If he was better at finishing he wouldn’t have left City tbf. He’s an excellent player but he’s definitely a tier below the best of the best of the best (as Rip Torn put it).
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That’s exactly it. If he was even an average finisher we’re talking about one of the best 3-4 strikers on the planet bc he is completely top drawer in everything else.
I think it was a pretty good gamble that his finishing might improve in a different context but so far that hasn’t happened. He’s a top player and a great signing even as a poor finisher so you can’t really complain. But ultimately we should be looking to add a killer in front of goal and rotate them situationally, with Jesus also getting wing minutes.
Saka
Martinelli
Jesus
Trossard
Ferguson
Neto
A group like that would be ideal IMO.
I also wouldn’t be surprised if by the end of this year Nwaneri has forced himself into the conversation for that last spot. I can see him breaking into the team on the wing even if his long term future may be in attacking midfield.
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we need a better striker none of those guys are prolific enough to really get us out of trouble when things get tough. At the same time though there aren’t many prolific strikers out there.
Jesus should be able to surpass his flaw this season.
Tell me a striker we can get with killer instinct right now
Tbf, there are not many elite finishers in the world today.
The ones that exist are not really elite strikers to begin with, their overall game isn’t great and they don’t have the positioning to get in spots to finish as often.
A distinction I’ve found is that a elite goalscorer doesn’t always mean being a elite finisher.
RvP and Rooney are probably the last true greats at it.
Harry Kane?
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Finishing in general has declined.
I guess it’s just what the coaches focus on in the training in the academies has changed.
I could name a ton of elite midfielders from about 20ish years ago who were far beter finishers and more clinical than the elite strikers of nowadays. To compare modern striker’s finishing ability/variety/technique to those of that era is simply unfair.
They just didn’t have to focus on a lot of things moderns strikers HAVE to do nowadays. They didn’t HAVE to defend much, if at all (to some extent they did, but nowhere near as today), they didn’t have to be involved in the build up that much too (aside R9 and Henry who revolutionised the role)… But when they got a half chance in the box they knew it was their job to finish it.
Wanted to mention a few names, but it’s just unfair to the others. The amount of incredible finishers in the 90s an the 00s almost looks like a fairy tale compared to the recent era.
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Yep. Forgot about him myself too.
He’s a better finisher than both of them btw.
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Agree. Van Persie only became an elite finisher 2009 onwards. I don’t think I’d class Rooney as an elite finisher tbh. Kane is legit top 3 in the world over the last decade.
Messi, Son, De Bruyne are always quite high when it comes to finishing metrics. Podolski had insane ball striking ability too.
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RvP and Rooney still clear for me but yeah, Kane is a good shout.
Edit: Jota probably another one. Dude is lethal but another guy who isn’t really a great striker nor a great goalscorer.
Jota… that guy is almost always guaranteed to score against us when he plays.
Suarez was a level above all 3
Suraez was amazing but he wouldn’t necessarily call him an elite finisher and he’s definitely not a better one than Kane IMO
Tough to judge Suarez. Was to prone to missing many chances, but was also able to pull off any kind of finish and score all types of goals.
He’s still probably the best 9 I’ve seen (again, haven’t watched prime R9, and I don’t really consider Henry as a 9).
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Yups, Henry would definitely be classed as a winger in today’s day and age.
I wouldn’t say Suarez was an elite finisher. Neither was Henry but both were elite goalscorers.
Kane is the number 1 finisher for me. Put him anywhere in the penalty area and he’d have a good chance of beating the keeper. Not as showy as Suarez and others, but certainly the most efficient I’ve seen.
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Those reactions from Titi when he missed a big chance. 
Clear influence on Giroud, but he did take it a bit too far. 
One of the most complete #9’s the game has seen in recent times, could do it all beat you off the dribble, score like an asbolute killer and faciliate like one of the words best creators.
He’s what I wished Jesus could become with regard to all aspects of the role.
How is Suarez not an elite finisher? What sort of tiny shortlist is this?