When it comes to so-called 'one-man teams', and indeed one-team men, Lukas Podolski ranks as one of the very best. A product of FC Cologne's youth academy, Podolski did attempt to make the step up in the biggest possible way in domestic German football, joining Bayern Munich in 2006. Having endured a somewhat modest relationship with the side - scoring just 15 Bundesliga goals in 71 appearances - he rejoined his boyhood club in 2009 and hasn't looked back since.
A regular in the German national side, Podolski is nearing a century of international caps at the age of just 26, having seemingly been around for as long as the likes of Klose, who is now 33. A look at his stats for this season show just how imperative the forward is to his club, who without him could be some way off of their modest 12th place standing right now.
With Podolski the main contributor, FC Cologne hold the record for chance conversion across Europe's top 5 leagues - a feat based almost entirely on the fact that they attempt less shots at goal than any other, with just 7.1 per game on average. The accuracy of the side, and Podolski in particular, sees them hit the target with 45% of their efforts, netting 22 times in the process, though Podolski's contribution to this figure is quite remarkable.
The weight of his contribution to Cologne's attacking threat is substantial. With the side as a whole striking just 100 shots at goal this season, Podolski has taken credit for 34% of said efforts. His 11 goals equate to half of the side's overall tally (22), and when including his team-high figure of 4 assists, the striker has had a hand in 68% of Cologne's goals this season.
All 11 of his league strikes have come courtesy of his powerhouse left foot, with 2 penalties and a free-kick amongst them. Interestingly, 3 of the 8 goals the 26-year-old has scored in open play have been on the fast break - an individual figure that is only topped by one other team as a whole in the league (Schalke - 8).
One of only 10 players in Europe to have netted more than 10 goals this season (11), the Polish-born German international has attempted just 2.6 shots per game - a meagre figure when compared to the likes of Ronaldo (6.2) and Messi (5.5). His shots per goal ratio is considerably better than the duo, therefore, netting with every 3.24 shots on average, proving the clinical nature of his finishing.
Of 34 shots attempted, Podolksi has hit the target with 18 efforts (53%), compared to Messi (49%) and Ronaldo (37%). His ferocious left-footed strikes prove all-but unstoppable, with keepers having conceded 61% of the efforts he strikes on target. In comparison, Ronaldo's similarly powerful attempts beat the keeper with every 53% of his shots on target, while Messi only scores with every 41% of his shots to test the keeper.
Perhaps the clearest indication as to how important Podolski really is to Cologne can be gauged when looking at his performances and WhoScored ratings when the side loses, in comparison to when they pick up points.
Starting 12 matches this season, Podolski has played from the off in 5 games in which his side have picked up points in the league. He has scored in every single one of them and, in fact, amassed a total of 9 goals and 2 assists in those matches. Missing the side's first win of the season, against the then struggling HSV through injury, Podolski was a pivotal figure in the outfit's next success. Playing a part in both goals in a 2-0 win over Hoffenheim - scoring 1 and assisting the other - Podolski picked up a WhoScored rating of 8.7.
In the following 4 matches in which the side achieved positive results (wins / draws), Podolski was the main man on each occasion. The side obviously respond when their star man is in the mood, scoring 15 goals in the aforementioned 5 matches in which they have registered points with him in the side. Podolski has scored 2 goals in each of the side's 4 points-winning performances and registered an exceptional average rating of 8.74 in said games.
A catalyst for success when on form, Podolski is as big a factor in his side's losses as he is in victories. The results prove that when Podolski doesn't impress, Cologne don't impress. With 7 losses with Podolski in the side from kick-off, the front man has netted just twice and registered 1 assist in the process.
Over the course of the 7 downfalls, Podolski's average rating drops from 8.74 when the side are succeeding to just 6.41 when the side lose. The team are uninspired when the German is not inspiring them, scoring just 4 goals in the 7 defeats and conceding a mammoth 24, proving that his efforts have an impact on the entire team, both defensively and in attack.
One thing is for sure, if Ståle Solbakken can't keep his man fit, and indeed can't keep his man loyal - which one can safely assume will be less of a problem - FC Cologne are in for a long, hard season in the Norwegian's first term at the helm.
