World Football Round Table : Who's Currently The World's Best Forward And Why?

Well I know, I had given time till Tuesday but the discussion was quickly loaded with contributions and I decided that we might as well publish it for those who missed out on this one, no need to worry, another topic will be out soon and that one hopefully, will be due for Tuesday.

The third "round table" discussion is here and this time we asked several of our top writers: "Who's currently the world's best forward and why?"

Below is what they said on the matter.

Tahira Adams: Fernando Torres (Spain, Liverpool)

I think the greatest striker in current times is Fernando Torres from Liverpool, I must admit that the guy is good. He has great composure, good skill, he can sneak past defenders, he is very young and can still improve and most importantly he can score goals.

Every time Fernando plays I enjoy watching him. He seems very intelligent on the field and what I like most about him is his discipline and loyalty, something that a lot of players lack these days.

He's always the peace maker, I think Torres has a big future ahead of him despite this I must admit Thierry Henry is my all time favourite striker.

Keith Griffin: Ronaldo (Brazil, AC Milan)

I believe his name will probably pop up a lot in this round table discussion and rightly so. My choice is Luis Nazário de Lima, better known as Ronaldo. The Brazilian stands out not only as one of the greatest strikers still plying his trade, but also one of the best strikers to grace the game.

Who can forget his mazy run through defences, his blistering pace and his eye for goal and creativity that was unmatched. He remains the highest goalscorer in the history of the World Cup and that in itself is no small feat.

However his strike rate is unbelievable, with 74 goals in 112 appearances for Brazil and a phenomenal 229 goals in 312 appearances for the such elite clubs as Barcelona, Real Madrid and AC Milan.
 
And as a Manchester United fan myself, who can forget that hat-trick against us that left our hearts broken and our eyes wide.

Micheal Griffin: Klaas Jan Huntelaar (The Netherlands, Ajax)

I would have to choose Klaas Jan Huntelaar. His record speaks for itself. He has been a prolific goal scorer every where he has played. He has scored 70 goals in 82 appearances.

A phenomenal record no doubt, but he has also been praised because he likes the quiet life. He can score with his head and both feet, something which few strikers are able to do.

He has been compared to the legend Marco van Basten by many analysts. He could be the ultimate signing for any club. Brilliant. He currently plays for Ajax, and is currently playing for Holland in Euro 2008. He has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United this summer.

Salaar Shamsi: Thierry Henry (France, FC Barcelona)

He's been slightly off colour this season at Barcelona but overall he is one of the best forwards to have graced World Football and he's my pick for the world's best forward.

In Henry, the team gets a whole package, he can score those stunning goals from 30 yards out and he can keep his nerve to slot the ball home from the six yard box as well. He's got a lot of pace, a proven track record, he's got all the skills in the book, he can take free kicks and penalties, he is reliable and a lad the team can depend on for goals.

Henry scored 174 goals in 254 appearances for Arsenal before joining Barcelona. He's won the European Golden Boot twice and PFA player of the year twice as well.

He can play the lone man up front or with another striker, he can fall back into a play maker's role. Needless to say, Henry is one of the best the game has ever seen.

I considered Fernando Torres, Wayne Rooney and a couple of others as well but Henry's my pick, hands down!

Shyam Parthasarathi: Fernando Torres (Spain, Liverpool)

Today, the best striker in my opinion is Liverpool and Spain's Fernando Torres. He has everything a striker needs—a neat first touch, a killer finish and excellent ball control.

He can play up top on his own or even drift wide when he is accompanied by another striker. His best attribute is his pace, which is electric—he can accelerate suddenly to leave defenders dumbfounded.

He's potent and clinical—there's no better striker than him in the English Premier League or any other league for that matter.

Harry Smith: Miroslav Klose (Germany, Bayern Munich)

I believe Miroslav Klose of Germany to be the best striker in the world. His movement is incredible and he can read the game almost before it happens. His finishing is lethal and he is every defender's nightmare.

He is good in the air and he is currently playing for Bayern Munich.

SB: Ronaldo (Brazil,AC Milan)

The best forward in recent times would have to be the Brazilian Ronaldo currently at AC Milan. That's why they call him the phenomenon.

There is just no other way to describe it. He's got the most goals at the World Cup. At club level he has rocketed in goals for every club he has played for as well.

Kiran Gokarn: Fernando Torres (Spain, Liverpool)

Amongst the current crop of strikers, I think that Fernando Torres is the best. I hate to admit it but I admire the goal scoring ability this guy has. Manchester United missed out on signing him, Torres has been the season's best player for Liverpool.

If not for the brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo, he would have been my pick as player of the year, so as of now, at the moment, he is the best striker. Other honourable mentions are Didier Drogba and David Villa.

Mark Kaveh : Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast,Chelsea)

Drogba kept Chelsea in both title races, 06/07 and 07/08. Forget the fact he dives, its his pure power of himself and his trikes that make him No.1 in my eyes. If anyone remembers his goals v Liverpool (league and champions league) and his screamer v Everton, there can be no doubt he has as much pure power as Shearer.
 
Forget his stupid diving antics and cheat claims, when on form Vidic, Ferdinand, Carragher and Toure can't handle him.
 
His achievements are class, got Marseille to UEFA Cup Final in 04, beat Liverpool and Newcastle by himself that year. Key part in Chelsea's two Premiership titles and scored key goal in FA Cup final.
 
He went down in many peoples estimation in the Champions League Final but I think of his form and skill not his stupid antics. My undisputed No.1.
 

Zahi Sahli : Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast,Chelsea)

He can score with his either foot and his head; he is a fast player who knows well about teamwork, positioning and works hard. Drogba is arguably the best target man in football today. If he were an Italian, he would have replaced the injured Cannavaro in defense, because for a non-defender, the man can surely defend! Certainly Fernando Torres, David Villa, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thierry Henry, Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni are excellent, but Drogba is unique and extremely powerful, on and off the ball. In a word, he is a complete striker, the best today.

Missed out on this week's round table discussion?

No worries, another round table will posted to you at your bulletin board very soon.

Till then I'd sincerely like to thank our writers, who took their valuable time out to contribute to this week's "round table" discussion.