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There is no shortage of world-class striking options in football right now. With more and more emphasis on attacking football these days, the job of the attackers has become even more crucial. These players need to have the ability to play in a variety of positions ranging from the traditional centre-forward's role to attacking from the wide positions.
Gone are the days when poachers like Inzaghi used to be the first name on the team sheet. A typical forward these days not only needs to score a bucket load of goals but also has the responsibility to set them up for his teammates.
On that note, we take a look at the top 5 most lethal goal-scoring forwards entering into the new season:
Honourable mentions: Robert Lewandowski, Sergio Aguero, Romelu Lukaku, Antoine Griezmann, Eden Hazard, Mauro Icardi, Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe
#5 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah was definitely the best signing of the last season. He was consistent throughout the season and scored all sorts of goals ranging from tap-ins to long ranging beauties.
Salah adapted his game from a natural winger to that of a complete forward and became the focal point of the Liverpool's attacking line-up. He went on to break the club's scoring record for a debut season, scoring a record 32 goals in 36 league games.
He became the first player to win three Player of the month awards in the Premier League in the same season. His astonishing performances saw him receive a number of accolades at the end of the 2017–18 season, including the PFA Players' Player of the year award.
Salah also maintained his supreme form in the Champions league which paved the way for Liverpool to reach the finals of the Champions League. Liverpool fans will be hoping that Salah continues on his merry run.
#4 Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Ever since Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Real Madrid, his goal scoring exploits have been simply unbelievable.
Last season he started a bit slowly in the League but was absolutely brilliant during the business end of the season. He scored 26 goals in 27 League appearances and 15 goals in 13 UCL games which led to Real Madrid winning their fourth Champions League in five seasons.
Ronaldo also started the World Cup on a seriously hot note, scoring a hat-trick in the very first game against Spain.
Scoring goals almost for fun now, he has embarked on a new journey in his life with Juventus. He will be looking to win the Champions league again and bring glory to Juventus.
#3 Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain)
Neymar became the world's most expensive signing last season and got off to a very hot start to his PSG career.
In February, he fractured the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot. He failed to make another appearance for PSG while recovering from the injury, and consequently ended his season in Paris with outstanding numbers of 28 goals and 16 assists in 30 matches. He also had a decent yet controversial World Cup for Brazil, humiliating defenders with his out-of-the-world skills but also humiliating himself with his over-the-top theatrics.
Neymar will be looking for a Champions league victory with PSG and he has tremendous attacking support in the form of Mbappe and Cavani.
#2 Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
The English captain led his country to the World Cup semis and also won the Golden Boot in the process, finishing the tournament with six goals.
He has been absolutely wonderful in front of goal for both Tottenham and England in the past few seasons. Last season he finished with 30 goals in 37 Premier League appearances and 7 goals in 7 UCL appearances.
He was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the fourth consecutive season in April 2018, alongside fellow forwards Mohamed Salah and Sergio Agüero. He is perhaps the best pure striker in the world right now.
Kane's role will be very critical to the Spurs performances this season.
#1 Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Lionel Messi has always been at his magical best for Barcelona. Due to his short stature, Messi has a lower centre of gravity than taller players, which gives him greater agility and speed allowing him to change direction more quickly.
Messi is a goal-scorer, playmaker and a dribbler all rolled into one, and he always poses headaches to the opposing defenses.
The departure of Neymar before the start of last season posed serious challenges for Barcelona but they had their talisman to take care of the situation. Last season he probably had his best La Liga season ever where Barcelona were unbeaten till the 37th game week.
Messi finished with 34 goals and 12 assists in 36 league appearances, winning his fifth Pichichi award. He also netted 6 goals in the Champions league where Barcelona were eliminated in dramatic fashion in the quarterfinals against Roma.
Barcelona are again going to be highly dependent on their stalwart for their successes this season.
