The modern Premier League striker is expected to offer far more than simply scoring goals. The best forwards must lead the press, link play, create chances, attack space, and consistently deliver against the toughest opposition.
This list ranks the 10 best Premier League strikers right now, considering performances throughout the 2025/26 season, goalscoring output, consistency, overall quality, and impact on their respective teams. Some are traditional number nines who thrive inside the penalty area, while others offer greater versatility and can operate across the frontline.
The Premier League remains home to some of the world’s most exciting attacking talent. From established superstars to emerging young forwards, these are the best strikers who currently stand above the rest.
10. Joao Pedro
Joao Pedro had the best scoring season of his career last year in his debut season for Chelsea. The Brazilian netted 15 goals in 35 Premier League appearances, and a further five in all competitions. His ability to find the net stood out in a Chelsea side that relied heavily on his movement and clinical finishing.
Joao Pedro combines intelligent positioning, sharp movement inside the box, and composure in front of goal. His work rate off the ball and willingness to press has also impressed, making him a complete modern forward. He looks to be a key part of this Chelsea squad. Joao Pedro’s rapid development and goal threat make him one of the most exciting young strikers in the league.
9. Benjamin Sesko
Benjamin Sesko has continued his upward trajectory at Man United, establishing himself as one of the most promising young strikers in the Premier League. The Slovenian forward possesses a rare blend of size, speed, and technical quality that makes him a constant threat. His movement in behind defences and ability to hold up play have improved significantly this season.
Sesko’s aerial ability and powerful shot make him dangerous from a variety of situations. He has shown maturity beyond his years, contributing goals and assists while pressing relentlessly from the front. His partnership with Arsenal’s creative players has been fruitful, and he has become a key part of their attacking setup. Benjamin Sesko’s potential is huge, and he is already performing at a high level in one of the league’s top teams. He may have a way to go before he becomes one of the best Man United players of all time, but he is certainly one of the best strikers in the Premier League right now.
8. Junior Kroupi
Junior Kroupi has emerged as one of the most exciting young forwards in the Premier League. The French teenager has made a major impression at Bournemouth, demonstrating remarkable composure and finishing ability despite his age.
Kroupi’s performances during the 2025/26 season were particularly impressive. He scored seven goals in his first 16 Premier League appearances, despite starting just seven matches during that period. The Frenchman has plenty of tools in his Arsenal, showcasing his ability to finish with either foot, his head, and even from outside the penalty area.
His efficiency has been particularly eye-catching. At one stage of the campaign, Kroupi led the Premier League for shot conversion and minutes per goal among players with at least five goals. The Premier League’s own analysis highlighted his outstanding efficiency alongside some of the division’s established stars.
Kroupi is still developing physically and tactically, but his natural finishing ability is already exceptional. Bournemouth have a potentially special talent on their hands, and his performances suggest he could become one of the Premier League’s elite strikers.
7. Viktor Gyökeres
Viktor Gyökeres arrived at Arsenal with enormous expectations following his prolific spell at Sporting CP. The Swedish striker immediately brought a different dimension to Mikel Arteta’s attack, combining physical power with explosive movement and intelligent positioning. Arteta is one of the best managers in the world, but Gyökeres was the missing piece of the puzzle as the Swede helped lead the Spaniard’s side to the Premier League title.
Gyökeres is particularly dangerous when attacking space behind defensive lines. His acceleration allows him to turn seemingly harmless situations into goalscoring opportunities. His strength makes him extremely difficult to stop once he gets moving.
The striker is also an excellent finisher inside the box and possesses the physicality to thrive against Premier League defenders. His ability to carry the ball over long distances gives Arsenal an additional attacking outlet, particularly when opponents defend with a high line.
His first season in England has not been without challenges, but Gyökeres has still shown enough quality to rank among the division’s best forwards. His combination of pace, power, finishing, and relentless movement makes him a nightmare for defenders. With greater familiarity with Arsenal’s system, there is every reason to believe his best football is still to come.
6. Matheus Cunha
Matheus Cunha has established himself as one of Manchester United’s most dangerous attacking players since moving to Old Trafford. The Brazilian forward is not a conventional number nine, but his versatility and creativity make him incredibly difficult for Premier League defences to handle.
Cunha can operate centrally or drift into wider positions, allowing him to find pockets of space and create problems between the lines. His close control, acceleration, and ability to carry the ball through pressure make him particularly effective when United need someone to break defensive structures.
His creativity is arguably his greatest strength. Cunha can score spectacular goals, create chances for teammates, and link midfield with attack. His pressing and defensive work rate also allow him to contribute when United do not have possession.
While his goalscoring numbers may not match the pure number nines above him, Cunha offers a broader attacking package. His ability to influence games in multiple ways makes him one of the Premier League’s most complete forwards. His strong performances with Brazil at the 2026 World Cup further demonstrated his quality on the international stage.
