Ranking EVERY Premier League Club’s No. 9 👀 | Saturday Social

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Adam Smith and Joe Thomlinson are joined by Fuad Cadani & Alex Moneypenny this week on Saturday Social. With loads of strikers getting a move this summer we decided to task our guest with ranking every Premier League club’s no.9 from A-E. Where do the likes of Alexander Isak, Benjamin Sesko, and Viktor Gyokeres rank on the traditional tier list?

#Football #SaturdaySocial #SkySports #PremierLeague

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:20 Arsenal – Viktor Gyokeres
01:54 Aston Villa – Ollie Watkins
03:06 Bournemouth – Evanilson
03:54 Brentford – Igor Thiago
04:50 Brighton – Danny Welbeck
05:50 Burnley – Lyle Foster
06:35 Chelsea – Joao Pedro
08:14 Crystal Palace – Jean-Phillipe Mateta
09:54 Everton – Beto
10:54 Fulham – Rodrigo Muniz
11:45 Leeds United – Joel Piroe
12:28 Liverpool – Alexander Isak & Hugo Ekitike
14:06 Manchester City – Erling Haaland
14:53 Manchester United – Benjamin Sesko
16:03 Newcastle United – Yoane Wissa
16:59 Nottingham Forest – Chris Wood
18:08 Sunderland – Brian Brobbey
18:38 Tottenham Hotspur – Randal Kolo Muani
19:37 West Ham United – Niclas Fullkrug
20:33 Wolves – Jorgen Strand Larsen

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We are starting with debating Premier League strikers. A lot of chat about Premier League strikers. There have been some huge name arrivals. There have been some that have been promoted. They’ve been transfers. So, a lot of talk about the number nine spot. What’s the plan? Yeah, we’re going to go through every team’s number nine. Some teams have more than one. So, you’ll have to decide in the moment and rank them A to E. Uh, should we start with Arsenal alphabetical order? A business. Oh, you saying we got at least one in each category, I think. Yarez, Al, you may as well take us away, mate. came on in April and I was speaking about him and I got killed for mentioning that he had a few limitations and I think people have seen that now. I think people have seen that there are certain limitations but he was being spoken about at that point for about 80 million pounds and when he’s at that price I think I have more more concerns. If he’s 55 million pounds which he came in I’m more okay with it. I think people look at Jo and he’s massive and they they assume he’s strong and he is strong but he’s strong shoulderto-shoulder when he gets put back against the defender. I I see the limitations we saw against um Dict right he’s a good player I think ultimately he’ll if he scores 15 non-penalty goals across the season that might be enough we’re not that far away so he’s not in my opinion the best striker in the league but I think he has a lot of value and in certain game states I think he he could be top for us I think maybe the biggest issue for him is not having habits because for me that first half against an at Anfield habits would have suited that second half as the game opens out Yokarez bigger spaces that suits him so It’s kind of that that yin and yang, I think. So, where would you go? You go. Where would I go? Um, cuz he’s my boy. I’ll go B. I’ll go B. What you say? I would go see cuz it’s still a bit of a gamble. I think coming into the league, he’s still I mean, the Portuguese league is kind of where he’s really only done it these early games as well. He hasn’t really come out of the ground, you know, hit the ground running in my opinion. But B, I think you’re being favorable. I I would go C, but I’ll let you have Yeah, I think B. I’ll let you have the B. I think B. Okay, we move on to Aston Villa. Ollie Watkins. There’s the magnet. Do you want to start with this one? This one I’m leaning towards an A. In terms of profile and what he brings, I think this is the kind of profile I think you actually should have gone after. Someone who guarantees goals as hold up play, runs into the channel, scores goals, and let’s not forget was the top sister in the Premier League two seasons ago. So for me, he’s the definition of a complete forward. Does he score more goals than Gres this season? I think I’d put good money on it in honestly. think he does that. I think Watkins is more wellrounded, but I don’t My thing with Ollie Watkins is it feels like he’s like an eight out of 10 at everything apart from that shot across his body, which he he’s unbelievable at. I think Yarez, if we’re asking that question, has things where he’s way better than Watkins, but he’s probably more rounded. But you’re right. I mean, I think it’s 23 24 he was like top five or something. Ah, don’t uh I think the channel running like and and he’s got I would say more consistent ball striking than Watkins, but Watkins as an overall package is an unbelievable person. 