0.98
• Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) – 0.96
• Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) – 0.91
• Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) – 0.75
• Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – 0.72
• Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid) – 0.61
• Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt) – 0.53
• Matheus Cunha (Wolves) – 0.52
• Benjamin Šeško (RB Leipzig) – 0.49

Viktor Gyökeres led the pack in spectacular fashion, averaging 1.25 goals per 90 minutes in the Primeira Liga—ranking him in the 99th percentile. It could be true that he indeed thinks about scoring.

No other striker in Europe’s top leagues managed even 1.00 per 90, highlighting the Sporting CP forward’s extraordinary finishing ability. But the big question is—can Viktor Gyökeres replicate this output in the Premier League?

To project this, we compare him to Bruno Fernandes, who also made the leap from the Primeira Liga to the EPL in 2019–20:

• Bruno Fernandes’ final season in Portugal: 0.46 goals per 90 (96th percentile)
• Bruno Fernandes’ first season in England: 0.61 goals per 90 (95th percentile)

Bruno’s move saw his goals per 90 increase, but his percentile ranking slightly dropped, suggesting higher output is needed to stay elite in the EPL.

Assuming a similar adjustment curve for Gyökeres, his projected Premier League output would be around:

🔢 Projected Goals per 90 in EPL for Gyökeres: 1.01
🎯 Expected Percentile in EPL: 97th

That still puts him among the very best strikers in the Premier League.

Let’s look at the rest:

• Harry Kane finished second with 0.98 goals per 90 in the Bundesliga, placing him in the 97th percentile.
• Mbappé followed with 0.96 goals per 90 (98th percentile in La Liga).
• Lewandowski ranked fourth with 0.91 goals per 90, good for the 94th percentile in Spain.
• Alexander Isak scored 0.75 per 90 for Newcastle (97th percentile in EPL), while Haaland managed 0.72 (92nd percentile).

At the lower end:

• Benjamin Šeško had 0.49 goals per 90 in the Bundesliga (69th percentile).
• Hugo Ekitike delivered 0.53 goals per 90 (81st percentile).

Will Šeško and Ekitike Thrive in the EPL?

Both Šeško and Ekitike have been linked with moves to the English Premier League. But how might they perform?

Can Šeško and Ekitike Replicate Haaland’s Bundesliga-to-EPL Explosion?

When it comes to transitions from the Bundesliga to the Premier League, Erling Haaland set the gold standard. Many expected a dip in his output due to the Premier League’s physicality and pace—but the Norwegian striker defied expectations and actually improved.

Here’s how Haaland’s numbers looked during his switch:

• Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund, 2021–22): 1.04 goals per 90
• Erling Haaland (Manchester City, 2022–23): 1.17 goals per 90

That’s a 12.5% increase in goal output after moving to the English top flight.

So, what if Benjamin Šeško and Hugo Ekitike hit the ground running in similar fashion?

• Šeško (RB Leipzig, 2024–25): 0.49 goals per 90
• Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt, 2024–25): 0.53 goals per 90

▶ If both improved at the same rate as Haaland (+12.5%):

Projected EPL Goals per 90 for Šeško: 0.55
Projected EPL Goals per 90 for Ekitike: 0.60

This projection suggests that if they adapt like Haaland, Ekitike could break the 0.6 mark in his first EPL season, while Šeško may edge closer to 0.55—solid numbers for young strikers in a new league, though still far from elite output.

What Harry Kane’s Bundesliga Rise Tells Us in Reverse: Projecting EPL Output for Šeško and Ekitike

To project this, we again examine Harry Kane, who went from:

• EPL (last season): 0.79 goals per 90 (94th percentile)
• Bundesliga (first season): 1.14 goals per 90 (97th percentile)

This suggests strikers often score more in the Bundesliga than the Premier League, likely due to defensive intensity in England.

Based on that pattern, Šeško and Ekitike might experience a performance drop when moving to the EPL. Here are the projections:

Projected EPL Goals per 90 for Šeško: 0.41
Projected EPL Goals per 90 for Ekitike: 0.45

Non-Penalty Goals per 90: Who Scores Most Without Relying on Penalties?

While goals per 90 is a key metric, non-penalty goals per 90 gives us a clearer view of a striker’s pure goal-scoring ability from open play and non-spot-kick situations. This helps us determine if a player’s goal tally is inflated by penalties—or if they truly dominate in live play.

Here’s how Europe’s top strikers fared in this metric last season:

• Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP) – 0.87
• Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) – 0.81
• Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) – 0.74
• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) – 0.64
• Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – 0.63
• Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) – 0.62
• Matheus Cunha (Wolves) – 0.52
• Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid) – 0.47
• Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt) – 0.49
• Benjamin Šeško (RB Leipzig) – 0.42

🔝 Viktor Gyökeres once again leads the pack, scoring 0.87 non-penalty goals per 90 minutes, placing him in the 99th percentile in Portugal. This proves that his incredible scoring output was not overly reliant on penalties—he was lethal in open play too.

