Gakpo closed last season with stronger underlying numbers than any Spurs forward: a higher expected-goals total (8.59), more shots (87), more assists (five) and more big chances created (10). He did it while playing for a Liverpool side that finished fifth in the Premier League.
Richarlison scored more league goals, but he took 26 fewer shots and created only half as many big chances. Solanke, hampered by injury, managed just 20 shots and one big chance created, and Tel also lagged across several key attacking metrics. Randal Kolo Muani, who was on loan at Spurs last season before moving to Juventus this summer, likewise fell short of Gakpo’s output.
The gap isn’t just in scoring. Gakpo logged 187 touches in the opposition box, compared with 125 for Richarlison, 68 for Tel and 55 for Solanke. His 4.17 expected assists from open play was also the best among the group, highlighting both his chance creation and his knack for finding scoring positions.
He contributes defensively as well. Gakpo won the ball back 87 times—45 of those in the middle third—and made 13 interceptions, topping Richarlison, Tel and Solanke in all three categories. Tel completed more dribbles (39 to Gakpo’s 34), but Gakpo had a slightly higher success rate at 45.95%.
His overall profile reflects that range. He rates in the 78th percentile for link-up play, 75th for pass progression and 67th for creative threat, underscoring his comfort combining in tight areas and aiding build-up.
At 6ft 4in, he also brings uncommon size for a wide forward. He ranks in the 96th percentile for aerial involvement among wingers in Europe’s top five leagues, meaning only about 4% contest more aerials. That would hand De Zerbi another way to break down deep blocks—via diagonals, back-post crosses, or more direct balls when opponents stifle Spurs’ build-up.