17 goals, 14 assists, and 54 appearances last season. Probably Watkins. You’ve got to agree on one, bearing in mind who’s coming next as well. I’ I’d go B as well. You go B. I’m just thinking about who’s going to be in that A category. All right. No, that’s fair enough. I don’t think Watkins is on that level, personally. No. Next up, it’s your list. It’s your list. Evan Nson. Evan Nielson. I really like Evan Nilson. He’s so sharp and he’s one of these players who kind of he’s on the last line of the defense and he’s he’s looking for stuff all the time. I think some players wait for the game to come to them. He’s really sharp. The output hasn’t quite been there. Bournemouth fans love him. Absolutely love him. We experienced him firstand last week and he was a problem. Got that early goal. How good by the way? Honestly, I think incredible. Iola is doing an incredible job that I’ve always liked him as a manager and he’s always gotten something out of him and last season I felt like the injury held him back a little bit which is maybe why the goals haven’t come. I’d be comfortable putting him in C with potentially working towards a B in my opinion. Okay. I think he could yeah I think he could get into B but his output I don’t know what the numbers are but 12 goals last season but he did have that injury problem as well didn’t move on to Brenford Eagle Thiago um now a lot of people are quick to point out he didn’t score last season no assists but he only played eight times again we’re talking injuries it’s worth pointing out that he had that big injury joined for club record fee at the time so we have to factor that in a bit but yeah where do you stand on him to be fair bit of an unknown quantity I would say so I mean there’s talks of him being very good we haven’t obviously seen too much of it. I’ I’d be comfortable putting him a D and then seeing what he kind of comes up with this season. Start the season well. Yeah, he was and he was excellent at Club Ruger. I think you look at Brenford’s record with forwards and I always think if Brenford or Brighton are signing a forward that tells me something and I think you know you look at Burma, whoever it might be, we just haven’t seen it. So the only thing I’d say is it was Thomas Frank who got a mad forwards. Okay, fair enough. I think it was two different knee injuries as well he had. So obviously just for context it’s worth worth pointing out. It’s interesting to see how he gets on. So we go into the first club with two magnets. Who do you want to choose to pick? That guy Wells. I think we’re going to go with being the more reliable forward for me. I think standing the test of time in all honesty. Made his Premier League debut in 2008. Only person before that was was Milner. He’s un and also last season was the first time he cracked double digits in the Premier League. like he’s getting better. Best Premier League scoring season was last season with 10 and he scored in each of the previous 15 consecutive Premier League seasons. I don’t think you can put him in B or whatever, but for for me the consistency is like some people, you know, you can talk about goals or whatever, that’s almost as impressive. Like you look at James Milner like that that that is it’s so impressive. He’s always been useful everywhere he’s gone as well. Yeah, I think as well underrated in his buildup like the way he brings other players into the game. There’s a reason he gets picked every week for Brighton. It’s not his goal scoring, is it? It’s the the way he brings other players into the game, the way he works off the boys experience. I think he’s great for the We both met him as well. Great for the dress. A lot of people say he’s so good at helping the younger players bed in and stuff as well. So, there’s a lot that he he brings to the table. Next up, L. Foster for Burnley. Um, personally, I’m not too sure on him. I think he’s a busy player. I think he’s a handful, but in terms of goal scoring, I think Josh Brown outscored him last season, scored 17 goals in the Championship. So I don’t see him as like the most clinical center forward, but he’s one of those forwards that’s just a handful on the right day. I’d be comfortable putting him in E or maybe a D. Alex, I think E feels harsh. Someone has to go in there, but it feels harsh. I He’s got an amazing story in football. Like he’s been everywhere and obviously to step away from