Le Havre's André Ayew: The diminutive aerial specialist | OneFootball

Back in Ligue 1 Uber Eats following his signing for AC Le Havre, André Ayew remains the benchmark in aerial ability among players under 1m80. Here's a closer look at the statistics.

A surprise signing from AC Le Havre before the international break, André Ayew could be back on the Ligue 1 Uber Eats pitch on Sunday at Nantes, for Round 13. In addition to his work rate, experience and technique, the striker will bring one very specific quality to Luka Elsner's side: aerial prowess. Despite his small stature (1m76), he has shone in this area since his debut, thanks to his timing, his ability to read trajectories and his positional sense.

Ahead of Beauvue and Ben Yedder

It's simple: despite not having played in Ligue 1 Uber Eats since 23 May 2015 - with Marseille against Bastia - the Ghana international is still the top scorer in France's top flight among players under 1m80 since 2006-07 (16 of his 47 goals). The 33-year-old former Marseille man is ahead of ex-Guingamp player Claudio Beauvue and current Monaco star Wissam Ben Yedder, both of whom have scored 14 goals with their heads, and Radamel Falcao (13 goals). Promoted Le Havre may be struggling to make an impact in this area after 12 games (with just one headed goal), but they now have a specialist header in their ranks.

Most headed goals by players under 1m80 (since 2006-07):

1. André Ayew (176 cm): 16 goals

2. Claudio Beauvue (174 cm): 14 goals

-. Wissam Ben Yedder (170 cm): 14 goals

4. Radamel Falcao (177 cm): 13 goals

-. Souleymane Camara (170 cm): 13 goals

6. Alexandre Lacazette (175 cm): 11 goals

7. Lisandro López (174 cm): 10 goals

-. Rafik Saifi (178 cm): 10 goals

9. Mamadou Niang (178 cm): 9 goals

-. Florian Thauvin (179 cm): 9 goals

-. Kevin Gameiro (172 cm): 9 goals