Scoring goals is one of the hardest things in football, but it’s also one of the most important. At the end of the day, goals win games, and finding the back of the net in the Premier League is particularly difficult, given strikers are often up against some of the best defenders in the world.
Over the years, though, there have been some brilliant centre-forwards in the English top flight. Alan Shearer, Luis Suarez, and Didier Drogba are just some of the names that come to mind when thinking about the greatest marksmen in the game.
Today, the league is blessed to have arguably the best goalscorer in the world in the form of Erling Haaland playing in the Premier League. But others, such as Ollie Watkins and Alexander Isak, have proven that they are clinical in front of goal too. So, who are the 15 finest forwards in the Premier League right now?
Ranking factors
• How well they are performing in the 2025/26 season.
• How well they performed during the 2024/25 season.
• Their status compared to other strikers – where do they stand in the pecking order?
• Overall importance to their respective teams – how well do their sides perform with/without them?
• Success – how successful they have been at their current sides, both collectively and individually.
• Injuries – sustained periods on the sidelines were taken into account.
For a player to be included, they must be listed as a centre-forward as their main position on Transfermarkt. Therefore, players such as Bryan Mbeumo miss out.
15 Kai Havertz, Arsenal
Having scored the goal to win Chelsea a second Champions League, Kai Havertz elected to make the switch across London to Arsenal in 2023. And after a slow start, it’s fair to say that the German has found a more settled home at the Emirates.
Despite some claiming that the Gunners need to play a more natural centre-forward (more on him later), they look a much better team whenever they have Havertz leading the line. That was evident last season, when he scored nine times in 23 appearances, and this term too, as Arsenal’s link-up play became more sleek in 2026 with him up top. Having only played limited minutes, though, it’s impossible to rank him any higher.
Kai Havertz’s 2025/26 Premier League Statistics
Games
3
Goals
0
14 Raul Jimenez, Fulham
Raul Jimenez was a regular goalscorer in the Premier League during his days as a Wolves player. The Mexican was talismanic at Molineux, finding the back of the net 40 times in 135 league matches.
However, a sickening head collision with Arsenal’s David Luiz in 2020 left Jimenez with a fractured skull. After speculation over whether he’d even be able to return to the pitch, he eventually moved to Fulham. The veteran centre-forward gives the Cottagers so much in his intelligent movement and strong hold-up play, and while he’s far from clinical, six goals and three assists is a respectable return.
Raul Jimenez’s 2025/26 Premier League Statistics
Appearances
25
Goals
6
13 Eli Kroupi Junior, Bournemouth
Signed from Lorient in the summer transfer window, you’d have been forgiven for knowing relatively little about Eli Kroupi Junior. But he looks set to follow in the footsteps of other talented strikers who have also played on the south coast, given what we’ve seen from him so far.
The France U21 star has managed to rack up eight strikes in 21 appearances, with him looking right at home in the Premier League despite only being 19-years-old. It feels like it’s only a matter of time until Kroupi is being linked with a move elsewhere, but he needs to be starting more games if he wants to rise up the rankings here.
Eli Kroupi’s 2025/26 Premier League Statistics
Games
21
Goals
8
12 Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Leeds United
Nobody had a Dominic Calvert-Lewin resurgence on their bingo cards in 2025/26. Having departed Everton under a cloud of injury woes, the England international has found excellent form at Leeds United.
The centre-forward netted seven goals in his six Premier League appearances during November and December, with his fine form massively benefitting Daniel Farke’s side. He really is a menace inside the penalty area, using his big frame to hold the ball up and dominate opposition defenders in the air.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s 2025/26 Premier League Statistics
Appearances
24
Goals
10
11 Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal
Ever since the days of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang finding the back of the net with ease, Arsenal have lacked a reliable, out-and-out striker. Gabriel Jesus is among those to have been tried in the solitary centre-forward berth, but the Emirates Stadium faithful really thought they had landed their long-term striker upon signing Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP.
A goalscoring revelation in Portugal, having plundered 54 goals across all competitions last season, the Swede joined the Gunners with plenty of promise – but his goal return has proven the chasm in quality between the Primeira Liga and the Premier League. Thus far, Gyokeres has struck eight times in 25 league appearances and his link-up play has left a lot to be desired.
Viktor Gyokeres’ 2025/26 Premier League Statistics
Appearances
25
Goals
8
10 Danny Welbeck, Brighton & Hove Albion
It really did look like Danny Welbeck’s career would dwindle with a whimper a few years ago. Injuries had kept him out of action for large portions of time, and he couldn’t put together a consistent run with either Arsenal or Watford. Things have turned around at Brighton & Hove Albion, though, and the former Manchester United man has been in excellent goal-getting form.
The 35-year-old has rolled back the years so far during 2025/26, and he’s scored nine goals in 26 league appearances so far for the Seagulls. It’s hard to imagine anyone thinking Welbeck would be the man capable of leading Brighton’s front line and in with a chance for England’s 2026 World Cup squad, but that’s exactly what he’s done so far. A remontada for ages – long may it continue.
Danny Welbeck’s 2025/26 Premier League Statistics
Appearances
26
Goals
9
9 Jean-Philippe Mateta, Crystal Palace
Jean-Phillipe Mateta’s name may not be as sexy as other names on the list, especially given he is Crystal Palace’s chief line-leader. Nobody foresaw the impact he’d have on the Eagles following his move from Mainz, but the 28-year-old has no doubt exceeded all expectations since his 2022 switch.
Sensational in front of goal, the French international plundered 14 goals in 2024/25, and took that form into the early stages of 2025/26. But since grabbing his seventh goal of the season against Manchester United, he’s only scored once since then and has missed recent matches through a knee injury. That’s led to Palace signing Jorgen Stand Larsen, but the Norwegian has big boots to fill at Selhurst Park.