When Viktor Gyökeres said he was in the same level as Haaland and Kane, this statistic would be an illustration.

To project his Premier League potential, we use Bruno Fernandes as a case study again:

• Bruno’s final season in Primeira Liga: 0.24 non-penalty goals per 90 (74th percentile)
• Bruno’s first season in EPL: 0.30 non-penalty goals per 90 (76th percentile)

That’s a 25% increase in output when transitioning from Portugal to England, though the percentile gain was minimal—suggesting a tougher scoring environment in the EPL despite higher output.

▶ Using the same growth rate for Viktor Gyökeres: Projected Non-Penalty Goals per 90 in EPL: 1.09

That would make Gyökeres one of the most dangerous open-play goal-scorers in the Premier League—if he maintains similar form.

Šeško and Ekitike: Can They Match EPL Demands?

At the other end of the chart, Benjamin Šeško and Hugo Ekitike posted the lowest non-penalty goal rates:

• Šeško: 0.42
• Ekitike: 0.49

Using Harry Kane’s Bundesliga Boost to Predict How Šeško and Ekitike Might Perform in the Premier League

To project their performance in the Premier League, we can reverse engineer Harry Kane’s output between the EPL and Bundesliga:

• Kane’s last EPL season (2022–23): 0.66 non-penalty goals per 90 (94th percentile)
• Kane’s first Bundesliga season (2023–24): 0.98 non-penalty goals per 90 (99th percentile)

That’s a 33% increase moving from EPL to Bundesliga. Applying this in reverse to Šeško and Ekitike:

▶ Benjamin Šeško projection in EPL: Projected Non-Penalty Goals per 90: 0.32
▶ Hugo Ekitike projection in EPL: Projected Non-Penalty Goals per 90: 0.37

This projection suggests that while both strikers are promising, neither is likely to be elite finishers in the EPL yet—especially compared to Gyökeres or Kane.

Hugo Ekitike & Benjamin Šeško vs Erling Haaland: Non-Penalty Goals Projection

When Erling Haaland made his high-profile switch from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City, many expected a drop-off in output due to the Premier League’s physical demands. But instead, the Norwegian striker elevated his numbers, proving that Bundesliga talents can thrive—and even improve—in England.

Let’s look at Haaland’s non-penalty goal stats:

• Haaland (Borussia Dortmund, 2021–22): 0.75 non-penalty goals per 90
• Haaland (Manchester City, 2022–23): 0.94 non-penalty goals per 90

That’s a 25.3% increase after moving to the Premier League—an impressive leap at the highest level.

Now let’s apply that trajectory to Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Šeško, who have both been linked with moves to the EPL this summer.

• Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt, 2024–25): 0.49 non-penalty goals per 90
• Šeško (RB Leipzig, 2024–25): 0.42 non-penalty goals per 90

▶ If they improve by 25.3% like Haaland did:

Projected EPL Non-Penalty Goals per 90 for Šeško: 0.53
Projected EPL Non-Penalty Goals per 90 for Ekitike: 0.61

These numbers suggest that if both players adapt like Haaland, Ekitike could become a dependable open-play scorer in the EPL, and together with Šeško would still need further development to reach elite levels.

Shooting Ability: Who Pulls the Trigger Most and Best?

When judging a striker’s threat level, shot volume and shooting accuracy are two of the most revealing metrics. They tell us not just how often a player tries to score, but how much they are likely to score and how confident and central they are to their team’s attacking plan.

Total Shots per 90: Who Takes the Most Chances?

This metric captures every shot taken—on target or not.

• Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) – 4.71
• Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP) – 4.08
• Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt) – 4.00
• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) – 3.97
• Matheus Cunha (Wolves) – 3.81
• Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) – 3.75
• Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – 3.42
• Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) – 3.10
• Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid) – 2.51
• Benjamin Šeško (RB Leipzig) – 2.50

Kylian Mbappé led the way with 4.71 shots per 90, showing how central he was to Real Madrid’s attack. But Viktor Gyökeres ranked second with 4.08 shots per 90, a figure that puts him in the 94th percentile among Primeira Liga forwards. That means he’s consistently looking for goal.

Hugo Ekitike surprisingly also clocks in high at 4.00 shots per 90, while Harry Kane maintained 3.97 in the Bundesliga.

In contrast, Benjamin Šeško ranked lowest with just 2.50 shots per 90 (49th percentile), raising questions about his involvement in build-up and final-third activity.

Viktor Gyökeres vs Bruno Fernandes: What Happens After Moving to the EPL?

