This is my own personal run-down of the top three strikers in world football. I’ve decided to represent three different clubs as well so there will not be two strikers from the same club in the list, otherwise Barcelona might occupy all three places! In no particular order, here are the three most effective forwards in the world at this moment.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Inter Milan
Ibramhimovic is one of the top earners in football and having seen his exploits on the pitch you can understand why. The Swedish international has an astonishing goals-to-games ratio and has nettedover 50 times for Inter in 80 appearances. He began his career at Swedish side Malmo before moving to Dutch giants Ajax where he achieved international recognition. Following a bust-up with Ajaxteam-mate Rafael Van der Vaart Zlatan moved to Serie A side Juventus and began his Italian career, in 2006 he moved to Inter Milan in a mega-money move and quickly established himself as their star player.
He has already won two league titles with Inter and is all set to take a third this season. Zlatan is so highly rated by Inter coach Jose Mourinho that Mourinho has even claimed he is "the best player in theworld, ahead of (Cristiano) Ronaldo". Zlatan’s suberb control, ferocious shot and awareness of the game make him a force to be reckoned with and most would agree he is the best striker in the Italian league.
Didier Drogba – Chelsea
Didier Drogba’s £24million+ move from French side Marseille to Chelsea raised a few eyebrows at first but after nearly five years at the club those initial doubts have been all but forgotten. The Ivory Coastinternational is one of the most effective strikers in the Premier League and he has notched up over 50 goals in around 130 appearances in a Chelsea shirt. The big frontman is so important to the Chelseaside that generally when he plays well, the whole team plays well and vice-versa, when he is having an off-day, it is a safe football bet to make that Chelsea do as well. Though perhaps not as naturally gifted in terms of skill as Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney or Liverpool’s Fernando Torres, Drogba makes up for this with his physical attributes. His ability to win the ball in the air is second to none and he plays the way a classic Englishforward should do – with pace and power.
Despite the wealth of attacking talent the Premier League has to offer Drogba is perhaps the most respected of all the strikers in the league due to his wicked shot, aerial ability, pace and power.
Thierry Henry – Barcelona
Henry first rose to prominence with French side Monaco where he was initially used by then Monaco boss Arsene Wenger as a left-winger. His form for the Ligue 1 club earned him a move to Italian outfitJuventus. After a disappointing spell in Italy where Henry found it hard to adjust to the style of play he moved to Premier League club Arsenal and linked up again with Wenger. It was at Arsenal whereHenry was first utilized as a striker and he has become one of the best in the business since his move to a centre-forward role. Henry has won nearly everything there is to win in football, the World Cupand European Championship at international level and everything there is to win in England.
At his current club, Barcelona, Henry has the chance to win his first La Liga title and perhaps his first Champions League winner’s medal. He was a runner up in 2006 with Arsenal. Despite not playing as a traditional striker with the Frenchman frequently running down the wing and dropping deeper Henry has an astonishing goal ratio. In just over 250 appearances for Arsenal he notched up 174 goals and became the club’s record goal scoer. At Barca and internationally his record is close to one in two, which is still a phenomenal strike rate. For his pace, skill, touch, crossing ability, shot accuracy, and ability to take set-pieces, Henry had to make the list and for me Henry is not just one of the best strikers of the modern game, he may well be one of the best ever to play the game.
MisterGoal Show #01
