Ranking the Top 10 Premier League Strikers After Radamel Falcao's Arrival
The arrival of Radamel Falcao at Manchester United has got Red Devils supporters dreaming that their poor form will soon be a thing of the past, but what has it done to the ranking of the rest of the forwards in the division?
Last season Liverpool's Luis Suarez was the king of all that he surveyed in the Premier League, but with the Uruguayan now at Barcelona and Falcao and others arriving in England, who are the top 10 forwards remaining in the division?
You'll all have your differing opinions, but here's a list to get you started:
10. Romelu Lukaku, Everton
1 of 10
Everton valued Romelu Lukaku at £28 million when they prised him from Chelsea in the summer, and after his successful loan spell on Merseyside last season it was easy to see why.
The big Belgian is vital to the way Roberto Martinez's team play, and he gives them the cutting edge to make a challenge for the top four a real possibility.
9. Edin Dzeko, Manchester City
2 of 10
Edin Dzeko came into his own at the tail end of last season as his crucial goals helped Manchester City pip surprise contenders Liverpool to a second Premier League title in three years.
The Bosnian has developed a happy knack of scoring big goals for City, and with Alvaro Negredo having been shipped back to Spain after just one season and Stevan Jovetic still working his way back to full fitness, Dzeko has assumed an important role in Manuel Pellegrini's plans after years on the fringes.
8. Mario Balotelli, Liverpool
3 of 10
Liverpool's quest for a new forward following the departure of last season's main man Suarez was back page news all summer, and they ended up with a man whose presence on those same back pages is usually a given.
Italy's Mario Balotelli returns to the Premier League having left Manchester City in January 2013, and his presence in a vibrant, attacking Liverpool side is sure to create even more headlines in the months and years to come. There's no doubting his talent, though.
7. Wayne Rooney, Manchester United
4 of 10
He has his critics, but on his day the Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney still has all the qualities required to be one of the better forwards in the game.
The arrival of Falcao might see Rooney adopt a deeper role in the United side under Louis van Gaal, but Rooney will still create chances for others and score plenty of goals himself as United look to climb the table and get back into the Champions League.
6. Robin van Persie, Manchester United
5 of 10
Another key component of van Gaal's attempt at a revolution at United will be Robin van Persie, the 31-year-old two-time Premier League Golden Boot winner who played under his new manager at the World Cup in the summer.
The Dutchman has had his injury and continual fitness problems, but United's reduced schedule this season and the presences of Falcao and Rooney should allow him to rest occasionally, and that could spell bad news for Premier League defenders.
5. Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal
6 of 10
One of the standout summer arrivals to the division, Chilean star Alexis Sanchez could now be used more and more through the centre by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger following an injury to Olivier Giroud, although it must be remembered that Wenger has also signed Danny Welbeck.
Former Barcelona and Udinese man Sanchez scored the goal which took Arsenal into the Champions League group stages this season, but it's in the Premier League that Wenger will be hoping to see him make a mark as the Gunners attempt to construct a lasting title challenge.
4. Daniel Sturridge, Liverpool
7 of 10
Flourishing in partnership with Suarez, Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge enjoyed the best campaign of his career last season as he struck 21 goals in the Premier League, finishing second to Suarez in the top scorer's chart.
Ever since his arrival at Anfield, Sturridge has made the £12 million Liverpool paid Chelsea for him in January 2013 look an absolute bargain, and although currently injured having picked up a thigh problem on international duty, he is certain to have a big say in the Reds' challenge for honours this season.
3. Radamel Falcao, Manchester United
8 of 10
The new man comes in at No. 3, as Falcao's season-long loan arrival in the Premier League treats the division's fans to the talents of one of world's great forwards.
Manchester United have signed proven quality in the Colombian, who will be expected to get up to speed with English football straight away us United seek to rectify a poor start to the season which has brought just two points from their opening three games.
2. Sergio Aguero, Manchester City
9 of 10
Not even injury problems could stop Sergio Aguero from having a lasting, and crucial impact on last season's Premier League title race, as the Argentinean scored crucial goals which aided Manchester City's ultimately successful title challenge.
Aguero is easily one of the finest attacking talents in the world game, and there can be few more fearful sights for a Premier League defender than the 26-year-old when he's in full working order.
1. Diego Costa, Chelsea
10 of 10
For the No. 1, though, we choose a player who has slotted into Premier League life as if he's played in the division for all of his career.
Chelsea's Diego Costa has scored four goals in his first three games for the club, and although that sort of stellar form will be difficult to keep up throughout the entire campaign, his scoring exploits for Atletico Madrid last season underline just what a special player he is.
He led Atletico to La Liga glory last season, and he'll be expected to do the same for Chelsea this time around.
