Liverpool showed last season that you don’t need a 20-goal forward to win the Premier League.
Roberto Firmino scored nine goals in 38 appearances. And yet Liverpool were far and away better than everyone else.
The fact that Jurgen Klopp hasn’t done anything in the transfer window to improve his attacking options proves he’s comfortable with Liverpool’s firepower.
But having a prolific goalscorer can certainly be the difference between good and great. Not every team is lucky enough to have Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane as wide attacking threats, after all.
With Timo Werner now on board, Chelsea can now claim to have an elite striker that will help them compete for the title.
And it’s safe to say that all of the big six clubs - Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and the two Manchester sides - now have at least one class striker as the 2020/21 season prepares to get underway.
So now seems the perfect time to rank all 16 strikers from worst to best. Let’s get into it.
16. Divock Origi
Origi has enjoyed many highs for Liverpool but his return last season was really disappointing: six goals in 42 appearances in all competition.
Liverpool need better options from off the bench.
15. Rhian Brewster
Brewster, 20, had success out on loan at Swansea City, scoring 10 goals in 20 appearances in the Championship.
But there are reports that Liverpool are considering selling him on a permanent deal in this transfer window, which says a lot about how they view the young striker.
14. Eddie Nketiah
It’s too early to pass a definitive judgement on Nketiah but Arsenal clearly rate him, bringing him back early from a loan spell at Leeds United last season.
The 21-year-old should get plenty of opportunities to prove he’s good enough to play for Arsenal this season.
13. Gabriel Martinelli
Martinelli made the most of his chances in the League Cup and Europa League last season.
He’s a very exciting prospect who, like Nketiah, should feature more often for the first-team in 2020/21.
12. Tammy Abraham
Abraham could make us regret putting him 12th on the list, having flashed as Chelsea’s main striker last season.
He’s physically-gifted and has a keen eye for goal but there’s certainly room to improve.
Unfortunately, Abraham’s minutes could be cut this season by the arrival of Werner.
11. Olivier Giroud
Giroud’s best years are behind him but he’s still a decent squad player.
He managed to reach double figures last season which, in limited action, isn’t a terrible return.
10. Alexandre Lacazette
Arsenal’s Lacazette is coming off a down year in which he managed 10 goals in the league, his worst return in three years at Arsenal.
But he can score from anywhere and if Mikel Arteta can bring a playmaker in, nobody will benefit more than the Frenchman.
9. Mason Greenwood
The sky is the limit for Greenwood, who scored 17 goals for Manchester United last season.
Left foot, right foot, it doesn’t matter.
The 18-year-old has the potential to become a world-class forward.
8. Gabriel Jesus
Jesus was given more minutes last season as a result of Sergio Aguero’s injury-hit campaign, and he delivered 14 goals in 21 starts.
The Brazilian also hit six goals in the Champions League.
City should feel confident that Jesus will continue to improve before eventually replacing Aguero.
7. Roberto Firmino
Firmino’s critics loves to point out his goalscoring stats but they wilfully forget to talk about the Brazilian’s proper role in Jurgen Klopp’s side.
He allows Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane to flourish in the way they do and is crucial to Liverpool’s success.
6. Marcus Rashford
Seventeen goals in the Premier League and 22 in all competitions, Rashford took a step up last season.
With a full season playing with Bruno Fernandes, his numbers for 2020/21 could be scary.
5. Anthony Martial
The same can be said for Martial, who also reached new heights in 2019/20.
The Frenchman really came on as an expert finisher, with his goal against Watford a particular standout.
4. Timo Werner
We haven’t seen Werner in the Premier League yet and Chelsea fans know not to expect big-money strikers to be a hit.
But from what we’ve seen from the 24-year-old, we’re comfortable putting him so high on this list.
He’s coming off a special season for RB Leipzig in which he scored 34 goals and provided 12 assists in all competitions.
He will immediately take over as Chelsea’s No.1 striker and could fire them to their first title since 2017.
3. Harry Kane
Tottenham’s hopes of silverware continue to rest on Kane’s shoulders and when he’s out, they simply can’t compete.
Despite missing nine league games last season, he still managed to bag more goals than Martial and Rashford.
There’s no denying that he’s a world-class forward.
2. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Arsenal are very fortunate to have Aubameyang, who was just one goal off the Golden Boot last season.
His brace in the FA Cup final win over Chelsea was brilliant and a reminder of how crucial he is to the Gunners.
1. Sergio Aguero
No.1 on the list is Man City’s Aguero.
Last season was the first time since 2013/14 that he’s failed to reach 20 Premier League goals but we put that down to the injuries that meant he only played in 24 games.
When he’s on, the Argentinian is unplayable, with that natural predatory instinct that all great strikers possess.
