Top 5 best strikers in the Premier League (2022): 37-year-old Ronaldo remains at the top

In the 2021/22 campaign, the Golden Boot was shared by Mohamed Salah and Son Heung-min, both with 23 goals. Looking at the Top 10 scorers overall, seven were wingers and only three were traditional strikers. soccerwayuk.com reviews the five best strikers in the Premier League 2022 and explains why central forwards scored fewer goals during the 2021/22 season.

Top 5 best strikers in the Premier League 2022

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Man United)

At 37 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo finished the 2021/22 Premier League season with 18 goals in 30 matches, making him Manchester United’s top scorer in the competition. This was the season he returned to the Premier League more than 10 years after leaving the club. Coming back as a club legend, Ronaldo faced high expectations to lead the attack alongside younger players such as Rashford, Greenwood, and Sancho.

Throughout the season, Ronaldo carried much of Manchester United’s attacking responsibility and was considered one of the most effective strikers in the league. Among his 18 goals were two hat-tricks, scored against Tottenham and Norwich City. At the end of the season, he was named in the PFA Team of the Year. However, he also faced criticism regarding his influence on the team’s overall playing style and the increasing dependence on his individual performances.

2. Harry Kane (Tottenham)

Harry Kane ranked second on the list as Tottenham’s main striker. At the start of the season, he was heavily linked with a move to Manchester City, but the transfer did not materialize. Kane began the campaign slowly, scoring just one goal in his first 13 league matches.

After Antonio Conte took charge, Kane’s form improved significantly. He finished the season with 17 goals and nine assists. During the 2021/22 season, Kane often played in a deeper role, helping create space for Son Heung-min. His passing range and ability to control the tempo contributed to Tottenham securing a Champions League place. That season, Kane and Son also became the highest-scoring partnership in Premier League history, surpassing the previous record of 36 combined goals set by Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba.

3. Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)

Despite turning 35, Jamie Vardy continued to perform at a high level. He played 25 Premier League matches and scored 15 goals, averaging one goal every 120 minutes. By the end of the season, he had also become the highest-scoring player in Premier League history after the age of 30, with a total of 94 goals in that age category.

Due to age and a hamstring injury, Vardy relied less on long sprints and more on positioning and movement inside the box. He took fewer shots compared to previous seasons but maintained strong efficiency. His performances in the latter stages of the campaign helped Leicester secure an eighth-place finish.

4. Ivan Toney (Brentford)

The 2021/22 season marked a breakthrough for Ivan Toney. He scored 12 goals and provided five assists, contributing to a significant share of Brentford’s total goals that season. His performances played an important role in helping the club avoid relegation in their first Premier League campaign after promotion.

Toney showed qualities of a modern striker. He was strong in aerial duels and often acted as a focal point for the team, creating opportunities for teammates such as Mbeumo and Wissa, while also linking up effectively with Christian Eriksen. He frequently dropped deep to support build-up play and contributed defensively when needed.

5. Teemu Pukki (Norwich)

The final name on the list is Teemu Pukki from Norwich City, despite the club’s relegation. The Finnish striker scored 11 goals and provided three assists, directly contributing to 14 of Norwich’s 23 league goals that season. He became the first player in Norwich’s history to score more than 10 goals in two different Premier League seasons, following his achievement in 2019/20.

Unlike strikers at stronger teams who received more support, Pukki often had to create chances for himself. He relied on intelligent movement and accurate finishing, especially from tight angles. However, his individual efforts were not enough to prevent relegation. Notably, his 11 goals exceeded the combined total of the next four Norwich scorers, who managed nine goals together.

Top 5 best strikers in the Premier League 2022 list:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo - Manchester United FC - 18 goals

2. Harry Kane - Tottenham Hotspur FC - 17 goals

3. Jamie Vardy - Leicester City FC - 15 goals

4. Ivan Toney - Brentford FC - 12 goals

5. Teemu Pukki - Norwich City FC - 11 goals

Why did Premier League strikers decline in the 2021/22 season?

One of the main reasons for the lower goal numbers among central strikers was tactical structure and squad composition. Manchester City did not sign a traditional striker that season and relied heavily on wide players such as Raheem Sterling and midfielders like Kevin De Bruyne for goals.

Liverpool continued to depend mainly on Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane as their primary scorers. Arsenal’s goals largely came from Bukayo Saka and midfield contributions. Chelsea struggled to find consistency despite signing Romelu Lukaku, while Manchester United relied heavily on Ronaldo. Outside the top clubs, few teams had strikers capable of competing for the Golden Boot.

SoccerWay UK has compiled the list of the top five best strikers in the Premier League 2022. To follow and update the latest schedules, please visit our page.