The Premier League is home to some of the finest strikers in world football, with each new season offering a platform for both established stars and rising talents to showcase their skills. While the likes of Harry Kane and Erling Haaland often dominate the headlines, this season has also seen a resurgence from veteran forwards and the emergence of new contenders for the top spot. From Jamie Vardy’s enduring influence at Leicester City to Chris Wood’s strong start at Nottingham Forest, these strikers continue to make their mark on the Premier League, proving that experience and adaptability are just as important as youth and raw talent. Here’s a look at some of the top-performing forwards so far this season.
10. Jamie Vardy
Despite being in the latter stages of his career, Jamie Vardy continues to be a reliable and impactful presence for Leicester City. Known for his pace, clinical finishing, and never-say-die attitude, Vardy remains one of the Premier League’s most dangerous forwards.
Although his goal-scoring numbers have naturally slowed compared to his peak seasons, his experience and ability to score crucial goals still make him a key asset for Leicester. Vardy’s 2024/25 season has seen him contribute with important goals and assists, proving that he’s still a threat in the Premier League and capable of making a difference in big moments.
9. Chris Wood
Chris Wood has had an impressive start to the 2024/25 Premier League season, scoring 4 goals in 7 matches for Nottingham Forest. Known for his physical presence and aerial ability, Wood has become a key figure in the Forest attack. His goal-scoring form has been vital for the team, as he consistently proves his reliability in front of goal. After a quieter spell last season, this campaign sees Wood back among the top-performing strikers, continuing to make a significant impact in the Premier League.
8. Dominic Solanke
Dominic Solanke had a breakout season at Bournemouth last year, scoring 19 goals in 38 appearances. His performances earned him a big-money move to Tottenham, but he’s still adjusting. Despite not fully hitting his stride, he leads the Premier League in targeted runs into the box (24), suggesting his form may soon improve.
7. Danny Welbeck
Danny Welbeck is enjoying a resurgence, with four goals and one assist in seven Premier League games this season, just shy of last season’s total across 29 matches. At 33, Welbeck is proving his worth after overcoming injury struggles, and is now among the Premier League’s best-performing strikers.
6. Raul Jimenez
Raul Jimenez has made a strong return after injury setbacks. After scoring 17 goals in the 2019/20 season, his form dipped, with only 17 goals over the following four seasons. However, last season saw a recovery, and he has already netted three times in seven matches this season, reminding everyone of his abilities.
5. Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins has emerged as a strong contender for the title of the best English striker in the Premier League, and his stats back up the claim. Watkins was the first player last season to achieve double figures in both goals and assists, ultimately earning the Playmaker Award with a league-high 13 assists. He also matched Christian Benteke’s record for the most goals scored by an Aston Villa player in a single Premier League campaign (19 goals).
Additionally, for England at the EUROs, Watkins became the first substitute to score a 90th-minute winning goal in a European Championship knockout match.
4. Kai Havertz
Kai Havertz took some time to settle at Arsenal following his high-profile transfer from Chelsea, where his performances were inconsistent. At Chelsea, he had been used as a ‘false nine’ rather than in his usual playmaker role.
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta, searching for a centre-forward, followed Thomas Tuchel’s approach and deployed Havertz in that position. This decision has paid off, with Havertz now consistently contributing goals while remaining a creative force. Additionally, his impact goes beyond scoring, as he has won 28 aerial duels this season, second only to Dominic Calvert-Lewin (35).
3. Nicolas Jackson
Christopher Nkunku’s knee injury during pre-season left Chelsea head coach with no choice but to start Nicolas Jackson as the team’s primary striker, with mixed success.
Jackson’s debut season included a standout performance with a hat-trick in a thrilling win over Tottenham, but overall, it was a modest campaign. Initially seen as inconsistent due to the sudden responsibility placed on him, Jackson has flourished under new manager Enzo Maresca.
Now 23, the Senegalese striker is Chelsea’s first-choice forward, building a strong connection with Cole Palmer, the club’s standout player. Despite scoring only four goals in the 2024/25 season, Jackson’s impact goes beyond scoring, as no other centre-forward has provided more assists (three) in the league.
2. Jhon Duran
Aston Villa has demonstrated that football success requires more than just the starting eleven, with Unai Emery effectively managing his squad. Emery has entrusted Ollie Watkins to lead the attack, while
keeping Jhon Duran as a highly effective backup. Although Duran hasn’t started a Premier League game this season and has only played limited minutes, he’s made a huge impact, scoring four goals, including a league-high three match-winners. Impressively, Duran has the best goals-per-90-minute ratio in the league, netting a goal every 46 minutes, highlighting his efficiency off the bench.
1. Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland was the standout striker in the Premier League during the 2023/24 season, scoring 27 goals and providing five assists. In the 2024/25 season, he’s already netted 10 goals in just seven games, the joint highest across Europe’s top five leagues, including two consecutive hat-tricks.
Over 73 Premier League appearances, Haaland has been involved in 86 goals (73 goals, 16 assists), averaging a goal involvement every 69.4 minutes.
Haaland’s 27 goals last season earned him the Premier League Golden Boot for the second straight season, making him the first overseas player to win it in his first two campaigns. He is also the first player to win both the Golden Boot and the Premier League title in consecutive seasons, joining legends like Didier Drogba, Robin van Persie, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, and Michael Owen in terms of Golden Boot wins.
