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The English Premier League rightly enjoys its status as one of the world's best football leagues.
Apart from the intense competition it offers, the English top-tier has a rich and bountiful history of players who have served it. Since its inception in 1992, the Premier League has been a home to some of the greatest strikers who have graced the beautiful game.
Name any kind of striker you want; a target man, a fierce goal-poacher or an exquisite finisher, the Premier League has seen them all.
However, you might find some noteworthy exclusions while reading this list. That is because statistics have given a slight edge to some players. Also, with the recent quality of strikers the Premier League has seen, the all-time list may change sooner rather than later.
Honourable Mentions
Robbie Fowler: The Englishman is a legend no doubt but falls behind many due to the lack of titles.
Luis Suarez: If it wasn't for his short stay in England coupled with no titles, with lethal goals per game average of 0.63, the Uruguayan deserved to make this list.
Dwight Yorke: Amongst the Man United strikers listed in here, Yorkey is the least destructive of all, with just a 0.33 goals-per-game ratio.
#10 Sergio Aguero
Clubs: Manchester City
EPL Apps: 189
Goals: 130
Assists: 32
League titles: 2
Individual accolades: 1 x Golden Boot
Sergio Aguero's exclusion will definitely make no sense, given his contribution to Manchester City's meteoric rise to becoming one of the best clubs in the world.
The Argentinian has served as the arrowhead of the attack alongside David Silva and Yaya Toure, cementing his place amongst Premier League legends. Being a nimble-footed striker with a hefty built, Aguero is adept at terrorizing the defenders with fierce shooting abilities.
Of course, he has all the traits to look for in a top-notch hitman, but it's his consistency that makes him a player you have to have on your team. In spite of his fair share of injuries, Aguero has already crossed the 20-goal mark in 4 seasons and looks intent on repeating the feat this year.
Should he continue his exploits, why, Sergio Aguero might as well win the crown as the Premier League's best striker of all time.
#9 Didier Drogba
Clubs: Chelsea
EPL Apps: 254
Goals: 104
Assists: 54
League titles: 4
Individual accolades: 2 x Golden Boot
"Judge him when he leaves the club."
Jose Mourinho's statement wasn't wrong after all. Neither were the Chelsea supporters, who doubted the Portuguese mastermind's transfer plans when he brought Didier Drogba to England.
To start with, the Ivorian hadn't done anything special and at 26, he was not what you would call the Torres or Shevchenko material. But, as the reputations of the latter two deceived the fans, Didier Drogba ascended the throne as Stamford Bridge's undisputed king.
Establishing himself as one of the best strikers, the Ivorian lived a fairytale that was quite unexpected of him. His artistry as a striker is unquestionable considering the belters he scored in the blue shirt. But, it's his ability to make a difference on important nights that makes him stand out from the rest.
Drogba made it a habit of being the match-winner in finals. Surely, none of us can forget how he dragged Chelsea to a win with a sublime header and a winning penalty on that UCL final night against Bayern. To add to that, Didier Drogba has scored in 10 finals that won him 10 medals, enough to make him immortal at the Bridge.
Years have gone by, yet the Premier League is waiting to see a big-game player as influential as the brawny Ivorian.
#8 Wayne Rooney
Clubs: Everton, Manchester United
EPL Apps: 471
Goals: 202
Assists: 101
League titles: 5
Individual accolades: Player of the Season x 1
He might not have scored the expected bulk of goals, but Wayne Rooney leads by example in so many ways. These days, it seems a pity to see Wazza being criticized for not being up to the mark when his club needed him the most.
Wayne Rooney in his peak was more than just a footballer. Apart from being the brilliant goalscorer, he was in his early days, the Englishman seemed to fit seamlessly nearly in any position on the pitch. But, his virtue of unselfishness as a player has been not respected insufficiently, don't you think?
Whenever United experienced problems, the Englishman was always ready to fill in, displaying a rare sense of professionalism. Jose Mourinho was said to have cried when he left, something he never did for any other player. That speaks loads about his importance.
In Football - Bloody Hell!, Patrick Barclay's biography on Sir Alex, he states an incident where Wayne Rooney was ready to play as a centre-half against Chelsea with first-team defenders out injured.
It really pains to see people criticizing a rare legend who always put the interests of his team ahead of him.
