There has been a lot of talk in recent weeks about strikers in world soccer. They are normally the most coveted players in the game. This is hardly a surprise, the goals they score win you games. There has been speculation that both Harry Kane and Erling Haaland could be moving clubs this summer, you can read about the Norwegian here.
As such, I am going to rank the top five ‘strikers’ in world soccer this season, in my opinion. For the sake of this article, I have decided to consider only players who play as an out-and-out center forward. Therefore, I have not included the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah etc.
1 – Robert Lewandowski, Bayern Munich
2020-21 (All competitions) – 40 goals and 7 assists in 34 games
This season, Lewandowski has been torn up world soccer yet again. In the Bundesliga alone, the Polish center forward has amassed an incredible 35 goals in just 25 games. These numbers are quite ridiculous and his pure dominance means I can’t put him any lower than first on this list.
The only slight knock I would have on Lewandowski is his all round center forward play. With just seven assists this season, he has the joint lowest assists out of these five strikers. For a player surrounded by such talent and playing in a Bayern team who score for fun, he should be registering many more assists. However, his goal-scoring abilities speak for themselves and so for me he is the best striker in world soccer.
2 – Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspur
2020-21 – 22 goals and 15 assists in 37 games
Harry Kane is the most well-rounded striker in world soccer. Making goals and supporting his teammates with clever passes is just as important for him as scoring himself. This is clear by looking at the number of assists he has so far this season. In the Premier League, he has an amazing 13 assists in 27 games. To be registering an assist once every two games is extremely impressive for a center forward.
This doesn’t drag down his finishing abilities though. Despite having a couple of injuries this season, the Englishman has still scored 22 goals. Although, this is the lowest of the five in terms of goals he still ranks second for me. His ability to engage effectively with teammates whilst still finding the net prolifically is something he does better than anyone in world soccer.
3 – Erling Haaland, Borussia Dortmund:
2020-21 – 33 goals and 7 assists in 32 games
The Norwegian youngster has rushed onto the world scene in recent years with plenty of hype around the player. He has as much potential as any young player in world soccer, as I discussed here. As such, the publicity and hype that Haaland is currently receiving is not unjust. We have to remember that he is still only 20 years old. Despite this, he is mixing it with the world’s very best strikers. To be doing this before he has even tuned 21 suggests he has the potential to do something extremely special in his career.
So far this season, he has scored 33 goals in 32 games, more than a goal a game. These are incredible numbers and he hasn’t been doing it just in the Bundesliga. He is the top scorer in the Champions league this season with 10 goals, four more than anyone else! His talent is undeniable and his goal-scoring abilities mean I believe he is currently the third best striker in world soccer.
4 – Kylian Mbappe, PSG:
2020-21 – 30 goals and 9 assists in 37 games
Along with Haaland, Kylian Mbappe is the other exciting youngster who has been tearing up the world game. The Frenchmen is the second youngest on this list at 22 years old. Despite his youth, he has won almost everything there is to win in world soccer. Most notably, he was a big part of France’s triumph in the last World Cup.
I personally do not think there is much between Mbappe and Haaland. The reason I have put Mbappe second to the Norwegian is that I believe as a striker, Haaland is more clinical in front of goal. However, being in the discussion as one of the best strikers at just 22 years old is a compliment to the quality of the Frenchman. I expect him to dominate the game for years to come.
5 – Romelu Lukaku, Inter Milan:
2020-21 – 26 goals and 8 assists in 35 games
Romelu Lukaku does not get the same amount of media attention and publicity as the other players on this list. There is no question about the Belgian’s ability though. The strength and size of Lukaku means that he can physically bully his opponents.
I would suggest that Lukaku is a level below the other four players in my top five. However, he is without question the best of the rest. To have 34 goal involvements in 35 games shows he is certainly a world-class striker. With the form he has been in, I am expecting a big performance from the 27-year-old at the Euro’s this summer.