Liam Tharme, an Athletic reporter, joins Mark Carey, who analyzes Gyokeres's impressive goal-scoring record, along with David Novo from Record for a Portuguese perspective. Adi Viveash, former Coventry City assistant manager, shares insights on mentoring Gyokeres. They discuss Gyokeres's stunning hat-trick against Man City and his potential transition to the Premier League. The team dives into his remarkable season, comparing his scoring capabilities to other European strikers and examining the hurdles he overcame on his journey from Coventry to stardom.
Viktor Gyokeres has emerged as one of Europe's most prolific strikers this season, scoring 23 goals, showcasing his extraordinary talent and efficiency.
His successful transition from Brighton to Sporting Lisbon underlines his non-linear development, highlighting the importance of coaching and fit within a team's system.
Deep dives
Victor Gjokerez's Remarkable Scoring Form
Victor Gjokerez is currently one of the most in-form strikers in European football, having achieved an impressive tally of 23 goals across all competitions by early November. His recent performance includes scoring seven goals in just five days, demonstrating extraordinary finishing abilities and athleticism. While a portion of his goals come from penalties, his overall ability to score is marked by an average of 1.6 goals per 90 minutes in league play, which signifies both his talent and efficiency. Comparatively, only Harry Kane has matched his level of goal involvement among Europe's elite leagues, showcasing Gjokerez as a standout player in European football this season.
The Journey from Brighton to Sporting Lisbon
Victor Gjokerez's transition from Brighton to Sporting Lisbon highlights his non-linear development as a player. He struggled to find his place at Brighton, often being sidelined or not utilized effectively in the team's system, which hindered his growth. After moving to Coventry City and excelling there, he joined Sporting where he quickly became the star player, scoring consistently and proving his capabilities. His time in Portugal has allowed him to flourish, enhancing his skills and building his confidence, positioning him for a potential move to a more competitive league like the Premier League.
The Impact of Coaching and Playing Environment
The coaching style and team environment have significantly influenced Gjokerez’s performance, particularly under the guidance of Ruben Amorim at Sporting. The tactical setup of Sporting, which suited Gjokerez's strengths, including his ability to make explosive runs and utilize space effectively, has played a crucial role in his development. With direct balls played to him and a system that leverages his pace, he has become a prolific scorer. Critics suggest that while he is thriving now, his adaptability in the Premier League against more organized defenses remains a point of curiosity.
Future Prospects and Comparisons in Striking Style
As Gjokerez's star continues to rise, speculation about potential transfers to Premier League clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United is increasing. His style of play, characterized by sharp runs and a powerful physique, invites some comparisons to established strikers like Haaland and Darwin Nunez; however, his unique attributes set him apart. The effectiveness of his game will be tested as he transitions to a more physically demanding league where defenders are adept at nullifying threats. While it remains to be seen where he will end up, it is clear that Gjokerez has the tools to succeed at the highest level given the right circumstances.
As demonstrated in the Champions League this week Viktor Gyokeres is European football's in-form striker.
The Sporting striker's hat-trick against Man City puts him on 23 goals in all competitions already this season.
So, after failing to break through at Brighton, could Gyokeres finally be ready for the Premier League?
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Liam Tharme and Mark Carey to look at the numbers behind Gyokeres incredible season while David Novo, from Portuguese publication Record, gives the perspective from Portugal.
Plus, former Coventry City assistant manager Adi Viveash also shares his account of working with the Swedish striker closely and helping to develop his game prior to his move to Sporting.
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: Liam Tharme, Mark Carey, David Novo and Adi Viveash