To project how Gyökeres might perform in the Premier League, we again compare him to Bruno Fernandes, who made the same move from Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United:

• Bruno Fernandes in Primeira Liga (2019/20): 3.30 shots per 90 (93rd percentile)
• Bruno Fernandes in Premier League (2019/20): 3.04 shots per 90 (91st percentile)

That’s a drop of 0.26 shots per 90, likely due to tactical adjustments or stiffer EPL defenses.

▶ If Viktor Gyökeres follows the same pattern: Projected EPL Shots per 90: 3.82

This still places Gyökeres among the most active shooters in the Premier League, which supports the idea that he could quickly help to deliver goals quickly and according to English football’s demands.

Can Šeško and Ekitike Match Haaland’s Shooting Volume in the Premier League?

One of the best indicators of a striker’s attacking intent (a nose for the goal) is total shots attempted per 90 minutes—and when Erling Haaland moved from the Bundesliga to the Premier League, his shot volume didn’t drop. In fact, it slightly improved, showing that even in a more physical league, Haaland found ways to stay dangerous.

Here’s how Haaland’s numbers looked:

• Haaland (Borussia Dortmund, 2021–22): 3.49 shots per 90
• Haaland (Manchester City, 2022–23): 3.77 shots per 90

That’s an 8% increase in shot attempts per 90 after moving to England.

Now, let’s apply that improvement rate to two other Bundesliga strikers who could be following Haaland’s path: Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Šeško.

• Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt, 2024–25): 4.00 shots per 90
• Šeško (RB Leipzig, 2024–25): 2.50 shots per 90

▶ If both improve their shot volume by 8% like Haaland:

🔢 Projected EPL Shots per 90 for Šeško: 2.70
🔢 Projected EPL Shots per 90 for Ekitike: 4.32

These projections suggest that Ekitike could remain an active shooter even in the Premier League, while Šeško might need to grow into a more assertive role if he’s to become a top-tier striker in England.

Harry Kane vs Benjamin Šeško and Hugo Ekitike: EPL Expectations

Let’s again reverse-engineer Harry Kane’s transition from EPL to Bundesliga:

• Kane in EPL (2022/23): 3.28 shots per 90 (81st percentile)
• Kane in Bundesliga (2023/24): 4.47 shots per 90 (95th percentile)

This marks a 36% increase in shot volume when moving to Germany. Reversing that logic helps estimate what Šeško and Ekitike might average in England.

▶ Benjamin Šeško EPL Projection (–36% from Bundesliga output): Projected EPL Shots per 90: 1.60

▶ Hugo Ekitike EPL Projection (–36% from Bundesliga output): Projected EPL Shots per 90: 2.56

These projections show that while Ekitike might remain relatively active in front of goal, Šeško’s involvement could drop to a concerning level.

Shots on Target per 90: Who Troubled the Keeper Most?

Not every shot taken is dangerous. To be effective in front of goal, strikers must consistently hit the target. Shots on target per 90 shows how frequently a striker forces a save, tests the goalkeeper, or puts their team in scoring position.

Here’s how the top strikers ranked last season:

• Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) – 2.32
• Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP) – 2.12
• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) – 1.70
• Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – 1.81
• Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt) – 1.55
• Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) – 1.52
• Matheus Cunha (Wolves) – 1.52
• Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) – 1.34
• Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid) – 1.29
• Benjamin Šeško (RB Leipzig) – 1.10

Only Kylian Mbappé managed more shots on target per 90 than Viktor Gyökeres, who averaged 2.12, placing him among Europe’s most threatening strikers in front of goal.

Viktor Gyökeres vs Bruno Fernandes: Projecting EPL Output

Using Bruno Fernandes as a benchmark for players moving from Portugal to the EPL:

• Bruno (Sporting CP, 2019/20): 1.23 shots on target per 90
• Bruno (Man United, 2019/20): 1.06 shots on target per 90

That’s a 13.8% decrease in output after making the switch to England.

▶ Projected EPL Shots on Target for Gyökeres (–13.8%): Expected Shots on Target per 90: 1.83

Even with a drop, Gyökeres would still average more shots on target per 90 than most Premier League strikers.

Hugo Ekitike & Benjamin Šeško vs Erling Haaland

Haaland’s Bundesliga-to-EPL transition once again offers a high-level blueprint:

• Haaland (Bundesliga, 2021–22): 1.46
• Haaland (EPL, 2022–23): 1.72 → 17.8% increase

▶ Applying the same growth rate:

🔢 Projected EPL Shots on Target for Šeško: 1.30
🔢 Projected EPL Shots on Target for Ekitike: 1.83

This suggests Ekitike could match Gyökeres in shot threat if he adapts like Haaland did, while Šeško would remain less consistent in getting efforts on frame.

