The best Premier League forwards of all time

From Anelka to Aguero and Henry to Haaland, we count down our list of the greatest ever Premier League forwards and reveal our No. 1.

The best forwards are the principal goalscorers for their teams, and often the match-winners. 

With how crucial they are to a team’s success, forwards are often regarded as the most famous and best players in the Premier League. Some of the biggest names in the history of the sport have carved out legendary careers as strikers in the top division of English football, so we’ve decided to take a look at the best to ever do it. 

Our list ranks each forward on their stats, accolades, and titles to find out which players score the best across the board, taking their whole Premier League careers into account. Here are our picks for the 20 best Premier League forwards of all time – as well as our extended list of the top 50.

The best Premier League forwards of all time: 20-11

We analysed all forwards and strikers who have made at least 100 Premier League appearances, and ranked them on their accolades, legacy, stats, and more. Here are some of the legends that just missed out on our ranking of the 10 best Premier League forwards of all time:

20. Nicolas Anelka

French striker Nicolas Anelka had stints with various top clubs across his Premier League career, including Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers at different points. He earned two Premier League titles – one in 1998 and another in 2010 – and won the Golden Boot in 2009.

19. Dimitar Berbatov

Best known for his time at Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur – though he also enjoyed a strong spell at Fulham – Dimitar Berbatov is considered one of the best Bulgarian footballers of all time. A composed finisher with majestic control on the ball, Berbatov earned two Premier League titles and a Golden Boot across 229 appearances. Unfortunately, he fell just short of joining the 100-goal club, with 94 goals across his Premier League career.

18. Sadio Mané

Alongside Mo Salah, Sadio Mané was instrumental in Liverpool’s success from 2016 to 2022. Famed for his explosive pace, finishing and eye for goal, he was named the PFA Fans’ Player of the Year in 2020 after taking the Reds to a Premier League win in the same year, and was named Player of the Season by both Liverpool fans and players in 2017.

17. Riyad Mahrez

Having first made a name for himself as part of Leicester City’s title-winning squad in 2016, Riyad Mahrez became a leading wide forward for Manchester City, earning four more Premier League titles over his five-year spell with the club. A silky, cunning dribbler with a brilliant left-foot, Mahrez tormented opposing full-backs throughout his Premier League career.

16. Son Heung-Min

Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-Min is one of the most successful South Korean footballers ever, with more than 125 goals with Spurs to date. Forming a devastating attacking duo with former Tottenham striker Harry Kane, Son has earned the Puskás award in 2020, the Golden Boot in 2022, and four Premier League Player of the Month titles.

15. Teddy Sheringham

Despite playing with Tottenham Hotspur for the majority of his Premier League career, Teddy Sheringham is perhaps best remembered for winning three consecutive league titles with Manchester United from 1999 to 2001. His passing ability made him a valued supporting forward alongside strikers like Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke, but he was also a reliable goalscorer in his own right.

14. Jamie Vardy

Who could forget Jamie Vardy’s legendary breakout season with Leicester City in 2016? After scoring in 11 consecutive league matches and winning the title, he was named FWA Footballer of the Year, Premier League Player of the Season, and the Golden Boot winner. Despite Leicester’s struggles since their league win, he remained a pivotal player for the club and will be missed by the Foxes when he leaves this summer.

13. Didier Drogba

One of the best Chelsea players of all time, Ivorian forward Didier Drogba was renowned for his performance in high-pressure games. A true No. 9, Drogba was an incredibly difficult opponent for any defender due to his blend of pace, power, aerial ability and finishing. He led the Blues to four Premier League titles over the course of his career, earning two Golden Boots and a Hall of Fame induction for his efforts.

12. Dennis Bergkamp

Dutch forward Dennis Bergkamp first made his name competing for Ajax, but his Premier League career saw him play for Arsenal for 11 years alongside other icons like Ian Wright and Thierry Henry. In that time, he earned three league titles, including playing a starring role in the Gunners’ legendary undefeated 2004 season. Often deployed as a deep-lying forward, Bergkamp displayed brilliant ball control and vision throughout his career and scored some incredible goals from outside the box.

11. Gareth Bale

Often regarded as the best Welsh player of all time, Gareth Bale became a legend of Tottenham Hotspur in his six years at the club, capped off by a blistering 2012/13 season that is arguably one of the greatest individual campaigns in Premier League history. Although he never won a league title, his pace and technique saw him named PFA’s Young Player of the Year, FWA’s Footballer of the Year, and the Premier League’s Player of the Season in 2013.

The best Premier League forwards of all time: 10-1

What about those who make our list of the top 10 best ever Premier League forwards and strikers? 

10. Erling Haaland

At just 24 years old, Erling Haaland is already proving himself to be the striker of a generation, with his incredible finishing abilities taking Manchester City to even higher heights over the last few years. His thunderous pace, size and ability to score a huge variety of goals have made him one of the most prolific hitmen in recent memory.

