5 most underrated strikers of the 21st century

Sir Alex Ferguson wrote in his autobiography, "I always saw myself inside our strikers." Not only are strikers the ultimate difference makers in a game, but also they act as a side's flag bearers.

The term 'underrated' is unlikely to be associated with a striker. Afterall, they are the ones who grab most of the limelight by making it to the scoresheet. However, football has witnessed a few individuals whose contribution to the game deserves much more applause than it usually gets.

We take a look at five of the most underrated strikers in recent times, who've impacted the game of football more than we think.

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#1 Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

At his prime, there wasn't a more lethal player inside the penalty area than Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. With an exquisite first-touch and catastrophic predatory skills, Huntelaar turned out to be a prolific goalscorer at multiple clubs.

He first gained attention at Dutch side Heerenveen, helping them qualify for 2005-06 UEFA Cup with 17 league goals. It wasn't long before Ajax, the club he supported since childhood, signed him. He scored tons of goals during his three-year spell at Ajax, twice finishing the Eredivisie top-scorer.

Unable to settle down at European powerhouses Real Madrid and A.C. Milan, Huntelaar joined Schalke. After seven seasons and over 100 goals, Huntelaar left the German side as their all time second-highest goalscorer. He was at his best during the 2011-12 season when he scored 48 goals across all competitions.

Despite getting overshadowed by his more illustrious country-mates like Ruud van Nistelrooy and Robin van Persie, Huntelaar has scored 42 goals in just 76 appearances for his national side. He returned to Ajax in 2017 in order to win the elusive league title that has been missing his trophy cabinet.

#2 Aritz Aduriz

Aduriz has one of the finest headers in the game

In a duopoly like La Liga, it becomes tough for a player to get noticed while playing for a club other than the big two. Spanish striker Aritz Aduriz is a name that has often faced this problem. The Athletic Bilbao player is one of the finest exponents of the art of heading, synchronising a perfectly timed jump with adequate power to send the ball into the net.

Starting his senior career at Aurrera, Aduriz played for various first and second division Spanish clubs. These include spells at Bilbao and Valencia where he failed to earn a permanent spot despite performing well in the league.

During his third spell at Athletic Bilbao in 2012, Aduriz finally established himself as their lead marksman. His career kept blooming at Bilbao despite him getting into his 30s. With over 100 goals scored during the next five seasons, Aduriz is the club's top scorer in the 21st century.

Despite a remarkable club career, Aduriz got limited opportunities to represent Spain internationally. Nevertheless, he leads the list of all-time La Liga top-scorers among active players, surpassed only by Messi and Ronaldo.

#3 Jonas

Jonas has won three consecutive league titles with Benfica

Add the term 'Brazillian' in a footballer's nationality and he is bound to grab eyeballs. Not always though, at least not in the case of Jonas Goncalves Oliveira, or simply Jonas.

A great all round player with incredible awareness in front of goal, Jonas made his debut with Guarani. His playing time in Brazil was far from a cakewalk, even getting labelled as 'the worst forward of the world' after a disappointing performance with Gremio. Despite the criticism, he kept making strides and finished the top-scorer in Serie A (Brazil) in 2010.

His success in Brazil opened doors for him in Europe, as he signed for Valencia in 2011. After a decent spell in Spain, Jonas was transferred to Portuguese giants Benfica in 2014 where he made a meteoric rise. With three consecutive league titles and two consecutive Primeira Liga Player of the Year awards, he has been on a roll.

Jonas has till date played only 12 international matches for Brazil, which some people believe is because of his lack of marketability. Nevertheless, even at the age of 33, Jonas still has a lot to offer to the footballing universe.

#4 Bas Dost

Bas Dost scored 34 goals in his first season with Sporting Lisbon

The youngest name on this list, Bas Dost made headlines last season for taking the European Golden Shoe race right down to the wire. While it was undoubtedly the greatest season of his career, Dost had been giving noteworthy performances for nearly a decade.

The 6'5" striker uses his tactical intelligence and quick reflexes to dominate in front of the goal. Starting his senior career with FC Emmen, Bas Dost was one of the brightest young prospects in the Netherlands. At SC Heerenveen, Dost made a quantum leap. He finished the 2011-12 season as the Eredivisie top scorer with 32 goals in 34 matches.

In 2012, the Dutch striker was signed by Wolfsburg, where constant injury problems constrained him from living up to his full potential. Dost still scored nearly 50 goals for the German side, winning the DFB Pokal and DFB Supercup in 2015.

After a disappointing end to the 2015-16 season, Bas Dost joined Sporting CP. Calling the move successful would be an understatement. In his very first season, Dost scored 34 league goals in just 31 appearances. With Sporting CP searching for its first league title since 2002, Bas Dost is expected to continue his incredible goal-scoring prowess in the 2017-18 season.

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#5 Edin Dzeko

Dzeko has been a consistent goalscorer for each of his clubs

Not a technically gifted player by any means, Edin Dzeko had been a prolific goal scorer throughout his career, thanks to his positioning and field awareness.

Starting his career with Zeljeznicar in Bosnia, Dzeko got his big break at Wolfsburg. He led Wolfsburg to its first ever Bundesliga title in 2008-09, simultaneously being named Bundesliga's Player of the Year.

Dzeko spent five seasons at Manchester City, winning two Premier Leagues and one FA Cup. Despite getting only 74 starts, Dzeko managed to keep an impressive record of a goal per 148 minutes.

Dzeko carried Bosnia and Herzegovina to its first ever FIFA World Cup in 2014. At the age of 31, he was in the form of his life last season at Roma. With 33 strikes, he broke Francesco Totti's record of most goals in a season by a Roma player.

Despite finishing top scorer in Bundesliga, Seria A, Europa League and various other tournaments, Edin Dzeko's name is rarely mentioned among the best strikers of this generation. Not to mention he is also the all-time top scorer for his national side.