The concentration of chances

The leading expected-goals player at almost every Premier League club is carrying a heavier burden than a year ago. "The top player for expected goals at almost every Premier League club is having a bigger share of the xG pie than they enjoyed last season." The consequences are tangible: "The top players from each club have collectively scored 6.8 non-penalty goals fewer than expected, almost 40% of the shortfall across the division from just 20 players."

Everton's Barry and Liverpool's Isak

Nowhere is the shift sharper than at Everton. "Thierno Barry has been the player taking the chance for 49.4% of Everton's non-penalty expected goals this season, up from 17.7% last term. It's a massive increase in responsibility for a relatively young player – he has scored twice from chances valued at 3.5 xG."

At Liverpool, Alexander Isak "has seen a greater leap in share of team expected goals, though injuries meant he did not feature that often last season." The Sweden forward "is playing under a new man in the dugout" and "remains relatively new in terms of minutes played for the club."

Questionable funnel points

Some clubs are channelling chances through players who have historically struggled to convert them. Newcastle's Yoanne Wissa, "underperformed against xG by more than two goals last season, as did Marcus Tavernier at Bournemouth. They may not be the best players for their clubs to funnel their chances through."

The extreme case is at Tottenham, "where centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke is their leading player for non-penalty expected goals."

Young, new and unproven

Several sides are leaning on inexperience. "The players with the most xG for Fulham (Gonzalo García) and Ipswich (Emersonn) are 22 years old and new to English football." Hull's Oli McBurnie, meanwhile, "has never scored more than six goals in a Premier League campaign."

Amid the uncertainty, Erling Haaland "remains a reliable presence in the xG-heavy frontman stakes," though the situation at Manchester City "may affect his form."