He won back-to-back Premier League titles in his first two seasons at City, in 2023 and 2024, and won the Golden Boot in both seasons too. He has been named the Premier League Player of the Month three times, the PFA Players’ Player of the Year 2023, and was listed in their Team of the Year lineup twice.

At such a young age and so soon into his career, Haaland earning a top-10 spot on our list is an impressive feat. As he continues to play in the Premier League, he’s sure to only move higher and higher in our rankings.

9. Eden Hazard

Belgian forward Eden Hazard started his senior career playing for Lille in Ligue 1, but his Premier League run for Chelsea from 2012 to 2019 was where he became a true superstar. His résumé includes two league titles in 2015 and 2017, as well as four seasons in which he was named Chelsea’s Player of the Year.

Hazard is often cited by defenders as one of the toughest players to play against. His low centre of gravity made him an incredibly difficult player to dispossess, as evidenced by some fantastic solo strikes. He was a composed finisher in the box during his Chelsea tenure and was as good a creator as he was a goalscorer.

With 85 goals in 245 appearances, Hazard became a modern-day Chelsea legend and was named FWA’s Footballer of the Year in 2015, appearing in the PFA’s Premier League Team of the Year five times.

8. Sergio Agüero

A monumental part of Manchester City’s dominance of the Premier League was Argentine icon Sergio Agüero. The Argentine forward was one of the Premier League’s most dangerous strikers ever, winning five league titles in 10 seasons with City before leaving for La Liga and eventually retiring. While his physical skills with the ball can’t be overstated, Agüero’s intelligence was one of the things that set him apart from other forwards, allowing him to consistently find space in the box before his pinpoint finishing did the rest.

Agüero’s honours include seven Premier league Player of the Month awards, the 2015 Golden Boot, and two Manchester City Player of the Year awards, cementing himself as one of the best City players ever. He was included in PFA’s Team of the Year back-to-back in 2018 and 2019, and was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2022. However, despite all of his achievements, he’s truly immortalised in Premier League folklore for his title-winning, last-gasp winner vs QPR.

7. Harry Kane

Englishman Harry Kane is currently finding success in the Bundesliga at Bayern Munich, but it was his 13 seasons spent with Tottenham Hotspur that made him a household name in English football. Across 317 Premier League appearances for Spurs, he scored a staggering 213 goals, making him the club’s all-time goalscorer and the second most prolific scorer in Premier League history.

While Kane has all the technique, leadership, and intelligence of a top-flight striker, it’s his finishing and creative ability that make him a virtually unstoppable force in the final third, racking up a huge number of goals and assists.

Despite never winning a Premier League title, he still earned a range of honours and accolades. He’s a three-time Golden Boot winner, a seven-time Premier League Player of the Month winner, and a three-time Spurs Player of the Year. He was included in PFA’s Premier League Team of the Year six times, and was named their Fans’ Player of the Year in 2017.

6. Eric Cantona

Although he debuted for Leeds United, Eric Cantona became a fan favourite at Manchester United in the mid-1990s. He led the side to four Premier League titles in his five seasons and became fondly remembered for his on-pitch charisma, ability and style.

Cantona’s ability as a striker was just as much about his technique as his physicality. He was an excellent dribbler and renowned for his close control, but his vision as a deep-lying forward allowed him to perform as both a playmaker and goalscorer during his prime.

“King Eric”, as fans came to know him, earned the most assists in the league in both 1993 and 1997. He was named FWA’s Footballer of the Year in 1996, and earned a spot as one of FIFA’s 100 Greatest Living Footballers in their 2004 list. He was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2021.

5. Alan Shearer

The #1 goalscorer in Premier League history, with an unmatched 260 goals – still holding the record 19 years after his retirement – is Geordie legend Alan Shearer. While he’s best known for his ten-year career at Newcastle United, Shearer made his name at Southampton and Blackburn Rovers first, earning his sole Premier League title with the latter in that famous side of ’95, where he starred alongside Chris Sutton.

Often used as a high-functioning target man able to wrest control of long balls, Shearer’s large build, strength, and heading ability made him one of the most reliable forwards of his generation in his prime. He’s the most prolific penalty taker in the Premier League history, too, having scored 56 of the 67 he took.

From 1995 to 1997, Shearer won three consecutive Golden Boots. And he holds numerous Premier League records; including the most goals in one game (5), the most goals from inside the box (227), and the most goals scored for the Magpies (206). From a purely statistical standpoint, it’s easy to see why he’s so often named as one of the greatest forwards to ever play in the Premier League.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo

While many of his fans would name him as the greatest player of all time, the majority of Cristiano Ronaldo’s career was spent with clubs outside of the Premier League. However, his 2003-2009 run with Manchester United – as well as a brief return in the 2021-22 season – saw “CR7” break out as one of the most popular footballers in the world.

