Cast your vote for the Premier League’s best striker.
Here are our picks for the best ten strikers in the English top tier, on the final page you will find our poll, vote for your favourite as we look to put together a ‘Premier League Best XI’
Loic Remy (Newcastle)
A highly clinical finisher, Loic Remy has had a great start to life in the Premier League. After initially joining Queens Park Rangers last season from Marseille, the Frenchman scored six goals in just fourteen appearances, including some fine efforts in Harry Redknapp’s failed bid to avoid relegation. Remy then attracted interest from the likes of Arsenal during the summer, though he eventually joined Newcastle on loan for the 2013/14 season. The 26-year-old has continued his fine form in the top flight this season, with five goals in just six games so far this season to help add some much-needed quality upfront for the Magpies.
Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)
Although many felt Olivier Giroud was slow to adapt to life in the Premier League after joining Arsenal from Montpellier last year, the French forward still racked up a highly respectable 17 goals for the Gunners, and created many more with his fine link-up play upfront fitting in perfectly to the style of play adopted by Arsene Wenger at the Emirates Stadium. A tall and strong target man, Giroud is a constant threat on the floor or in the air, and looks even better this season with seven goals in thirteen games already as one of the in-form players in this confident-looking Arsenal team.
Alvaro Negredo (Manchester City)
A summer signing from Sevilla, Alvaro Negredo has settled in well at Manchester City, and already looks like becoming one of the best strikers in the Premier League after a prolific career in La Liga. After a highly respectable record of 85 goals in 180 appearances for Sevilla, Negredo now has four in nine games for City so far, and has done well to ensure he remains a regular in the side despite some strong competition from the likes of Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and fellow new signing Stevan Jovetic. Negredo also has 10 goals in 19 caps for Spain and has deservedly earned a reputation for being a deadly poacher in front of goal.
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
After becoming unhappy at not being played in his preferred striker’s position last season, Wayne Rooney looks back to his best this season under new manager David Moyes. Although Manchester United in general have struggled to reach their best form, Rooney has been a stand-out performer with five goals in ten games so far. The England international is certainly capable on his day of being one of the most deadly players in the world, and if he carries on like this he will surely be talked about as the best in the Premier League again before long. The strong interest in him from top clubs over the summer when he looked like leaving United shows how highly regarded he still is.
Romelu Lukaku (Everton)
Certainly one of the best young strikers in European football, Chelsea starlet Romelu Lukaku is currently out on loan for the season with Everton, and is impressing once again after also catching the eye on loan with West Brom last season. The 20-year-old scored 17 goals for the Baggies last term with some powerful displays upfront that have seen him compared with Chelsea legend Didier Drogba. Lukaku now has four goals and one assist in just five games for Everton as he seems to just get better and better. With pace, strength and a strong left foot, Lukaku has all the ingredients to be a world great, and many were surprised Chelsea didn’t keep him around as first choice this season.
Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)
A revelation for Aston Villa last season, Christian Benteke arrived at the club from Belgian side Genk for just £7m, and the then little-known striker scored an excellent 23 goals in 39 appearances, 19 of which came in the Premier League to almost single-handedly fire Paul Lambert’s side to survival against relegation. A long list of top clubs then chased him over the summer, and continue to be linked with him this season after another fine start with five goals from his opening seven games. One of many talented players from Belgium currently impressing in England, the 22-year-old will surely be on his way to a big-money move to a top club before long.
Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)
The top scorer so far this season, and a joy to watch at his best, Daniel Sturridge is well on his way to becoming regarded as one of the best players in the Premier League. The Liverpool striker has been a superb signing by Brendan Rodgers, who snapped him up for just £12m from rivals Chelsea, where he had failed to impress. Following just 15 goals in 55 games for the Blues, Sturridge has a superb record of 20 in 26 appearances for the Merseyside giants starting from January last season. The quick and skillful player has become far more clinical in front of goal and currently forms a mouth-watering partnership upfront with fellow Reds star Luis Suarez.
Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Sergio Aguero immediately looked like a world class signing when he joined Manchester City from Atletico Madrid for £38m in 2011, as his 23 goals in 34 games saw City claim the Premier League title, and it was the clinical Argentine who scored the decisive goal on the final day of the season against Queens Park Rangers with a well-taken finish to seal one of the most dramatic finales to a season ever. The 25-year-old has continued his fine form since then, despite some injury problems last season, and has an excellent record of 9 goals in 10 games in all competitions so far this term. Aguero will no doubt be a strong contender for the Golden Boot and has risen to the challenge of keeping his place against new signings Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic.
Luis Suarez (Liverpool)
A controversial character no doubt, but Liverpool’s Luis Suarez is a phenomenal footballer, and definitely up there with the best strikers in the world at the moment. The 26-year-old Uruguayan was in fantastic form last season, scoring 23 goals in 33 Premier League games, and could well have gone on to claim the Golden Boot if not for his bite on Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic which saw him pick up a ten-game ban, which also carried on into the start of this season. Still, upon his comeback Suarez has three goals in as many games for the Reds so far this season, and looks like forming a truly superb partnership with his in-form strike partner Daniel Sturridge at Anfield. The pair are as good as any at the moment, and have the potential to end Liverpool’s wait for Premier League glory.
Robin van Persie (Manchester United)
The Golden Boot winner for two years running, Robin van Persie was Sir Alex Ferguson’s last inspired signing as manager of Manchester United, bringing the free-scoring Dutchman in from Arsenal last summer for £24m. Van Persie scored 26 Premier League goals to finish as top scorer and deliver a 20th title for the Red Devils, with his superb hat-trick sealing the title in a 3-0 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford. After a career ravaged by injuries, van Persie now seems to be making up for lost time and has started well this term as well with seven goals in ten appearances. Although United have been inconsistent so far this season, van Persie’s incredible match-winning ability will surely help fire them back into the title race.