Scout report on Jubilo Iwata's man upfront, Ryo Germain, comes in full of opposites. The Japanese international has staked his spot as one of J1 League's most lethal strikers, eschewing the youth for experience at 29. His radar brims in one very key area - goal scoring. That's right, Germain sits in the top percentile for goals per 90 minutes, and his goal threat parallels this, placing him in the top 15% of his peers.
His shooting boots aren't just for show either; around three-quarters of his shots find the target - a stat which should send shivers down the spines of goalkeepers. Aside from goals, he exhibits great recovery rates that place him well over midway in the league's pool of strikers. Still, I hear you ask, every player has their Achilles heel, right?
Indeed, Germain's lies, somewhat paradoxically, in chance creation and ball retention, with dismal percentiles lurking in the lower quartile. His stats demonstrate a player who lives for the kill, yet struggles to hunt his own prey. And, like a true assassin, he's not one for carrying the ball towards his target; a skill ranking in the bottom third of the league's player palette.
In sum, our man Germain is a poacher; a player who savors the final touch but struggles in the lead-up play. His style of play is reminiscent of 'old school' strikers, whose primary job was to be at the right place at the right time and convert chances rather than create them.
Ryo Germain Key stats
Ryo Germain Career Trend
Ryo Germain Shot Maps
Ryo Germain Shot Summary
In the 2024 season, Ryo Germain took 39 shots, scoring 11 goals. This output came from an Expected Goals (xG) of 6.83, averaging 0.18 xG per shot.
Right Foot: 1 goals from 8 shots. A 12.5% conversion rate. 0.06 xG per shot.
Left Foot: 6 goals from 19 shots. A 31.58% conversion rate. 0.25 xG per shot.
Headers: 4 goals from 12 headed attempts. A 33.33% conversion rate. 0.13 xG per shot.