football as well. Yeah, I just think is he at the quality of the other players? I’m not sure. Um yeah, maybe D. No, D could be could be nice maybe. Okay, next up. Next up, I think we have another decision to make here, don’t we? Two Chelsea strikers available. Pedro or Liam Dilap who you going for? I think this one it’s pretty simple to go for Xiao Pedro. I think he’s locked down. That’s going to be the guy now. Obviously, DAP has the injury, but even without the injury, I think came out swinging from the club world cup and then he’s just carried that on into preseason and then the start of the season as well. I think he’s adding goals to his game which is something last season people were saying he scored a lot of penalties but I think his buildup now as well you’re seeing that when he’s linked up Palmer going out injured playing in that 10 role he’s showing different sides to his game at Chelsea and I think there’s a leap that he’s going to take this year for sure. How big do you think the Club World Cup was for him because he came in quite late didn’t he? Obviously played well scored scored the final I believe didn’t he? Um and it feels like it’s elevated him to a different level. People are talking about him now as as a serious striker. Yeah, he did an interview he spoke about like aiming at the balandor like that’s you know he’s like in his mind that’s what he he wants to get there. Yeah, three and three at the club world cup. I think he’s already at four and 4 G and three or something already this season. He started really well. The only thing I’d say about Jar Pedro is he feels to me less like a sort of last line number nine and slightly more like a second striker. Um I don’t quite know how that works at Chelsea. There’s so much churn and how many players they’ve got in there. Yeah, it’s crazy. Five goals, two assists in six appearances for Chelsea. Yeah, I think his all round game is so good. So good on the ball. I I sort of don’t like how I don’t like how they operate Chelsea, but they have had a really good window. Like if you look at who they brought in and and who they’ve who’s left for good money and he’s and he’s one of them they brought in plays when everyone’s fit, isn’t it for Chelsea because there’s so many players that play. Uh B. Yeah, I got B. Okay, next up Crystal Palace. John Philippe Matessa. Can we just say it was a disgrace? was booked at the weekend. Booked for kicking the corner flag. This celebration celebration the boom kicking the corner flag. The first time he’s been booked for it. Surely this has to be a right cuz there ain’t no striker better. Honestly, Palace fans he has been one of almost like the biggest turnaround stories cuz how he started his Palace career is very different to how you see him now. And the glaz is he is the ultimate holdup man. I feel like he is a absolute bully up top in my opinion. the typical quintessential Premier League striker. I almost feel like why didn’t United get him? Well, he would have been fantastic player for United, but you got to convince Crystal Palace to sell as well, haven’t you? Obviously, they lost Es were very close to losing gay. I think to lose Meta as well would have been a hammered blow. We know how difficult it was to deal with Parish and Glasnner at the back end of the season. I think I think I think it’s a good talk you raised because I do feel like he’s been underrated in terms of underrated strikers. he would be right up there for me for years cuz if you look at that the amount of clubs that needed number nine this summer I was surprised not more clubs went into proven players they were rejecting 40 million bids from Atlanta like won’t want to lose him he would have yeah I mean all the I think almost every big six club went for a striker he’s he’s unreal the only thing I’d say is I think EZ will be a big miss for him cuz that connection was massive and especially on the transition EZ playing those balls through from a teta to latch on to could be I want to go B okay would you say a Yeah. No, I’ll go with B. He’s getting populated. Yeah. I just I think I think about who’s coming out. I’d agree with B. I think he’s underrated. M. I think he’s a good um next up. I think we might have a duo. Betto or Tiano Barry. Anyone talk about Betto I would go with just cuz he’s starting at the moment. And I think Tion Barry will eventually get into the side. But I think Beetto second half of last season, he showed kind of a typical David Moyes center forward. Big bully up front, can hold up the ball, but then pop up with a couple of goals as well. and start of the