Some argue that giving defensive players the title of Player of the Year is useless. That scoring goals is difficult in football and that the striker’s job is the most crucial on the field.
The transfer market would undoubtedly agree. The most frequent goal scorers usually command the highest prices, and a good hitman may mask a multitude of sins for your squad.
Of course, being a striker is no longer just about scoring goals. Hold up, connect, play, press, run the channels, and bully defense are all things you must do. These guys know exactly what they’re doing..
11. Cristiano Ronaldo. Manchester United
We’ve made the unfathomable decision to leave Cristiano Ronaldo out of the top 10, but he appears as a phantom No. 11 here. Given his uneven form for a dismal Manchester United this season, it’s difficult to defend the Portugal legend’s position above others on this list. If futballnews life rested on a player converting a one-on-one opportunity, there’s nobody we’d rather count on than the 37-year-old. As a result, he is deserving of special recognition.
10. Patrick Schick. Bayern Leverkusen
Schick, who is best known on these shores for his 60-yard howitzer over Scotland’s David Marshall at Euro 2020, continued his tournament form this season. After scoring four goals against Greuther Furth in December, the Czech netted his 20th Bundesliga goal in mid-January. The Leverkusen striker is one of the top players in Germany right now, big, quick, and with a flair for the dramatic.
9. Aubameyang. Barcelona
As I say this, I can almost hear the Arsenal fans rolling their eyes, but it’s impossible not to include the Gabonese striker following his sensational start in Barcelona. Before moving to Spain, the former Arsenal striker had only four goals in 14 games this season, but has subsequently scored at an incredible rate in La Liga. What a difference a little sunshine can make.
8. Diogo Jota. Liverpool
To usurp Bobby Firmino at Anfield, you have to be good, and Jota has been that since joining from Wolves in the summer of 2020. Formerly a hard-charging winger, the Portuguese has evolved into Jurgen Klopp’s lethal frontman. He is presently third in the Premier League in terms of goals scored this season, but it is his workrate and tenacity in the channels that distinguishes him.
7. Vlahovic. Juventus
Seventeen Serie A goals for Fiorentina before Christmas sent the rumour mill into overdrive and Vlahovic has lived up to the hype since switching to Juventus in January. The Serb took just 33 seconds to score his first Champions League goal and has been solid if unspectacular so far for the Old Lady. Still, the 22-year-old has a bright future ahead of him.
6. Ciro Immobile. Lazio
Immobile is at the other extreme of the age spectrum in Italy’s top division. Vlahovic, who is a decade older than Vlahovic, is still the best finisher in Serie A, having scored 20 league goals for the third consecutive season by early March. Earlier stints at Juventus and Borussia Dortmund did not pan out, but the Euro 2020 champion seemed content with his place in the world. He’s become a god-like figure at Lazio.
5. Erling Haaland. Manchester City
Injury has limited the Norwegian to fewer Bundesliga appearances this season, but his ability to stick leather in the onion bag remains nearly supernatural. Haaland’s speed, strength, and calm demeanor have made him a sought man, and he’ll most likely be moving on this summer. The 21-year-old is almost certain to win the Ballon d’Or one day. It’s impossible to say how good he’ll become.
4. Harry Kane. Tottenham
Kane is back to his destructive best after a slow start to the season. No other striker on this list combines goal scoring and creativity like the England captain, who seems certain to score 20 goals and provide 10 assists for the second year in a row. Kane’s yearning to leave Tottenham this summer may come true. Whoever signs him next season may become an instant favorite for the Premier League and Champions League.
3. Kylian Mbappe. PSG
Another player who appears to be on his way out this summer. Mbappe is the hottest property in the world of football, having already scored over 30 goals and provided 20 assists for the French giants this season. The World Cup winner has already scored over 125 goals in the French top flight at the age of 23. Real Madrid appears to be the most likely destination for him next season; with him in their assault, they may become unstoppable.
2. Robert Lewandowski. Bayern Munich
Lewandowski would have been No. 1 on this list a few weeks ago, and it’s still a close call. By mid-March, the Pole had already scored over 45 goals and had broken the 30-goal mark for the third consecutive season. He’s a phenomenon who, at 33 years old, shows no signs of slowing down.
Despite scoring in the second leg tie against Villarreal, Bayern’s failure to proceed beyond the quarterfinal stage has lost Lewandowski a place on this list. Of course, it’s not all his responsibility, but the player at the top of this list has almost single-handedly carried his side through the last few rounds.
1. Karim Benzema. Real Madrid
Real Madrid’s assault on the Champions League this season has been aided by hat-tricks against PSG and Chelsea. In the second leg, the Frenchman added a fourth goal against the Blues, and he has frequently stepped up when the situation demands for a seasoned leader. When the chips are down, there are few better players in the air, few more relentless pressers, and almost no one as clinical. At 34, Benzema could be forgiven for letting off on the gas pedal, but the La Liga’s top scorer only seems to be getting more lethal. He is the best footballer on the planet right now.
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Kylian Mbappe
- Club: Paris Saint-Germain
- Age: 22
- Current Overall: 91
- Potential Overall: 95
- Value: £174.5m
Erling Haaland
- Club: Borussia Dortmund (Manchester City)
- Age: 21
- Current Overall: 88
- Potential Overall: 93
- Value: £128m
Lautaro Martinez
- Club: Inter
- Age: 24
- Current Overall: 85
- Potential Overall: 89
- Value: £70.5m
Joao Felix
- Club: Atlético de Madrid
- Age: 21
- Current Overall: 83
- Potential Overall: 91
- Value: £74m
Romelu Lukaku
- Club: Chelsea
- Age: 28
- Current Overall: 88
- Potential Overall: 88
- Value: £84m
Harry Kane
- Club: Tottenham Hotspur
- Age: 28
- Current Overall: 90
- Potential Overall: 90
- Value: £110m
Victor Osimhen
- Club: Napoli
- Age: 22
- Current Overall: 80
- Potential Overall: 87
- Value: £47.5m
Richarlison
- Club: Everton
- Age: 24
- Current Overall: 82
- Potential Overall: 87
- Value: £42m
Moise Kean
- Club: Piemonte Calcio (Juventus)
- Age: 21
- Current Overall: 79
- Potential Overall: 87
- Value: £36m
Tammy Abraham
- Club: Roma FC
- Age: 24
- Current Overall: 78
- Potential Overall: 86
- Value: £28.5m
