10 Most Effective Attacking Players in La Liga This Season (Update)

Here are the Top 10 most-effective attacking players in La Liga this season so far. I've uploaded this article couple of weeks ago and updating it now (Oct. 25)

The table was compiled using IMScouting's unique report generator.

The report is based on goals and assists per minute. Only those players who have featured for at least 300 minutes were in contention.

You can find the obvious players like Messi and Ronaldo but some more surprizing players as well. 

I made this report before this weekend. I saw Ronaldo should move up...look for an update on Monday. 

No. 10: Simao Sabrosa 
Club: Atletico Madrid
Age: 30
Nationality: Portuguese
Estimated market value: €15M-20M

Efficiency Ratio: Goal/Asst. Every 137.8 min.

Leading by example, the Atletico Madrid skipper has popped up with two goals and two assists in his side's solid start to the season—making one of those vital contributions every 115.3 minutes. He is a superb winger who can produce real magic both on the left and the right. A very tough player to defend against, Sabrosa provides good assistance to the strikers and scores goals for fun. So don't be surprised if he stays in the Top 10.

No. 9: Fernando Llorente
 
Club: Athletic Bilbao
Age: 25
Nationality: Spanish
Estimated market value: €15M-20M

Efficiency Ratio: Goal/Asst. Every 116min.

New but not surprising edition to the list with six goals this season—one every 116 minutes - Fernando is a gifted scorer, didn't had the chance to see him this season but I'm sure he is good as always. A huge talent, who can unlock any defense in the world.

No. 7: Giuseppe Rossi
Club: Villarreal CF

Age: 22
Nationality: Spanish
Estimated market value: €20M-30M

Efficincy Ratio: Goal/Asst. every 112.4min.

Rossi had 4 Goals and 1 asst. so far, but I'm sure he is going back to the top of the list very fast. 

No. 7: Santi Cazorla
 
Club: Villarreal
Age: 25
Nationality: Spanish
Estimated market value: €15M-20M

Efficiency Ratio: Goal/Asst. Every 116min.

New but not surprising edition to the list with six goals this season—one every 116 minutes - Fernando is a gifted scorer, didn't had the chance to see him this season but I'm sure he is good as always. A huge talent, who can unlock any defense in the world.

No. 7: Aritz Aduriz 
Club: Valencia CF
Age: 29
Nationality: Spanish
Estimated market value: €2.5M-5M

Valencia's new striker from Mallorca CD has made a good start for his new club. And with three goals and an assist this season—including one of each on his league debut for Valencia against Malaga—the €4 million signing looks like a steal. Aduriz is a natural goal-scorer who is smart in the box and fast. He has excellent positional sense and superb heading ability, possessing a great natural leap. Aduriz can shoot with either foot, despite being naturally right-footed. He has contributed to a Valencia goal every 105 minutes so far this term and is in the Spain squad for the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifier against Lithuania and Scotland.

No. 6: Alvaro Negredo 
Club: Sevilla FC
Age: 25
Nationality: Spanish
Estimated market value: €15M-20M

With three goals and an assist—one every 102.8 minutes—Negredo is looking good to top his tally from last season, when he scored 13 and set up three. Negredo is a complete striker. He has very good technique and an excellent left foot. He can shoot from almost anywhere, is a reliable penalty taker and dangerous from free kicks. Negredo is strong, well-built and fast. He also has excellent heading ability and positional sense inside the box. He is a true winner with great mentality and natural sense for goals.

No. 5: Lionel Messi 
Club: FC Barcelona 
Age: 23
Nationality: Argentine 
Estimated market value: €30M+

Efficiency Ratio: Goal/Asst. Every 98.67 min. (5 goals, 1 Asst.)

Most football fans didn't bat an eyelid when Messi opened his account just three minutes into the new season against Racing Santander. It appears that the most exciting player on the planet is going to have one of those dazzling seasons again. He's recovered rapidly from an injury, and currently has a rate of a goal or assist every 89.50 minutes—scoring three in the league so far, and setting up one.

I think he is the best player in the world but right now, he is only ranked 5, due to only 5 goals and 1 asst. in 538min.  

No. 5: Eliseu 
Club: Malaga CF
Age: 27
Nationality: Portuguese
Estimated market value: €2.5M-5M

Despite two red cards in a row, Eliseu has been hugely important for mid-table Malaga, who are joint top scorers with Villarreal and Real Madrid on 12. He has popped up with a goal and three assists—one every 102 minutes. Eliseu is an extremely fast winger/forward, one of the quickest players in Europe. He is also strong, and this rare blend makes him a very talented player. He feels comfortable playing on either wing, but is best utilized on the left. He can also play as a support striker. Eliseu has decent technique, including very good dribbling skills.

No. 2: Nilmar 
Club: Villarreal CF
Age: 26
Nationality: Brazilian 
Estimated market value: €10M-15M

Efficiency Ratio: Goal/Asst. Every 78.14 min. (5 goals, 2 Asst.)

Topping the list and leading a trio of Villarreal players is this Brazilian superstar. Five goals and two assists—one every 65.29 minutes—is a truly remarkable rate, and he is one of the form strikers in Europe at present. He is an extremely talented, super-fast forward. Nilmar is a very technical player with excellent shooting and passing skills. His positioning is of high calibre and he is also very good in the air. He is a real fox in the box—quick to react, with impressive finishing skills.  

No. 1: Cristiano Ronaldo 
Club: Real Madrid
Age: 25
Nationality: Portuguese 
Estimated market value: €30M+

Efficiency Ratio: Goal/Asst. Every 51.43 min. (10 goals 4 Asst.)

Six goals and two assists—one every 62 minutes—isn't a bad return for a player criticised this season by the Spanish media and Real fans alike. Like his former teammate Wayne Rooney, [Related - Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney still in this season's top 10 most efficient players in Europe's best leagues] Ronaldo's contribution when not at his best shows just how important he is for his side. He was recently called "untouchable" by Real boss Jose Mourinho, who hailed his hard work and said he represents the club's "fundamental principles."