Hugo Ekitike & Benjamin Šeško vs Harry Kane

Now let’s reverse-engineer Harry Kane’s transition:

• Kane (EPL, 2022–23): 1.43
• Kane (Bundesliga, 2023–24): 1.93 → 35% increase

▶ Adjusting in reverse for Ekitike and Šeško:

🔢 Projected EPL Shots on Target for Šeško: 0.81
🔢 Projected EPL Shots on Target for Ekitike: 1.15

This model paints a more conservative picture—useful for clubs managing expectations on Bundesliga imports.

Shot Accuracy (%): Who Was the Most Precise Finisher?

While volume matters, shot accuracy reveals who can place their attempts on target. A player with fewer total shots but high accuracy could still pose a lethal threat—especially in systems that provide frequent service.

• Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – 52.9%
• Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP) – 52.0%
• Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid) – 51.4%
• Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) – 49.3%
• Benjamin Šeško (RB Leipzig) – 43.9%
• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) – 42.9%
• Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) – 43.2%
• Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) – 40.5%
• Matheus Cunha (Wolves) – 40.0%
• Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt) – 38.6%

Erling Haaland topped this list with a remarkable 52.9% shot accuracy, narrowly beating Viktor Gyökeres, who hit the target 52% of the time. At the other end, Hugo Ekitike, Matheus Cunha, and Robert Lewandowski were the least accurate.

Viktor Gyökeres vs Bruno Fernandes: Accuracy Projection

• Bruno Fernandes in Portugal: 33.9%
• Bruno Fernandes in EPL: 35.0% → +3.2% improvement

▶ Projected EPL Shot Accuracy for Gyökeres: 53.7%

That would keep Gyökeres among the most accurate shooters in the Premier League, a key asset for any team needing clinical finishing.

Hugo Ekitike & Benjamin Šeško vs Erling Haaland

• Haaland (Bundesliga): 41.9%
• Haaland (EPL): 45.7% → 9.1% increase

▶ Projected EPL Accuracy for Šeško: 47.9%
▶ Projected EPL Accuracy for Ekitike: 42.1%

It seems that Šeško could reach elite accuracy levels, while Ekitike would still trail most top-tier strikers.

Hugo Ekitike & Benjamin Šeško vs Harry Kane

• Kane (EPL): 43.5%
• Kane (Bundesliga): 43.3% → –0.5% change

▶ Projected EPL Accuracy for Šeško: 44.1%
▶ Projected EPL Accuracy for Ekitike: 38.8%

Based on this model, Ekitike’s shot placement issues could continue in the Premier League unless addressed through coaching or tactical setup.

Ball Carrying: Who Covers the Most Ground With the Ball at Their Feet?

Beyond goal-scoring and passing, ball carrying is a vital trait in modern football. It measures how well a striker can maintain control of the ball while covering ground—in any direction. This includes dropping deep, drifting wide, or simply holding possession under pressure. It’s a reflection of both close control and spatial intelligence.

Total Carrying Distance per 90 (Yards)

This metric captures how far a player carries the ball while keeping it at their feet—regardless of direction. It reflects ball confidence, movement, and usage frequency.

• Matheus Cunha (Wolves) – 233.02
• Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) – 216.32
• Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP) – 172.17
• Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid) – 165.76
• Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt) – 156.02
• Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) – 121.58
• Benjamin Šeško (RB Leipzig) – 100.97
• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) – 85.43
• Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) – 60.24
• Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – 49.14

Matheus Cunha carried the ball the furthest among all strikers listed, averaging 233.02 yards per 90. Kylian Mbappé followed closely, while Viktor Gyökeres ranked third with 172.17 yards per 90, showing consistent on-ball involvement in various zones.

At the other end, Erling Haaland had the lowest carry distance—just 49.14 yards.

Will Viktor Gyökeres Cover Similar Ground in the EPL?

To estimate how Viktor might adapt, we use Bruno Fernandes as a case study:

• Bruno (Sporting CP): 230.44 yards per 90
• Bruno (Manchester United): 198.06 yards per 90 → 14% decrease

▶ Projected EPL Carrying Distance for Gyökeres (–14%): 148.07 yards per 90

Even with a reduction, Gyökeres would still carry the ball more than most Premier League strikers, suggesting he could remain an important outlet under pressure.

Šeško and Ekitike vs Haaland: Projecting Ball Carrying in the EPL

Let’s assess how Erling Haaland adjusted:

• Haaland (Bundesliga): 67.68
• Haaland (EPL): 65.66 → –2.99%

▶ If they follow Haaland’s trend:

Ekitike EPL Projection: 151.37 yards per 90
Šeško EPL Projection: 97.94 yards per 90

Both players would retain strong carrying metrics, especially Ekitike, who already stands out in this area.

