Wayne Rooney, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo among top strikers in Europe facing goal droughts
NO MATTER how good of a centre forward you are, at some point you will go through a dry patch.
It’s happened to everyone.
You’re in the right place, get a good connection and the goalkeeper pulls off a world-class save — or maybe the cross is just a little overhit.
It’s one of the extremely few downsides of being a top striker.
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But the truly great players find a way past it.
Here are nine significant goal scoring droughts in European football.
Wilfried Bony — 17 league games
WHAT happened to the monster who would bully defenders in a Swansea shirt?
He has yet to score a goal in 2016.
Bony last found the back of the net since Boxing Day 2015 — in a 4-1 victory over Sunderland.
His physique and style meant he was never going to be a favourite of Pep Guardiola’s — but you would have thought moving to Stoke would suit him.
The Ivorian has made seven appearances for the Potters without finding the back of the net.
His country will be concerned, too.
The holders will be relying on Bony as they bid to retain their African Cup of Nations title.
Next league fixture: Swansea (h)
Daniel Sturridge — 9 league games
FOR years, the Liverpool striker’s class has been unquestionable — he just needed to get injury-free to show his worth.
But now, he’s struggling to make the starting line-up even when he is fit.
Sturridge has managed to score in the EFL Cup as well in a couple of appearances for England — and memorably in the Europa League final.
But, in terms of league goals, his last contribution came in the 2-2 draw with Newcastle on April 23.
With Liverpool firing, he will need to book his ideas up fast if he’s to work his way back into the team.
Or, he could soon find his England place under threat.
Next league fixture: Crystal Palace (a)
Paco Alcacer — 9 games
SO FAR, his move to Barcelona is not working out.
Alcacer was supposed to arrive and challenge fearsome trio, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, for a place in the team.
But his presence in the team is noticeable — and not in a positive way.
He last found the back of the net in Valencia’s 2-2 draw at Getafe on April 24.
In that time, he has failed to score even for Spain.
Made his Nou Camp debut as a starter against Alaves, as Barca crashed to a shock defeat.
Has been an unused substitute in recent victories over Manchester City and former club, Valencia.
Next league fixture: Granada (h)
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Jese — 9 games
ANOTHER move which is just not working out.
Jese has struggled to settle in France and his lifestyle has drawn criticism from the natives.
He had a massive job on his hands to come in and be Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s replacement — and maybe the weight of expectation was too much.
Last found the net in Real Madrid’s 4-0 win over Eibar on April 9.
But that was only his sixth of the season.
Jese has been an unused sub on four occasions so far this season — including in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal.
And, even more remarkably, has only had three shots all season.
Next league fixture: Lille (a)
Wayne Rooney — 7 games
IT WAS supposed to be a given that Manchester United captain would be break the club’s goal scoring record.
His goal against Bournemouth on the opening day of the season brought him to within three of Sir Bobby Charlton’s haul of 249.
But Rooney has failed to find the back of the net since — and now finds himself out of the side.
It has now been suggested he may have to leave Old Trafford to secure first team football.
A recent injury which kept him out of the game against Chelsea at the weekend appears to have arrived at a good moment, as it gives Jose Mourinho a legitimate reason to keep him out of the team.
Even with United struggling, he still can’t make the starting line-up.
A look back through his career suggests Rooney scores in bursts — but his current drought is getting more and more concerning.
Next league fixture: Burnley (h) — if he's fit
Zlatan Ibrahimovic — 5 games
UNLIKE Rooney, the Swede appears to be guaranteed a start no matter what he does.
Ibrahimovic started the season like a train — netting in wins over Bournemouth and Southampton.
However, he has failed to find the back of the net since his consolation against Man City, on September 10.
He has missed at least one easy chance in every game this season.
Ibra managed to get the decisive goal in against FC Zorya in the Europa League.
But it’s five games — two of which were defeats — since he scored a Premier League goal.
Judging by his reaction after the mauling by Chelsea as he smiled and swapped shirts with Eden Hazard, it doesn’t seem to be affecting him too much.
Next league fixture: Burnley (h)
Jamie Vardy — 5 games
FAIRYTALE striker’s amazing story goes on as his heroics last season saw him nominated for the Ballon d’Or.
However, a closer look will paint a more worrying picture for Leicester fans.
Vardy has not found the back of the net since a 4-1 hammering against Liverpool on Sept 10.
And that was only his second of the season.
Since that strike at Anfield, he has gone ten games for club and country in all competitions without scoring.
His form is a reflection of the champions’ — in that both are struggling to replicate last season’s heroics.
Vardy can count on the fact he is practically guaranteed a start every week, however.
Next league fixture: Tottenham (a)
Robert Lewandowski — 5 games
THE Pole has not scored a Bundesliga goal since September 17.
However, in that time, he has managed an international hat-trick and a Champions League strike against PSV Eindhoven.
But, as Bayern Munich entered a relative tricky patch in the league — two consecutive draws — the goals began to dry up.
Lewandowski started the season in incredible form with back-to-back hat-tricks in the German Cup and opening league game of the season.
However, currently, he is going through a Bundesliga dry patch — and makes this list.
Next league fixture: Augsburg (a)
Cristiano Ronaldo — 4 home games
PROBABLY the most shocking statistic of them all.
For a man who breaks records on a daily basis, who has found the back of the net 368 times in 356 matches for the Spanish giants, to go for four matches at the Bernabeu without scoring his astonishing.
Manager Zinedine Zidane and some of his team-mates have been forced to come out in support of the No.7.
Ronaldo last scored on scored a La Liga goal in the 5-2 win over Osasuna on September 10 — an apparent recurring date for the start of droughts.
Granted, he did score four for Portugal against Andorra, but his home form in domestic competitions has raised eyebrows.
Next home La Liga fixture: Leganes