Sam Allardyce’s Premier League Striker Rankings Spark Debate
Sam Allardyce, the former England manager, has once again stirred up discussions in the football world by ranking Chelsea’s Joao Pedro and Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike above Arsenal’s newly signed £64m striker Viktor Gyokeres. This move has raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike, especially given the high expectations surrounding Gyokeres at Arsenal.
Gyokeres made a significant move to Arsenal from Sporting in the summer, with hopes that he will be the key player in helping the club secure their first Premier League title in over two decades. The Swedish forward had an impressive record at Sporting, scoring 97 goals in 102 games and contributing to two Portuguese league titles. However, his performance so far for Arsenal has been underwhelming, with only three goals in ten appearances.
Allardyce, speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football show, shared his top ten Premier League strikers of the season so far. He placed Manchester City’s Erling Haaland at the top, followed by Liverpool’s Alexander Isak and Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta in third place.
A Mixed Performance from Gyokeres
Despite the high expectations, Allardyce admitted he is yet to be convinced that Gyokeres has what it takes to lead Arsenal to a long-awaited league title. “Arsenal have needed a striker, haven’t they? They’ve been searching for a frontman for a long time, like everybody seemed to be,” Allardyce said. “Is he going to be good enough to get Arsenal the title? They need to win; there’s big pressure on them.”
Meanwhile, Allardyce praised both Joao Pedro and Hugo Ekitike, highlighting their contributions to their respective teams. Pedro, who joined Chelsea from Brighton for £60m, has made an immediate impact, scoring five goals and providing three assists in 12 league appearances. His performance has not gone unnoticed, with Allardyce noting, “I think that over the last few years he has proven to be a top player who can score goals.”
Ekitike’s Impact at Liverpool
Ekitike, who moved to Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt, also drew praise from Allardyce. “Another big player for Liverpool,” he remarked. “It was a shock to see them buy so many players after winning the league.” However, Allardyce acknowledged the necessity of strengthening the frontline. “More power in the frontline is absolutely essential given the number of games they will have this season.”
Liverpool paid a fee that could rise to £79m for the 23-year-old Frenchman, who has already scored five goals this season, including the winner in his Merseyside derby debut. Despite his promising start, Ekitike faced some criticism after being sent off for removing his shirt in celebration following a late Carabao Cup goal against Southampton.
Gyokeres’ Challenges at Arsenal
Gyokeres’ initial season at Arsenal has been more subdued, with two of his three goals coming against newly promoted Leeds United. However, Arsenal currently sit at the top of the table with five wins from seven matches. Meanwhile, Chelsea is in seventh place, having secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over defending champions Liverpool, thanks to a 95th-minute winner from Estevao.
Looking ahead, Chelsea will face Nottingham Forest after the international break, while Arsenal will travel to Fulham. Liverpool, on the other hand, will aim to bounce back against Manchester United.
Conclusion
The debate around the performances of these top strikers continues to fuel discussions among fans and experts. While some remain optimistic about Gyokeres’ potential, others believe that Pedro and Ekitike have already made a stronger impression. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how these players adapt to their new environments and contribute to their teams’ success.
