It’s hard to argue with his reasoning
When the discussion arises about who the best striker in the Premier League is, the same names always crop up. It used to be Agüero, Suarez and Van Persie, before them Rooney and Torres were fighting for the crown. Now, there is a new generation of (false) 9s competing for people’s appreciation as the best in the land.
The Premier League’s top two goal scorers this season were Mo Salah (32) and Kane (30). Kane actually improved on last year’s tally but had all the limelight stolen by Salah taking the league by storm to the surprise of most people. Salah isn’t really a striker though, as he plays from the right. So how does he score all those goals? Well, part of the reason is the work that Roberto Firmino does on and off the ball.
Thierry Henry believes this is the reason that the Brazilian is – not the ‘best’ – but the most complete forward in the Premier League.
“Speaking to Sky Sports about Firmino, Henry said: “His movement, his work-rate, the way he makes the two central defenders move to allow Mo Salah to make those runs.
“Firmino is the most complete striker in the league.
“I’m not talking about the best finisher or the best work-rate, I’m talking about all round. The most complete in the league.”
He is right to highlight the movement and work-rate of Firmino, who is often the spearhead of Liverpool’s gegenpress – their main weapon in retaining possession high up the pitch. ‘Bobby’ Firmino’s movement – dropping deep into pockets of space to collect the ball, as well as making unselfish runs out wide in order to free up space for Salah to charge inside – has also helped Salah hugely this season and the Egyptian owes a lot to the Firmino.
Harry Kane and Mohamed Salah have undoubtedly been the best finishers in the Premier League this season, but it’s hard to argue against Henry’s assertion that Firmino is the most complete.
