“Unstoppable” Saha again shows all the attributes of a top striker
With 41 goals scored across eight Premier League matches on Saturday it was a day to be remembered for attacking football, with Everton’s Louis Saha the pick of the bunch. In hitting four against Ian Holloway’s Blackpool the Frenchman took his tally to eight from his last six games. On current evidence, the former Manchester United front-man is the Premier League’s most in form striker.
Following the match at Goodison, David Moyes called Saha “unstoppable” and with the natural ability of the Frenchman it is easy to see why. He has all the attributes required of a top striker in modern day football. He has raw pace, power, is fantastic in the air, good with his back to goal and most importantly knows how to finish. His record against one of the Premier League’s most prominent defenders, John Terry is testament to his talent. Saha was able to score home and away against Chelsea last season and has done so this season in the FA Cup and in the 2009 final. For someone who has the potential to be up there amongst the best strikers in the world it therefore seems strange he’s rarely mentioned when discussing the top strikers in the English game.
For current club Everton, Saha has netted a total of 32 goals in 89 appearances, just better than one in three. Not necessarily a prolific rate, but when put in context it looks a little better. Out of his 89 appearances for the Toffees, 32 of these have come from the substitutes' bench. Considering his injury record it may be safe to say many of these may have occurred when returning from injury without having had a consistent run of games. This is where the Saha conundrum begins. When injury free playing week-in-week-out he looks a world beater, but all too often slight knocks rob him of this luxury.
While at United when fit and able to manage a consistent run of games Saha was devastating. Most notably in the second half of the 2005/06 season and the first half of the following season when forming a formidable partnership with Wayne Rooney. At times last season for Everton when able to find consistency he again showed his best form, putting together a run of seven goals in seven games.
There is no doubting the former Metz man has been unlucky with injuries, but it is often felt his mentality may also contribute to the lack of games played. When speaking about his French striker in 2009, Moyes made the following comments:
“He’s a highly strung athlete who wants to be at his best, wants to feel his best and because of that sometimes he doesn’t quite make it for games but he’s been very good for us.”
This was rumoured to have been one of his downfalls while working under Sir Alex Ferguson, that when his manager thought he was fit, the player didn’t agree. It may be understandable considering his luck with injuries he will only play when 100 per cent fit, but in the modern game when so much is at stake many managers may not want to work with a player who they may judge as lacking a little in commitment. It is for this reason his move to Everton was perceived by many as a gamble.
On Saturday’s evidence and his form over the last month it is surely a gamble all Everton fans were glad their manager took.
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