Manchester United, Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool aces have been subject of long debate — but who actually is the best?
IT’S a debate which has been raging since pretty much the beginning of 2016 — and now is the time to settle it once and for all.
Who is the hottest young striker in the Premier League?
Is it Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi, Divock Origi or Marcus Rashford?
Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City and Manchester United all boast a strike sensation — but only one can rule.
It’s time to find out who the best Premier League prospect is.
Kelechi Iheanacho, 19, Man City — Total Mins: 913. Goals: 10. Assists: 4. Mins Per Goal: 91.3
CITY’S Nigerian striker was the first to get his opportunity — and he certainly took it.
He made an immediate impact. His first goal was a last-gasp winner against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Since then, he has continued to grow.
Iheanacho netted again during a home loss to Tottenham and twice as City battered Stoke 4-0 and again in a 4-2 loss at Southampton.
Pep Guardiola decided to make him an important part of the team when he replaced Manuel Pellegrini in the summer.
Wilfried Bony left, but Iheanacho stayed. In Sergio Aguero’s absence, he started the Manchester derby — and scored the all-important second in a 2-1 win.
He is the 16th teenager to score ten goals in the Premier League.
Alex Iwobi, 20, Arsenal — TM: 823. G: 2. A: 5. MPG: 441.5
IWOBI has Premier League superstardom in his blood — he is the nephew of Jay-Jay Okocha.
He joined Arsenal while still at primary school and made his Premier League debut in a 3-0 victory away at Swansea last season.
He scored in each of his two first Prem starts — against Everton and Watford.
Iwobi is predicted a bright future and is arguably the most likely man on this list to start every game for his club.
His lower goal tally is a reflection of the fact he is not quite as direct as his four rivals — Arsene Wenger is more likely to play Iwobi out wide.
Divock Origi, 21, Liverpool — TM: 762. G: 5. A: 1. MPG: 154.4
ANOTHER who was kept as an expensive arrival was sold.
Jurgen Klopp allowed Christian Benteke to join Crystal Palace but kept compatriot, Origi.
He joined Liverpool after the 2014 World Cup, but was sent back to Lille on loan.
A long-term injury to Danny Ings gave him the opportunity to play more often — and he took it with aplomb.
Though his best performances have come outside the Premier League, he has still scored five times — though he has yet to find the back of the net this term.
He hit two late goals against West Brom to earn a draw and Klopp’s apparent uncertainty over Daniel Sturridge could see him play more often.
Marcus Rashford, 18, Man United — TM: 1,099. G: 8. A: 2. MPG: 137.4
ARGUABLY kept Louis van Gaal in a job with his emergence.
Rashford scored twice on his Europa League debut and repeated the trick on his Premier League bow against Arsenal three days later.
Netted on his League Cup, England and England Under-21s debut — as well as a Manchester derby winner at the Etihad.
Didn’t feature under Jose Mourinho when he first took over, but fought his way back into the team — and has scored in three of his four appearances so far.
His high minutes total is a testament to how important he has become for the team.
But is he better than the rest?
My verdict
It’s a close call between Marcus Rashford and Kelechi Iheanacho for me — but the United man just edges it.
He is an explosive player who can change games.
Despite the Red Devils’ obvious struggles, he has kept up his form and hit important goals.
Difficult to recall a bad performance
***NOTE: Stats are based solely on Premier League
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