|
|
From the leadership of Arsenal's Robin van Persie to lightning fast Sergio Aguero - Les Ferdinand picks his top five Premier League strikers
Former Tottenham and Newcastle striker also sings praises of Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe and Luis Suarez as 20,000th Barclays Premier League goal looms
17 Dec 2011 09:00:00
Barclays
EXCLUSIVE
By Rob Stewart
The race is on to score the 20,000th goal in Barclays Premier League history and former Newcastle United, Tottenham and Queens Park Rangers striker Les Ferdinand has identified the five forwards most likely to secure a niche in English football history.
Former England international Ferdinand, who is now coaching the strikers at Tottenham, struck the 10,000th Premier League goal during Spurs' 4-0 rout of Fulham in December 2001 and here he identifies those most likely to follow him into the record books, with the next milestone just 36 goals away heading into this weekend's action.
In an exclusive interview with Goal.com, Ferdinand uses his expertise to name the five best strikers currently plying their trade in the Barclays Premier League as history beckons.
"If you look at the goals Robin van Persie has scored in 2011 then you would have to say that he is the pick of the bunch.
"You just have to look at Van Persie’s goal tally to see how much he has taken on the mantle since Arsenal lost Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri and everyone thought they were going to struggle.
"And they did struggle to start off with but he has put the armband on and has risen to the challenge of being the team’s leader. He is someone that Arsenal can rely upon whereas in the past he had injuries that hindered him but this time around he has got the bit between his teeth and not only is he scoring plenty of goals but performing as well."
"He is arguably the best British striker around. That is the case because of not just his goals and his assists but also what he brings to the Manchester United team as well because his work-rate is incredible.
"At times he drops back into midfield and that is an illustration of the quality that he possesses. He might not have been among the goals up until last weekend when he scored a couple against Wolves but he is right up there with the likes of Robin Van Persie at the top of the goal-scoring charts.
"He is a constant menace and is capable of the spectacular as he showed against Manchester City last season and the way he has performed for United shows why Fabio Capello was so keen to keep his Euro 2012 ban to a minimum."
"Luis Suarez has not been around for that long but he has still had a major impact on the Barclays Premier League in less than a year at Liverpool.
"He has not scored that many goals since he moved to England from Ajax last January but he has been a major, major influence on the Liverpool attack this season.
"He has great feet and once he’s running at opponents he is very difficult to get back under control. Suarez always looks busy and everything that Liverpool do well when they are going forward he is usually involved in it at some stage."
"For me Jermain Defoe would have to be among the best strikers in English football at the moment and I’m not just saying that because I coach him at Tottenham.
"He is an out-and-out goalscorer and I say that on purpose because I would call him a goalscorer rather than a striker.
"A striker has many facets to his game and an old-fashioned striker is someone who will hold the ball up, flick things on and bring other people into the game whereas Jermain will just score you goals. He scores goals inside and outside and he is looking a real threat this season."
"Although I think that Mario Balotelli is a fabulous striker I would have to go for Sergio Aguero who is one of the main reasons that Manchester City have been flying so far this season.
"It is usually very difficult in the first season for overseas players to come into the Premier League and get used to the lifestyle and adapt to the many rigours of English football and become accustomed to the way we play but he has taken it all in his stride and proved to be a real handful for defenders everywhere. He is lightning quick, very strong and can play anywhere along the frontline.
Barclays is celebrating 20,000 goals in the Premier League by giving the scorer of the landmark goal £20,000 to donate to a charity of his choice. Barclays is also offering fans the chance to win a VIP trip to see a Barclays Premier League match with five friends. Visit facebook.com/BarclaysFootball to enter the competition.
By Rob Stewart
The race is on to score the 20,000th goal in Barclays Premier League history and former Newcastle United, Tottenham and Queens Park Rangers striker Les Ferdinand has identified the five forwards most likely to secure a niche in English football history.
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
Former England international Ferdinand, who is now coaching the strikers at Tottenham, struck the 10,000th Premier League goal during Spurs' 4-0 rout of Fulham in December 2001 and here he identifies those most likely to follow him into the record books, with the next milestone just 36 goals away heading into this weekend's action.
In an exclusive interview with Goal.com, Ferdinand uses his expertise to name the five best strikers currently plying their trade in the Barclays Premier League as history beckons.
| Robin van Persie |
"If you look at the goals Robin van Persie has scored in 2011 then you would have to say that he is the pick of the bunch.
"You just have to look at Van Persie’s goal tally to see how much he has taken on the mantle since Arsenal lost Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri and everyone thought they were going to struggle.
"And they did struggle to start off with but he has put the armband on and has risen to the challenge of being the team’s leader. He is someone that Arsenal can rely upon whereas in the past he had injuries that hindered him but this time around he has got the bit between his teeth and not only is he scoring plenty of goals but performing as well."
| Wayne Rooney |
"He is arguably the best British striker around. That is the case because of not just his goals and his assists but also what he brings to the Manchester United team as well because his work-rate is incredible.
"At times he drops back into midfield and that is an illustration of the quality that he possesses. He might not have been among the goals up until last weekend when he scored a couple against Wolves but he is right up there with the likes of Robin Van Persie at the top of the goal-scoring charts.
"He is a constant menace and is capable of the spectacular as he showed against Manchester City last season and the way he has performed for United shows why Fabio Capello was so keen to keep his Euro 2012 ban to a minimum."
| Luis Suarez |
"Luis Suarez has not been around for that long but he has still had a major impact on the Barclays Premier League in less than a year at Liverpool.
"He has not scored that many goals since he moved to England from Ajax last January but he has been a major, major influence on the Liverpool attack this season.
"He has great feet and once he’s running at opponents he is very difficult to get back under control. Suarez always looks busy and everything that Liverpool do well when they are going forward he is usually involved in it at some stage."
| Jermain Defoe |
"For me Jermain Defoe would have to be among the best strikers in English football at the moment and I’m not just saying that because I coach him at Tottenham.
"He is an out-and-out goalscorer and I say that on purpose because I would call him a goalscorer rather than a striker.
"A striker has many facets to his game and an old-fashioned striker is someone who will hold the ball up, flick things on and bring other people into the game whereas Jermain will just score you goals. He scores goals inside and outside and he is looking a real threat this season."
| Sergio Aguero |
"Although I think that Mario Balotelli is a fabulous striker I would have to go for Sergio Aguero who is one of the main reasons that Manchester City have been flying so far this season.
"It is usually very difficult in the first season for overseas players to come into the Premier League and get used to the lifestyle and adapt to the many rigours of English football and become accustomed to the way we play but he has taken it all in his stride and proved to be a real handful for defenders everywhere. He is lightning quick, very strong and can play anywhere along the frontline.
Barclays is celebrating 20,000 goals in the Premier League by giving the scorer of the landmark goal £20,000 to donate to a charity of his choice. Barclays is also offering fans the chance to win a VIP trip to see a Barclays Premier League match with five friends. Visit facebook.com/BarclaysFootball to enter the competition.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012
The European Championship is just around the corner and Goal.com distinguishes between the trendy and the passe at the prestigious tournament
-
The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday
-
Rodgers ushers in new Anfield era on his own terms
The Northern Irishman inevitably expressed his delight at landing the Reds job but evidenced plenty of the steely resolve which could see him become a success at Anfield
