Picture the occasion. It’s the 17TH of September, 2020. Brighton and Hove Albion host Portsmouth at an empty Amex Community stadium in the second round of the efl cup. Albion’s starting 11 was fully rotated from the 3–1 defeat at home to Chelsea.
Graham Potter had opted for a 4–3–3 system, with a back four consisting of Bernardo, Dan Burn, Joel Veltman and Jayson Molumby playing at right back (Some may say, the Irish Jack Hinshelwood). Across the midfield were household Albion names- Davy Pröpper, Dale Stephens, and Pascal Gross, the latter in a more advanced role. On the wings, a fresh faced Alexis Mac Allister and Alireza Jahanbakhsh (who would score a scorcher on the night).
Up top however, was a young Swedish forward making his full Albion debut (following two substitute appearances in the fa cup in early 2019). Given the opportunity to be the sole striker against relatively weaker opposition, a lad named Viktor Gyökeres took centre stage, fresh off a loan spell at St Pauli in Germany. He scored 7 in 26 games in Germany.
But on that fateful night in Falmer, Viktor showed the first glimpses of what he was capable of in blue and white. He fired in the fourth goal of a fairly routine victory, 4 without reply for the Albion.
The goal itself was excellent. He received it on his right, before shaping to shoot with his right, and then a smart turn opened up the space to slice home with his left.
After that game, I was thinking, “Wow, this guys got it. I can see him in the long term leading the line for us.”
At least, that’s what I like to think. My pre frontal cortex wasn’t fully developed, so I probably thought “yeah good goal” or something along those lines and moved on with my life.
Yet, 12 months later, Viktor was no longer an Albion player, signing for Coventry permanently from a loan deal where he scored 3 goals in 19 games.
On the surface, this looked intelligent. After all, he’d had 3 loan moves on the bounce where he was averaging a goal every 5.6 games. At the end of the day, at lower levels than the premier league, this wasn’t good enough.
BUT. And I stress the but. His conversion rate was decent- quality of chances were low. In 20/21 throughout his loans at Swansea and Coventry, he started just 9 games, being subbed on 21 times. In this time, he took 18 shots, with 8 on target. With 3 goals, that’s a 16.67% conversion rate, and a 44.44% shot accuracy.
Look, I’ve probably lost you. These stats are silly, 16.67% conversion rate, that doesn’t sound good. But from a 2.51 xG, all I can say is sit back and let him cook.
I thought I’d introduce this article by outlining his numbers whilst still contracted to the club. The loan moves were unsuccessful, but that’s not a reflection on him. I’m not going to go back and watch every game of his loan spells, but what I can say is that based on underlying numbers of the players around him, the quality of chances were few and far between.
As of today, Viktor is averaging 1.4 goal contributions per 90 in all competitions, with 25 goals and 10 assists in 27 games. Sometimes, G/A speaks for itself. However, we’re still here to elaborate on all facets of his game.
So, I’m going to split this article up in to 3 parts. Firstly, I’m going to talk about his time at Coventry. Then, his current season at Sporting, before finally offering a proper profiling and identifying potential career moves to get the best out of him. Strap yourself in, let’s begin.
Viktor Gyökeres at Coventry-
Viktor had two full seasons in sky blue following his permanent signing in the summer of 2021. In his first season, 2021/22, Viktor took centre stage, playing almost every game as Coventry finished 12th, firing in 17 goals (from an non penalty xG of 13.75), with 5 assists to boot. This came to an average of 0.43 Goals per 90, and 0.55 Goal involvements per 90. pretty decent. But what about the conversion rates?
Conversion rate was at 18.09% (putting him in the top 25% of forwards in Europe). Shot accuracy was at 65.96%, which is pretty special. For context, Erling Haaland last season had a shot accuracy of 55.66% (albeit with 12 more shots taken than Viktor.)
What about overall play then? He proved to be a reliable goalscorer when fed opportunities, but how about in build up and transition?
As I eluded to earlier, 5 assists this season. Decent numbers, but what’s more impressive is his general chance creation. Whilst he was on the lower end of passes made throughout games (this season he had a tendency to be isolated by man marking defenders, but learnt to adapt to that in the following season), his key passing rate of 1.67 per 90 put him in the top 15% of forwards. With 67 key passes in total, this indicates he had an influence on their overall attacking patterns. And, having watched him play that season and judging by the number of games played, he was indeed pivotal.
As a transition outlet against high lines and with the need to create chances for himself, a lot of responsibility was on his shoulders. When he wasn’t performing, the whole team suffered.
His ball carrying numbers have been astounding for the duration of his time away from Sussex, with this season being no different as Robins required him to be that main focal point.
Moving on to the next season as it’s of more importance, Viktor’s influence on Coventry transcended being the main man in the attack. In fact, the whole team was built around him. The way they set up offensively and in transition revolves around all of his best qualities. Going to be using some data from Opta, so shoutout them before we proceed.
This map is an absolute madness. No player even scratched the surface for his progressive carries and successful dribbles as a forward in the championship last season. 9 of his 33 goal contributions came from chance creating carries alone. This is purely hitting in transition, and hitting hard in transition. Athletic levels of pace, power and technical ability that’s controlled, effective and horrendous to defend against. In back to back seasons he led the charts for most shot involvements following carries (100 (!)).