Šeško and Ekitike vs Harry Kane: Reverse EPL-to-Bundesliga Adjustment

Harry Kane’s numbers offer another reference point—this time in reverse:

• Kane (EPL): 120.16
• Kane (Bundesliga): 98.21 → –18.3%

▶ Reversing Kane’s drop for Bundesliga-to-EPL projection:

Šeško EPL Carry Distance: 119.38 yards per 90
Ekitike EPL Carry Distance: 184.41 yards per 90

This suggests both players could increase their total carry distance in the Premier League—especially if placed in systems that give them more freedom to roam and recycle possession.

Progressive Carrying Distance: Which Striker Drives the Team Forward?

While total carrying distance shows how far a player moves with the ball, progressive carrying distance per 90 specifically tracks how far a player carries the ball toward the opponent’s goal. This stat highlights which forwards are most effective at gaining territory, disrupting defensive shape, and creating space for midfielders to join the attack.

Progressive Carrying Distance per 90 (Yards)

• Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) – 117.89
• Matheus Cunha (Wolves) – 115.61
• Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP) – 91.77
• Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt) – 81.01
• Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid) – 78.84
• Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) – 60.77
• Benjamin Šeško (RB Leipzig) – 46.51
• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) – 36.06
• Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) – 19.88
• Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – 18.98

Kylian Mbappé leads with 117.89 yards per 90, followed closely by Matheus Cunha, who averaged 115.61 yards. Viktor Gyökeres ranks third, progressing the ball 91.77 yards per 90, underlining his ability to advance play from deep or wide zones.

On the other end, Haaland and Lewandowski show more static roles, with less than 20 yards per 90.

Will Viktor Gyökeres Be as Progressive in the EPL?

Using Bruno Fernandes as a transition model:

• Bruno (Sporting CP): 108.60
• Bruno (Man United): 112.84 → +3.9% increase

▶ Projected EPL Progressive Carry Distance for Gyökeres (+3.9%): 95.37 yards per 90

This suggests Gyökeres could actually increase his forward ball-carrying in the Premier League, assuming he’s given freedom to roam in deeper or wider areas.

Hugo Ekitike & Benjamin Šeško vs Erling Haaland

Let’s apply Haaland’s Bundesliga-to-EPL drop-off to Šeško and Ekitike:

• Haaland (Bundesliga): 35.51
• Haaland (EPL): 24.73 → 30.4% decrease
• Ekitike (Bundesliga): 81.01
• Šeško (Bundesliga): 46.51

▶ Applying Haaland’s drop-off:

Ekitike EPL Projection: 56.36 yards per 90
Šeško EPL Projection: 32.39 yards per 90

These projections suggest Ekitike would remain a useful ball-progressor. On the other hand, Šeško might play a more limited role in deeper buildup compared to Ekitike.

Hugo Ekitike & Benjamin Šeško vs Harry Kane: Reverse Projection

Using Harry Kane’s data as a reverse model:

• Kane (EPL): 48.69
• Kane (Bundesliga): 40.80 → 16.2% decrease

Reversing that drop:

• Ekitike (Bundesliga 2024/2025): 81.01
• Šeško (Bundesliga 2024/2025): 46.51

▶ Projected EPL Progressive Carry Distance:

Ekitike: 94.11 yards per 90
Šeško: 54.42 yards per 90

This model offers a more optimistic outlook—especially for Ekitike, who could become a valuable ball-carrier in teams playing with a higher line and fluid transitions.

Passing Ability: Who Helps Move the Ball Best?

While carrying the ball is one way to advance play, passing is the more efficient and strategic method of circulating possession, breaking pressure, and initiating attacks. In this section, we assess:

• Passes completed per 90 minutes
• Pass completion percentage (%)
• Progressive passing distance per 90

Let’s begin by identifying who completed the most passes among Europe’s top strikers.

Passes Completed per 90

This stat shows how often a striker is involved in ball circulation and buildup play—crucial for teams that demand more than just goals from their No. 9.

• Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) – 29.38
• Matheus Cunha (Wolves) – 28.11
• Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid) – 25.72
• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) – 19.24
• Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt) – 17.07
• Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) – 16.95
• Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP) – 16.24
• Benjamin Šeško (RB Leipzig) – 15.69
• Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) – 12.92
• Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – 8.39

Kylian Mbappé completed the most passes per 90, averaging 29.38, followed by Matheus Cunha (28.11) and Julián Álvarez (25.72). Erling Haaland had the lowest involvement in this area, with just 8.39 completed passes per 90.

Can Viktor Gyökeres Maintain or Improve in the EPL?

