Stats: Which forward had the best conversion rate in 2014/15?
While most clubs across Europe hunt for a striker, they would be wise to take a look at some of the names in this list. According to statistics from WhoScored, Wolfsburg striker Bas Dost was Europe’s most clinical player in 2014/15 with a conversion rate of 37.2% even though he scored only 16 goals.
When considering a minimum of 15 league appearances, nobody else even has a conversion rate of 30%. While Cristiano Ronaldo (48 goals) and Lionel Messi (43 goals) may have led the goal scoring charts, their conversion rates don’t even put them in the top 5. In fact, Messi finishes eighth and Ronaldo just about squeezes his way into the top 10!
Europa League final hero and new AC Milan signing Carlos Bacca is second on the list with a conversion rate of 28.9% after scoring 20 goals. He is just ahead of Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann who scored 22 goals at a rate of 28.2%.
Lyon’s big find Alexandre Lacazette, who lit up Ligue 1 with 27 goals, is fourth with a rate of 28.1%. Chelsea’s Diego Costa completes the top five with 26.3% for 20 goals, although his season was curtailed due to injury. Alexander Meier of Eintracht Frankfurt is sixth with 19 goals at 24.1% after playing up front for a majority of the season.
The remaining names are from Barcelona and Real Madrid with Neymar, Messi, Karim Benzema and Ronaldo completing the top 10.
| # | PLAYER | CLUB | LEAGUE GOALS | CONVERSION RATE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bas Dost | Wolfsburg | 16 | 37.2% |
| 2 | Carlos Bacca | Sevilla | 20 | 28.9% |
| 3 | Antoine Griezmann | Atletico Madrid | 22 | 28.2% |
| 4 | Alexandre Lacazette | Lyon | 27 | 28.1% |
| 5 | Diego Costa | Chelsea | 20 | 26.3% |
| 6 | Alexander Meier | Eintracht Frankfurt | 19 | 24.1% |
| 7 | Neymar | Barcelona | 22 | 23.2% |
| 8 | Lionel Messi | Barcelona | 43 | 23.0% |
| 9 | Karim Benzema | Real Madrid | 15 | 21.7% |
| 10 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid | 48 | 21.3% |