5. Hugo Ekitike
Hugo Ekitike enjoyed a superb breakthrough season in the Premier League, establishing himself as one of the most exciting young strikers in English football. After impressing with Eintracht Frankfurt, the French forward joined Liverpool and quickly adapted to the demands of playing for one of England’s biggest clubs. His movement, technical ability, and intelligent runs made him a constant threat in front of goal.
Ekitike is not a traditional number nine who simply waits inside the penalty area. He is comfortable dropping deep to link play, carrying the ball at defenders, and drifting into wider areas to create space. His combination of physical strength and close control makes him particularly difficult to defend against, while his finishing continued to improve throughout the campaign.
Unfortunately, his debut season was cut short by an Achilles injury in April, ruling him out for the remainder of the campaign and leaving him facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines. However, his performances before the injury demonstrated his enormous potential.
Ekitike scored 17 goals in his debut season for Liverpool, showing he has the quality to become one of the Premier League’s elite strikers. If he returns at the same level, he could climb considerably higher on future lists.
4. Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak endured a disappointing first season at Liverpool. The Swedish striker struggled to find his best form after making the high-profile move from Newcastle. Expectations were enormous following his outstanding performances at St James’ Park, but his debut campaign never really reached the level many had anticipated. To make matters worse, Isak eventually suffered an injury that brought his season to a premature end, adding further frustration to a difficult year.
However, we have seen more than enough from Isak during his time at Newcastle to believe he can bounce back. His combination of pace, technical ability, intelligent movement, and clinical finishing made him one of the Premier League’s most dangerous forwards. He scored consistently, produced spectacular finishes, and regularly showed the quality required to perform at the highest level.
The Liverpool move has undoubtedly been a setback, but one poor season should not erase everything Isak achieved before it. Still only in his prime years, the Swedish international has plenty of time to rediscover his best form. If he can regain his confidence and stay fit, there is every reason to believe Isak can return to being one of the Premier League’s elite strikers.
3. Igor Thiago
Igor Thiago has enjoyed a remarkable rise during his first full Premier League season. After missing most of his debut campaign through injury, the Brazilian returned fully fit and immediately established himself as one of the division’s most dangerous strikers.
Standing at 6’3″, Thiago possesses all the qualities of a traditional number nine. He is powerful in the air, strong with his back to goal, and extremely difficult to contain inside the penalty area. However, his game extends beyond physicality.
Thiago is comfortable dropping deeper to link play and possesses the movement required to create space for teammates. His finishing has been particularly impressive, with his 22 Premier League goals making him the second-highest scorer in the division during 2025/26. Only Erling Haaland scored more.
Eight of Thiago’s goals came from penalties, but his overall attacking impact remains hugely impressive. He also became the first Brazilian to score 20 Premier League goals in a single season.
After overcoming a nightmare start to life in England, Thiago has established himself as one of the Premier League’s elite strikers. His physicality, finishing, and all-round ability make him a nightmare matchup for defenders.
2. Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins has developed from an Exeter City academy graduate into one of the Premier League’s most complete strikers. The Aston Villa forward has been a model of consistency since arriving from Brentford. He has become Villa’s all-time leading Premier League goalscorer and one of the division’s most reliable attackers.
What makes Watkins so effective is the completeness of his game. His movement in behind defensive lines is exceptional, while his intelligent positioning allows him to consistently find dangerous areas. His finishing has also developed considerably, making him a reliable source of goals.
However, Watkins offers far more than scoring. His ability to press from the front is crucial to Villa’s tactical approach, while his work rate creates opportunities for teammates. He is also capable of linking play and providing assists, making him a genuine all-round centre-forward.
His durability is another major strength. Watkins has consistently remained available across long Premier League seasons, allowing Villa to rely on him week after week.
He may not possess Haaland’s extraordinary goalscoring numbers, but Watkins offers a more rounded attacking package. His consistency, movement, pressing, finishing, and creativity make him one of the best strikers in the Premier League right now.
1. Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland remains the undisputed number one striker in the Premier League. The Manchester City forward has continued to redefine what is possible for a modern number nine. He combines extraordinary goalscoring numbers with physical attributes that make him almost impossible to contain.
At 6’4″, Haaland possesses incredible strength and aerial ability. However, his greatest weapon may be his movement. His ability to find space inside the penalty area is exceptional, allowing him to create goalscoring opportunities seemingly from nothing.
Haaland’s finishing is equally devastating. He can score with either foot, attack crosses, finish one-on-ones, and produce powerful efforts from close range. His combination of size, speed, and technical quality gives defenders an almost impossible problem.
The Norwegian won his third Premier League Golden Boot in 2025/26 after scoring 27 goals, finishing five clear of the next-highest scorer. He also enjoyed an outstanding first World Cup, scoring seven goals in five matches for Norway.
His all-round game has continued to develop, too. Haaland has become increasingly involved in City’s build-up play and improved his link-up ability, although his primary strength remains his devastating finishing.
Still only 26, Haaland has already won multiple Premier League titles, the Champions League, and three Golden Boots. With his prime years still ahead, he has every chance of becoming one of football’s greatest-ever strikers. For now, he is comfortably the best striker in the Premier League.
