Ranking the attacking trios of the Premier League top six
With the Premier League returning in less than two weeks, fans and experts are eager to see what their teams can offer in the new season.
Last season went down to the wire, with Manchester City’s dramatic 3-2 victory against Aston Villa on the final day crowning them champions just a point above Liverpool in second. That was enough to give Pep Guardiola a fourth Premier League title in six years.
Since the final day of the season, five of the big six sides have made alterations to their attack, with Manchester United being the exception. As the new season commences next week, here's how the front three of the top six rank.
#6 Gabriel Martinelli - Gabriel Jesus - Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
The Gunners signed Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City earlier in the summer. He is a decent striker who improves the Arsenal attack. The Brazilian attacker scored eight league goals last season and his late-season form was crucial to Manchester City’s title win.
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His supporting cast, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, showed their quality last season. Saka recorded 11 goals last season. Martinelli also had a decent season and will be looking to improve on his six league goals from last season.The inexperience in Arsenal’s attack is why they rank sixth.
#5 Marcus Rashford - Anthony Martial - Jadon Sancho (Manchester United)
The Red Devils endured an awful 2021-22 campaign, finishing the season sixth in the table. Rashford was abysmal last season and dropped down the pecking order in the latter stages of the season. He only scored four league goals last season.
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Sancho and Martial also endured torrid seasons. Sancho has shown encouraging signs in the pre-season and will be looking to improve this season.
Martial only managed one league goal last season in 17 games for Manchester United and Sevilla combined. He returned from an unsuccessful loan spell at the La Liga side this summer and has since excelled for United in the pre-season. The Frenchman will be hoping to put the terrible season behind him and improve under the guidance of new manager Erik ten Hag.
United’s attack have quality and can be dangerous if their pre-season is anything to go by.
#4 Mason Mount - Kai Havertz - Raheem Sterling (Chelsea)
Chelsea managed 76 goals last season. Raheem Sterling's introduction to the attack provides Chelsea with a proven goal scorer in their ranks. Sterling, who arrived from Manchester City for £47.5 million, gives the Blues a different dynamism in their attack with his predatory instincts and skills.
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Mount was also impressive for the blues last season, recording 21 goal contributions (11 goals,10 assists) in the league. Kai Havertz only managed eight league goals last season and was often criticized for his shaky finishing but he too will only improve for the club with age. Chelsea's improved attack is only enough to rank them fourth on the list.
#3 Son Heung-min - Harry Kane - Richarlison (Tottenham Hotspur)
Harry Kane and Son Heung-min are the most dangerous duo in the Premier League right now. The pair recorded 56 goal contributions (40 goals and 16 assists) last season, with Son winning the golden boot. The pair will be hoping for more of the same in the new season.
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Earlier in the summer, Spurs signed Richarlison from Everton for £60 million. Richarlison has shown his abilities in the Premier League in past seasons. He registered 10 goals for a struggling Everton side last season.
With him in the attack, accompanying Kane and Son, the Spurs frontline looks more dangerous than ever, thus landing them third on the list.
#2 Luiz Diaz - Darwin Nunez - Mohammed Salah (Liverpool)
Liverpool scored a staggering 94 goals last season. Their star man, Salah, won the golden boot with 23 goals scored in the league. The departure of Sadio Mane may affect the club to some degree but they have a quality replacement in Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan signed from Benfica for £85 million after a stellar season in Europe.
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Nunez scored 32 goals in all competitions last season and was crucial to Benfica’s Champions League run. Luis Diaz and Salah remain a threat and Liverpool’s attack may just guide them to a 20th league title. The quality of the attack is undisputed, ranking them second.
#1 Phil Foden - Erling Haaland - Riyard Mahrez (Manchester City)
The English champions have sold Sterling and Jesus to Chelsea and Arsenal, respectively. But they are not without a replacement. The Citizens won the race for Erling Haaland, paying £51 million for the Norwegian to improve their attack.
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Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden were crucial to City's league win last season. The pair scored 20 goals between them. How they’ll compliment Halaand will be intriguing to watch but nonetheless, this is the best attack in the Premier League on paper.