Top 10 Forwards in Europe This Season
As a fan and football fanatic, everyone just loves to see goals. Whether they are absolute scorchers or plain tap-ins, there is no denying the fact that a goal always makes a game much more fast paced and adds a new dimension to the game.
There are some players for whom goalscoring is just a habit. However dire the circumstances they manage to score goals. Such players are generally their team's most potent attacking force and they have immense pressure to score goals. And they do not disappoint.
Here is a list of the top ten forwards in Europe this season.
10: Gonzalo Higuain
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Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain has been on fire for the past couple of years. Scoring plenty of goals, Higuain has been one of Madrid's star performers.
Higuain was the second highest scorer in the La Liga last year with 27 goals. He continued his good form into the World Cup and has already found the net 10 times this season. Noted for his pace and dribbling Higuain has been gradually establishing himself as one of the world's top strikers.
Higuain is often overshadowed by his more famous and talented teammates like Cristiano Ronaldo for instance but there is no denying the fact that he is an indispensable component of this Madrid line-up.
Higuain is just at the start of his career but if he can continue his rampaging form he will without a shadow of doubt establish himself as one of the World's greatest strikers because he has the potential to make it big.
9: Fernando Llorente
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Over the past few seasons, Llorente has been one of the unsung heroes of the Spanish League. Possessing immense talent and a great finisher, Llorente has been instrumental in Bilbao's good finish last season.
His recent exploits with the Spanish National Team have also been commendable has he has scored 4 goals in just three appearances. Scoring 9 goals already this season, Llorente's great performances have been overshadowed by the likes of Messi and Ronaldo. But that does not hide his immense contribution to Bilbao.
Widely sought by Real Madrid, Llorente is easily one of the most talented strikers around and if he can continue his blistering form, Bilbao can have another great year.
8: David Villa
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Signed by Barcelona for 40 million euros from Valencia, Villa has continued where he left off with Valencia. Villa has already been successful in finding the net ten times this season and continues to prove why he is considered one of the best strikers at the moment.
Scoring some great goals, Villa is proving to be a phenomenon. He would be placed higher in this list had it not been for his goal drought in which he struggled to find the net in close to a month.
His finishing as well as off the ball movement have been spectacular. He has also been instrumental in creating numerous chances for his teammates with some fluid passing and great one touch football.
Villa has been able to put this behind him, and is once again back at what he does best—scoring goals. But his main contribution has been in relieving Messi of all the goal-scoring duties. At times last season, one could get the feeling that Barcelona were dependent on Messi to score goals, but the signing of Villa has gone great lengths in removing the goal-scoring burden from Messi's back.
David Villa is undoubtedly on his way to become one of the greatest strikers of Barcelona.
7: Carlos Tevez
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After signing for Manchester City from cross-town rivals, Manchester United, Carlos Tevez has been the embodiment of a hardworking player who is proving to be indispensable to Manchester City.
His endless running, great work ethic and calm and composed finishing has made him invaluable to Mancini's side. In his absence, City have looked devoid of ideas and despite some heavy spending in the summer, Tevez continues to remain necessary for City to win something this season. Tevez's finishing allows him to convert half chances and is ability to thrive in crunch situations highlights his value to the City side.
Scoring 9 goals and creating another 4, Tevez has been one of the Premier League's top strikers. His main contribution to the Manchester City is his role as an inspirational force. His work ethic and drive to win makes him a force to reckon with.
If Tevez can continue his blistering form, this really can be City's season.
6: Edinson Cavani
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Signed by Napoli from Palermo on a loan deal, Cavani has been undoubtedly one of the transfers this season.
Scoring 12 goals in all competitions this season, Cavani has been instrumental in Napoli's great season to the season. His impressive performances has seen him lead the goalscoring charts in the Italian Serie A. Since his transfer, he has fit in seamlessly into the Napoli attack led by Hamsik and Lavezzi. He has thrived in his new club and after his recent performances its no surprise to see that a lot of big clubs have already set their sights on him.
If Cavani can continue his form, he has every chance of becoming the first Napoli player since the legend Maradona to win the golden boot.
5: Marouane Chamakh
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Signed by Arsenal from Bordeaux on a free transfer, the Moroccan has already had an extremely positive impact on the Gunners.
