Stats Show Michu Is a More Efficient Striker Than Van Persie and Suarez

Manchester United's elegant assassin Robin van Persie is the Premier League's top scorer this season with 17 goals. Luis Suarez, Liverpool's next great No. 7, is two back with 15.

But while Van Persie and Suarez might lead the plaudits and the scoring charts, it's Swansea striker Michu who can lay claim to being the Premier League's most efficient marksman this year. 

The below data from EPLIndex shows Michu to have better chance-conversion numbers than any player to have taken 50 or more shots in the Premier League this season. The Spaniard has put away 25 percent of his opportunities, with that figure rising to 60 percent when he is presented with "clear-cut" openings.

By comparison, Suarez has snaffled up just 16 percent of his chances for Liverpool. The Uruguayan is an even-bet with the goal at his mercy, having scored from 50 percent of his clear-cut openings.

Van Persie matches Michu at the 25-percent mark for overall chance conversion, but his rate falls to 37 percent for clear-cut chances—below the numbers achieved by Michu, Suarez, Gareth Bale, Demba Ba and Jermain Defoe

The stats would also suggest that Chelsea signing Ba has been more deadly than Suarez this season, with the Senegalese striker good for 18 percent of all chances and 54 percent of his clear-cut openings.

But it's Swansea's £2 million signing Michu who's the deadliest of all. Just imagine how many goals the 26-year-old might get with a supply line of the like afforded to Van Persie every week.