Jean Philippe-Mateta’s 2025/26 Premier League Statistics
Appearances
23
Goals
8
8 Nick Woltemade, Newcastle United
There was a major change in Eddie Howe’s centre-forward department in the summer as Alexander Isak made a record-breaking move to Liverpool. Yoane Wissa was signed by the Magpies, but an injury to the DR Congo man meant that Nick Woltemade was approached. Despite interest from Bayern Munich, the lanky talisman moved to England from VfB Stuttgart.
Nick Woltemade’s 2025/26 Premier League Statistics
Appearances
23
Goals
7
7 Ollie Watkins, Aston Villa
Aston Villa went from looking like potential relegation candidates under Steven Gerrard to playing in Europe’s top table under Unai Emery. A sensational turnaround, and one that would probably not have happened were it not for the utter brilliance of Ollie Watkins, who is widely regarded as one of the best frontmen in world football thanks to his goalscoring form over the years.
The English striker, who remains second fiddle to Harry Kane on the international scene, took his game to new heights in 2022/23 and has been serially reliable since. He improved again in 2023/24, scoring 19 Premier League goals as Villa secured qualification for the Champions League. Since then, the striker’s form has become more patchy, highlighted by the fact that half his league goals in 2024/25 came within a span of three games.
Ollie Watkins’ 2025/26 Premier League Statistics
Appearances
26
Goals
8
6 Matheus Cunha, Manchester United
Last season begged the question of where on earth Wolverhampton Wanderers would be right now without the brilliance of Matheus Cunha? Well, now we know because he’s joined Manchester United and the Molineux outfit are bottom of the table, and the Brazilian has endured a rather decent start to life at Old Trafford. A constant goal threat, Cunha has sometimes lacked a cutting edge in front of goal, but his game is more than just goal-scoring.
5 Alexander Isak, Liverpool
A few eyebrows were raised whenNewcastle Unitedpaid a huge £63 million fee for the talismanicAlexander Isak, though no one winced when Liverpool coughed up £125 million for the Swedish striker in the summer. Undeniably talented, the 26-year-old was excellent in the English top flight for the Mapgpies, scoring goals and impressing with his finishing and tidy footwork, and that continued until his switch.Having previously been knocking on the door for top spot on this list, Isak has tumbled down thanks to a disappointing start to his Anfield career. Having battled with injuries in 2025/26, he managed two league goals before suffering an ankle injury and fibula fracture which needed surgery. Legacy keeps him in the top five, but others have simply shown more this term.
Alexander Isak’s 2025/26 Premier League Statistics
Appearances
10
Goals
2
4 Igor Thiago, Brentford
For the last couple of years or so, Brentford have landed themselves a talismanic figure, and soon after, they’ve been tasked with replacing them. The free-scoring nature of Ivan Toney was replaced by Bryan Mbeumo and Igor Thiago is now emulating the success of the Cameroonian in the final third – and that’s perfectly showcased by his 17-goal haul in 26 Premier League outings.
A revelation for the Bees, Thiago’s ten-minute brace against Burnley in November shows that he is capable of wreaking havoc for defences in quick succession – and his knack for drawing fouls and subsequently earning Keith Andrews’ side a penalty is second to none. Still just 24 years of age, there is still plenty of time for the Brazilian to fine-tune the weaker side of his game. And, in a few months, he could be on the radar of many decent English sides.
Igor Thiago’s 2025/26 Premier League Statistics
Appearances
23
3 Joao Pedro, Chelsea
Joao Pedro has been superb since arriving at Stamford Bridge in 2025, leading the line effectively while also showcasing excellent interplay between himself and his new teammates – which naturally causes teething problems. Having registered 11 Premier League goals in his opening 27 outings for the Blues, it’s clear to see why they coughed up the money.
An instant success for the west Londoners, his goals at the Club World Cup were just the tip of the iceberg of what Pedro – who has earned six caps for Brazil since his international debut in 2023 – can provide. There is certainly a lot to like about the 24-year-old, who could develop into quite a player as he matures from a youngster to one of the most important players at Chelsea. Watch this space!
Joao Pedro’s 2024/25 Premier League Statistics
Appearances
27
Goals
11
2 Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool
Some people remain confused over why Liverpool offloaded such a lump of money for Hugo Ekitike’s signature when they were still pursuing Alexander Isak – but the Frenchman has relished the competition for places, scoring 10 goals in 23 Premier League outings.
A middleman between his team’s midfield trio and the two wingers, Ekitike – who is now a regular with Didier Deschamps’ France – is a fantastic and elegant dribbler with the ball and his enviable link-up play makes him a valuable player for Slot, regardless of whether he is played through the middle or on the left. He is still in the infancy of his Liverpool career, of course, but his talent cannot be doubted.
Hugo Ekitike’s 2025/26 Premier League Statistics
Appearances
23
Goals
10
1 Erling Haaland, Manchester City
He came, he saw, and he conquered. Erling Haaland broke record after record at Red Bull Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund, scoring 86 goals in 89 games for the latter, and he continued to hit landmarks in his debut season in Manchester. Alan Shearer and Andy Cole’s long-standing record for most goals in a single season was blitzed by the Norwegian as he finished the 2022/23 campaign on 36.
Although the Norway international has experienced the odd downturn in form, the goals have always flowed and his goal-getting ability puts him among the very best on the planet. The striker been in frightening form in the final third for most of 2025/26, finding the back of the net 22 times in just 26 Premier League games. The best striker in England by a distance, there is no ceiling to what he can achieve at the sharp end of the pitch.
Erling Haaland’s 2025/26 Premier League Statistics
Appearances
26
Goals
22
All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt – correct as of 21/02/2026.