Chamakh generally does not tend to score too many goals in a season, but this year he has already managed to find the net 10 times. His brilliant link up play, tireless running and work ethic has helped him to adapt to the Arsenal style of play with ease. Despite being deployed generally as the lone front man, Chamakh continues to create numerous chances for his teammates. His height and physical presence has added another dimension to Arsenal and has led the front line admirably in the absence of Van Persie and Bendtner. His consistent performances has ensured that no one misses Van Persie too much. One of the best headers of the ball, Chamakh is ensuring that Arsenal for the first time in several years have a solid Plan B to fall upon if everything else fails.
Despite being great with his head, Chamakh has shown that he is perfectly at ease with his feet as well.
His performances and the depth he offers to Arsenal makes him essential to Arsenal's title aspirations.
4: Mounir Al Hamdaoui
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After Luis Suarez's mind blowing performances last year, it became a bit evident that Ajax needed someone who would share the goal-scoring burden with him. Hamdoui has proved to be that man.
In his short stay at Ajax, he is already managed to get on the scoresheet an impressive 14 times out of just fifteen appearances. He is forming one of Europe's most formidable partnerships with Suarez and both have been scoring or fun this season. Blessed with an exquisite touch and fantastic right foot, Hamdoui has been one of the Eredivisie's most consistent performers. His brilliant performances have caught the eye of Chelsea who seem to be interested in the striker.
Hamdaoui holds immense potential and is truly one of Europe's best entertainers.
3: Mario Gomez
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Many were quick to call him a flop last season after failing to really capture the form that propelled him to the limelight with Stuttgart. But how wrong could they be.
Gomez has silenced his critics and has been proving why Bayern broke the Bundesliga transfer record to sign him. Scoring 17 goals in all competitions including a hat-trick in the Champions League, Gomez has been Bayern's stand-out performer. While his strike counterparts have failed to get on the scoresheet on a regular basis, Gomez has been running wild, in Europe as well as domestically.
With Robben injured and with Ribery yet to dazzle, the onus is on Gomez to lead Bayern and defend their Bundesliga crown. If is recent goalscoring frenzy is anything to go by, he is more than capable of doing that.
2: Zlatan Ibrahimovich
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After falling out with Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola last season, Ibrahimovich orchestrated to move to Italian giants, A.C.Milan and the move has done wonders to reinvigorate his career.
Milan were in desperate need of a player who would add some real quality to an ageing Milan side and Ibrahimovich has been the answer to that call. Ibracadabra seems to be the spark they have been so badly missing
After being labelled lazy and selfish last season, Ibrahimovich has shown that he is anything but that, as he continues to play tirelessly, scoring with aplomb and creating numerous chances.
Scoring 11 goals this season including one over former club and eternal rivals Inter, Ibrahimovich has inspired this Milan side who seem firm favourites to clinch the Serie A. Adding another five assists to his contributions this season make him an integral part of this Milan side
Establishing himself as an indispensable member of the team has helped him resurrect his reputation as one of the world's deadliest strikers.
Milan have the option of making his deal permanent next year and, if he continues his scintillating run of form, they would do it gladly.
1: Samuel Eto'o
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Is there any doubt about it?
Samuel Eto'o has been without a shadow of a doubt the best striker this season, if not one of the best players. While Inter have struggled to capture last season's great form, Eto'o has been firing on all cylinders. His scintillating performances has saved manager, Rafael Benitez the blushes on more than one occasion.
Scoring 19 goals, he has already surpasses his last season's total of 16 goals. At times he has looked as Inter's only main creative force and has been instrumental this season. Terrorising defenders with his pace, movement and finishing, Eto'o has been in sublime form since the start of the season. While strike partner, Milito has failed to shine, the responsibility of leading the front-line has fallen on Eto'o and he has been spectacular.
Etoo's form will be key to Inter's hopes and he will have to continue to play like this if Inter are to challenge for top honours.
Honourable Mentions
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There have been plenty of goals this season and many strikers have impressed. So here is a list of strikers who just missed the cut.
- Johan Elmander(Bolton Wanderers)
- Nilmar(Villarreal)
- Theofanis Gekas(Eintracht Frankfurt)
- Luis Suarez(Ajax)
- Berbatov(Manchester United)
- Youssef El-Arabi(Caen)
- Andy Carroll(Newcastle United)
- Kenny Miller(Rangers)