With his fast, technical dribbling and signature stepovers fooling defenders, Ronaldo’s style of play made him a force to be reckoned with on the wing. He is strong with both feet, was a dependable set-piece specialist during his United career, and possesses impressive aerial ability. Ronaldo has also displayed an ability to consistently adapt his game throughout his career, having departed United after his first spell as a tricky winger and returned years later as a prolific poacher and true No. 9.

Ronaldo was a keystone player in United’s success in the 2000s, winning three consecutive Premier League titles from 2007 to 2009. He earned the inaugural Puskás award in 2009 for his Champions League quarter-final winner against Porto, was named the Premier League Player of the Season twice and won the Golden Boot in 2008. While much of his success came elsewhere, his Premier League legacy remains impressive.

3. Wayne Rooney

One of England’s best ever players, Wayne Rooney was another United legend who played a pivotal role in the club’s dominance of the 2000s. Rooney was a versatile forward capable of playing a range of positions, but always found success as a striker or supporting forward. Over the course of his Premier League career, including 13 years with Man Utd bookended by seasons with Everton, he scored over 200 goals and won five titles.

Renowned for his strength on the ball, Rooney was a playmaker and goalscorer from anywhere on the pitch, even having scored from inside his own half on multiple occasions. While injuries shortened his career, he had strong pace in his prime, and his stamina meant he could still deliver deep into a game.

Having won back-to-back PFA Young Player of the Year awards in 2005 and 2006, Rooney was also named in their Team of the Year three times. He was named both the Premier League Player of the Season and FWA’s Footballer of the Year in 2010, where he also won his first of three Manchester Goal of the Season awards. Finally, in 2022, Rooney was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.

2. Mohamed Salah

As the main forward for the current Premier League champions, Mo Salah has become one of Liverpool’s best players ever. After a forgettable period at Chelsea and spells in Italy with Fiorentina and Roma, the Egyptian debuted for the Reds in 2017, immediately stunning fans with his pace and dribbling on the right wing.

Salah mostly plays out wide, cutting in to bring the ball onto his left foot in devastating fashion. His career at Liverpool took off immediately with 32 league goals in 36 games during his first season, and he has continued to be a prolific scorer and playmaker throughout his career in Merseyside.

Salah has the honours to back up his high ranking on this list. He’s a three-time PFA Premier League Team of the Year player, a former Premier League Player of the Season, a four-time Liverpool Players’ Player of the Season, and a three-time Golden Boot winner – having shared the last two. What’s more, he’s scored Liverpool’s Goal of the Season three times, as well as winning the 2018 Puskás award, and has earned the BBC’s Goal of the Month seven times.

1. Thierry Henry

When it comes to the best Premier League forwards ever, few have the legacy to match the iconic French striker Thierry Henry. Topping most lists of the greatest Arsenal players ever, Henry played for the Gunners from 1999 to 2007 before returning for a short cameo during the 2011/12 season, he was regarded not only as one of the best players in the team’s history, but one of the best of his generation. He led the Gunners to a top of the table finish twice, in 2002 and 2004, and scored a stunning 175 goals in 258 appearances.

The 2004 season in particular saw Henry and Arsenal pick up a league title without losing a game – which earned his team the nickname of the ‘Invincibles’. Henry was a two-time Premier League Player of the Season, four-time Golden Boot winner, and four-time Premier League Player of the Month. He was also included on consecutive PFA Team of the Year lists from 2000 all the way until 2006 (as well as the FWA’s Footballer of the Year in 2003, ‘04, and ‘06), and was named Arsenal’s Player of the Season four times.

Henry was famed for his electric pace on and off the ball, striking fear into the hearts of Premier League defenders throughout his time in England. He was an elegant dribble who scored some incredible solo goals, often picking up the ball inside his own half, gliding past opposition players and scoring with ease. His trademark finish with the inside of his right foot into the far corner is still replicated by players in the current game.

The Premier League Hall of Famer is an example of all the best qualities a forward could have, and has gone down in history as one of the league’s most. He earns his spot as our best Premier League forward of all time.

Who else ranks among the best Premier League forwards of all time?

With so many legendary forwards in the league, some huge names still missed out on our top 20. Here’s the 50 best forwards of the Premier League era, so you can see who else was in contention for our top spots: 

Forwards take a lot of the credit for their teams given the importance of a good goalscorer, but these players have all gone above and beyond for their squads to earn their place in the history books. While the rankings may change in the future, these are some of the most gifted players to have ever played in the Premier League as of right now.

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Methodology

To rank all Premier League players (who’ve made 100+ Premier League appearances), we considered the following factors:  

• Premier League titles

• Premier League appearances

• Premier League awards

• Global Profile

• Relevant positional stats

• Premier League legacy

All players were ranked for each factor; and, for each, data was then normalised, to assign each player a score between 0-1. All normalised data was then combined and multiplied, to give each player a total index score out of 100. Players were then ranked according to their combined index score.

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