season. I think that was the question is is he going to score enough goals to help Everton actually be functional? Well, Moyes wasn’t happy with him in preseason, was he? He called him out publicly. He said he wasn’t happy with how he was performing in preseason. So, and I know he put him down, but but Barry got the got the honorary cosign. I think better if you remove that was it February that run where he scored like in every game for like four games or something. I wonder how people would feel about him because yeah, I mean Everton fans love him. I think he’s I think as a character they they really really rate him. But I wonder if by the end of this season whether he’s on kind of reminds me of how Palace and Mateta I think he could have a similar story. Bar Whitton or Barry coming in as well. Uh I want to go D. Yeah I think. Okay he goes in D. We’ve got Fulham next. And again you got a choice to make. Ral Gimenez or Rodrigo. This is a tough one because they’re both very good but I feel like Munz for me has just at the moment got the nod ahead of Gimenez. Um and with him I just feel like he’s just come out of nowhere and he’s similarly every time we’ve played against him he’s been a handful against us Tottenham but quality player good finisher very similar to Raul Gimenez as well most most goals as a sub since the end beginning of last season I think in terms of impacting games he’s really really top I think Marco Silva’s on that list like as the best manager for impacting games worth shouting them both actually because I think he went under the radar a bit last season him got 14 goals in all comps M’s got 11 goals in all coms so it’s it’s great for them to have options Where would you place him amongst the elite? I’d be able to put him in C. I think Evanson, Danny Wellbeck. He’s in that. Still a decent still decent age by the way. He’s not young. Another duo. Another duo. This is Calbertt Lewen, Everton legend, of course, and Joel Perroll. I think we’ll go with Joe Perole for this one just cuz he was a top goal scorer last year. I think scoring 19 goals in the championship. Won the championship golden boot. Yeah. Yeah. As you said, won the champship golden boot. I think if leads are going to stay up this year, they’re going to need him to score quite a few goals. I always feel like when you’re a promoter team, you need a center forward who’s going to get you 10 to 12. He could be that center forward this season in my opinion. I haven’t seen much of him and I watched him. He’s a very calm finisher. Joel Pere and I think that’s something that like you see a lot of players coming up from the championship and they’re rushing and they’re panicking and I think he might do all right. Where we going then? I want to say D. We got to put someone in E. This is the thing. We can have a little change. We go to Liverpool next. Now, we had a long conversation about this. I know we’re picking one, but we feel like because they’re two huge signings, we have to talk about both of them. Special treatment for Liverpool again. You unhappy with Alex. It’s fine. It’s fine. He wants us up there. Pick one, then it’s your list. Um, if you had to pick one, who who is going to be the starting line? I mean, it’s without a shadow of doubt. Alex is, but I feel I feel like both are absolutely top tier quality. I think Ekit the way he’s come in and just almost made you question if Liverpool even need Isach but then Isak during the international if he saw a goal as well. Incredible. And he’s just such a such a top top player in my opinion. World class environment. This is a blatant A, isn’t it? This is the first eight we have to best striker in the league for you. Yeah, I think so. I think both of those are examples. Do you think he’s better than Harland all round? Again, it’s like if you if you did a graph of everything a striker should do, I think he’s like probably pips him. But yeah, I I think I just think both of those are examples. I think about that East goal against against ironically Liverpool last season. One touch, second touch goal, the technical efficiency. I agree. And and the center forward play against Arsenal in the League Cup with with um bullied them. Yeah. So where would if you were putting TK on there, where would you have him? I would have him as a B in all honesty. I think he even has the potential to become an A, but at the moment having done his thing in the Bundesliga, coming early doors, I look at those center forwards in the B category and I I see him of that same mold. I’d probably go B as well. We put him up. Yeah, if you have Alex