Striker Poll - Who should we buy ?

[Onerealunited]

I have watched Osimhen every single game he has played this year!

We need him. We need him big times! He is exactly the type we need, fighting a lot and even able to create chances himself by the amount of pressure he puts and know exactly where to locate himself.

rather spend big on this position on a player there is still relatively young, has the strengths that we need and has proven himself at high level than gambling with cheaper players / or expensive unknown players which we have very bad experience with last many years

 

[croadyman]

For me, this all comes down to a simple math problem—we just don’t have enough goals in this team.

We’re currently on pace to score around 45 goals in the league this season. That’s nowhere near the level a top side should be at. Ideally, we should be hitting the 80-goal mark if we want to compete at the highest level.

Now, look at our strikeforce. Combined, they’ve scored 6 goals so far. Even if they pick up form, it’s hard to see them getting beyond 10 goals total by the end of the season. That’s clearly not good enough, and it puts a ceiling on how far we can go.

Even assuming improvement next season, they’d need to somehow add another 35 goals between them just to get us to the level we’re aiming for. That’s a massive leap—and frankly, not a realistic one.

So we’ve got two options:

1. Find one elite forward who can consistently give us 25–35 goals a season, or


2. Sign a combination of players who, together, can hit those numbers.


That kind of player is rare, no doubt—but not impossible to find. For me, Gyökeres fits the bill. He’s the kind of all-round striker who can lift the entire attacking output of the team. With players like Højlund and Zirkzee still having a role to play, adding someone like Gyökeres could be the difference between mediocrity and serious progress.

As for the second option, there are different ways to go about it. A scoring attacking midfielder like Cunha, a versatile left winger like Oyarzabal or Gonçalves, or even an extra forward type like Delap could collectively get us there. It doesn't have to be all on one player, but the output absolutely has to improve.

Would people prefer option 1 or 2?

 

[ole@thewheel]

Would people prefer option 1 or 2?

Option 1 surely, but I would not be too mad with 2 either.

 

[Hernandez - BFA]

Osimhen if we get CL, Ekitike if we don't. Obviously there are some other names that I'd like as well as but realistically it ain't happening. Even Osimhen seems borderline in terms of realism as he'll probably want CL football for sure.

If I asked who I think we'll get - it'll be Delap and maybe an experienced head too off the bench.

 

[stefan92]

Osimhen if we get CL, Ekitike if we don't.

I am quite sure that we will see Ektike in the CL next season and that he wouldn't move to a club that can't offer that.

 

[Sassy Colin]

Out of interest, is anyone still claiming Hojlund is a great finisher? Seems to have gone quiet on that front since Thursday night.

 

[V.O.]

Out of interest, is anyone still claiming Hojlund is a great finisher? Seems to have gone quiet on that front since Thursday night.

Yes Colin, one bad miss makes you a shit finisher. It is known.

 

[Cassidy]

Out of interest, is anyone still claiming Hojlund is a great finisher? Seems to have gone quiet on that front since Thursday night.

No one said great. Just good, didn’t realise good finishers don’t miss any chances though

 

[Sassy Colin]

So, yes then

 

[Raoul]

Out of interest, is anyone still claiming Hojlund is a great finisher? Seems to have gone quiet on that front since Thursday night.

Hojlund could develop into a good finisher, but not at United. Once his confidence goes, its time for him to rebuild himself at a new club imo.

 

[fps]

Osimhen, because Isak won't come.

 

[Raoul]

Osimhen, because Isak won't come.

I'm regretting adding Isak to the poll since he's the only one who is obviously not coming. The rest are at least plausible.

 

[Rolaholic]

 

[V.O.]

It would be very us to see a player who has already flopped at PSG as a 35m signing and then pay triple that.

 

[Rolaholic]

It would be very us to see a player who has already flopped at PSG as a 35m signing and then pay triple that.

Yea and I don't trust any striker coming from that club after Jovic and Kolo-Muani

 

[stefan92]

Yea and I don't trust any striker coming from that club after Jovic and Kolo-Muani

On the other hand Marmoush is doing well at City.

 

[Dans]

On the other hand Marmoush is doing well at City.

Early days

 

[FrankDrebin]

On the other hand Marmoush is doing well at City.

A slightly better squad to integrate into tbf.

 

[stefan92]

It would be very us to see a player who has already flopped at PSG as a 35m signing and then pay triple that.

It's harsh to rule him out as a flop. He arrived at PSG very young and wasn't ready. Lack of playing time then wrecked him. Frankfurt allowed him to get match sharp again and allowed him to develop, the current season shows the results and why he is valued that high now.

Strikers need time to mature, leading the line for a club that challenges for the EL title aged 22 is perfectly fine for a future top striker.

 

[stefan92]

A slightly better squad to integrate into tbf.

Nope. Jovic was mentioned, he moved to a Real Madrid team that was much better than current City. Which means that he couldn't get a game ahead of prime Benzema.

Marmoush only has to get ahead of an aging de Bruyne or injured Haaland to get games so far.