Regardless of the countless debates about whether Rooney truly fulfilled his potential or not, none can refute the Evertonian's claim as one of the greatest epitomes of the Premier League.
#7 Andy Cole
Clubs: Liverpool, Newcastle United, Manchester United, Portsmouth, Manchester City, Fulham, Blackburn
EPL Apps: 414
Goals: 187
Assists: 73
League titles: 5
Individual accolades: 1 x Golden Boot
We all know Andy Cole as the man who led the Manchester United in the late 90's and the early 2000s.
Ask any Manchester United who has seen the Andy Cole - Dwight Yorke combination blossom on the pitch, and they will tell you how brilliant the duo was. They had an almost telepathic understanding on the field, capable of finding each other in the box with their eyes closed.
Andy Cole was a gifted goal-poacher; a proper fox-in-the-box. Cole was one of the Premier League's most famous journeymen, having played for seven different clubs in the English top-tier.
Although his abilities did wane in the latter stages, with 187 goals and 3rd position in the EPL all-time top-scorers list, the man deserves a place in the league's pantheon of greatest strikers.
Apart from being a great striker, the Englishman led by example when it came to professionalism. Recently, Cole opened up on how he and Teddy Sheringham loathed each other. at Old Trafford. In spite of that, the duo never failed to form a connection on the pitch, even though they never spoke to each other.
That's how a true footballer should be, lads. Putting the team's requirements before anything else. Take a bow, legend!
#6 Michael Owen
Clubs: Liverpool, Newcastle United, Manchester United
EPL Apps: 326
Goals: 150
Assists: 31
League titles: 1
Individual accolades: 2 x Golden Boot. 1 x Player of the Season.
"When he was the same age as Marcus Rashford, he’d won two golden boots in the Premier League and scored 50 goals. Even look at the likes of Kylian Mbappé. If he’s going for that type of money now what would Owen be going for?"
It would have been so much better, had Michael Owen opted against moving to Real Madrid in 2004. Though the striker might regret that decision as much as we do, Michael Owen has enough under his belt to prove how world-class he was as a footballer.
On so many occasions, the Englishman made proved himself as the most gifted finisher England had ever produced. Regardless of the minutes left on the clock, Owen would almost always find the back of the net in times of need. Also when it came to big games, the eagle-eyed striker was at his utmost best, scoring vital goals for his teams.
That hattrick against Germany, that goal against Argentina, that significant FA Cup final brace against Arsenal and that thriller in the Manchester Derby. All those memories stand as a strong testimony to his special talent.
Despite his unlucky fall down the spiral, the last English Ballon d'Or winner can certainly relax after establishing a legacy in the Premier League's hall of fame.
#5 Ian Wright
Clubs: Arsenal, West Ham United
EPL Apps: 213
Goals: 113
Assists: 22
League titles: 1
Individual accolades: -
Apart from being the explosive striker, he was in his playing days, Ian Wright led by an example when it comes to struggling hard and fulfilling your dreams. Would you believe the fact that the Englishman once spent weeks in jail due to a failure to pay fines for breaking traffic rules?
When you look at the legacy Wrighty left behind, it is really hard to imagine that the forward once found it tough to attract a top club; a condition that led him to join professional football late at age 22.
Arriving as a record signing from Crystal Palace, Wright made it a habit of scoring goals at will.
The Englishman never finished with a single-digit goal tally in his Arsenal career, becoming the club's top-scorer in his six seasons at Highbury.
Give him a chance, and Wrighty never failed to disappoint. Had it not been for the scarcity of trophies, Ian Wright deserved to be counted amongst the top five strikers.
When Thierry Henry says you are the reason why he fell in love with Arsenal, it's perhaps the best tribute to your greatness.
#4 Eric Cantona
Clubs: Manchester United, Leeds United
EPL Apps: 156
Goals: 70
Assists: 56
League titles: 4
Individual accolades: -
The rebel who became king, it's no secret that Eric Cantona's career was full of controversies but, they never seemed to affect him when he took to the football field. On the pitch, he was a treat to watch owing to his sublime finishes and the assists he created for his teammates.
Regardless of what he was - an imperious individual who flaunted arrogance at every step -seldom can any player boast of having an effect equal to Cantona's at Manchester United. Apart from his goals that proved to be the catalyst for United's upturn in fortune, the Frenchman had mastered another rare art.
