Who Has the Best Shot Conversion Rate in Premier League 2025/26 So Far?

SB Market Index – How We Evaluate Premier League’s Most Clinical Strikers

This evaluation combines:

1. Statistical performance (conversion rate, goals scored, non-penalty shot data).
2. Industry/media recognition (based on Statmuse dataset).

Industry Insights

Based on Statmuse’s Premier League 2025/26 shot conversion stats, the following players feature prominently as the most clinical finishers this season:

• Chris Wood – Nottingham Forest’s leading scorer with top-tier efficiency.
• Jørgen Strand Larsen – Wolves striker known for consistent shot-to-goal ratio.
• James Maddison – Spurs playmaker surprisingly efficient with fewer chances.
• Jhon Durán – Emerging Aston Villa forward converting at a strong rate in 2024-25 season.
• Yoane Wissa – Newcastle’s reliable finisher, converting volume into goals.
• Brennan Johnson – Spurs attacker making an impact with clinical runs.
• Iliman Ndiaye – Everton forward with solid numbers in a struggling side.
• Marc Cucurella – Chelsea defender appearing as an unexpected outlier.

Chris Wood – The Premier League’s Efficiency King

Chris Wood has quietly established himself as the Premier League's most effective scorer this season, and the numbers leave no room for debate. With a league-leading 26.2% shot conversion rate and 20 goals for Nottingham Forest, the New Zealand striker has combined volume with ruthless efficiency in front of goal.

What makes Wood's record so impressive is his efficiency throughout the season. In a team not always known for dominating possession or creating chances, he has maximised every opportunity, turning partial chances into decisive goals. A player many say has faded, he is proving to have a rare quality. His ability to remain calm under pressure, whether from close range or when holding defenders at bay, has elevated him to the league's most effective scorer.

While others may shoot more to achieve similar scores, Wood's extremely accurate finishing has made him indispensable for Forest. In the 2025/26 season so far, he is the undisputed king of efficiency in the Premier League.

The Supporting Cast – Maddison, Wissa & Strand Larsen

James Maddison's presence on this list is perhaps the most surprising of all, as he is a central midfielder. Operating as Tottenham's creative hub rather than a full-on striker, the midfielder has shown remarkable efficiency in front of goal, converting 23.1% of his shots. With nine goals from just 39 attempts, Maddison has proven that when he takes on the responsibility, he makes it count, an extra level of threat that has boosted Spurs' attack this season. Yoane Wissa, meanwhile, has built a reputation as an effective player in goal since the departure of Ivan Toney. For Brentford, he scored 19 goals from 90 shots, a success rate of 21.1%, once again demonstrating his ability to convert chances into points. His consistency has not gone unnoticed, after one of the longest transfer sagas of the summer, the 29-year-old striker completed a major move to Newcastle for a reported fee of €63.5 million, split over two instalments.
Meanwhile, Jørgen Strand Larsen has quietly thrived at Wolves, converting 25.9% of his shots into 14 goals. Larsen has arguably managed to keep Wolverhampton in the Premier League with these successes.

Emerging Names – Durán, Johnson & Ndiaye

Jhon Durán has had the most surprising career move of his career. After impressing at Aston Villa, converting 22.6% of his chances to score seven goals in just 20 games, he secured a €77m move to Al Nassr. Even more unexpectedly, he is now on loan at Fenerbahçe, where his development will be closely watched. Although a top player Duran seems to be moving away from the Premier League, he could still return to the big stage in the future.

Brennan Johnson has proven to be an effective player at Tottenham, scoring 11 goals with a conversion rate of 20.4%. However, his role has changed since Spurs brought in Xavi Simons, pushing him more to the bench. However, his trajectory shows that he is a player ready to explode whenever he is introduced.
Meanwhile, Iliman Ndiaye was one of Everton's best players, converting 20% of his chances despite playing in a struggling team.

The Case of Marc Cucurella – A Defensive Outlier

Perhaps the most interesting name on this list is Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella. Traditionally known for his work rate and defensive solidity, the Spaniard's presence among the Premier League's most effective finishers is a statistical oddity. With five goals from just 24 shots, he has recorded a conversion rate of 20.8%, figures that rival some of the league's more established strikers.
Of course, context matters. As a defender, Cucurella's attempts to score are far fewer, often coming from set pieces rather than attacks or opportunistic shots. It's more of a lucky number, but it still shows that he's a quality player when it comes to finishing, perhaps also favoured by Enzo Maresca's style of play. While he is unlikely to maintain such efficiency over a larger volume of opportunities, his unusual appearance on this list is a reminder that in football, even defenders can occasionally steal the spotlight.