Chris Wood: A Striker’s Journey Through the Premier League
Much like Chris Wood, Glenn Murray is well-acquainted with the grind of the Premier League. He understands the exhilarating feeling of being a manager’s first-choice striker and the sacrifices that come with maintaining peak performance well into your mid-30s. Interestingly, Murray has a unique insight into Wood’s development, having played alongside him at Brighton nearly 14 years ago—a veritable eternity in the world of football.
Murray was 27 years old when an 18-year-old Wood arrived on loan from West Bromwich Albion in November 2010. Having navigated his own path from the lower leagues, Murray recognized Wood as a promising talent—a rough diamond in need of some refinement. “Chris was just a kid back then, but he was already a massive presence on the pitch!” Murray recalls in an interview with The i Paper. “He was such a nice young man.”
Despite his physicality, Wood was at that time somewhat timid on the field. “As someone who came up through the ranks, I’m not particularly big or strong, but I learned to use my body wisely. Chris, on the other hand, was a giant. I would encourage him, saying, ‘With your size, you can bully defenders! I wish I had your stature, as people would bounce off me.’” Murray adds, “I would tell him, ‘You’re big and strong—if you engage with defenders, they won’t stand a chance against you.’ He started to grasp that idea, but back then, he was quite shy and reserved, which is understandable at such a young age.”
Having retired from professional football in 2021 after a stint at Nottingham Forest, Murray has since caught up with Wood, reminiscing about their shared experiences at Brighton, where they played pivotal roles in helping the Seagulls secure the League One title in the 2010-11 season. Now, like many others, Murray observes how Wood has transformed into a key striker, leading Nottingham Forest’s quest for Champions League qualification.
Wood’s Impressive Performance
Currently, Wood has netted 18 goals in the Premier League this season, marking his best return in the top flight with still 13 matches remaining. He is one goal ahead of Alexander Isak as they head into Sunday’s crucial match at St James’ Park. Although Wood and Isak briefly crossed paths at Newcastle, their time together was limited due to Isak’s thigh injury at the beginning of the 2022-23 season and Wood’s subsequent loan to Forest in January.
After a hamstring injury curtailed Wood’s season, Forest opted to make his transfer permanent in the summer of 2023, a move that has proven to be a sound investment of £15 million. This transfer has benefited all parties involved, allowing Wood the opportunity to thrive as the undisputed first-choice striker at Forest. His teammates relish having a formidable 6ft 3in target man to aim for, a scenario Murray likens to the days when Rickie Lambert was a key figure at Southampton.
“It’s no surprise to see Wood performing at such a high level,” Murray observes. “Much like myself, he has evolved into a proven Premier League striker who feels confident in his abilities. When opportunities arise, he has the knack for converting them, and now he truly believes in himself.” He goes on to note that the team at Forest has been structured in a way that plays to Wood’s strengths. “If you look back at the Southampton team with Lambert, you’d see that they played to his advantages. They would send the ball down the channel, knowing he would hold it up and be a target for crosses.”
Murray elaborates, “With players like Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi supporting him, Wood serves as a platform that allows them to advance up the pitch. Their first instinct is to find Chris Wood.”
Wood’s remarkable ability to capitalize on scoring chances cannot be overstated. He is currently outperforming his expected goals (xG) more than any other player in the Premier League, with an astonishing 10.37 xG compared to 18 goals. His 46 total shots place him outside the top 20 in that category, yet he boasts a conversion rate of 39%. For comparison, Isak has scored 17 goals from 65 shots (26%) and Erling Haaland has netted 19 goals from 94 shots (20%).
“Chris is in the form of his life,” Murray remarks, noting that players often enter a state where converting chances feels instinctual. “When that opportunity presents itself, it becomes second nature to him. You can see that against Brighton, where he scored a hat-trick earlier this month. He’s in that flow, and it’s as if wherever he positions himself in the box, the ball is destined to find him. That’s a skill developed over time.”
Age is Just a Number
Remarkably, Wood is thriving at the age of 33, enjoying his eighth consecutive season in the Premier League. He is on the verge of surpassing his personal best in league goals, which he set while playing for Leeds in the Championship during the 2016-17 season, where he scored 27 goals in 44 appearances. Whether he eclipses that record remains to be seen, but it serves as a testament that age does not inhibit performance. In fact, reaching your mid-30s can bring a deeper understanding of one’s physical capabilities, allowing players to adapt their game accordingly.
Murray shares a similar sentiment, recalling that his best season in the Premier League came when he was 35, during the 2018-19 season when he scored 13 goals to help Brighton secure their top-flight status. He was also the team’s leading scorer in their inaugural Premier League campaign and made a concerted effort to maintain his fitness, recognizing his value to the squad.
“I was fortunate to have a robust body,” he reflects. “By the time I reached the Premier League, I had a solid understanding of my physical limits. I learned how to push my body and what it could withstand.” Murray admired players like Bruno Saltor, who was a few years older and set an example of how to maintain longevity in the sport. “I observed his daily routines and how he took care of his body, both on and off the pitch.”
Murray embraced various methods to enhance his performance, including ice baths, salt baths, saunas, massages, and even dry needling—“Some may doubt its effectiveness, but I was open to anything that could help.”
“As I grew older, I found myself pushing my body even harder,” he admits. “There’s a mental game involved; if a 21-year-old outpaces you at 34, you can’t help but wonder if you’re slowing down. That constant internal dialogue is part of being an experienced professional.” He adds, “During a period in my career, I was somewhat on auto-pilot, not fully appreciating the opportunities I had as a professional footballer. But as you age, particularly after starting a family, you learn to savor those moments, whether it’s a packed Anfield or Old Trafford, and truly appreciate every goal you score.”