England has been blessed with a plethora of world class strikers over the years such as Jimmy Greaves, Gary Lineker, Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney. Gareth Southgate has England's record goal scorer and captain Harry Kane as his number nine, but the battle to be his understudy is a heated one. We do our own take on Pitch side's Top 10 current English strikers to see how different our selection is and to determine who are Southgate's best options upfront.
10. Danny Ings - West Ham United
The 31 year old has been outcast under David Moyes this season, playing just 68 minutes in the Premier League. Although, he has always been such an underrated striker who guarantees goals. He was rejuvenated at Southampton after an injury ridden spell at Liverpool and has had short-lived spells at Villa Park and the London Stadium. He has been capped three times by England and while this season he has been depraved of an opportunity to make an impact, he could still be a reliable goal threat for Gareth Southgate.
9. Danny Welbeck - Brighton Hove and Albion
The 32 year old's career appeared on the brink during an injury plagued five seasons at Arsenal. However, he has evolved into an influential leader on and off the pitch, where currently Roberto De Zerbi is utilising the striker's experience to inspire his exciting young team. While, in each of his last three seasons he has scored just six goals he is always capable of producing a game-changing moment and is a top professional and workhorse.
8. Jamie Vardy - Leicester City
The striker's England career came to a premature end in 2018 post World Cup, after the veteran informed Gareth Southgate he was hanging up his boots after 26 games. At 36 his raw pace and distinctive style is still ever-present and he has been an influential leader during Enzo Maresca's new dawn at the club in the Championship. His individualism would still make him an asset to Southgate, where he could be the perfect impact substitute during a game where England need an alternative to their side to side possession system.
7. Dominic Calvert-Lewin - Everton
Another striker on this list whose bright promise has been curtailed by injuries. The 26 year old's fitness is detrimental to Everton's survival hopes with his physical presence and power transforming the Toffees upfront. He has had successive seasons where injuries have restricted him to just 15 starts in the league and this uncertainty has de-railed his chances of England contention. Nevertheless, when he does find consistency and momentum his quality makes him one of England's most clinical strikers.
6. Dominic Solanke - Bournemouth
The serial former Under 21 England starlet has developed into a powerful goal machine at Bournemouth, scoring six goals in his opening 12 games this season in the Premier League. He is integral to the Cherries success, because they rely on him for goals last season he made 13 goal contributions as Bournemouth finished an impressive 15th in the league. If his form continues he could re-unite with his former manager at youth level on the international stage.
5. Eddie Nkeitah - Arsenal
After a turbulent start to his Arsenal career, he has emerged as Mikel Arteta's main goal source and has progressively seen increased opportunity in the starting eleven. His form of five goals in nine starts in the league this season saw him receive his maiden England call-up and debut during the last international break. He brings pace and executes the high press very productively for his domestic club, but the level of competition for a England space could result in limited chances for his country.
4. Callum Wilson - Newcastle
He has averaged a goal every 69 minutes in the Premier League this season, scoring seven goals in 10 games. He was included in the England squad for the 2022 World Cup and has been in contention under Southgate when fit across this year. His clinical ability makes him the perfect impact sub to support Harry Kane for the Three Lions and he has proven he has the mentality and quality to cope with competition where he has excelled at Newcastle since they signed Aleksandar Isak.
3. Ollie Watkins - Aston Villa
While, Watkins is prone to having spells where he struggles in front of goal his work rate and energy where he continuously gets himself in goal scoring positions make him such a beneficial asset to any team. He is reaping the benefits of working under Unai Emery, where he has 10 goal contributions in the Premier League already this season and on the counter there are few strikers who are more dangerous. He is increasingly becoming a growing presence under Gareth Southgate.
2. Ivan Toney - Brentford
The maverick is such an intelligent and difficult striker for oppositions. He is a nuisance to nullify due to his physical power and movement where he is always in the right place at the right time. The 27 year old will miss up to 29 matches due to his betting ban this season, which has given rivals opportunities to impress Gareth Southgate. However, Toney is the undisputed number two behind Kane he scored 20 goals last season and continues to go from strength to strength.
1. Harry Kane - Tottenham
England undisputed number one and arguably the first name of Gareth Southgate's team sheet. England have been blessed to have one of the best strikers in the world, he has 61 goals in 87 caps for his country.
Written by Lewis Eadie
All Images taken from Flickr
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