5 top strikers who have been poor this season

David Sila and Romelu Lukaku, Manchester City v Manchester United - Premier League 2018/19
David Sila and Romelu Lukaku, Manchester City v Manchester United - Premier League 2018/19

European football is entering its busiest period of the season and the next couple of months will have a big impact on the title race. Of the top five European Leagues, French Champions, Paris Saint-Germain, are the most dangerous team in front of goal this season with 45 Ligue 1 goals. Manchester City, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, and Chelsea are some of the other fluent goalscorers in Europe this season.

Kylian Mbappe leads the race for the 2018/19 Golden Shoe, closely followed by strikers like Sergio Aguero, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mauro Icardi, Robert Lewandowski, Edinson Cavani, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Dries Mertens. However, some of the other usual suspects are extremely out of form this campaign.

On that note, let's take a look at the 5 top strikers who have not been in great form this season.

#5 Roberto Firmino, Liverpool

Roberto Firmino (M), Liverpool FC v Fulham FC - Premier League 2018/19
Roberto Firmino (M), Liverpool FC v Fulham FC - Premier League 2018/19

After a hugely successful 2017/18 campaign for Liverpool, the Brazilian international's form has declined over the past few months. He has struggled for goals and has not been at his best.

Roberto Firmino has scored only four goals in his 17 Liverpool appearances this season. His last Premier League goal came in mid-September and he hasn't scored a goal or made an assist in his last seven Premier League games.

Though Jurgen Klopp's side is only two points behind the table-toppers Manchester City, the ruthlessness in front of goal seem to have disappeared from Liverpool's game for the most part of this campaign. They have labored to win games and Roberto Firmino's poor form is one of the major contributing factors.

With the busy Christmas season not very far, Liverpool will want their no.9 to get back to his belligerent best.

#4 Rodrigo Moreno, Valencia

Manchester United v Valencia - 2018/19 UEFA Champions League Group H
Manchester United v Valencia - 2018/19 UEFA Champions League Group H

Valencia are currently 15th in the LaLiga and one of their biggest concern is the poor form of Rodrigo Moreno. Rodrigo scored 16 goals for Valencia last season and was one of the best strikers in European football.

He also made it to the Spain 2018 World Cup squad and made three substitute appearances. He was under the radar of top European clubs during the summer transfer window but Valencia did enough to retain their prized asset.

However, in his 15 LaLiga and UEFA Champions League appearances this season, Rodrigo Moreno has scored just one goal and assisted one more. The Spanish international hasn't scored a goal since August and has looked awfully out of form. He hasn't scored a goal in his last 14 appearances for Valencia and that has hurt them big this season.

#3 Olivier Giroud, Chelsea

Southampton FC v Chelsea FC - 2018/19 Premier League
Southampton FC v Chelsea FC - 2018/19 Premier League

Chelsea have been playing extremely well this season after the disastrous 2017/18 campaign. With 28 points from 12 games, Maurizio Sarri's men are only four points behind the table-toppers Manchester City in the race for the Premier League title.

With seven goals and four assists, Eden Hazard is easily Chelsea's best attacking player this season. Alvaro Morata has scored five goals while Pedro has scored four in the Premier League so far. However, Olivier Giroud is yet to get off the mark in Premier League this campaign.

The Frenchman has made 12 appearances in Premier League and UEFA Europa League this season and has scored only once. Though he has registered four assists, he wasn't at his prolific best in front of goal.

Though the World Cup winner brings a lot more than just goals, Chelsea needs Olivier Giroud to start scoring soon.

#2 Romelu Lukaku, Manchester United

Romelu Lukaku (L), Manchester City v Manchester United - 2018/19 Premier League
Romelu Lukaku (L), Manchester City v Manchester United - 2018/19 Premier League

Manchester United's second most expensive signing is warming the bench at the moment. The Belgian international has struggled for form this season and has found the back of the net only four times in his 14 Premier League and UEFA Champions League appearances.

Now, the 25-year-old has lost his starting spot to in-form Antony Martial and Marcus Rashford. Lukaku's last Manchester United start came in October and the former Everton star hasn't scored a goal since mid-September.

Lukaku's poor form has hurt Jose Mourinho & Co. this season. With only 20 points from 12 games, the Red Devils are eighth in the current Premier League standings, with Bournemouth and Watford ahead of them at the moment.

Having paid a huge £75 million for Lukaku, United would want their top striker to get back to his goal-scoring form.

#1 Diego Costa, Atletico Madrid

Diego Costa (R), Club Atletico de Madrid v Club Brugge - 2018/19 UEFA Champions League Group A
Diego Costa (R), Club Atletico de Madrid v Club Brugge - 2018/19 UEFA Champions League Group A

Though Atletico Madrid are well and truly in the race for the 2018/19 LaLiga title, the form of Diego Costa is arguably the biggest worry for Diego Simeone. The Los Rojiblancos are in the third place in the 2018/19 LaLiga standings, just a point the table-toppers Barcelona.

However, Diego Costa is yet to get off the mark in this campaign. The Spaniard's only goal this season came against Monaco during matchday one of the UEFA Champions League campaign. The 30-year-old striker hasn't scored a goal since September and was awfully poor in front of goal.

Diego Costa holds the key to Atletico Madrid's title hopes this season and Diego Simeone would want his star striker to rediscover his golden touch before it is too late.

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