Who was the best striker in the Premier League in 2025-26?
The Premier League was filled with a host of top-quality strikers in the 2024-25 campaign. Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak both filled their boots with goals. And there were a lot of new names added in the summer.
We used our Squawka Score to pick out the best 10 of the season. Our rating system takes into account a variety of statistical categories, both defensive and offensive.
The 2025-26 season is now over, and Erling Haaland is unsurprisingly the best striker of the campaign. There were three more strikers with a Score in the 70s, with Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike and Richarlison all scoring well.
- Erling Haaland (Man City) – 78%
- Joao Pedro (Chelsea) – 71%
- Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool) – 70%
- Richarlison (Tottenham) – 70%
- Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal) – 67%
- Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) – 66%
- Zian Flemming (Burnley) – 63%
- Igor Thiago (Brentford) – 62%
- Danny Welbeck (Brighton) – 62%
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds) – 61%
Read on for more details on these Premier League striker rankings, among players with at least 1,710 minutes played (50%).
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5. Viktor Gyokeres
- Club: Arsenal
- Squawka Score: 67%
Viktor Gyokeres has come under fire a lot for his first season at Arsenal, even though it ended with a league title. But he still ranks as one of the best strikers in the league. He averaged 0.57 goals per 90 minutes in the league from 0.4 non-penalty Expected Goals. The Swede’s conversion rate of 25.45% also placed him in the 80-95th percentile among strikers in 2025-26, a fantastic return. Gyokeres was good at defending from the front too, averaging 0.81 possessions in the attacking third won per 90.
4. Richarlison
- Club: Tottenham
- Squawka Score: 70%
Richarlison is one of the Tottenham Hotspur players who can hold their head somewhat high after the season. The Brazilian averaed 0.42 non-penalty xG per 90, but upped that to 0.46 non-penalty post-shot xG. He was improving his chances of scoring on average based on where he was placing shots. Richarlison also scored 0.51 goals per 90, with 0.37 from open play.
3. Hugo Ekitike
- Club: Liverpool
- Squawka Score: 70%
Hugo Ekitike had an excellent season, showing that perhaps Liverpool didn’t need to sign Alexander Isak. Early momentum was slightly halted by the fact that Isak was brought into the team. But he grew again, and was a big miss after his season-ending injury. The Frenchman ranked in the 80-95th percentile among strikers for his 0.51 non-penalty post-shot xG per 90, as well as his 6.76 touches in the opposition box.
2. Joao Pedro
- Club: Chelsea
- Squawka Score: 71%
Joao Pedro wasn’t signed to be Chelsea’s striker, but it’s a role he had to take on due to injuries. And it’s a role he’s thrived in, making his Brazil World Cup squad snub a surprise. Pedro linked up will with his teammates, averaging 2.39 lay off passes completed per 90, sitting in the 80-95th percentile among strikers. He also ranked well for his 0.54 fouls won in the final third, and penalties won, alongside general shooting stats.
1. Erling Haaland
- Club: Man City
- Squawka Score: 78%
It wasn’t going to be anyone else. Erling Haaland was back to his best, running away with things at the top of the goalscoring charts. And even when he wasn’t at his best in 2024-25, Haaland was better than most. Haaland sits in the 95th percentile and above for his 0.64 non-penalty xG per 90, unrivalled among his peers. He also ranked well for non-penalty shots, xG overperformance and shooting accuracy. There was none better.
How do Squawka player ratings work?
Squawka’s new player rating system is completely stats-based. Player scores are based on the numbers they put up across a range of on-ball events, from goals scored to tackles won.
Using extensive research and our expertise, we tailored each score to the players’ respective positions. For example, forwards are rated on metrics like shots on target, touches in the opposition box and big chances created. Meanwhile, centre-backs are rewarded for winning aerial duels, making blocks, successful long-range passes and so on.