The Premier League is arguably the most competitive competition in professional football and is one of the few leagues that remains decidedly in the balance at the turn of every year. English football has always been characterised by its ability to entertain and while the year 2020 has been strange in more ways than one, the excitement and unpredictability that the Premier League is famous for have been regular features this year.
Over the past few decades, several legendary strikers have made the Premier League their favourite hunting ground. The likes of Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry, Andy Cole, and Robbie Fowler have written themselves into the history books with their exceptional exploits in England.
The Premier League witnessed its fair share of goal fests this year and while some of the astonishing scorelines in the competition this year can be attributed to a lack of defensive focus, the Premier League's strikers have relentlessly done their part.
Liverpool's impeccable forward line has dominated the Premier League this year and the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United have made strides towards a similar blueprint. Without further ado, let us look at the ten most impressive forwards in the Premier League this year.
#10 Raul Jimenez (Wolves)
During his time under Nuno Espirito Santo at Wolves, Raul Jimenez has managed to build a fearsome reputation in the Premier League. The striker plays a pivotal role for his side in the Premier League and has been one of Wolves' best players over the past two years.
Jimenez is one of the most clinical strikers in England at the moment and has managed to build on his excellent 17-goal tally in the 2019/20 season with four more goals in this campaign.
The Mexican striker is currently recuperating from a nasty head injury and Wolves have not found it easy to cope without their prolific striker. Raul Jimenez adds a discernible cutting edge to Nuno Espirito Santo's outfit and his all-round ability in the final third makes him a lethal asset for Wolves.
#9 Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
Marcus Rashford's exploits both on and off the pitch have already made him a household name in England. The Manchester United forward has exceeded expectations in the Premier League this season and has played a pivotal role in the Red Devils' impressive string of results this year.
Rashford has benefitted immensely from Bruno Fernandes' presence in the side and has already racked up six goals apiece in the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League this season. Manchester United turned their season around earlier this year and finished their previous campaign in an impressive third place, with Rashford performing at his lethal best.
The English striker is known for his propensity for the big stage and often finds himself on the scoresheet in Manchester United's biggest games. Marcus Rashford is only 23 years old at the moment and has the potential to be a behemoth at Manchester United.
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#8 Danny Ings (Southampton)
Danny Ings is arguably one of the most underrated strikers in the Premier League and has made Southampton a force to reckon with over the past few months. The English striker has often brought the Saints to life on the pitch and has a unique set of skills that make him an exceptional asset in the Premier League.
Danny Ings can be lethal in the final third and has the rare ability to create a goal out of thin air. The Southampton star scored an exceptional 22 goals in the 2019/20 season and was his side's saving grace in the Premier League.
Southampton are currently in seventh place in the Premier League standings and owe much of the success to their prolific striker. Danny Ings has managed six goals and three assists in the Premier League this season and remains Southampton's most valuable player.
#7 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)
Arsenal have endured a miserable year so far and their heavy reliance on the talismanic Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been laid bare over the past two months. The Gabonese striker scored an astonishing 22 goals last season and virtually dragged the Gunners to the UEFA Europa League with his heroics in Arsenal's triumphant FA Cup campaign.
Aubameyang's stunning exploits in the first half of the year made him one of the most impactful players in the Premier League. Over the past few months, however, the Arsenal captain has struggled in the final third and his side has suffered as a result.
Arsenal are currently in a dismal 15th place in the Premier League standings and are in desperate need of a source of inspiration. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has proved his mettle on several occasions in the past and will need to be at his best for the rest of the season.
#6 Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)
Dominic Calvert-Lewin always had the potential to become a star in the Premier League and has seized the initiative under Carlo Ancelotti this year. The English striker did have a few rough patches at the start of the year but has made up for it this season with a series of exceptional performances.
