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By Lewis Thompson
Like Jurgen Klopp, when the time comes for Mo Salah to say his farewells at Liverpool, it will not sit easily with fans around the world.
Salah is akin to Klopp in the sense that he is simply irreplaceable, and any player who is signed to succeed the Egyptian king will immediately be playing at an inferior level to him.
During his 253 appearances for the Reds, he has scored 154 goals and assisted 68, while smashing numerous records along the way.
Data from FBref uses scouting reports, made up of industry experts and user feedback, to compare the world’s elite footballers.
This data can then be used to find standout individuals who have similar exceptional stats when compared back to Salah.
Stats on a player’s scouting report are based on performances over the last 365 days, listed in values per 90 minutes played, and then ranked as a percentile against positional peers in the men’s ‘big five’ leagues and Europe.
These include the Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1 and Serie A, as well as the UEFA Champions League and Europa League.
To explain the percentile in more detail, Salah’s average of 0.58 non-penalty goals per 90 minutes is compared to a general average, a high, and a low.
This puts him in the 97th percentile on his scouting report – essentially, the higher the percentile the better.
In Europe, Diogo Jota has the highest non-penalty goals average with 0.87, while the general average sits at 0.24.
Salah’s report is based on 3171 minutes played in the last year, and he is a top performer for non-penalty goals, shots (3.38), assists (0.43), and touches (in the opponent’s penalty area), which can be shortened to (att pen).
When it comes to finding a successor – Jarrod Bowen, Pedro Neto and Michael Olise are all Premier League options, but what does data suggest about those in Europe, and what do the experts say?
Bundesliga
Leroy Sane
If you can forgive him for that winning goal against Liverpool at the Etihad in January 2019, data suggests that Leroy Sane may be a suitable replacement for Salah.
Sane has the most assists in the Bundesliga this season with 11 and averages 0.51 per 90 minutes.
That figure may be largely thanks to Harry Kane, however, the German international has a strong 0.42 scouting report average – putting him in the 96th percentile for assists.
In his 24 Bundesliga starts this campaign, Sane has the third-highest number of touches (att pen) with 134.
The 28-year-old is footed and whilst he predominantly finds himself playing on the right for Bayern Munich, he can operate on the left and centrally too.
When it comes to shots, FBref only shows players who have played a minimum of 30 minutes per squad game to avoid those who may have a one-off super-sub cameo.
Among wingers, Sane ranks second for shots per 90 minutes in the league this season (3.08) with a figure of 3.12 over the last 12 months, putting him in the 91st percentile.
Kevin Hatchard is a commentator for the Bundesliga’s official English channel and appears regularly for Sky Sports News.
He said: “Sane started the season brilliantly, but has slowed down since the turn of the year, largely because of a persistent knee problem he’s been dealing with.
“On his day he’s spectacular – quick, skilful and direct.
“His defensive work rate has massively improved over time but he needs to maintain that level.”
Donyell Malen
One player who edges Sane’s shot average is Donyell Malen.
Malen is the one winger who edges Sane for league shots per 90 minutes this season with 3.42 – to put that into perspective, Kane averages 4.36.
The Dutch international’s scouting report average is even higher at 3.90 placing him in the 98th percentile.
This season, over half of the 25-year-old’s Bundesliga shots have been on target (30/58), and he is also outperforming his expected goals ratio of 7.2, with 11 league goals.
Malen lacks in the assists department with 0.17 assists per 90 but is in the 99th percentile for non-penalty goals with 0.67 – an average higher than Salah’s 0.54.
Hatchard said: “Malen is talented, but very much a streaky player.
“When he’s on a hot streak, he’s excellent – quick, great striker of the ball, lethal in front of goal – however, he does have long spells when he’s ineffective, and that inconsistency has probably put Liverpool off in the past.”
Jeremie Frimpong
It would be wrong to not mention Jeremie Frimpong for a Bundesliga option due to his outstanding stats under Xabi Alonso this season.
As a right-sided attacking wing-back for Bayer Leverkusen, Frimpong has 14 goals and assists from 22 league starts this season.
As a full-back, his scouting report can be compared to midfielders rather than positional peers for a fairer representation.