To project Gyökeres’ future output, we compare with Bruno Fernandes, who also moved from Sporting CP to the Premier League:

• Bruno (Portugal): 45.68
• Bruno (England): 65.34 → 43% increase

▶ Projected EPL Passes Completed for Gyökeres (+43%): Expected Passes per 90: 23.22

That puts Gyökeres in a similar range to Harry Kane, suggesting he could become more involved in buildup play at a possession-heavy EPL club.

Šeško and Ekitike vs Erling Haaland: Can They Adapt?

Let’s look at Haaland’s Bundesliga-to-EPL transition:

• Haaland (Bundesliga): 15.59
• Haaland (EPL): 11.70 → 24.9% decrease
• Hugo Ekitike 2024-2025: 17.07
• Benjamin Šeško 2024-2025: 15.69

▶ Applying Haaland’s drop-off:

Ekitike EPL Projection: 12.83 passes per 90
Šeško EPL Projection: 11.78 passes per 90

Since Haaland is one of the least efficient strikers when it comes to passing the ball, this suggests both players could see a dip in passing involvement to such levels in the worst case scenario.

Šeško and Ekitike vs Harry Kane: A Reverse View

Looking at Harry Kane’s transition from EPL to Bundesliga:

• Kane (EPL): 24.34
• Kane (Bundesliga): 15.03 → 38.2% decrease

▶ Reversing the drop for EPL projection:

Ekitike: 27.58 passes per 90
Šeško: 25.23 passes per 90

This paints a far more optimistic picture, where both strikers—especially Ekitike—could become key connectors in possession-based systems.

Pass Completion (%): Who Keeps the Ball Most Effectively?

Pass completion percentage reflects a striker’s technical efficiency and decision-making in possession. A higher percentage indicates that a player is less likely to lose the ball, making them more reliable in build-up play and ball circulation.

Pass Completion (%)

• Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) – 82.9%
• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) – 78.9%
• Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt) – 75.5%
• Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) – 75.3%
• Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid) – 74.2%
• Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) – 73.4%
• Matheus Cunha (Wolves) – 71.6%
• Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP) – 71.4%
• Benjamin Šeško (RB Leipzig) – 67.6%
• Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – 66.9%

Kylian Mbappé stood out as the most precise passer with 82.9% pass accuracy, while Harry Kane followed with 78.9%, showing how involved he is in link-up play. Viktor Gyökeres, meanwhile, finished third from the bottom with 71.4%, suggesting room for improvement to get to the elite levels set by the other strikers in this group.

Will Viktor Gyökeres Improve or Drop in the EPL?

Let’s look at Bruno Fernandes for a predictive model:

• Bruno (Sporting CP): 71.5%
• Bruno (Man United): 70.4% → –1.5% change

▶ Projected Pass Completion for Gyökeres in the EPL (–1.5%): 70.3%

This minimal decline suggests Gyökeres would likely maintain similar pass efficiency.

Ekitike & Šeško vs Haaland: Bundesliga to EPL Comparison

Let’s analyze Haaland’s transition:

• Haaland (Bundesliga): 69.5%
• Haaland (EPL): 70.2% → +1.0% increase
• Ekitike in the 2024-2025 season: 75.5%
• Šeško in the 2024-2025 season: 67.6%

▶ Projected EPL Pass Completion:

Ekitike: 76.3%
Šeško: 68.3%

These projections suggest Ekitike could thrive in a ball-retention system, while Šeško might remain slightly below average.

Reverse Projection Using Harry Kane’s EPL-to-Bundesliga Shift

• Kane (EPL): 69.7%
• Kane (Bundesliga): 71.4% → 2.44% increase
• Ekitike in the 2024-2025 season: 75.5%
• Šeško in the 2024-2025 season: 67.6%

If we lower their numbers by 2.44%, Ekitike would have 73.61% while Šeško would have 65.93%

Progressive Passing Distance: Which Striker Moves the Ball Forward Most With Their Passes?

Progressive passing distance per 90 measures how far forward a player advances the ball through passing and reveals which forwards are more involved in breaking lines and helping their team progress into advanced areas—not just through runs, but through clever defence-splitting breaking passes.

Progressive Passing Distance per 90 (Yards)

• Matheus Cunha (Wolves) – 151.93
• Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid) – 95.13
• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) – 85.35
• Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) – 73.75
• Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) – 53.69
• Benjamin Šeško (RB Leipzig) – 43.30
• Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt) – 41.82
• Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP) – 36.21
• Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) – 30.37
• Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – 19.51

Matheus Cunha comfortably led all players with a massive 151.93 yards per 90, underlining his hybrid playmaker-forward role. Julián Álvarez and Harry Kane also ranked high, showing their strong involvement in deep link-up play.

On the opposite end, Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski posted the lowest numbers, highlighting their more direct, poacher-style roles. Viktor Gyökeres finished third-lowest with 36.21 yards per 90, although still ahead of both Lewandowski and Haaland.

