Top 100 Footballers in PL history

[IanH]

A couple of weeks ago I was ill at home, so started compiling players career goal-records to pass the hours. I discovered that statistically the average striker generally peaks with 21 goals per season, when they are 26 and that Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are absolute freaks.

The recent inclusions of Messrs Sheringham, Phillips and Wright in this countdown (and the speak of Defoe and Bent) got me thinking about early bloomers and late blossomers. The simple line-graph below compares their cumulative goal records (all competitions, ignoring number of games) from their professional birth until retirement. I also included Owen, to represent a real early bloomer.

 

[IanH]

 

[Craig]

I thought I put Sheringham on my list. Can you send me the list I sent in Cardsfan?

 

[Cardsfan]

I thought I put Sheringham on my list. Can you send me the list I sent in Cardsfan?

Sure thing mate (you didn't)

 

[Son of Cod]

View attachment 179

How did you measure the time axis? Is it one season blocks? Interesting that Ian Wright seems to be the one with a period in his career closest to the inclines of Ronaldo and Messi.
Wasn't Les Ferdinand a later bloomer? Might be worth doing him if you return to this at some point?

 

[IanH]

How did you measure the time axis? Is it one season blocks? Interesting that Ian Wright seems to be the one with a period in his career closest to the inclines of Ronaldo and Messi.
Wasn't Les Ferdinand a later bloomer? Might be worth doing him if you return to this at some point?

Yeah, done in one season blocks. It's obviously not perfect for comparing, as players spent time in the lower leagues and played different number of matches but I think it's quite interesting. Ferdinand was a late bloomers, but his peak was far shorter lived than the others so his total goal count was lower.

Two final graphs, first one showing the first five players to score 100 PL goals (and will live forever in the memories of Premier League era fans)

And a second showing five prolific strikers whose peaks just missed the real 90s cash cow and are destined to be less remembered.

Anyway, I'll stop clogging this up with silly line graphs now.

 

[Bilo]

Are you kidding, these are the most informative posts since 2010

Any way to do it for other positions you reckon, possibly assists for attacking midfielders? There are some notourious assist machines, would love to see them compared in a similar manner.

 

[IanH]

Are you kidding, these are the most informative posts since 2010

Any way to do it for other positions you reckon, possibly assists for attacking midfielders? There are some notourious assist machines, would love to see them compared in a similar manner.

It's definitely possible, I might have a look at doing it at some point when the aforementioned notorious assist machines start appearing on the countdown. I suppose the statistics will be a bit less reliable / available though, particularly for older players.

 

[Bilo]

Yeah, I thought largely the same, the stats-obsession with Opta etc wasn't quite as detailed ten years ago as it is today. Assists should be fine from the turn of the century and onwards, though.

 

[Posh Hammer]

Those Messi and Ronaldo graphs are bloody frightening.

Would be interested to see Bale's graph.

 

[IanH]

Two more graphs, since I've got all the data compiled anyway.

Firstly, stepping away from Premier League slightly at the fear of going off-topic, to put the Messi / Cristiano figures into a more continental context. Compared against two of the ultimate early bloomers in Raul (ignoring 16 goals for Real Madrid C aged 17) and Brazilian Ronaldo (44 goals in Brazil before coming to Europe aged just 17 and crippled by injuries just at the age when Messi and Cristiano started peaking). Also against Ibrahimovic who, despite only (sorry Bilo) beginning his career in Sweden, was not a prolific youngster. The final player I've thrown in is Rooney who seems to have had the most consistent goal scoring career of the lot, possibly highlighting the common opinion that he never truly kicked on to achieve the greatness his early promise suggested.

A second one, to show that Rooney's figures are still way ahead of the average strikers curve. This time, also still including Ibrahimovic, Rooney dominates the graph against Bale (here you go Posh Hammer) and to show the varying development of three much loved players on this forum; Balotelli, Welbeck and Sturridge. As said before, this season has not been included.

 

[Bilo]

Thanks a lot mate, I very much enjoyed reading that.

 

[Techno Natch]

Yeah very interesting. Thanks for that!

 

[Rammy]

I predict we will find out the winner on 14 August 2017.

 

[Cardsfan]

PISS OFF ALREADY

 

[Cardsfan]

Out of interest would people be happy if I skipped out profiles for the next 20 or so, as they take about 20 minutes each and are really slowing it down?

 

[Munkiki]

I'd say do profiles for the top 10 or 20 and just a small summary for each of the rest.

 

[Cardsfan]

I'd say do profiles for the top 10 or 20 and just a small summary for each of the rest.

Yeah that makes sense, some of the players Ive done profiles for so far fucking hell

 

[Craig]

If Francesco Baiano gets a profile then Hirsty better well get one too.

 

[Cardsfan]

If Francesco Baiano gets a profile then Hirsty better well get one too.

Just for you Craig, just for you

 

[Rammy]

Out of interest would people be happy if I skipped out profiles for the next 20 or so, as they take about 20 minutes each and are really slowing it down?

Yes! When I did the Top TV Shows, I only went in more detail with the Top 20.

And I've just realised all that has gone. Damn you, TFF!

 

[Cardsfan]

If thats you subtlely asking for me to cache the thread for you then...





















Piss off

 

[Rammy]

Since the record of the two lists have gone, I might do another one on here once I've had a break after the gameshow marathon!

 

[Cardsfan]

Since the record of the two lists have gone, I might do another one on here once I've had a break after the gameshow marathon!

The records havent gone you lazy shit, just cache them

 

[Rammy]

The records havent gone you lazy shit, just cache them

Running it again is a much better option!!!

 

[Craig]

I bet it finishes before this one an all.

 

[Cardsfan]

l

 

[Rammy]

Who?!?

 

[Libertadores FC]

I've missed this thread and couldn't find it earlier as I haven't been very active, but what a list! Full of banter and piss take. Who the fuck put Dwight Gayle on their list!?!?

 

[Craig]

This is why we need profiles.