 

[Apokalips]

No one said great. Just good, didn’t realise good finishers don’t miss any chances though

Many have called him a great or elite finisher and cited his goals to shot ratio as showing how clinical he is but that it is just his teammates fault for not giving him service.

 

[Xeque_279]

Gyokeres 100%.

Exactly the type of striker we need, good age and has played in this system/manager. No brainer if he's willing to come.

 

[SER19]

I would be prepared to forget about signing any other player if the budget only allows for one top quality striker. We need one that desperately and a top striker would improve those around him.

 

[hasanejaz88]

Yea and I don't trust any striker coming from that club after Jovic and Kolo-Muani

Wouldn't classify Ekitike with the two. Kolo Muani was always being overrated and it's not a susprise at all that he is struggling at another club. Jovic I had more hope for but the signs were there given he wasn't snt consistent in scoring and his numbers were inflated with a game he scored 5 goals in.

Ekitike is quality and has a higher ceiling than any striker from Frankfurt. He might not be at the world class level right now but he'll reach it in the right surroundings. His technical quality is superb.

 

[aeh1991]

Yea and I don't trust any striker coming from that club after Jovic and Kolo-Muani

Hugo Ekitike is twice the player Liam Delap is. But we ain't spending 90m euros on a young striker. Only our old board would do.

 

[Ddannidom]

No striker is worth 90m to 100m these days unless it’s someone like Kane or maybe Isak. For that kind of money, I expect what Kane gave Spurs—vision, passing, finishing, aerial threat, just a complete forward who’s consistently performed for at least three seasons. Not someone still cooking, still figuring it out.

Clubs slapping 100 million on every Tom, Dick and developing striker is just plain silly

 

[Raoul]

Feels like we need to restart this poll minus Isak and plus Patrick Schick

 

[Rolaholic]

 

[Gandalf]

No striker is worth 90m to 100m these days unless it’s someone like Kane or maybe Isak. For that kind of money, I expect what Kane gave Spurs—vision, passing, finishing, aerial threat, just a complete forward who’s consistently performed for at least three seasons. Not someone still cooking, still figuring it out.

Clubs slapping 100 million on every Tom, Dick and developing striker is just plain silly

It is a horribly overvalued position for the simple reason that there are very few actual strikers out there at this moment in time and everybody is looking for one. Modern football is not producing many old school strikers because of the emphasis on versatile attackers who can play across the front 3 in a possession based system. This produces a plethora of Brennan Johnson types who are quick and good at the press but won't get you more than 10-15 goals a season and cannot perform the target man role of holding up the ball and leading the line. Teams are starting to shift back to wanting that reliable goal scorer figure in their line up but demand is far outstripping supply which is why big teams are overspending on project players and smaller teams are asking outlandish prices the moment they think they have found a prospect, Brighton asking 100M for Evan Ferguson springs to mind.

 

[T-Lo]

Oh to have a Van Persie now

 

[Andycoleno9]

Osimhen is on 29 goals this season already. It will be so us to go for somebody else instead obvious choice. And because relationship between him and Napoli is completely broken that release clause surely can be lowered a bit.

 

[Raoul]

What should be surmized from this ?

 

[Andycoleno9]

What should be surmized from this ?

I read it like this; Isak is the best all around striker who scores and creates but is bad in air. Osimhen is the best poacher and by far best in air.

 

[Raoul]

I read it like this; Isak is the best all around striker who scores and creates but is bad in air. Osimhen is the best poacher and by far best in air.

I get confused by some of the Xg and Xa type stuff. I suppose Gyokeres is best at both according to the above numbers but apparently almost never passes into the box.

 

[Cassidy]

I read it like this; Isak is the best all around striker who scores and creates but is bad in air. Osimhen is the best poacher and by far best in air.

I would also say very little difference between Osimhen and Gyokeres

 

[Cassidy]

I get confused by some of the Xg and Xa type stuff. I suppose Gyokeres is best at both according to the above numbers but apparently almost never passes into the box.

Pretty much yes, he dribbles into the box or recieves the ball in the box before assisting

 

[Cassidy]

Do not ever map out Hojlund on there, not even for last season, its grim

 

[Gandalf]

I would also say very little difference between Osimhen and Gyokeres

Osimehn has played at the higher level of the two in terms of domestic football although not currently so that is a point in his favor but then he is also going to be at AFCON for a chunk of next season so that is a point against. Honestly, either one is an upgrade and they are the two with the most proven track record, problematically we are unlikely to even get a return phone call from either unless we win the EL and can offer CL football next season.

 

[Cassidy]

Osimehn has played at the higher level of the two in terms of domestic football although not currently so that is a point in his favor but then he is also going to be at AFCON for a chunk of next season so that is a point against. Honestly, either one is an upgrade and they are the two with the most proven track record, problematically we are unlikely to even get a return phone call from either unless we win the EL and can offer CL football next season.

Yes I was specifically speaking in relation to the info graphic, Gyokores has played UCL though this season and did very well

 

[Cassidy]

Interestingly, Ekitike looks from the data to be a very good comp for Isak (to be honest he does with the eye test too, albeit in a weaker league), whilst Delap seems pretty limited.