The Premier League has witnessed some of the most extraordinary football talent, with attacking players often stealing the spotlight. Strikers, in particular, are pivotal to a team’s success, being responsible for scoring goals, creating assists, and delivering game-changing performances. In this article, Wintips will explore the best striker in the Premier League ever, highlight the top contenders, and analyze their contributions to the league.
Now, let's take a look at some of the most iconic strikers in Premier League history.
The best striker in the Premier League ever
10. Jamie Vardy
Jamie Vardy's rise from non-league football to Premier League glory with Leicester City is a remarkable tale of perseverance and determination. The veteran striker’s story is more than just inspirational; it’s backed by his incredible scoring ability and blistering pace, which have made him a key figure in the Premier League. Vardy played a crucial role in Leicester’s fairy-tale 2015/16 Premier League title win, and his contributions are etched in football history.
Even as he continues to add to his goal tally, now back in England's top tier, his legacy as one of the most prolific goal scorers in Premier League history is undeniable, with over 130 goals to his name.
9. Luis Suarez
Who is the best striker in the Premier League? Luis Suarez's time at Liverpool was marked by both controversy and brilliance. Signed for £22.8 million in 2011, Suarez came with a reputation that included his infamous handball against Ghana in the 2010 World Cup and a biting incident during his time at Ajax. However, his undeniable talent quickly made him one of the Premier League's most lethal forwards. After a slow start, Suarez found his rhythm, finishing the 2012/13 season with 23 goals, before truly exploding in the 2013/14 season, scoring 31 goals in just 33 appearances.
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Though his time in England was short—just three and a half seasons—his 69 goals in 110 games cemented his legacy. Suarez’s time at Liverpool not only showcased his incredible skill but also paved the way for his eventual move to Barcelona, where he joined forces with Lionel Messi and Neymar to form one of the most formidable attacking trios in football history.
8. Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba was a key figure in Chelsea's rise to prominence under Jose Mourinho, with the Ivorian striker scoring crucial goals in several title-winning seasons. Known for his power, strength, and aerial ability, Drogba bullied defenders and was far more than just a goalscorer. His technical skills and pace made him a complete forward. Throughout 254 Premier League appearances, Drogba netted 104 goals and provided 64 assists, winning two Golden Boots and four Premier League titles.
Signed for £24 million from Marseille in 2004, Drogba initially struggled to make an impact in England. However, he quickly turned his form around, becoming a pivotal player in Chelsea's back-to-back title victories in 2004/05 and 2005/06. Drogba’s legacy continued to grow with another Golden Boot win in 2009/10, highlighted by his decisive hat-trick against Wigan on the final day, securing the league title. After stints in China and Turkey, Drogba returned to Chelsea and helped the club win a fourth title in 2015. He is the only African player to score over 100 Premier League goals. Beyond his domestic success, Drogba’s iconic equalizing goal and subsequent penalty in the 2012 Champions League Final cemented his status as a Chelsea legend.
7. Andy Cole
Andy Cole's incredible goal-scoring record in the Premier League is nothing short of remarkable, especially considering he never scored a penalty in the competition. After impressing at Bristol City, Cole made a big move to Newcastle United, where he showcased his talent before joining Manchester United. At Old Trafford, he played a crucial role in the club's treble-winning season and became one of the most prolific goal-scorers in Premier League history. Cole's partnership with Dwight Yorke in the late 1990s formed a potent strike duo that was key to Manchester United's dominance under Sir Alex Ferguson.
After leaving Manchester United, Cole continued to find the back of the net with Blackburn Rovers, Fulham, and Manchester City, proving his consistency as a goal scorer. He ended his Premier League career with 187 goals from 415 appearances, along with 69 assists and five Premier League titles. Cole’s achievements are often overshadowed by other stars, but his exceptional ability to score goals, even without penalties, solidifies his place as one of the Premier League's all-time greats.
6. Eric Cantona
Eric Cantona was a transformative figure for Manchester United in the 1990s, bringing both flair and fire to the club. With 70 goals in the Premier League, he wasn’t just a prolific scorer but also a leader who redefined the club’s identity. His influence went beyond his on-field contributions, as he helped turn United from a team without a league title in 26 years into one of the most dominant forces in English football. Known for his charismatic presence and iconic collar-up, chest-out persona, Cantona commanded attention both on and off the pitch.
While his infamous "kung fu" kick on a Crystal Palace fan in 1995 added to his controversial legacy, it was his footballing genius that earned him legendary status. In addition to his league triumphs, Cantona scored the first-ever Premier League hat-trick for Leeds in a 5-0 victory over Tottenham in 1992. His ability to score nearly a goal every other game, often playing as a withdrawn striker, solidified his place as one of the Premier League's most influential players. Cantona’s impact on Manchester United and the Premier League remains undeniable, and his unique character left an indelible mark on the sport.
5. Sergio Agüero
Sergio Agüero is one of the top strikers in the Premier League history, holding the record for the most goals by a non-English player with 184 goals for Manchester City. Over his 10-year spell at the club, Agüero played a crucial role in transforming City into a global powerhouse, dominating English football. He scored consistently, hitting 20+ goals in six of his 11 seasons in the Premier League, making him one of the most lethal strikers in the division’s history.