In this sense, Frimpong’s average of 0.33 non-penalty goals and 6.43 touches (att pen) per 90 minutes leaves him in the 99th percentile.
Hatchard said: “Frimpong does need allowances to make up for his defensive shortcomings, and I absolutely wouldn’t select him as a full-back in a back four.
“As a wing-back who has the licence to get forward, he’s exceptional as a goalscorer and a provider of chances – a passionate player too.”
Salah compared with Bundesliga data suggestions
La Liga
Raphinha
Barcelona’s Raphinha has the highest assist average per 90 minutes in La Liga this season with 0.59.
The Brazil international also takes the most shots in the division and is in the 99th percentile for the same stat with a 4.02 scouting report average.
Dougie Critchley is a European football expert and can be seen on Sky Sports and Football Daily.
He said: “Raphinha is a player who has struggled to translate his Premier League consistency to the pressure cooker that is Barcelona, but on his day he’s capable of moments of genuine quality.”
Rahul Lakhani is a football writer for GRV Media and runs La Liga London.
He added: “Raphinha’s general output in terms of goals and assists is reasonable, but he has been frustrating at times since his move to Barcelona and lost his place to Lamine Yamal.
“He was superb at Leeds under Marcelo Bielsa but there are question marks over whether he can be a key player in the mould of Salah.”
Rodrygo
Sticking to the Brazilians, 23-year-old Rodrygo has the highest number of touches (att pen) in Spain this season with 175.
The Real Madrid man with a one billion Euro release clause has 13 goals and assists in 24 La Liga starts.
Critchley said Rodrygo would be his dream pick as a Salah replacement from Spain.
He added: “Don’t mistake the fact that Rodrygo operates in Vinicius Junior’s shadow as evidence that he isn’t an exceptional player, he really is.
“Having first shown his best football in the Champions League, he’s proved himself to be an excellent finisher domestically and in Europe in the last 18 months.”
Ferran Torres
Ferran Torres has the highest non-penalty goal average for wingers in La Liga this season with 0.67.
The former Man City player is also in the 99th percentile for the same stat in his scouting report.
Lakhani referenced Torres as a player he really likes because he can play anywhere across the front three.
He added: “Torres has struggled for consistency at Barcelona, but he brings a lot of speed, and his ability in front of goal is often overlooked.
“He’s a more efficient attacker, like Salah, than someone like Raphinha or Luis Diaz, who may tend to focus more on build-up play.”
Critchley said: “Torres is not always popular amongst the Barcelona faithful and he has a tendency to drift in and out of games, but he’s got a very solid scoring record for club and country.”
Salah compared with La Liga data suggestions
Ligue 1
In the French league, Kylian Mbappe statistically trumps all of his positional peers but the forward has already agreed to join Real Madrid this summer, so that’s as far as we need to go with that one.
Edon Zhegrova
24-year-old Edon Zhegrova is left-footed but plays from the right for Lille in France.
Among wingers, the Kosovo international is third for shots per 90 minutes in Ligue 1 this season, averaging 3.17.
He is in the 93rd percentile for the same stat on his scouting report with 3.22 and has eight goals and assists in 19 league starts for Lille this season.
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor writes about European football for The Athletic and he believes Zhegrova’s career has developed well over the last year.
He said: “I really like Zhegrova – I have spoken with his current manager Paulo Fonseca directly in the past, who has a really good judgement of players and he speaks extremely highly of him.
“No one’s going to compare precisely with Salah, but Zhegrova is someone budget-wise who would be pretty economical and efficient, however, he still has a lot of development to do.”
Bradley Barcola
PSG’s Bradley Barcola averages the highest number of touches (att pen) per 90 minutes for a winger in Ligue 1 this season with 7.24.
The 21-year-old left-winger averages 0.34 assists in the league too, the second highest across the division.
The current Ligue 1 leaders signed the France Under-21 forward from Lyon for close to £50 million in August 2023.
Stafford-Bloor said: “I don’t like to judge players within that PSG team because beyond the established players I’m not sure how good they are.
“There is talent there with Barcola and he played very well in the U21 Euros in the summer, but he’s very raw, and ultimately a no because of his recent move.”
Ousmane Dembele
Ousmane Dembele has the joint-highest assists with seven in Ligue 1 this season and the highest average per 90 minutes with 0.49.
