BENNY'S VALUABLE INFORMATION OF THE WEEK

So who do you think should go to the World Cup?

It is pretty much nailed on that Fabio Capello will pick four strikers to go to South Africa.

But which frontmen deserve to go?

We all have our opinions, but who has the best goalscoring records of the contenders?

The following stats from the last five seasons make for some interesting reading.

The figures below are taken from the beginning of the 2005-2006 season up to and including each player's last Premiership appearance. The figures include premiership goals only


Name Clubs Appearances Goals Strike rate

Gabriel Agbonlahor Aston Villa 148 44 29.72%

Darren Bent Charlton, Tottenham,Sunderland 157 67 42.68%

Peter Crouch Liverpool, Portsmouth, Tottenham 152 38 25.00%

Jermaine Defoe Tottenham, Portsmouth, Tottenham 155 68 43.87%

Emile Heskey Birmingham, Wigan, Aston Villa 153 24 15.69%

Wayne Rooney Manchester United 156 79 50.64%



Of course, these figures can be deceptive. Darren Bent was often a substitute at Tottenham, while Peter Crouch was frequenyly used as a subsitute at Liverpool, perhaps distorting his figures.

In addition to this ambiguity, Emile Heskey, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Wayne Rooney have not always been selected as srikers during their careers.

However, on goalscoring records only, the four strikers going to Africa should be Wayne Rooney, Jermaine Defoe, Darren Bent and Gabriel Agbonlahor, according to the figures.

Although being a striker is not all about goals, it is, I would suggest, quite important. Are you taking note Mr Capello?





REFERENCES:

Wikipedia
Answers.com