Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United all feature…
Find out who are the most valuable players in world football.
The term ‘strike pairing’ is almost no longer valid in modern football, because most teams play a variation of the 4-3-3 or the 4-2-3-1 formation. In the latter, the two wingers in the ‘3’ form part of an attacking front three when their side has the ball anyway, so it’s not illogical to claim now that most sides play with three ‘forwards’, one central and two flanking him.
When teams do play with two out and out strikers, like Liverpool did with Sturridge and Suarez last term for example, it’s rarely in a 4-4-2, but in a compact 4-3-1-2, with a player at the tip of diamond – where the Reds used Raheem Sterling in 2013/14.
Following multiple transfers already this summer though, some of Europe’s biggest sides are already assembling mouthwatering forward lines for 2014/15, and here’s our top 10 in world football, as things stand.
10) Jefferson Farfan, Klaas jan Huntelaar, Julian Draxler
This Schalke forward line didn’t get to play together as much as the fans would have liked last term due to injuries to Farfan and Huntelaar, and young Draxler struggled to find the back of the bet despite being creatively impressive. With Farfan’s speed, Huntelaar’s finishing and Draxler’s vision though, they have the potential to tear teams apart.
9) Emmanuel Riviere, Falcao, James Rodriguez
If James Rodriguez stays at Monaco next term, and Falcao can regain fitness, the principality club have as lethal a forward line as any side around. Falcao is arguably one of the best finishers in the world, while Rodriguez proved at the World Cup his potential is limitless. 24-year-old Riviere scored a respectable 10 Ligue 1 goals last term as well.
8) Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud, Alexis Sanchez
The Gunners have signed Sanchez from Barcelona for £35m, meaning when Walcott returns from fitness, Arsenal’s wide options will possess terrific pace – with which world-class playmaker Mesut Ozil will try to feed in behind the opposition defence. Giroud can also hold the ball up very well, although will hope to find the back of the net more often in the league next campaign.
7) Oscar, Diego Costa, Eden Hazard
With Chelsea having signed Cesc Fabregas, presumably with the idea of using the Spaniard in the no.10 role, Oscar could be shifted to the right, where he could compete with fellow Brazilian Willian for a starting role. Hazard is arguably the best left winger in the country, while new £32m signing Diego Costa is a terrific worker, very powerful, and bagged 36 in all competitions for Atletico Madrid last term. Frightening!
6) Samir Nasri, Sergio Aguero, David Silva
Although Manuel Pellegrini’s options are vast, during his side’s title run-in, he usually used Nasri and Silva as wingers, given licence to cut into midfield and join up with the advancing Yaya Toure. When fit, Sergio Aguero is one of the best players in the world – but the key next year will be keeping the Argentine healthy. Edin Dzeko, Alvaro Negredo, Stevan Jovetic & Jesus Navas can all be deployed in these positions as well!
5) Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie
With United having both Rooney and RVP in the squad, they could quite possibly pair both up top, with Mata in his favoured no.10 role behind the two forwards. At their best, Rooney and RVP are as good as anything in Europe, and United fans will hope new boss Louis van Gaal can get the best out of them, as David Moyes clearly failed to do.
4) Arjen Robben, Robert Lewandowski, Franck Ribery
The brilliant thing about Bayern Munich is, you could easily slot Thomas Muller or Mario Gotze into this side and it wouldn’t get any weaker. That’s the options Pep Guardiola has at his disposal next term, and it’ll likely result in another Bundesliga triumph.
3) Edinson Cavani, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ezequiel Lavezzi
Ibrahimovic gets the plaudits in this PSG front-line, but Lavezzi and Cavani are almost of equal importance. Lavezzi works incredibly hard down the left, while Cavani’s power and direction down the right causes countless problems for defenders. Giant Swede Ibrahimovic is seemingly only getting even better – if that was possible – with age.
2) Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo
Real Madrid’s ‘BBC’ dubbed front-three led the side to Champions League glory last season, and they have all the pace, power and dynamism to do so again. With Bale cutting in from the right and shooting on his left, and Ronaldo doing the same with opposite feet on the left – Real’s goal threat is huge. Benzema’s pretty tidy in front of goal himself. Combined, the pair cost Los Blancos around £200m.
1) Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi, Neymar
Now Barcelona have completed the £75m signing of Luis Suarez from Barcelona, they have – on paper – one of the greatest strike forces ever assembled. All three are capable of almost unmatched individual brilliance, and if they manage to gel and play well together, the end result could be frightening.
