The wait is over and a new Premier League season is about to begin! Arguably, or even undeniably as the world’s top league, the Premier League is plagued by top talent from around the globe.
This season, FutnSoccer will keep a focus on the Latin American strikers within the league. In effect, a recurrent weekly ranking of the top five Latin American strikers in the competition will be published.
The first ranking before the start of the season is composed of players from four different countries. All of them are well known in the Premier League spectrum, and high-level performances are expected from each striker.
5Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez – West Ham United
Chicharito, Chicha, Chica, little pea, or however you want to call him had a difficult 2017-18 season in which he was given a small role coming out of the bench at West Ham United. His season was made more difficult when David Moyes was named manager, thus reinforcing his bench role behind Marko Arnautovic.
The Mexican international only converted a total of 8 goals in all competitions, yet, this in this new 2018-19 season there is hope for him to revive his performance level. Under new manager Manuel Pellegrini, Chicharito may be given a bigger role at the club, and even scored a goal in his first friendly match appearance last week. If given enough playing opportunities, the 30-year old veteran could reach the 20 goal mark in all competitions.
Therefore, FutnSoccer places the little pea as the fifth best Latin American striker entering the Premier League season; and yes, in front of his compatriot Raul Jimenez.
4Alexis Sanchez – Manchester United
Alexis Sanchez has been one of the most exciting strikers in the Premier League since he joined Arsenal in the 2014-15 season. The 29-year old Chilean has scored 62 times in the league since his arrival, yet he had a down year last season.
Before being transferred during the winter period to the Red Devils last season, Sanchez had 7 goals for Arsenal; with Manchester United, he only managed to score 2 league goals plus one more in the FA Cup.
As the new season begins, Manchester United has very high expectations and will have a difficult road ahead in their attempt to win the league. Sanchez will be an instrumental component of the attacking force, and he will undeniably need to improve from last season’s performances.
Sanchez will have a lot of competition for playing time against fellow strikers like Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford, and Anthony Martial. If given enough playing time, the ex-Barcelona forward could have over 15 goals this season.
3Gabriel Jesus – Manchester City
Gabriel Jesus is one of the most exciting players in the world. At only 21 years old, the young Brazilian striker has already scored 20 league goals in two seasons at Manchester City. Add to his resume 5 Champions League goals plus being a regular starter for his national team, and one can only wonder how much success this forward can reach.
Gabriel Jesus recently signed a contract extension with the Citizens that will keep him at the club until 2023, thus demonstrating that his team has very high expectations of him.
Expect the Brazilian to have great performances this season in a year where Manchester City is once again a huge favorite to win the league title. Along with players like Sergio Aguero and Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus could have a breakout season and reach the 20-goal mark.
2Roberto Firmino – Liverpool
The second highest ranked Latin American striker prior to the start of the season is another Brazilian, Roberto Firmino. The talented 26-year old striker is ranked higher than Gabriel Jesus because of his greater experience, and because at his age, he should be at the prime of his career.
Firmino had a very good 2017-18 season in which he scored 15 league goals, and an incredible 11 Champion League goals. That helped his team finish fourth in the standings, and to reach the Champions League final.
In the upcoming Premier League season, Liverpool is expected to compete for a top-3 position lead by forwards Firmino, Mohamed Salah, and Sadio Mane. Expect the Brazilian to have another outstanding season with a goal tally of 18.
1Sergio Aguero – Manchester City
At the top of the list is non-other than Sergio Aguero. The Argentine striker has been phenomenal with the Citizens since he joined in the 2011-12 season, recently scoring his 200th goal for the club.
Last season he was his team’s attacking leader with a total of 21 league goals, and 9 more in other competitions. The player’s outstanding quality and performances are crucial in Pep Guardiola’s tactics which gave Manchester City the title last season with 100 points.
While Aguero is not getting any younger, at 30-years old he is still a very capable and efficient forward which will be an important component of his team’s attack. Expect the Argentine to score an upward of 20 goals this season and lead his team to consecutive Premier League titles.
