The striker is one of the most closely watched and crucial positions on a football pitch, primarily because of their role in scoring goals. However, in modern football, the traditional concept of a striker has evolved. Rather than relying solely on an out-and-out goal poacher, many teams now prefer centre-forwards who offer more than just finishing ability. These modern forwards are expected to contribute to ball carrying, retention, and link-up play, effectively becoming a key part of the team’s overall build-up.
Tactical systems also vary: while some teams allow their strikers to stay high up the pitch, others demand that they track back and support defensively. Despite these evolving responsibilities, strikers are still largely evaluated by their direct contributions—goals scored and assists provided—making end-product a decisive metric in judging their impact.
The rankings below are based on following criteria:
- Performances, potential. and consistency
- Importance and relevance to his team
- Success or trophies won
Note: All stats mentioned below have been taken from Premierleague.com and fbref.com.
Let’s take a look at the Top 10 strikers in the Premier League this season –
10. Liam Delap (Ipswich Town)
Liam Delap joined Ipswich Town from Manchester City last summer and the English forward had a satisfactory debut season upfront even though Ipswich struggled and ended up getting relegated.
Delap is a strong centre-forward armed with good finishing skills along with progressive carrying, ball retention and link-up play. He is effective in aerial duels and possesses pace and agility too. This season Delap scored 12 goals and provided 2 assists in 37 league games. He took a total of 69 shots with a shooting accuracy of 46% and had 3.19 touches per 90 in the attacking penalty area.
For a debut season, Delap did reasonably well even with limited support and service. His impressive performances this season could be the reason that many top clubs like Chelsea are interested in acquiring his services.
9. Raúl Jiménez (Fulham)
Raúl Jiménez could be labelled as the most heart-warming story of the 2024/25 Premier League season. The Mexican forward has gone from a serious head injury and loss of form to becoming one of the most consistent forwards in the league this season.
Jiménez has strong aerial ability along with a great first touch along with link-up play and clinical finishing. He is a massive threat from set-pieces and crosses. This season, Jiménez has returned to his earlier form that we saw at Wolves when he burst through the scene. This season Jiménez has shown remarkable form, scored 12 goals and got 3 assists in 38 games. He took a total of 96 shots with a shot accuracy of 34% and had 5.95 touches per 90 in the attacking penalty area.
In this Marco Silva side that likes to play attacking football with wingers who can provide crosses and passes into the box, Jiménez has been able to thrive and produce good attacking output.
8. Jørgen Strand Larsen (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Wolves had a dismal start to the season and just escaped relegation due to finding form at the business end, all thanks to midfielder Matheus Cunha and forward Jørgen Strand Larsen who overachieved in a dismal Wolves side.
Strand Larsen is a Norwegian forward that arrived on loan to Wolves last summer from Celta Vigo. Strand Larsen looks like a complete forward who is great aerially as well. In addition, he is a strong forward who has excellent ball retention and link-up play. On his loan move, he has made a massive impact with 18 goals and 4 assists in 35 games. He had a total of 54 shots with a shot accuracy of 63% and had 3.76 touches per 90 in the attacking penalty area.
Even with his team underperforming, Strand Larsen has shown great returns in terms of goal contributions. Wolves could benefit even more next season if they make a few decent attacking signings to help the Norwegian forward.
7. Kai Havertz (Arsenal)
Even though the Gunners forward line hasn’t been impressive this season, Kai Havertz has still produced decent numbers. Also, these stats could have been better if not for a long-term injury sustained in mid-February which made him unavailable for the rest of the season.
Kai Havertz was initially a midfielder but he is now deployed as a centre-forward by Mikel Arteta. What he may lack in finishing, he makes up for with his intelligent link-up play, vision, dribbling skills, passing and aerial ability. Havertz has scored 9 goals and provided 3 assists in 23 appearances this season. Havertz had a total of 53 shots with 40% shooting accuracy this season and had 5.47 touches per 90 in the attacking penalty area.
The Havertz injury did hurt Arsenal’s chances in both the Premier League as well as the Champions League. While he may not be a prolific forward getting 20+ goals a season, he is still vital to the way Arsenal play and also a great threat on crosses and set-pieces.
6. Jean-Phillipe Mateta (Crystal Palace)
The Eagles’ main-man Jean Philippe Mateta has shown great form this season. Even though Crystal Palace ended below the Top 10 league places, the Frenchman has been vital to their attack and acted as a catalyst in winning them the FA Cup trophy.