Calvert-Lewin has hit the ground running with 11 goals in 15 Premier League appearances and his match-winning strikes have led Ancelotti to draw comparisons with legendary Italian striker Filippo Inzaghi. The Everton striker is leading the race to win the Golden Boot at the moment and has an excellent midfield behind him at the Merseyside club.
Carlo Ancelotti has built an impressive squad at Everton this season and Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been at the forefront of the Toffees' success in the Premier League. Everton have a legitimate shot at a top-four finish this season and will need their star striker to deliver on a regular basis next year.
#5 Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
Sadio Mane was arguably one of the unsung heroes in Liverpool's triumphant 2019/20 Premier League campaign and was virtually unplayable as Jurgen Klopp's juggernaut stormed their way to the title. The Senegalese forward finished the previous season with 18 Premier League goals to his name and was one of Jurgen Klopp's best players.
The former Southampton winger has scored several important goals for Liverpool and has been at his best against the biggest teams in the Premier League. Sadio Mane is equipped with lethal pace and a precise shot and is one of the most intelligent forwards in England at the moment.
The Senegalese star has not been at his prolific best this season but has shown signs of his potential in the Premier League. Liverpool have grown in confidence over the past month and will rely on their star winger to defend their title this season.
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#4 Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur)
Son Heung-Min has been a revelation for Tottenham Hotspur this season and his exquisite performances in the Premier League this year have given the Spurs a legitimate shout in the title race. The South Korean winger has thrived in Jose Mourinho's counter-attacking system and has shown tremendous improvement over the past few months.
Jose Mourinho's Spurs side has exceeded expectations this season and the Portuguese manager has placed plenty of faith in his star winger. Son Heung-Min has already bagged 11 goals and four assists in the Premier League so far and is enjoying his best season in England.
The winger has established an excellent partnership with Harry Kane and has started all 15 games for the Spurs this season. Jose Mourinho will be intent on winning silverware in 2021 and will need Son Heung-Min at his lethal best.
#3 Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)
Leicester City have shrugged off their 'underdog' tag in emphatic fashion this year and have their prolific striker to thank for a discernible upturn in their Premier League fortunes. Jamie Vardy has led from the front at Leicester City and has built a reputation as one of the most reliable strikers in the Premier League.
The Leicester City striker is already a modern-day legend at the club and seems intent on pushing his team to a place in the UEFA Champions League this year. Vardy has scored 11 goals so far in the Premier League and is likely to double his tally by the end of the season.
Leicester City are currently in third place in the Premier League standings and are only four points away from the top of the table. The Foxes have already taken points away from both Manchester clubs this season and will hope that their star striker can do the unthinkable yet again this season.
#2 Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
Jose Mourinho has often been accused of neglecting the fortunes of his strikers but Harry Kane remains a discernible exception. The England captain has enjoyed a fantastic year in the final third and is well on his way to becoming a bonafide Spurs legend.
Harry Kane has added several dimensions to his game under Jose Mourinho and often serves as a pivot for his side in the final third. The striker has also developed an excellent final pass and already racked up nine assists in the Premier League this season.
Harry Kane has also scored nine goals in Tottenham Hotspur's impressive Premier League campaign and his budding partnership with Son Heung-Min is making Jose Mourinho's side an impressive force. The English striker is virtually unstoppable at his best and can propel his side to silverware next year.
#1 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah is the personification of the cutting edge and sheer energy that today's Liverpool side has introduced to the Premier League. The Egyptian superstar has already carved a legacy for himself at Anfield and played a key role in shattering Liverpool's Premier League title drought this year.
The former Chelsea striker has wreaked havoc in the Premier League and has used his pace to stretch and torment defences in the competition. Salah finished the 2019/20 season with 19 goals to his name and has already scored an astonishing 13 goals in 13 appearances this season.
Liverpool are currently at the top of the Premier League standings and have rediscovered their gold touch after a difficult start to the season. The irrepressible Mohamed Salah has been their shining light this year and will look to build on his success as we approach the business end of the season.
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