special treatment. Uh, okay. Harland. I mean, this is an A, isn’t it? I think this is I honestly feel like at this stage he’s underrated. I I genuinely think he’s underrated. Like I was about to say I know that Isak is sensational all round football but the volume of goals his his buildup play and his link up play is underrated. He he reached 100 Premier League appear as bad as people say. People talk about him being like a clunky football. He reached 100 Prem appearances last week. 88 goals. That is the most of any player has had after 100 appearances in Premier League history. And he’s back to goal players nowhere near as bad as people say. The channel running is amazing. His finishing is clearly better than anybody else by I think people look they have to find something. They have to find something to drag him down. And if he’s, you know, he’s scored a goal a game basically since 2020, apart from last season. It’s crazy. 34 goals. Best. He is the best striker last season. He’s better than he for you. Yeah. Yeah. Your boys Benjamin quality player I think, but there’s still a lot of potential and we haven’t even seen that fulfill that RB lifick. I think even United maybe tried to get ahead of the curve a little bit, but they were told to pay a premium. I think he’s got all the raw abilities to become a top striker. However, I just don’t feel he’s there just yet right now in my opinion. Where’d you stand on Cesco, Alex? Watched him a lot. You wanted him? Yeah, I did. I wanted him paired with someone like a Rodrigo or something because I think you get that superstar striker and someone to develop and I think Shesho could have been that. He’s got two things for me. One is when he’s pushed wide, he’s just pushed out the game. That’s a big thing thing for strikers. And the other thing is dealing with contact from behind actually ironically similar to to Yokarez. If he gets if he gets some service and United sort themselves out, I Yeah, I think he’s one of those NATS everyone will be going, “Oh, it was obvious.” I think for the moment though, I’d be comfortable putting him in C. Um, I don’t think he’s done enough to be in the B category just yet. Look, ultimately in this United side, he won’t look like a B player. I think he is a B player. Yeah, but Okay, if you want to go for C, put him in C. Okay, that’s fair. Newcastle have got another two. Who do you want to talk about? Whistler or Volto too late signing. I think Whistler would be the one I go for. That’s the one they kind of chased all summer long. And Volultade, it’ll be he’ll be record signing though. Volto is a good under 21, isn’t he? Quick point on Volto though. These are this is a big group and we’re kind of returning to that. I think a lot of this is about evading the press. I think Volto’s massive for that. But Vissa, I I think I’m right saying he got the same amount of nonpenalty goals as ESAC last season. I think I’m right. I could be wrong. I’m not going to check that. Yeah, he’s 20 goals, 19 in the Prem, 20 goals in all comps for all. Great return. No penalties either, I don’t think. Great return. So, yeah, quality player in my opinion. Um, I would happy to put him in B in all honesty. I think last season he the work he put in. I think he suits perfectly that Newcastle system, the way they operate off the ball, the counterattacking threat, the counter pressing, his work rate off the ball. I think he’s perfect for Eddie how in that number nine rogue. I think his age as well, 29. Yeah, Chris Woods. This is a man who’s up to no good and last season he showed it and I think in terms of the hold up play in terms of the way he bullied center forwards physically what he brings very few strikers in the Premier League bring in my opinion don’t know if I would put him where I would put him to be fair that’s the thing cuz last season was a bit almost an anomaly in terms of the last couple of years of his but really good player and I like what he brings he scored double figures of goals an incredible amount of times in the Premier League like consist consistent plus 10 goal scorer. His first record Premier League goal scorer as well. 20 and 40 I think it was last season. I think he’s two teams record goal scorer in the Premier League. Burnley and Wow. He Yeah, he’s one of those who you show like he’s like, you know, a young striker. Watch his box movement. Watch homes in the box. He’s, you know, he’s I think he’s like close to Drogba in terms of like the the Premier League goals record. It’s Yeah, he’s I have so much respect for him. So, where you going to play? Uh I think he’s