How Efficiently Can Viktor Gyökeres Progress the Ball in the EPL?

To project his performance, we again use Bruno Fernandes’ transition from Portugal to the Premier League:

• Bruno (Sporting CP): 294.72 yards
• Bruno (Man United): 223.03 yards → 24.3% decrease

▶ Projected EPL Progressive Passing Distance for Gyökeres: 27.41 yards per 90

This suggests that Gyökeres may see a slight dip in forward-passing impact, especially if he’s not used as a drop-in facilitator or deep distributor in the EPL.

Šeško & Ekitike vs Haaland: Bundesliga to EPL Transition

Let’s assess using Erling Haaland’s passing drop-off:

• Haaland (Bundesliga): 37.06
• Haaland (EPL): 30.78 → 16.9% decrease
• Šeško in the Bundesliga 2024-2025 season: 43.30 yards per 90
• Ekitike in the Bundesliga 2024-2025 season: 41.82 yards per 90

▶ Projected EPL Progressive Passing Distance:

Šeško: 36.00 yards per 90
Ekitike: 34.77 yards per 90

Both would remain respectable forward passers, especially considering their age and evolving roles.

Šeško & Ekitike vs Harry Kane: A Reverse Projection

Let’s flip the numbers based on Harry Kane’s EPL-to-Bundesliga shift:

• Kane (EPL): 114.85
• Kane (Bundesliga): 86.07 → 25.1% decrease

▶ Reflecting that drop for EPL projection, it would mean Šeško and Ekitike numbers would increase by 25.1% if they moved to the EPL and played as Harry Kane did for Tottenham Hotspurs.

Šeško:
43.30 × (1 + 0.251) = 54.16 yards per 90

Ekitike:
41.82 × (1 + 0.251) = 52.32 yards per 90

This paints a much more optimistic scenario, especially for clubs hoping to play with Šeško and Ekitike as modern forwards capable of contributing to buildup as well as finishing.

Aerial Superiority

Aerial Duels: Who Was Dominant in the Air?

Aerial duels won per 90 highlights how effective a striker is in physical battles—especially during long balls, crosses, and set pieces. In a physically demanding league like the Premier League, aerial ability is a crucial asset.

Here’s how Europe’s top forwards compared in 2024–25:

• Benjamin Šeško (RB Leipzig) – 2.65
• Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – 1.88
• Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt) – 1.83
• Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) – 1.25
• Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP) – 1.16
• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) – 1.10
• Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) – 0.85
• Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid) – 0.47
• Matheus Cunha (Wolves) – 0.45
• Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) – 0.12

Šeško led the group, winning 2.65 aerial duels per 90—proving himself a major threat in the air. Haaland, Ekitike, and Lewandowski followed with solid numbers.

Gyökeres averaged 1.16, showing decent physical presence, while Mbappé’s 0.12 confirmed his limited aerial involvement.

Aerial Duels Won (%): Who Was Most Efficient in the Air?

Winning aerial duels is one thing—winning them consistently is another. This metric shows which strikers had the highest aerial success rate in the 2024–25 season.

• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) – 59.2%
• Benjamin Šeško (RB Leipzig) – 58.8%
• Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – 53.3%
• Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP) – 50.7%
• Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) – 48.7%
• Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt) – 46.8%
• Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) – 40.0%
• Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) – 32.1%
• Matheus Cunha (Wolves) – 31.0%
• Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid) – 29.5%

Harry Kane led with a 59.2% aerial win rate, narrowly edging out Šeško (58.8%), making both highly reliable in the air. Haaland (53.3%) and Gyökeres (50.7%) also showed solid success in duels.

Lewandowski and Ekitike held respectable mid-tier efficiency, while Cunha, Isak, and Álvarez were among the least effective in aerial battles.

Miscontrols per 90: Who Struggled Most With Ball Control?

Miscontrols per 90 tells us how often a player failed to control the ball cleanly. High numbers may reflect technical sloppiness or pressure from defenders, especially in tight spaces.

• Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt) – 3.48
• Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP) – 3.02
• Matheus Cunha (Wolves) – 2.77
• Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) – 2.60
• Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) – 2.53
• Benjamin Šeško (RB Leipzig) – 2.50
• Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid) – 2.22
• Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) – 2.16
• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) – 1.55
• Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – 1.48

Ekitike and Gyökeres led in miscontrols, suggesting room for improvement in first-touch reliability. Haaland and Kane, in contrast, were far cleaner with their control under pressure.

Dispossessed per 90: Who Lost the Ball Most Often?

Dispossessed per 90: Who Lost the Ball Most Often?

This metric tracks how often a striker was tackled and lost possession while on the ball. It reflects a player’s ball security, awareness, and composure under defensive pressure.

