Rodrigo Muniz - How Premier League's most in-form attacker transformed Fulham career

Bukayo Saka, Ollie Watkins and Phil Foden have all earned plaudits for their recent form but their goalscoring exploits have been eclipsed by one man in the English Premier League - Rodrigo Muniz.The Brazilian striker has been in scintillating form for Fulham recently and he’s amongst the most in-from attackers in Europe. 

The 22-year-old endured a frustrating two seasons in England after joining Fulham from Flamengo for €8 million in 2021. Muniz demonstrated his undoubted talent in his native Brazil to earn interest from a host of European clubs but Fulham won the race for his signature. Aleksandar Mitrović’s presence limited Muniz’s first-team opportunities at Fulham upon his arrival and he barely featured on-loan at Middlesbrough last season but he’s been on fire in recent months. 

The most in-form attackers in top five leagues since February

A combination of injury and poor form meant Muniz was in and out of the Fulham side during the first half of the season, but he’s now one of the first names on Marco Silva’s team sheet. The Brazilian waited until February for his ever Premier League goal but that proved to be the catalyst for his revival as he's now netted seven goals in his last seven league games. 

As the graphic above illustrates, Muniz has scored more goals than any other player in the Premier League since February and he ranks third across the top five leagues. Jonathan David has been in brilliant form for Lille with nine goals in his last 7 Ligue 1 games and the Canadian international has averaged a goal every 60 minutes. Harry Kane ranks second with the Bayern Munich averaging more than a goal every Bundesliga game since February with eight goals in seven appearances. Muniz leads Foden, Saka, Watkins and Rasmus Højlund as the most in-form goalscorer in the Premier League - the Fulham striker’s seven goals has arrived from an xG of 4.85.

Rodrigo Muniz’s market value doubled in latest Premier League update 

Muniz’s excellent form earned him a €5m market value upgrade in the latest Transfermarkt update. His valuation doubled from €5m to €10m and it will likely rise again in the summer if he maintains his form as Muniz has a high ceiling as he’s still just 22 and he’s only beginning to deliver on his undoubted potential.

The Brazilian is clearly full of confidence and he’s contributing more than his goals. Muniz’s hold-up play has been excellent and he’s very good in the air as he demonstrated with excellent movement to score a thumping header against Brighton. He’s also showcased his poacher ability with instinctive finishes against Bournemouth and Tottenham. Muniz netted a brace against both those opponents and his double against Spurs earned glowing praise from boss Silva.

“What a performance again,” he said. “Unfortunately, he was feeling a little bit tired in one of his legs, a little bit in the hamstring as well, and was a moment for us not to take risks with him. But what a performance again.  It’s not just the goals. The way he's been improving and the hard work that he's putting in every single week from the beginning of the season and, I have to say, from the first season that he was with us as well. And it's paying off right now. It’s a great feeling for me as a manager, because I pushed the football club to buy him two, three years ago when I first joined the Club. Myself and my staff saw something in him, I felt he was the right player to join our football club. I'm really pleased for him, he deserves all the credit for what he's been achieving. But the good thing that I keep seeing, there are so many things for him to improve, to work with him to develop. Much more to come from him, for sure.”

Muniz’s recent transformation has been incredible and it’s even surprised some Fulham fans who’d grown frustrated with his previous performances. The Brazilian will need to maintain his form over a consistent period but Fulham might’ve polished a diamond as he’s beginning to represent a complete centre-forward.