Using IMScouting’s unique report generator, they have calculated which attackers have been the best value in terms of minutes played so far in this season’s Champions League. Weighing up the number of goals and assists contributed with the number of minutes played in the competition so far, Samuel Eto’o is the most effective player in the competition so far this term.

The 29-year-old striker has started the season in brilliant form.  Eto’o has nine goals for Inter Milan already this campaign, including a hat-trick against Werder Bremen, which has helped propel him to the top of the table.  In the Champions League, Eto’o has scored or contributed an assist every 36 minutes, better than anyone else in Europe.

In second place, just behind Eto’o is Andrey Arshavin .  A double for the Russian in the last round of matches at Partizan Belgrade gives the 29-year-old a record in this season’s competition of a goal or an assist every 38 minutes.

In fact, four English-based players make the top seven.  Two spots behind Arshavin is Chelsea's Nicolas Anelka in fourth place, followed directly by Tottenham's Peter Crouch in fifth place. Both have scored a goal or contributed an assist within every fifty minutes of Champions League football so far.  Crouch's Spurs team-mate, Rafael Van Der Vaart is in seventh place in the table.  The new darling of White Hart Lane scored twice against Twente in the last round of matches to help secure a 4-1 victory for Tottenham.

To view the full IM Scouting’s report and stats on the Champions League most efficient striker then click here