The versatile winger can play on either side and use either foot, which is probably why only Barcola exceeds Dembele’s average of 5.99 touches (att pen) in the French division.
Dembele has scored just one goal in Ligue 1 this season and is only in the 5th percentile for non-penalty goals with 0.04.
The Frenchman’s injury record must be noted too, as Dembele has missed 52 games for club and country since the 2020/21 season.
Stafford-Bloor said: “I would be really nervous about signing him due to the fee that you’d have to part with to get him out of PSG, and the unknown of what he’s going to be like in a very physical league.
“Would he want the move?
You have to remember Dembele is Parisian and he’s playing in a very good spot for the sake of his France national team.
“He is a talented guy but ultimately a hard no from me because of his many physical problems.”
Salah compared with Ligue 1 data suggestions
Serie A
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia averages the highest number of shots per 90 minutes among wingers in Serie A this season with 4.28.
Nicknamed the Georgian Maradona, Kvaratskhelia is a natural left winger but is more than comfortable on both feet.
Kvaratskhelia also has the highest number of touches (att pen) in the league with 154 and has 14 goals and assists from 25 league starts.
He is in the 96th percentile for shots per 90 minutes on his scouting report and the 88th for touches (att pen) with 6.25.
Apollo Heyes is a journalist for Football Italia and The Laziali and he said Kvaratskhelia has elements in his game that not many have in football.
He added: “Kvaratskhelia is an interesting player because he came out of nowhere last year and was a real fundamental part of Napoli’s title challenge.
“He really shines in one-on-one duels flying down the wing, he is great in the box and has quite a deadly shot.”
Nicolas Gonzalez
Just shy of Kvaratskhelia for shots per 90 minutes in Serie A this campaign is Nicolas Gonzalez, with a 3.68 average.
The Argentina international emulates Salah in some way, as he currently plays his football for Fiorentina.
He has bagged seven goals in 17 league starts this season, and is in the 99th percentile for shots in his scouting report with 3.92.
Surprisingly, standing at five feet nine inches – Gonzalez wins the most aerial duels compared to any of his positional peers with an impressive 3.09 average per 90 minutes.
Heyes said: “Gonzalez has done an incredible job this season and is capable of playing on both sides of the pitch, so he already has some testing in that right-wing role showing that he can easily do it.
“Fiorentina to Liverpool, while he does have the Salah link, it is quite a jump – Fiorentina are a very hot or cold team in Italy so the pressures there are much less.”
Rafael Leao
AC Milan’s Rafael Leao averages the highest number of assists per 90 minutes for a winger in Serie A this season.
He is also second to Kvaratskhelia for touches (att pen) across the division with 120 and is in the 89th percentile on his scouting report for the same stat.
The Portuguese left winger won Serie A with Milan in the 2021/22 season.
Heyes said: “Leao is one of those players who needs to feel the support and love from the team and fans, and if there’s questions around him there’s not as much of a spark – he’s a very temperamental player.
“At the same time, sometimes Milan really hang him out to dry and are over-reliant on him.
“In general Leao is a real star and I’d be surprised if he’s still in the Italian league in the next five years.”
Salah compared with Serie A data suggestions
Experts Recommendations
Hatchard: “Alex Grimaldo is another player to consider although he’s on a long contract – he strikes the ball beautifully, is excellent from set plays and can score with that amazing left foot.”
Stafford-Bloor: “Amine Amoura has absolutely ruined the Belgium Pro League this season and he’s one of the best players in the Conference League.
“His current club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise have exceptional talent ID and they were the team who brought in [Victor] Boniface, the Leverkusen forward, from Norway.
“He reminds me of a young Heung-min Son – right-footed and can play either side.”
Heyes: “Federico Chiesa is an incredible player, but he’s really struggled since his cruciate ligament rupture.
“[Massimiliano] Allegri’s system at Juventus isn’t nice for forwards, so when you look at the stats he might not stand out that much.
“When you think of him in an Italy system under [Roberto] Manchini previously, when he has the freedom to be creative and push down the pitch, that’s when he shines.”
RL: “Nico Williams is destined for the top, he is comfortable on the right but can also play on the left, and is highly skilful with a strong eye for goal.
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