Mateta is an all-round forward who is two-footed, can hold the ball up, helps in build-up play and makes intelligent movements in the box. Mateta is a natural striker and is good aerially as well. This season Mateta has scored 14 goals and bagged 2 assists. The Frenchman had a total of 70 shots with a 47% shooting accuracy and had 3.23 touches per 90 in the attacking penalty area.
Mateta alongside Eberechi Eze has been one of the standout players for the Eagles this season and as a forward he has provided decent attacking numbers.
5. Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea)
Nicolas Jackson has led the line for Chelsea this season helping them secure Champions League qualification.
Jackson has explosive pace, agility and good technical skills. He can accelerate on the ball, make precise passes and smart movements in the box. His finishing isn’t exceptional though but he has produced sufficient attacking output this season. Jackson has 12 goals and 5 assists in 30 appearances this season. He has a total of 76 shots with 46% shot accuracy and had 5.72 touches per 90 in the attacking penalty area.
While Jackson hasn’t shown the same levels of performance like last season, he has still provided vital goals helping the Blues secure Champions League football for next season.
4. Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Ollie Watkins has been the mainstay of the Aston Villa front line for many seasons now and the English forward didn’t disappoint this season either.
Ollie Watkins is a dynamic player that can play on the wing or as a centre-forward. Watkins is an intelligent forward who is great off-the-ball, makes smart movements in and around the box and creates opportunities for himself and his teammates. Watkins has been in sensational form for Villa this season with 16 goals and 8 assists in 38 appearances. He has taken a total of 84 shots with a 48% shot accuracy and had 5.63 touches per 90 in the attacking penalty area.
The English forward was vital to Villa staying in the Top 5 places till the last game of the season and reaching the FA Cup semi-final as well.
3. Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest)
Chris Wood has been one of the major causes for Nottingham Forest punching above their weight this season. The lanky New Zealander proved why he is one of the most prolific forwards in the league despite his age.
Wood is a physically strong player with exceptional aerial ability. He is a poacher in the box and engages in aerial duels to create space for others. He is also good at making runs behind the defence. This season he has scored 20 goals and provided 3 assists in 36 games of the PL. He took a total of 68 shots with a 51% shot accuracy and had 3.19 touches in the attacking penalty area.
Wood has shown consistent form for the past two seasons and has been Forest’s go to man when they are in dire need of goals. Though Forest would be disappointed as they were in with a chance of CL football for a long time this season, Wood certainly deserves a mention for his impressive numbers this season.
2. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Erling Haaland has been Manchester City’s shining light in an otherwise abysmal season. Even with the team and the Norwegian not in form, he has still produced impressive numbers this season. Haaland has carried the burden of providing goals with the likes of Foden and Savinho not chipping in with goals.
Haaland is in the mould of a traditional striker with exceptional finishing skills both aerially and on the ground. The 6 ft 5 inches tall Norwegian is a nightmare for opposition defenders in the box. He can make runs in behind the defence and rarely misses from 1v1 opportunities. Even in an underwhelming season by his standards, Haaland has scored 22 goals and provided 3 assists in 31 league games. He had a total of 108 shots with a 56% shot accuracy and had 6.37 touches per 90 in the attacking penalty area.
Despite an injury lay-off that saw him miss seven Premier League games, the Norwegian striker still proved his world-class stature by performing even when the rest of his team massively underperformed, almost single-handedly guiding them to a 3rd place finish.
1. Alexander Isak (Newcastle United)
Alexander Isak is the most sought-after striker in the Premier League right now. The lanky Swedish forward has shown sensational form in the last two seasons, also proving that he isn’t a one season wonder but also a consistent performer.
Isak is an all-round centre-forward who is exceptional in the air as well as the ground. He is a natural finisher and a poacher in the box but he can also unleash long-range bangers. Adept at link-up play and ball retention, he contributes to the build-up play as well. Isak is both footed, possesses great technical ability and tactical intelligence. This season, the Swedish marksman has scored 23 goals and bagged 6 assists. He had a total of 228 shots with a 50% shot accuracy and had 6.17 touches per 90 in the attacking penalty area.
Isak has to be at the top of the list as he has certainly been the most lethal striker in the PL this season. Also, with Newcastle securing Champions League qualification, it would be really difficult to prise him away from Tyneside. The Magpies certainly got it right – getting a top-class reliable forward who will provide attacking output season after season.
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