Lionel who? Sam Surridge is tearing up the MLS... | OneFootball

Well-travelled English striker Sam Surridge may have found the Premier League a tough nut to crack - but he has discovered a winning formula since moving to Nashville in the MLS back in 2023.

The former Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Stoke forward left the City Ground a few summers ago to try his luck Stateside and, after firing 18 goals in his first two seasons with Eastern Conference side Nashville, he now leads the MLS goal charts with 15 strikes and counting.

With nine goals in his last five games, Surridge is in electric form at the moment - the 26-year-old banging in a match-winning hat-trick last time out against New England Revolution to put him five goals clear of Inter Miami legend Lionel Messi.

The 6ft 3in striker is proving a real handful for opposition defences this term and Playmaker are here to run you through Surridge's 'Top 5' stats so far this season for Nashville.

Sam Surridge's 'Top 5' MLS Stats (24/25)

- Impressively, Surridge has performed bang in line with his expected goals: meaning that he is finding the right positions and then finishing well. His xG of 15.13 is only slightly above the 15 goals he has scored thus far this season.

- All of Surridge's MLS goals this season have come from inside the box and he has offered a big threat from open play: 10 of his goals arriving from active situations.

- Surridge has also shown a cool eye for goal from 12 yards out: no player in the MLS netting more spot-kicks this season than the Nashville forward (4).

- Surridge's goals have been predominantly scored with his right foot: the in-form front man hitting 11 goals with his favoured foot, three with his left foot and one header.

- He may have only scored the one header, but Surridge has been dominant in the air this season - only DC United's Christian Benteke (71) winning more aerial duels than the rangy forward (65).