earned the B. Yeah, he’s earned the B. He’s earned B. He’s getting along. There’s a lot of good strikers in here. Still haven’t had the ball anyway. Still haven’t had the ball any one in each category. Yeah. Yeah. Next Sunderland, you going for my or you going for could have had in there for? Yeah, I think Robbie walking through the door. I think done very well at Ajax and different type profile. Mender’s kind of more of a winger whereas I feel like he is kind of more suited to the Premier League physically what he’ll bring. I think for me I want to go C. Okay. Straight in. Big straight. Maybe that’s why Dutch buyers kicking in. Yeah. And he’s on the board. He’s called it. He’s on the board. I think I know why he’s done that quickly cuz Tottenham is next. And you got three magnets for your beloved the mighty Tottenham Hotspur, Charison. And of course, Colani new signing. Yes. And I think I’m going to go with Kola Moani. Yeah. Char start of the season and Dominic Salanki’s obviously got the big injury but a record signing. But I think Colani is going to be a very, very interesting one. What gives me hope is his lone spell at UV in the second half of last season scoring I think eight goals and eight and 16. So obviously one and two and he’s not the most efficient goal scorer but in terms of physically what he brings the way he runs the channels I think he was the game changer in my opinion in that world cup final. Everyone will remember that big miss at the end but he actually impacted the game when he came on and I think he can bring something different that Dominic Sanki and Richson don’t bring but how highly do you rate him? That’s the question because at the same time PSG it didn’t work out. Frankfurt it went well. Kind of recovered himself a little bit at UV8. I’d be inclined to put him in the C and hopefully towards the end of the season he works towards a B. Nice. Nice. Next up, we got West Ham. Try to pick this. Callum Wilson. Who you going to pick? Uh I think we’re going to go with Phil Krug. Um he’s so heavy. He is He’s so heavy footed. It’s I mean Wil I mean Wilson like his movement is is real. Yeah. But that pairing as as two center forwards. That’s an amazing record in Germany though. Fantastic record in Germany. West Ham fans must be thinking if they’re looking at the rest of the league’s number nines. I think coming off of the back of that Champions League run as well. You probably expected a little bit more from him when he came to West Ham and it just hasn’t really lived up to it. Did I to be fair to him? He arrived with an Achilles injury didn’t he? And he never really recovered and there was obviously there was a few problems injury-wise last season. I think in the right system when he’s fit he can be useful. However, how often you’re going to get that is the question. But I put him in C. I’ll put him in D. It’s he’s really not for me. He’s still not had anyone I’ll listen. And I don’t think the next one is going to be either Strand Len again. I feel like with Jorgen Strand Lson 14 goals last season in a Wolves team that obviously didn’t have the best season. I feel like again we’re talking about players that are a bit underappreciated. We know that he was linked with moves to the likes of Newcastle. He’s still at Wolves. When What were your thoughts? When I saw the bids, I went, “What?” And I looked him up. It’s the one-touch finish. Everything is just like a fight. He’s like a tap. Amazing. 14 goals in 38 with five assists for Wolves is a very good return. He’s a proper like old school night. I think you know, you sort of go look at like full cro like an old school nine, but he can do it physically. He can keep up. So, where you put him? I he could be in B, but I’d probably go C. But we need to we need you put him in C for now. You need to alter a position somebody in E because we have to have somebody in each category. That was the rules of the game. I think for me Betto and I might annoy some Everson fans here, but I think Betto is one that could go down and Lost said these two if anything ultimately we haven’t seen Eagle Thiago. So I think we can. There we go. Just going one down. Rearranging it. Oh, looking. I’d be happy. Getting neat now. Oh, they’re going two. Look at that. N to two. Wow. You know what? I can hear it with He doesn’t like the clarrets, does he? Look at the clar. There we go. Well, there is confirmation. Alex Money Penny with the quick shift. Yeah, there is confirmation of Alex and Forad ranking each club’s number nine. Let us know what you think of that at home. Harland and Esat quite rightly in