Get on the wrong side of Eric Cantona and next, you see him thundering shots against your posts. The temperamental forward had learned the ability to channel the rage into his play. Kudos to Sir Alex for his efficient handling of Cantona. Thank God the Scot never unleashed his famous hair-dryer on the Frenchman!
Also, it wasn't just the importance of his goals. His dynamic presence had an overall positive effect at Carrington. Cantona would put in extra hours in training and the "Class of 92" emulated him, much to Ferguson's relish.
And the next we know, a revolution followed. Years later, another player at Old Trafford is having the same effect, while bearing a resemblance to the King. I will leave it you to guess who!
#3 Rudd Van Nistelrooy
Clubs: Manchester United
EPL Apps: 150
Goals: 95
Assists: 14
League titles: 1
Individual accolades: 1 x Golden Boot, 1 x Player of the Season
When Rudd Van Nistelrooy donned the red shirt against Barcelona legends this September, he got a warm and well-deserved welcome from the Old Trafford crowd, with the love clearly visible in their eyes. It seemed like nothing had changed since his controversial departure in 2006.
Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke were already nearing their respective ends at Old Trafford, and that set Sir Alex searching for the next worthy successor in the forward line. Sure enough, it was the time for the flying Dutchman to set the Premier League alight with his talents.
Rudd Van Nistelrooy had everything you would want in a legendary striker; vision, skills, precise finishing and good in the air. Couple that with his strong leadership qualities and United had a worthy rival for Thierry Henry playing in the famous red shirt.
Van Nistelrooy was grace personified, simply for the way he glided on the pitch. The Dutchman was in love with David Beckham's inch-perfect crosses, making it a routine to put the England captain's crosses in the back of the net.
He wasn't just a clinical finisher, he was also a master dribbler and his hold up play was brilliant as well
Undoubtedly, the Dutchman will remain an immortal figure both in Manchester and the Premier League.
#2 Alan Shearer
Clubs: Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United
EPL Apps: 441
Goals: 260
Assists: 64
League titles: 1
Individual accolades: 3 x Golden Boot, 1 x Player of the Season
Having Alan Shearer play in the black-and-white stripes is perhaps one of Newcastle United's greatest achievements. The Englishman was absolutely menacing, no matter whichever club he played for.
A career that wasn't as much illustrious as it should have been, the Gosforth-born striker is a living tribute to the art of scoring goals. With a robust build that helped him to hold the ball against tougher defenders, Shearer was devastating in front of goal.
Surely everyone remembers the deadly Sutton-Shearer combination? The legend played an instrumental part as Blackburn clinched their first and only Premier League title. Shearer dazzled the supporters in every single game he played that season, scoring 31 goals in the process.
An incredible stat in his goalscoring record for Newcastle speaks so much about his love for headers. Of the 206 goals he netted for the Tyneside, Shearer nodded the ball 49 times over the goal line.
The Englishman's legend would have been entirely different, had he opted for joining the likes of Manchester United or Arsenal. Those giants would certainly have filled his trophy cabinet, but the love for his boyhood club prevailed over anything else.
Regardless of the scarcity of trophies, Shearer's goal-scoring exploits have done enough to elevate him to the highest echelons of the English top-tier.
#1 Thierry Henry
Clubs: Arsenal
EPL Apps: 258
Goals: 175
Assists: 74
League titles: 2
Individual accolades: Golden Boot x 4, Player of the Season x 2
Who else did you think it might be? At the height of his powers, Thierry Henry was the complete attacking package. No other striker boasts a better goals-per-game average than King Henry in the league's history.
A World Cup winner at just 21, it seems weird how the Juventus directors tried to loan out the mercurial Frenchman to Udinese to make way for a certain Marcio Amoroso. Today, they will most certainly regret not heeding Carlo Ancelotti's advice to let him stay.
Being the spearhead of a resurgent Arsenal side under Arsene Wenger, Henry conquered the league in a way that no other striker has ever done. His goalscoring exploits are proof for why he is regarded as the biggest name in Premier League folklore.
Thanks to his ability in front of goal, the eagle-eyed hitman holds records that will be quite a challenge to overcome. He won more Golden Boots than any other player, apart from holding the record for most assists in a season (19).
We don't know whether the Premier League will ever see a lethal marksman of his caliber. But, for now, Thierry Henry rightly owns the crown as the league's greatest ever striker.
