Goals win games, and you need top-quality players to score goals for you. With top clubs wanting to win all the competitions they are a part of, you need goalscorers who get the job done.
The Premier League is no different. The competitive nature of the league is such that each game matters. Keeping that in mind, clubs are very particular about buying forwards.
Here, we look at the 10 best forwards in the Premier League.
#10 ANTHONY MARTIAL, MANCHESTER UNITED
When Manchester United paid £36 million to Monaco for a 19-year old Anthony Martial in 2015, there were raised eyebrows. Martial had been regarded as a youngster with potential, but making him the most expensive teenager in the world at that time was met with astonishment.
However, it is fair to say that Martial has not disappointed. He scored 11 goals in the Premier League in his debut season. After a couple of poor seasons under Jose Mourinho, the French international seems to have found new life with the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Now 24, Martial is having a fine season leading the line for Manchester United. He has formed an exciting attacking partnership with Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood. With Bruno Fernandes' creativity in midfield, Martial has prospered.
This season, he has played 40 games in all competitions, scoring 21 goals and providing five assists. He comes third in the United squad for shots per game, and third for dribbles per game.
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#9 JAMIE VARDY, LEICESTER CITY
Leicester City might be going through a terrible run of form, but their talismanic striker is not. Jamie Vardy has provided the goals for the Foxes this season, as he continues his fairytale story.
Vardy joined Leicester City from Fleetwood Town in 2012, for a fee of £1 million when Leicester were in the Championship. Eight years later, Vardy is now a Premier League winner, as well as the recipient of a Premier League Player of the Season.
The England international has played more than 300 games for the club, scoring 130 goals. He has continued his prolific goalscoring form this season as well.
For Brendan Rodgers' side, the 33-year old has played 33 games in all competitions. He has scored 23 goals and provided four assists. He leads the Leicester squad for shots per game.
#8 ROBERTO FIRMINO, LIVERPOOL
Roberto Firmino has divided opinion for some time now. Many believe that Roberto Firmino is an essential cog in Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool. However, many also point towards his goalscoring record which does not resemble that of a typical no.9.
Firmino joined Liverpool from Hoffenheim in 2015 for a fee of £29 million. He has bee a constant presence in Liverpool lineups since then, especially under Jurgen Klopp.
Defined as a defensive forward by Liverpool fans, Firmino's primary jobs isn't to score goals; it is to facilitate Liverpool's wingers Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, who do the bulk of the goalscoring. Firmino's ability to drop deep, as well as his defensive output, are seen as vital skills that help Liverpool function as a team.
The Brazil international has been everpresent of Liverpool this season. In 48 appearances in all competitions, the 28-year old has scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists.
Also check out: the EPL top scorers by season
#7 MARCUS RASHFORD, MANCHESTER UNITED
Marcus Rashford's off-the-field activities during the lockdown might have earned him plaudits from across the world, but he has been on fire in his day job as well.
The England international started the season as the man expected to burden the responsibility of carrying Manchester United's attack. With the departure of Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez, it was clear that Solksjaer was relying on Martial and Rashford to provide the goals.
Both of them have done a good job. In Rashford's case, Solskjaer has predominantly used him as a left-winger. Due to his sheer pace and trickery with the ball, Rashford has caused a myriad of problems for opposition defenders.
This season, the 22-year old has played 37 games in all competitions for the club. He has scored 21 goals and provided six assists. He leads the United squad for shots per game, as well as dribbles per game.
#6 PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG, ARSENAL
Arguably Arsenal's best player for the last couple of seasons, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has taken over the role of talisman for the club.
The Gabon international is also the Arsenal captain, and rightly so. Capable of playing as a left-winger as well as a striker, Aubameyang has led from the front for the Gunners.
With just a year left in his contract, Arsenal should try all they can to keep the 31-year old. His pace and finishing have often made the difference between winning and losing for the club.
This season, the former Borussia Dortmund man has made 39 appearances in all competitions for the club. He has scored 23 goals and provided two assists.
#5 RAHEEM STERLING, MANCHESTER CITY
During his first season with Manchester City, it looked like Raheem Sterling had made a mistake by joining the club. However, Pep Guardiola's arrival seemingly changed the course of his career.
Sterling joined Manchester City from Liverpool in a brave move for a fee of £44 million in 2015. The winger was seen as one of the best young talents in Europe by that point, and the controversial move was met with interest.
The 25-year old struggled under then-manager Manuel Pellegrini but found his footing under Guardiola. Since then there has been no turning back. Pacy and creative with good dribbling ability, Sterling is one of the first names on the teamsheet for the Spaniard.
This season the England international has 45 appearances in all competitions, scoring 27 goals and providing three assists.
#4 HARRY KANE, TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Many critics of the game believe that Harry Kane has started to decline. Multiple injuries and subsequent quick recoveries have been cited as a reason for the said decline.
However, he still continues to score a good level. The 26-year old was regarded by many as the best striker in the world a couple of years ago. Jose Mourinho believes that he still is.
The England international has had some injury troubles this season as well, but has shaken it off to lead the line for Spurs. This season, he has played 31 games in all competitions, scoring 19 goals and providing two assists.
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#3 SADIO MANE, LIVERPOOL
One amongst many to have traversed the Southampton to Liverpool pathway. Sadio Mane joined Liverpool from Saints for a fee of £34 million in 2016 and is now regarded as one of the best wingers in the world.
The 28-year old is vital to Jurgen Klopp's side. With his pace, match intelligence and creative ability, Mane has caused mayhem on the left-hand side of Liverpool's attack.
The former Red Bull Salzburg winger had been a target for Jurgen Klopp during his Borussia Dortmund days, and they finally united at Liverpool. It is fair to say that Klopp's system has brought out the best in Mane.
The Senegal international has played 43 games in all competitions this season. He has scored 18 goals and provided eight assists.
#2 MOHAMED SALAH, LIVERPOOL
Regarded as one of the best players in the world, Mohamed Salah's rise since joining Liverpool has been incredible.
Salah joined Liverpool from Roma for a then club-record fee of £37 million. He enjoyed a phenomenal first season, scoring 32 goals in the Premier League. Since then, he has gone on to play pivotal roles in the club's Champions League and Premier League triumphs, forming a deadly attacking trio with Mane and Firmino.
The Egyptian's finishing, movement and pace from the wings has been vital for Jurgen Klopp. This season, he has been in fine form once again. In 43 appearances in all competitions for the club, he has scored 23 goals and provided 11 assists.
#1 SERGIO AGUERO, MANCHESTER CITY
What a player Sergio Aguero has been for Manchester City. Undoubtedly a Premier League superstar, Aguero has etched his legacy with Manchester City as well.
Having joined the club from Atletico Madrid for a fee of £35 million in 2011, Aguero has been everpresent for every manager since then. The 32-year old has scored more than 20 goals in the league for the last five seasons, and could very well have crossed that mark this time around as well if injuries had not played a part this season.
In 32 appearances for the club in all competitions this season, the Argentine international has scored 23 goals and provided three assists.
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