Not only is he the most important player for this high octave kick and rush football, he’s the catalyst for everything it revolves around. Coventry had just under 50 more direct attacks (open play sequences that start in own half and progress at least 50% towards the opposition goal that lead to a touch or shot in the 18 yard box) than any other championship team, and it all stems from a certain Swede. Don’t fall for the mistake of thinking direct football is park the bus countering, think of it like Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton. Hmm, saying that, wouldn’t it have been useful to have a striker fit for that style in the team today? Where on earth could we have sourced that?
I found a quote from Simon Rusk on Gyokeres post departure that I thought was interesting. “Victor was very physically able and robust despite his young age and a great runner, but you felt that he could only improve once his football insight and technical intelligence grew with time. Those have obviously married up now and he’s become an exceptional Championship player.”
Evidently internally he was very highly rated, but his decision to leave forced our hand. Not every player wants to spend half a decade wasting time on successive loan moves, and wants stability. It was evident he wasn’t going to break in to the first team in the next 12 months at the time of his departure, so for his development he moved on. I dare say he wouldn’t be the player he is today without the support of Mark Robins and his brand of football.
With 33 goal contributions in 49 games (including playoffs), Gyokeres averaged 0.69 goal involvements per 90, with an xG of 16.66, these figures are nutty to say the least. His conversion rate went up to 22.83%, whilst his shot accuracy was at 57.61%. As we’ve said, the progressive carry numbers are ridiculous, and the shot creating action standards are tremendous. Every premier league club should’ve been going to war for him, and yet..
Viktor Gyökeres at Sporting-
Gyökeres joined Sporting following Coventry’s narrow defeat in the playoff final. At an estimated £20m pounds with add ons and a sell on fee, this is already looking to be one of the signings of the summer of 2023.
Since joining Sporting, as of writing, he has recorded 25 goals and 10 assists in 27 games in all competitions. I mean, wow. Averaging a goal every 108 minutes, he has been the main driving force of Sporting’s title ambitions.
Courtesy of Fbref
I mean, just look at these stats from this season. It’s enough to make you weep with joy. 4.31 progressive carries per 90 puts him in the top 1% in Europe, but what’s more impressive is that he’s even incorporated progressive passes. So not only is he their top scorer, he’s the top assister, the top chance creator, the main anchor in transition and leading the press. 4.87 shot creating actions per 90 is phenomenal.
No disrespect to the Portuguese league either, because it is absolutely a quality league. He’s taken to it like a duck to water and is proving to be one of the most ruthless strikers in the world. But I don’t need to go on much more about how good he’s been at sporting, I gather you already know.
Viktor Gyökeres- Profiling and future
From watching all of his goals so far this season, and his assists, as well as a few full 90s, you can draw a few conclusions on his overall game.
Obviously the main takeaway is him being a transition demon. He’s a physical match for most defenders on the planet so doesn’t shy away from duels- in fact he’s a duel demon. He’s involved in a lot of ground duels and has a reasonable succession rate- his work rate out of possession is a big contributor to this.
Progressive carries, progressive passes, dropping deep to receive and utilising the wing options. Drifts in to channels to receive (typically on the left, likes to cut in on his right). His movement is stellar- from cutbacks he likes the ball on his right to shape to shoot on his left before coming back on to his right- full circle from his only senior Albion goal.
No problems with aerial presence, slight weakness on his left for consistency but has a weak foot rocket in him. He’s a complete forward, capable of leading the line on his own (typically required of him at sporting and Coventry) however can be either striker in a front two (played as a second striker outlet alongside Godden, particularly in his first season at Coventry.)
What I find really interesting is that his average distance from goal finishing tends to fall between 14–18 metres. So whilst that does make him a box finisher, with his sheer quantity of goals it shows he does finish from further out too. This can be seen in his highlights, there’s some top compilations on YouTube if you get the chance.
Overall, the three key takeaways from this are that he’s a top creator, elite transition forward and a reliable finisher. For weaknesses, you’re not getting much with this guy. He’s the full package.
I think Albion fans will feel bitter that we let him go, but genuinely I have to say he wouldn’t be where he is now without taking that step. It is a shame, but that’s football. Not everything works out the way you want it to.
As for next club, it’s tough. His qualities are almost guaranteed to translate anywhere, and he will be at a top club in the next 6 months. I think his time in England will come, and if it comes it should come at Liverpool. That being said, it won’t be Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, so maybe that high octave football won’t be applicable anymore. Alternatively then, I think he should be aiming high. Inter Milan should be all over him. A longer term partnership of Gyökeres and Marcus Thuram would be good, although it might be too similar of a profile.
Real Madrid? Probably not. Barcelona? Depends on who comes in. If RDZ comes in, they should be going all in for Viktor. But then, they already have decent striker options coming through.
Bayern as a long term Kane replacement makes a lot of sense, but I can’t see it happening- mainly as Kane will be in Bavaria for a while, and he doesn’t deserve to be playing second fiddle.
Any of those options, I think if Liverpool go like for like in terms of managerial switch they have to go and get Gyökeres.
Anyways, thanks for reading! This was a fairly long one. Going to hopefully get the second part of the retrospective of former Albion players out next Tuesday. If you enjoyed this, please let me know, it’s a bit waffly at times but I hope it hammers home the key points I’m trying to make. I want to do more slightly longer stuff like this, it’s just finding the right players to talk about.
Adieu, enjoy your weekend!
