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A forward's main job is scoring goals. However, in the modern game of football, every player on the pitch is expected to adapt to various demands. Each match is like a game of chess, and players' roles could change for every game. Forwards are asked to contribute defensively at times to help out midfielders and full-backs.
Which forwards contribute the most defensively?
Forwards that contribute defensively are sought after. Often, the forwards who are impressive on the ball ignore their duties while tracking back, which leads to gaps being formed.
Furthermore, forwards that provide goal output and also help out when the team does not have the ball are few in number.
Although such forwards are few in number, they are not entirely non-existent. These players continue to remain a huge asset to their teams. In their absence, it is clear that the team does not perform at the same level. Five such forwards with the best defensive output in the world at the moment have been ranked in the following list:
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#5 Danny Ings (Aston Villa)
Danny Ings joined Aston Villa from Southampton ahead of the 2021-22 Premier League season. The 29-year-old ended the 2020-21 season with 12 goals, where injuries restricted him to 29 appearances in the Premier League.
The Englishman has started the ongoing season in style, scoring against Watford and Newcastle United. However, the forward's biggest strengths are his all-round play and contribution on the defensive side of things.
Ings attempted 25 tackles and seven interceptions in the 2020-21 Premier League season. He also successfully tackled 33.3 per cent of opposing dribblers.
Additionally, the striker made 47 blocks (passes and shots), which placed him in the 99th percentile compared to other forwards in the top five leagues. He also made 17 clearances, which reinstates his excellent output without the ball at his feet.
Ings will be hoping to remain free from injury as Aston Villa aim to improve on their 11th-placed finish in the Premier League last season.
#4 Antoine Griezmann (Barcelona)
Antoine Griezmann has failed to live up to his price-tag following his big money move to Barcelona from Atletico Madrid. In the 2020-21 La Liga season, the French forward scored 13 times and assisted seven more. While these are not bad numbers by any means, the expectations are always higher at a club like Barcelona.
However, the 30-year-old forward has also executed his duty of tracking back whenever required. Griezmann attempted 39 tackles and 13 interceptions in the league last season. He also made 133 ball recoveries and 32 blocks to go with it.
Overall, the French forward has made considerable contributions in defense along with his decent goal output. While this may not be enough to silence his critics, there is no denying the fact that Griezmann works extremely hard on the pitch.
He will be hoping to improve his output in front of goal from the 2021-22 season, however, as Barcelona begin a new era without Lionel Messi.
#3 Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
Argentine forward Lautaro Martinez signed for Inter Milan in 2018. The 23-year-old played a significant role in helping Inter win the Serie A title last season. While his strike partner Romelu Lukaku has completed a move to Chelsea, Martinez seems set to stay at Inter despite interest from Tottenham and Atletico Madrid.
Under Antonio Conte, the forward was often given a free role in attack last season. With Lukaku stationed as the focal point, Lautaro Martinez was permitted to roam inside the attacking third and get into pockets of space. The forward executed his instructions efficiently as he scored 17 times and even picked up six assists.
Despite being given liberty in attack, Martinez did not neglect his defensive duties. The diminutive forward attempted 24 tackles last season and made an impressive 28 interceptions, which places him in the 99th percentile for forwards among the top five leagues. To add to this, Martinez also made 42 blocks, for which he ranks in the 96th percentile. He also recovered 133 loose balls.
All in all, while Inter may have lost Lukaku, they should be delighted with Martinez staying at the club. Undoubtedly, he will continue his incredible work-rate while playing alongside new signing Edin Dzeko.
#2 Richarlison (Everton)
Richarlison has established himself as a Premier League defender's nightmare. The 24-year-old forward scored seven goals and picked up three assists in the 2020-21 campaign. The Brazilian has found a capable strike partner in Dominic Calvert-Lewin to share his goalscoring burden, which enables him to impact the game more.
While Calvert-Lewin often acts as the focal point in attack, Richarlison plays alongside him. The Brazilian forward's physique enables him to contribute defensively too, which he does incredibly well. Richarlison made 49 tackles and 20 interceptions last season. He also made 33 blocks and recovered 186 loose balls for Everton.
Notably, he also made an incredible 38 clearances, which places him in the 92nd percentile among forwards in the top five leagues. Richarlison started the 2021-22 Premier League season with a goal and an assist, and will be hoping to further improve on his output this year.
#1 Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)
Roberto Firmino's position is one of the toughest to comprehend in the world of football. Jurgen Klopp's unique system of Sadio Mane and Mohammed Salah playing as inside forwards sees Firmino drop into spaces behind. The 29-year-old forward is top notch when it comes to opening up space for others, and his contribution to the defense is just as immense.
Firmino made 35 tackles and 10 interceptions last season in the Premier League. He also recovered a massive 204 loose balls. To add to this, the Brazilian forward also made 58 blocks, which places him in the 99th percentile among other forwards in the top five leagues. Overall, Firmino has definitely excelled in his unique role under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
The forward has come under the scanner recently for his lack of goals, as he managed just nine in both the 2019-20 and 2020-21 Premier League seasons. But that is not his role in the Liverpool team.
Salah, Mane and Jota are the main goal outlets, while Firmino is tasked with creating space and contributing defensively in place of the other frontmen. Even if he fails to match his 15-goal campaign from the 2017-18 season this term, Firmino is expected to do the dirty work for Liverpool's prolific forwards to wreak havoc.
