Top 10 Ranking of Best Premier League Strikers of All-Time

Top 10 Ranking of Best Premier League Strikers of All-Time

Kolawole Babatunde 16:08 - 13.09.2024

The Premier League has been graced by some of the most iconic strikers in football history, and we have taken our time to rank the top 10 forwards to ever do it in the league.

From the era of the Premier League's inception to the modern day, these players have captivated fans with their exceptional skills, goal-scoring prowess, and contributions to their respective clubs.

Whether it is their clinical finishing, aerial ability, or sheer athleticism, these strikers have left an indelible mark on the competition. 

Here is a top 10 ranking of the best Premier League strikers of all time

10. Luis Suarez

Best Premier League strikers of all time
Luis Suarez scored several stunning goals in the Premier League for Liverpool | Imago

Despite his controversial moments, Suarez's clinical finishing and ability to create chances for himself and others make him a deserving inclusion.

The Urugyuan had one of the best peak seasons in Premier League history in 2013-14 when he scored 31 goals in 33 games to win the golden boot.

His final two seasons with the Reds were two of the best seasons produced by any striker in PL history, not just for his goals but overall play.

9. Michael Owen

Best Premier League strikers of all time
Michael Owen starring for Liverpool in 1997 | Imago

A young prodigy who burst onto the scene with Liverpool, Owen's pace, finishing, and versatility made him one of the most exciting players of his generation.

The Englishman scored 149 PL goals in 326 appearances across Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle United, and Stoke City, winning two golden boots on the way. Owen’s performance for Liverpool even earned him the Ballon d'Or in 2001. 

8. Didier Drogba

Best Premier League strikers of all time
King Didier Drogba spent two successful spells at Chelsea.

The Ivorian's physical presence, powerful shots, and ability to rise to the occasion in big games made him a feared opponent.

The forward scored 104 goals in 254 PL games for Chelsea, winning two golden boots. The former Blues striker was known for his clutch moments, and big game performances. He is one of six players to score a hat-trick in consecutive Premier League games.

7. Sergio Aguero

Best Premier League strikers of all time
Sergio Aguero will forever be remembered in the annals of Premier League history due to his title winning goal in injury time for Manchester City against QPR in the 2011-12 season | Credit: Getty

The Argentine's goal-scoring record for Manchester City is unparalleled. His ability to find the net in crucial moments and his impact on the club's most successful era places him in the top 10. 

His most iconic moment came in the final game of the 2011-12 season, when he scored a dramatic injury-time winner against Queens Park Rangers to secure Manchester City's first Premier League title in 44 years. 

Throughout his time at City, Aguero's clinical finishing and ability to find the net from all angles made him a nightmare for defenders. He holds the record for the most Premier League hat-tricks scored by a single player for a club (12) and also holds the record for the most goals scored by a foreign player in the Premier League (184).

6. Harry Kane

Best Premier League strikers of all time
Tottenham all time highest goal scorer, Harry Kane Photo Credit || Imago

A modern-day great, Kane's combination of goalscoring ability, vision, and leadership has made him one of the best strikers in the world.

A product of the club's academy, Kane's rise to prominence was meteoric. He made his senior debut in 2011 but initially spent time on loan to gain experience.

Upon his return to Tottenham, Kane's goal-scoring prowess quickly became evident. He broke numerous club records, including the most goals scored in a single Premier League season.

By the time he left the PL, Kane had scored 213 times in the league and won three golden boots.

5. Ruud Van Nistelrooy

Best Premier League strikers of all time
Ruud van Nistelrooy was a prolific scorer for Manchester United

The Dutchman's eye for goal, and ability to score consistently made him a fan favourite at Manchester United.

Signed from PSV Eindhoven in 2001, the Dutch striker quickly became a fan favorite at Old Trafford.

Van Nistelrooy's record-breaking start to his United career, including a brace on his league debut, set the tone for his time in England. 

The Dutch striker scored more than 20 goals in four of his five PL seasons with the Red Devils, and won the golden boot once. 

4. Andy Cole

Best Premier League strikers of all time
Andy Cole during a Manchester United legends game || Image credit: Imago

A prolific goalscorer who formed a deadly partnership with Dwight Yorke at Manchester United, Cole's consistency and clinical finishing earned him a place in Premier League history.

Cole began his career at Arsenal, but Newcastle United was where he rose to prominence, forming a formidable partnership with Peter Beardsley. Together, they led Newcastle to a second-place finish in the 1995-96 season.

In 1995, Cole joined Manchester United and continued his goal-scoring exploits. He formed a legendary partnership with Dwight Yorke, and the duo played a crucial role in United's dominance during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Cole won multiple Premier League titles, FA Cups, and the UEFA Champions League with Manchester United.

After leaving Manchester United, Cole played for Blackburn Rovers, Fulham, and Sunderland before retiring in 2008. He remains one of the Premier League's all-time leading scorers and is widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers in the competition's history.

3. Wayne Rooney

Best Premier League strikers of all time
Wayne Rooney enjoyed a glittering playing career at Manchester United (Credit: Imago)

A versatile striker who could play in multiple positions, Rooney's goal-scoring prowess and leadership made him a Premier League icon.

Starting at Everton as a teenager, Rooney quickly established himself as a prodigious talent with his powerful shots and ability to create goals. His performances earned him a move to Manchester United in 2004.

At United, Rooney became a cornerstone of the team's success. He formed a formidable partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy, contributing countless goals and assists. Rooney's versatility allowed him to play in various attacking positions, making him a nightmare for defenders.

Throughout his career, Rooney broke numerous Premier League records, including becoming the youngest player to score a hat-trick and the youngest player to reach 100 Premier League goals. 

Rooney's time at Manchester United was marked by multiple Premier League trophies. His impact on the club and the Premier League as a whole will be remembered for years to come.

2. Alan Shearer

Best Premier League strikers of all time
Alan Shearer in action for Newcastle United against Barcelona in the 2002/03 UEFA Champions League

The Premier League's all-time leading scorer, Shearer's clinical finishing and aerial ability made him a force to be reckoned with.

Shearer is the Premier League's all-time leading scorer, having netted an impressive 260 goals during his career.

He played for Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United, where he was a fan favourite. Shearer's clinical finishing, aerial ability, and leadership qualities made him a dominant force in the Premier League.

He won the Premier League title with Blackburn in 1995 and was named the PFA Player of the Year on three occasions. Shearer's impact on the Premier League is undeniable, and his goal-scoring record remains a testament to his greatness.

1. Thierry Henry

Best Premier League strikers of all time
Thierry Henry played 8 seasons for Arsenal before moving to Barcelona

A complete forward who could score from anywhere, Henry's pace, skill, and vision transformed Arsenal into a dominant force.

Joining Arsenal from Juventus in 1999, he quickly became the focal point of Arsene Wenger's "Invincibles" team.

Henry's ability to score from all angles, his dribbling wizardry, and his vision made him a nightmare for defenders.

He won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and the League Cup with Arsenal, and his record-breaking goal-scoring feats cemented his status as one of the greatest players in Premier League history. The Frenchman won four golden boots in eight PL seasons.

Henry's legacy at Arsenal continues to inspire generations of young footballers.

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