The Premier League stands tall as one of the most fiercely competitive leagues in the world. With its unparalleled mix of intensity, drama, and uncertainty, it has become a symbol of top-tier footballing excellence.
Central to the Premier League’s enduring beauty are the strikers, those maestros of the beautiful game who possess the ability to light up stadiums with their exceptional footballing IQ and remarkable goal-scoring prowess.
Over the years, the Premier League has had the privilege of hosting some of the world’s best talents, leaving fans awestruck and leaving their footprint in the EPL Hall of Fame.
The article was first published on Dec 18, 2019, and updated on Sept 19, 2023
- Top 10 Strikers Of All Time In The Premier League
- 1. Alan Shearer – Southampton, Blackburn & Newcastle: Caps 441, Goals(260)
- 2. Thierry Henry – Arsenal: Caps 258, Goals(175)
- 3. Wayne Rooney – Manchester United: Caps 491, Goals(208 )
- 4. Sergio Aguero – Man City: Caps 275, Goals (184)
- 5. Didier Drogba -Chelsea: Caps 254, Goals (104)
- 6. Harry Kane – Tottenham: Caps 317, Goal (213)
- 7. Andy Cole -Newcastle, Manchester United: Caps 414, Goals(187)
- 8. Dennis Bergkamp – Arsenal: Caps 315, Goals (87)
- 9. Eric Cantona – Manchester United: Caps 156, Goals (70)
- 10. Luis Suarez – Liverpool: Caps 110, Goals(69)
Top 10 Strikers Of All Time In The Premier League
The ultimate aim of football is to score goals and the players that play closest to the opposition’s goal are the strikers. They are almost always in the limelight due to their tendency to become a hero for their teams.
However, strikers are not always exclusively about goals since their ability to make a system work should also come into consideration.
1. Alan Shearer – Southampton, Blackburn & Newcastle: Caps 441, Goals(260)
Active: 1992 – 2006
Clubs: Blackburn, Newcastle
Honours: 1 x Premier League Winner (1994/95) 4 x Player of the Month (Nov 1994, Sept 1998, Dec 2002, Oct 2003 ) 1 x Player of the Season (1994/95) 3 x Golden Boot (1994/95, 1995/96 & 1996/97)
Shearer is living proof for every aspiring schoolboy footballer out there that dream can come true. For Southampton, Blackburn, and hometown club Newcastle. And England of course – he scored goals with the joy and carefree style of a youngster playing down the park.
In the Premier League, Shearer has scored more than anybody else – 260 in total – and he was the Golden Boot winner for three consecutive seasons from 1994-1996, the campaign he collected his winner’s medal with Blackburn. Jack Walker’s millions brought Shearer to Ewood Park from Southampton just as the Premier League was starting in 1992.
He was already a decent goalscorer for the Saints but reached a stratospheric level at Rovers with 31 goals in 1995-1997 taking them to second place. Shearer and Rovers went better the following year, his deadly partnership with Chris Sutton yielding 34 goals that ultimately swung the title race.
After that magical summer of Euro 96, Shearer came home to Newcastle for a world record £15m fee. His goal contributions were legendary – 25 in his first season, 23 in 1999-2000, the same amount in 2001-2002, and 22 in 2003-2004.
2. Thierry Henry – Arsenal: Caps 258, Goals(175)
Active: 1999 – 2012
Clubs: Arsenal
Honours: 2 x Premier League Winner (2001/02 & 2003/04) 4 x Player of the Month (Apr 2000, Sept 2002, Jan 2004 & Apr 2004 ) 2 x Player of the Season (2003/04 & 2005/06) 4 x Golden Boot (2001/02, 2003/04, 2004/05 & 2005/06)
Henry had so many great years with Arsenal; Not only was he a prolific goalscorer – the foremost gauge of any striker, but he also scored his goals with dazzling class and was a serial winner too. Henry scored 175 Premier League goals. Sure, that’s not as many as Shearer, or even Cole or Rooney, but they were achieved over a shorter time span.
Then there’s the fact that many of his goals were pieces of art. When you look back at a compilation of his best, one will appreciate the improvisation and flawless execution. Admire too, the equally energetic celebrations, lapping the pitch, glaring into the cameras and the stands. Va and Voom.