Agüero’s most memorable moment came in 2012 when he scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner against QPR to secure City's first Premier League title in the modern era, sending the fans into ecstatic celebration. His goals-per-minute ratio was unmatched, and despite the immense quality of his strikes, it wasn't until the 2017/18 season that he made the PFA Team of the Year. Agüero’s contribution to Manchester City’s success and his unforgettable title-winning goal against QPR has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players the Premier League has ever seen.
4. Harry Kane- One of the best strikers in the Premier League
Harry Kane's rise to becoming one of the best strikers in the Premier League began with a pivotal moment at Villa Park. Reflecting on his 2-1 win for Tottenham in November 2014, he described it as the turning point that marked his transition from promising talent to elite forward. His 2014/15 season, in which he scored 21 Premier League goals, was just the beginning of his remarkable ascent. By the 2016/17 season, Kane had reached 29 goals, and he continued to improve his tally year after year.
Kane’s consistency and precision have made him one of the most lethal forwards in the league, with his best tally coming in the 2022/23 season when he scored 30 goals, joining a select group of players who have reached such a feat in a 38-game Premier League season. As Tottenham's all-time leading Premier League goalscorer with 213 goals, Kane is now just 47 goals behind Alan Shearer's record. With no signs of slowing down, Kane remains one of the best in the game, and only time will tell if he can break Shearer's legendary record.
3. Wayne Rooney
“Remember the name, Wayne Rooney,” commentator Clive Tyldesley famously shouted. While Tyldesley often used this phrase for many young players, he was right about Rooney. The stunning goal he scored for Everton against Arsenal in October 2002, at just 16 years old, was the first of 208 Premier League goals. Rooney went on to claim five Premier League titles with Manchester United and the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award in 2010.
In addition to his goals, Rooney provided 103 assists, a figure only surpassed by Ryan Giggs and Cesc Fabregas. His career was marked by longevity, versatility, and a knack for dramatic moments. As Manchester United’s all-time leading scorer, Rooney played a key role in their dominance of English football for nearly a decade. Whether it was his unforgettable overhead kick in the Manchester derby or his audacious goal from the halfway line, Rooney’s exceptional technique and relentless drive made him one of the Premier League’s greatest players.
2. Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer stands second on the list of best strikers ever in the Premier League, with an impressive 260 goals. His consistency, longevity, and powerful yet precise finishing make him one of the best strikers to ever grace the league. Shearer’s remarkable career included standout seasons, such as scoring 31 goals in just 40 games in 1993/94 and 34 in 42 matches the following season. His exceptional talent earned him multiple accolades, including the Football Writers’ Player of the Year in 1994 and PFA Players’ Player of the Year in 1995, contributing to Blackburn Rovers' Premier League title victory.
While Harry Kane’s move to Bayern Munich may delay the threat to Shearer’s record, his legendary status remains intact. Shearer’s career continued to shine at Newcastle, where he scored 148 league goals for the club, bringing his total Premier League tally to 260. He set several records, including the most hat-tricks (11), most trebles in a single season (five in 1995/96), and the most goals in a single game (five against Sheffield Wednesday in 1999). Although Shearer's goal-scoring record may eventually be challenged, his dominance in English football remains unparalleled, even if his goal celebrations could have used a little more flair.
1. Thierry Henry- The best striker in the Premier League ever
Who is the best striker in the Premier League? Thierry Henry became a true legend, not just for Arsenal but for the Premier League as a whole, thanks to his unique blend of skill, pace, and flair. His famous "va va voom" style wasn’t just about speed; it was about making the impossible look effortless. A prime example of this was his incredible solo goal against Liverpool in April 2004, where he dribbled past nearly the entire Reds defense.
Henry’s consistency in front of goal is unmatched, as no other player has scored more than 20 goals in five consecutive Premier League seasons. On four of those occasions, he claimed the top scorer title, earning multiple prestigious accolades, including PFA Player of the Year in 2003 and 2004, as well as Football Writers’ Player of the Year in 2003, 2004, and 2006. Even in his brief return to Arsenal in 2012, when he was 34, Henry’s impact was undeniable, scoring a crucial last-minute winner against Sunderland that helped secure the team’s Champions League qualification.
Widely regarded as the best striker in Premier League history, Henry is, in the eyes of many, the best player to ever play in the league, regardless of position. His £11 million transfer to Arsenal in 1999 raised some eyebrows after a lackluster stint at Juventus, but Henry quickly justified the hefty price tag by scoring 175 goals for the club and winning the Premier League Golden Boot four times. It's no wonder that both Henry and Alan Shearer were the first players inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.
Conclusion
While there are many legendary strikers in Premier League history, the title of the best striker in the Premier League ever is subjective and depends on what attributes one values most in a forward. Ultimately, the best striker in Premier League history is up for debate, but each of these players has left an indelible mark on the league, contributing to its legacy with their goal-scoring prowess, technical brilliance, and impact on the game.
Refer to: Who Is the Best Defender in the Premier League Right Now?