• Benjamin Šeško (RB Leipzig) – 2.08
• Matheus Cunha (Wolves) – 1.91
• Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) – 1.80
• Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP) – 1.77
• Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) – 1.52
• Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) – 1.52
• Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid) – 1.43
• Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt) – 1.19
• Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – 0.89
• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) – 0.83

Šeško and Cunha were the most frequently dispossessed, while Kane and Haaland were the most secure, rarely giving up the ball when challenged.

Discipline: Which Strikers Keep Their Cool?

In elite football, discipline matters. Red and yellow cards don’t just reflect a player’s temperament—they can swing title races, cost crucial points, or derail Champions League knockout ties.

When you’re investing in a top striker, you want consistency—not suspensions. Here’s how Europe’s elite forwards performed in terms of discipline in the 2024–25 season:

🔴 Red Cards per 90 Minutes

• Benjamin Šeško (RB Leipzig) – 0.04
• Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) – 0.03
• Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP) – 0.00
• Matheus Cunha (Wolves) – 0.00
• Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – 0.00
• Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) – 0.00
• Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) – 0.00
• Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt) – 0.00
• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) – 0.00
• Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid) – 0.00

Only Benjamin Šeško and Kylian Mbappé received red cards per 90 at any measurable rate, with Šeško averaging 0.04 and Mbappé 0.03.

While these aren’t high numbers, it’s a note of caution for clubs like Arsenal, who already faced multiple sending-offs last season and might be wary of taking on added disciplinary risks.

Every other striker in this list went the entire season without a single red card, showing strong levels of discipline and composure—especially in high-pressure situations.

🟨 Yellow Cards per 90 Minutes

• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) – 0.19
• Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid) – 0.18
• Matheus Cunha (Wolves) – 0.14
• Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP) – 0.13
• Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) – 0.09
• Benjamin Šeško (RB Leipzig) – 0.08
• Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – 0.07
• Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt) – 0.04
• Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) – 0.03
• Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) – 0.03

Harry Kane picked up the most yellow cards per 90 minutes (0.19), closely followed by Julián Álvarez (0.18). In contrast, Alexander Isak and Robert Lewandowski were the most disciplined forwards in this category—averaging just 0.03 yellow cards per 90.

Viktor Gyökeres, meanwhile, averaged 0.13, nearly identical to Matheus Cunha at 0.14—suggesting the Sporting Lisbon striker focus levels may be more or less like those of Manchester United’s new signing.

As for Hugo Ekitike, a potential Premier League arrival, his 0.04 yellow cards per 90 shows he’s calm under pressure—a good sign for teams like Newcastle, Liverpool, and Chelsea, who have been reportedly monitoring him.

Conclusion: Is Viktor Gyökeres Ready for the Premier League?

When placed under the statistical microscope alongside Europe’s top-tier strikers—Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, Alexander Isak, Robert Lewandowski, and rising names like Šeško and Ekitike—Viktor Gyökeres emerges as a compelling prospect with standout qualities and a few clear limitations.

Where Gyökeres Excels:

• Shot Volume & Threat: With 4.08 shots per 90, only Mbappé (4.71) takes more. Gyökeres consistently gets into goal-scoring positions and ranks among the most dangerous shooters in Europe.
• Shots on Target: 2.12 shots on target per 90 puts him second only to Mbappé, underlining his shooting precision.
• Shot Accuracy: At 52%, he is just behind Haaland (52.9%), far above the average striker.
• Ball Carrying: He ranks third in both total carrying distance (172.17 yards) and progressive carries (91.77 yards), showing excellent ability to drive the ball forward.
• Passing Output: With 16.24 passes completed per 90 and 36.21 yards in progressive passing, he shows good involvement in build-up play for a centre-forward.
• Aerial Duels: Gyökeres also competes well in the air, winning 1.16 duels per 90 at a 50.7% success rate—respectable, though not elite.

Where Gyökeres Struggles:

• Miscontrols: With 3.02 miscontrols per 90, he is one of the least tidy forwards in Europe, suggesting a heavy first touch or struggles under tight pressure.
• Dispossessed: He’s dispossessed 1.77 times per 90, more than Haaland, Kane, or Ekitike—pointing to challenges with ball security.
• Passing Completion: A 71.4% pass accuracy puts him among the lower third in this comparison, behind Ekitike (75.5%), Isak (75.3%), and Kane (78.9%).

Final Verdict:

Viktor Gyökeres is a high-volume, high-impact forward whose powerful carrying, shot generation, and direct playstyle make him well-suited to teams like Arsenal or Manchester United that require dynamic strikers. However, to thrive in the Premier League, he must sharpen his ball control.

If he can adapt like Bruno Fernandes, Gyökeres has the tools to succeed and possibly become one of the Premier League’s most impactful new strikers.