Also, the flick and volley on the spin against Manchester United, dancing through the defenses of Tottenham and Liverpool, the postage stamp free-kick at Charlton, etc… You could go on for a while. Look at the trophy cabinet.
3. Wayne Rooney – Manchester United: Caps 491, Goals(208 )
Active: 2002 – 2018
Clubs: Everton, Man Utd
Honours: 5 x Premier League Winner (2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2010/11 & 2012/13) 5 x Player of the Month (Feb 2005, Dec 2005, Mar 2006, Oct 2007 & Jan 2010) 1 x Player of the Season (2009/10)
He burst into the public consciousness as a 16-year-old kid at Everton, scoring that incredible stoppage-time winner against Arsenal. Remember the name? How could we forget? Wayne Rooney has now retired from the country as England’s all-time scorer, a legend of the last Premier League decade. Rooney grew up so fast, making his England debut before he was 18 and shining at Euro 2004.
He then moved to Manchester United for £25m, where he has scored 161 Premier League goals in 313 matches, won five Premier League titles, two League Cups and the Champions League. The highlight has to be that overhead kick against Man City.
4. Sergio Aguero – Man City: Caps 275, Goals (184)
Active: 2011-2021
Clubs: Manchester City
Honours: Premier League: 2011–12, 2013–14, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2020–21. FA Cup: 2018–19 (Runner-up: 2012–13). Football League/EFL Cup: 2013–14, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21.
The Argentinian striker etched his name in Premier League history, holding the record for the most goals by a non-English player. Over the course of his 10-year tenure at Manchester City, he proved his scoring abilities by netting an astounding 184 goals.
His most iconic moment came in 2012 when he delivered the unforgettable title-winning goal, a moment eternally etched in the hearts of football fans.
He was a linchpin in the Manchester City squad during an era of English football dominance, playing a major role in shaping the club into the global football powerhouse it is today.
Aguero is one of the few players with the most Premier League titles.
5. Didier Drogba -Chelsea: Caps 254, Goals (104)
Active: 2004 – 2015
Clubs: Chelsea
Honours: 4 x Premier League Winner (2004/05, 2005/06, 2009/10 & 2014/15) 2 x Golden Boot (2006/07 & 2009/10)
There are many players on this list who exemplify a particular club and their glories – Drogba’s time at Chelsea was definitely a rhapsody in blue. In October 2012 he was voted by the fans as their greatest ever player and with good reason.
Drogba scored a century of Premier League goals during his first spell of eight seasons, winning three titles, four FA Cups (scoring the winner in three of them), two League Cups, and, his crowning glory, the Champions League in 2012.
Big and powerful, Drogba was a nightmare to play against and his goals came in so many different ways. Every Arsenal faithful will never live to forget the Ivorian All-time Goalscorer as he proved to be a fly in the ointment for the Gunners in his first and second spells as a Chelsea Player.
6. Harry Kane – Tottenham: Caps 317, Goal (213)
Active: 2009–2023
Clubs: Tottenham, Norwich City, Leicester City
Honours: Football League Cup/EFL Cup runner-up: 2014–15, 2020–21, UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2018–19
Premier League Player of the Month: January 2015, February 2015, March 2016, February 2017, September 2017, December 2017, March 2022.
PFA Premier League Team of the Year: 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2020–21, 2022–23.
PFA Young Player of the Year: 2014–15.
Tottenham Hotspur Player of the Year: 2014–15, 2020–21, 2022–23.
Premier League Golden Boot: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2020–21.
Known for his remarkable consistency, unparalleled shooting accuracy, and exceptional ball-handling skills, Harry Kane emerged as the talismanic figure for Tottenham Hotspur over the course of a decade.
Yet, despite the Englishman’s brilliance, Spurs were unable to win a coveted trophy during his tenure at the club.
Driven by his unyielding desire to win silverware during his football career, Kane faced a momentous decision. He made the tough choice and bid farewell to the club he had been a part of since the tender age of 13, opting for a high-stakes transfer to Bayern Munich—a move that carried a staggering price tag of £86.4 million, plus potential add-ons.
Kane’s legacy at Tottenham was etched with impressive personal honors, as he netted an impressive total of 213 goals, solidifying his position as the second-highest goal scorer in the history of the Premier League.
Remarkably, he stood just 47 goals adrift from the legendary Alan Shearer, a record that beckoned as evidence of his talent.
