The evolution of football has seen some teams rely more on their wide players for goals, rather than just their centre-forwards.
Of the Premier League’s five top scorers so far this season, only two are recognised strikers for their clubs – players who only feature in the centre forward role.
The position of the wide forward is increasingly important in the Premier League with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Eden Hazard and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leading the way for their respective teams.
But who is the best wide forward – not winger – in the Premier League right now? Read on as Squawka break down our top 10.
10. Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
Wilfried Zaha has been playing as a centre-forward for Crystal Palace this season, but it is more due to necessity than a change in role.
The Ivorian still plays a lot of his game down the wing, driving Crystal Palace forward to either push himself into the box or draw a foul in a dangerous position.
But Palace need to start making the most of the opportunities given to them by Zaha’s impressive play.
Key stat: Only Eden Hazard (65) has won more fouls than Zaha’s 52 in the Premier League so far this season
9. Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
One of Liverpool’s terrifying front three, Sadio Mane has once again been a helping hand as Liverpool lead the Premier League.
The Senegalese international has shown his ability to play across the front line for Liverpool this season and is one of the first names on the team sheet for Klopp.
Though Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino will get most of the plaudits, Mane’s job is just as important, as he opens the space for his team-mates and makes late runs into good goalscoring positions.
Key stat: Sadio Mane has had 106 touches inside the opposition box in the Premier League this season.
8. Richarlison (Everton)
Richarlison and Marco Silva appears to be a match made in heaven. The Brazilian has been a big part of Everton’s side since joining the Toffees in the summer.
The 21-year-old spends most of his time out on the wing but plays like a powerful centre-forward, which has been vital for Everton with the club’s actual forwards struggling.
Richarlison has also started in a central role on occasion, but playing on the wing suits his strengths, looking to beat his man and work his way into the box from a wide position.
Key stat: Richarlison is Everton’s top scorer in the Premier League this season, scoring nine goals.
7. Anthony Martial (Manchester United)
Anthony Martial had been struggling for consistent game time under Jose Mourinho, but the Frenchman was still finding himself causing problems from the wing.
The 23-year-old played primarily as a centre-forward during his time at Monaco and has used the skills he’s picked up along the way to become a dangerous player out wide.
Martial works well as a part of a fluid front three, where he can cut in and drive towards goal, or wait patiently on the edge of the box for the ball to fall his way before finishing.
Key stat: No Manchester United player has scored more Premier League goals than Anthony Martial (eight) this season.
6. Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
Another player to have been given a new lease on life at United under Solskjaer is Marcus Rashford.
The Englishman has been Solskjaer’s starting centre-forward for the most part but is not exactly the traditional man to lead the line. Pacy and wonderful with the ball at his feet, Rashford is more than happy to push out wide and allow his team-mates to fill the space left in the box.
It was brilliantly summed up by Paul Pogba’s first goal against Bournemouth at the end of December in which Rashford drew defenders out wide before humiliating them with skill to set up the French midfielder for an easy finish.
Key stat: No Premier League player has had more shots on target than Marcus Rashford (10) since Ole Gunnar Solksjaer took charge of Manchester United.
5. Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur)
What an impact Son Heung-min is having on Tottenham at the moment. The South Korean has eight goals and five assists in the Premier League this season, all of which have come since the start of October.
Playing both as a wide forward and centre-forward at times, Son has proven himself to be vital to Mauricio Pochettino in arguably his best season at Spurs to date.
Tottenham are really going to miss him when he leaves for the Asian Cup.
Key stat: Only Harry Kane (14) has scored more Premier League goals for Tottenham than Son Heung-min (eight) this season.
4. Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Eden Hazard had a storming start to the season with seven goals in eight games, but the Belgian followed that up with a very quiet spell.
A spell as a false nine brought goals back for Hazard, but it also enhanced his creativity in setting up team-mates.
Hazard has recorded nine assists in the Premier League so far this season, with no other player managing more, and the Belgian continues to prove his worth to fourth-placed Chelsea.
Key stat: Eden Hazard (57) has created more chances than any other player in the Premier League this season.
3. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
While Leroy Sane may be considered as a winger for Man City, Raheem Sterling is certainly a wide forward. And what a wide forward he is.
The Englishman had a tough summer both on and off the pitch but has been integral once again to Pep Guardiola’s style of play at City.
Sterling has been involved in an impressive 16 Premier League goals so far this season with nine of his own and seven assists, happy to bring the ball in from wide positions.
Key stat: Raheem Sterling (169) has had more touches in the opposition box than any other player in the Premier League this season.
2. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)
The Premier League’s top scorer may play most of his games as a centre-forward for Arsenal, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang can still be considered a wide forward.
After all, it’s where he started off at Borussia Dortmund. With pace and dribbling ability galore, the Gabonese international can be just as effective on the wing as he is down the middle.
And this is something Unai Emery has utilised at times this season, starting Aubameyang out wide with Alexandre Lacazette in the middle – bringing goals to the Arsenal team.
Key stat: No player has scored more goals than Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (14) in the Premier League this season.
1. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
There isn’t a more complete wide forward in the Premier League right now than Mohamed Salah.
Liverpool’s Egyptian king has continued from where he left off last season with 13 goals in the league so far, in addition to seven assists.
Despite Salah being pushed into a more central role at times by Klopp this season, the 26-year-old still very much likes to drift out wide where he has his best time, causing problems for defenders and goalkeepers alike.
Key stat: Mohamed Salah (20) has been directly involved in more goals than any other player in the Premier League this season.
The post RANKED: The top 10 wide forwards in the Premier League right now appeared first on Squawka News.
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