{"id":1170657,"date":"2020-10-15T09:00:48","date_gmt":"2020-10-15T08:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1170657"},"modified":"2024-08-31T16:24:12","modified_gmt":"2024-08-31T15:24:12","slug":"premier-league-best-aerial-threats-headed-goals","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/premier-league-best-aerial-threats-headed-goals\/","title":{"rendered":"Ranking the Premier League’s best aerial threats"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are precious few things in football more viscerally satisfying than a header. Everyone loves a good header.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now, headed clearances are nice, but headed goals? That’s a whole other level of brilliant. “Death From Above” comes as crosses are powered into the back of the net from eight to 10 feet off the ground (or just a few inches if we’re going really old-school), defenders flailing in mid-air as their bodies are smashed out of the way by the gliding figure, cast in bronze mid-flight, muscle and sinew straining as the ball is arrowed beyond the helpless goalkeeper.<\/p>\n

The Premier League<\/span> is a bastion of great attacking headers, but who are the biggest aerial threats in the English top-flight? Which players strike fear into the hearts of defenders when they see the crosses coming in? We’ve had a look and come up with our list of the most prolific headed goalscorers since the start of 2018\/19, with their aerial conversion rate and xGH (expected goals from headers) serving as tie-breakers should the need arise.<\/p>\n

\n

Join Football Index in three steps:<\/strong><\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Head to the Football Index website using this link here<\/a><\/strong> and click ‘join now’.<\/li>\n
  2. Enter your details, including a valid email address.<\/li>\n
  3. Deposit funds to get underway and start buying shares.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    *You have to be 18+ and\u00a0<\/span>Gamble Aware<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>to sign up to Football Index. Values correct at time of writing – 17:00, 12\/10\/2020.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

    \n

    10. Harry Kane<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Tottenham Hotspur<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    Headed goals:<\/strong> 6
    \nHeaded shots:<\/strong> 29
    \nHeaded shot conversion:<\/strong> 21%
    \nxGH (Expected headed goals):<\/strong> 4.81
    \n    Football Index<\/a> value:\u00a0\u00a35.13 (Sell) –<\/span>\u00a0\u00a35.47 (Buy)<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Harry Kane<\/span> is pretty much good at everything, so it should come as no surprise that he’s a supreme aerial threat. He doesn’t often attack crosses, hence his low shot total, but he tends to be dangerous whenever he does. Should Spurs<\/span> supply him with more balls in the air, he’d likely fly up the list.<\/p>\n

    9. Jamie Vardy<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Leicester City<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Headed goals:<\/strong> 6
    \nHeaded shots:<\/strong> 34
    \nHeaded shot conversion:<\/strong> 18%
    \nxGH (Expected headed goals):<\/strong> 5.5
    \n    Football Index<\/a> value:\u00a0\u00a31.00 (Sell) –<\/span>\u00a0\u00a31.12 (Buy)<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Few players represent sheer energy as much as Jamie Vardy and as a result, the Englishman has scored headers. He’s not one for big towering leaps, but he has momentum and clever movement and with those, he’ll always find space and is more than willing to stick his head into danger if he thinks he’ll get a goal.<\/p>\n

    8. Michail Antonio<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    West Ham United<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Headed goals:<\/strong> 6
    \nHeaded shots:<\/strong> 32
    \nHeaded shot conversion:<\/strong> 19%
    \nxGH (Expected headed goals):<\/strong> 5.8
    \n    Football Index<\/a> value:\u00a0\u00a30.43 (Sell) –<\/span>\u00a0\u00a30.58 (Buy)<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    West Ham<\/span> are often in need of a hero and when that time comes, it’s usually Antonio who steps up rather than any of the club’s big-name signings. The Englishman has been in phenomenal form over the last year or so and his ability to dominate in the air is a large part of what has enabled him to be such an effective force up-top.<\/p>\n

    7. Roberto Firmino<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Liverpool<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \"Liverpool<\/p>\n

    Headed goals:<\/strong> 7
    \nHeaded shots:<\/strong> 25
    \nHeaded shot conversion:<\/strong> 28%
    \nxGH (Expected headed goals):<\/strong> 4.88
    \n    Football Index<\/a> value:\u00a0\u00a31.19 (Sell) –<\/span>\u00a0\u00a31.58 (Buy)<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Roberto Firmino needs no introduction. A staggering forward who, while touted as a “false nine” is often just an actual nine — as proven by the danger he poses in the air. The Brazilian has an impressive leap and superb technique, making him dangerous if he is ever actually in the box to attack crosses. His 25 headed shots is a list-low, but his 28% conversion rate is the highest.<\/p>\n

    6. Aleksandar Mitrovic<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Fulham<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Headed goals:<\/strong> 7
    \nHeaded shots:<\/strong> 56
    \nHeaded shot conversion:<\/strong> 13%
    \nxGH (Expected headed goals):<\/strong> 7.51
    \n    Football Index<\/a> value:\u00a0\u00a30.70 (Sell) –<\/span>\u00a0\u00a30.98 (Buy)<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Mitrovic still features on this list despite spending one of the seasons under consideration in the Championship. That should explain the terrifying aerial menace that he is and how he’d probably be atop this list if Fulham hadn’t been relegated for a season. He misses a lot of shots but he takes so many (a list-high 56) that it doesn’t matter.<\/p>\n

    \n

    ? – Most goals in the UEFA Nations League<\/p>\n

    7 – Aleksandar Mitrovic??
    6 –     @ErlingHaaland<\/a>?? (+3)
    6 – Haris Seferovic??    #NORROM<\/a> #NationsLeague<\/a><\/p>\n

    — Gracenote Live (@GracenoteLive) October 11, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n