7. Andy Cole -Newcastle, Manchester United: Caps 414, Goals(187)
Active: 1993 – 2008
Clubs: Newcastle, Man Utd, Blackburn, Fulham, Man City, Portsmouth, Sunderland
Honours: 5 x Premier League Winners (1995/96, 1996/97, 1998/99, 1999/2000 & 2000/01) 1 x Player of the Month (Nov 1997) 1 x Golden Boot (1993/94)
‘Cole the Goal’ (as he was fondly called) is the Premier League’s third all-time top goalscorer, with 187 for his half-dozen top-flight clubs. He was a natural poacher, always in the right place at the right time to feast off the service that came his way.
He hit 68 goals in 84 matches for Newcastle before a shock British record £7m move to Manchester United in 1995.
He continued to excel, helping Alex Ferguson’s team to five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and, famously, the Champions League as part of their unprecedented Treble triumph in 1999. Make no mistake about it, Andy is one of the deadliest strikers to grace the Premier League.
8. Dennis Bergkamp – Arsenal: Caps 315, Goals (87)
Active: 1995 – 2006
Clubs: Arsenal
Honours: 3 x Premier League Winner (1997/98, 2001/02 & 2003/04) 4 x Player of the Month (Aug 1997, Sept 1997, Mar 2002 & Feb 2004)
Dennis’ has fixation in the Dutch ‘Total Football‘ style enabled him to outwit defenders so consistently. If you’ve played as a defender, as he did in his younger career, you know better how to beat them; both with class and majesty, as Bergkamp so often did.
Arsenal paid three times their club record to sign him in 1995 but the money was certainly well spent as he excelled under Arsene Wenger and was pivotal in their Double successes of 1997-1998 and 2001-2002.
By and large, Bergkamp scored 87 goals in the Premier League. There probably hasn’t been a more stylish hat-trick than the one he scored at Leicester in 1997, while his pirouette to beat the Newcastle backline in 2002 is a favorite of many, whatever their allegiance.
9. Eric Cantona – Manchester United: Caps 156, Goals (70)
Active: 1992 – 1997
Clubs: Leeds, Man Utd
Honours: 4 x Premier League Winner (1992/93, 1993/94, 1995/96 & 1996/97) 1 x Player of the Month (Mar 1996)
Enigmatic, ebullient, excellent. ‘King Cantona’ is simply unique and will forever be revered by Manchester United fans who pay no attention to his flaws and shortcomings. He arrived at Old Trafford from Leeds United just as the Premier League era was dawning. Cantona cost just £1.2m – what a buy!
United had started sluggishly in that maiden season but, inspired by Cantona, they ended up winning the title by 10 points, their first since 1967. The Frenchman scored 18 times as United retained their title and his two penalties in the final of the FA Cup saw them complete the Double.
That kung-fu kick curtailed his involvement the following season and United promptly lost out in the title race and the Cup final. His messianic reputation was confirmed upon his return, as United hauled in Newcastle’s 12-point advantage to claim another title, following it up with another the next year.
Cantona left football open-mouthed when he announced his retirement in 1997. His goals had the same effect – that volley against Wimbledon, the free-kick rocket against Arsenal, the crucial winner at Newcastle, and the chip against Sunderland. Sublime!
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10. Luis Suarez – Liverpool: Caps 110, Goals(69)
Active: 2011 -2014
Clubs: Liverpool
Honours: League Cup Winner with Liverpool. Premier League’s Player of the Season in 2014. Premier League Golden Boot Winner in 2014 (scoring 31 goals). Twice named in the PFA Team of the Year.
Suarez’s time at Liverpool, while marred by controversy, left a solid mark on the club’s history. Arriving in 2011, the Uruguayan striker showcased his talent by netting an impressive 69 goals in only 110 appearances for the Reds.
One season, in particular, stands out in football lore—the 2013-14 campaign, during which Suarez scored an unforgettable 31 goals, a feat that ranks among the most extraordinary individual performances in the Premier League’s history.
Suárez was a skillful but physical striker. His quick feet, dribbling, close control, and movement allowed him to bypass defenders en route to the goal, where he could finish with either foot. He was also an accurate passer with the vision and work rate to contribute substantially to team play.
What makes Suarez’s legacy even more remarkable is the fact that he achieved such prominence in the league despite spending just three-and-a-half seasons there.
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