Set-piece contribution
Set pieces are a stable share of goals and assists — isolating them sharpens every comparison.
What you will learn
- Penalties skew goals/90; strip them when comparing finishers.
- Set-piece assists reward routine architects, not creators in open play.
- Defensive set-piece duties show up in aerial duels and clearances.
Strip penalties from finishing comparisons
A striker with high penalty volume looks more efficient than they are at open-play finishing.
Where data is available, use non-penalty xG and non-penalty goals/90.
Open-play vs set-piece creation
An assist on a corner is a different skill from an assist after a through-ball. Splitting the two reveals which players truly create chances in flow.
Some teams concentrate set-piece duties on a single specialist — expect a tail in their stat line.