People think strikers only score goals. If we were in the 2000s, I would have to agree with you. But, It's 2020 and they currently come in all shapes and forms. It wasn't that long ago when forwards like Ronaldo Nazario and Thierry Henry were what many thought to be ideal strikers. But football has changed since then. It has evolved and is now the most-watched game on the planet. In this blog, we take a look at the different classes of strikers in modern football.

1. THE SPEEDSTER

This is one of the most unique kinds of striker brands currently seen. Arsenal center-forward Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang is an excellent example. He is someone who plays on the shoulders of opposing defenses. And makes speedy runs in behind to catch defenders out. With undoubted goal-scoring threat, even if you give Aubameyang a half yard advantage he will make no mistake. He won the joint Premier League Golden Boot last season along with Sadio Mane and Moh Salah. If that doesn’t tell you how dangerous someone like him can be then how about this for a stat. Aubameyang has scored the most goals in the Premier League since his debut in January 2018 (49). He has overtaken the likes of Sergio Aguero and Harry Kane. He has been all over Europe. From Milan to St. Etienne and from Dortmund to London. This man scores goals for fun. With a contract situation at Arsenal, top European clubs are on the lookout for someone like him.

2. THE BULLY

The name says it all. This striker loves to use his strength and physicality to lure defenders. Diego Costa is a name that often comes up when you think of a Bully. He is not very quick but uses his body well. He can hold the ball up and bring in wide players to support counter-attacks. This kind of striker will never go out of fashion. Everyone loves someone who can rough up defenses and score goals through brute force. His strength clearly makes him unique. Atletico were very successful when they had Costa blocking defenses. While Griezmann played almost like a Second-Striker and did a lot of the damage himself. Strikers like Costa are vital. Not only because they are physical presence but also because they're very intimidating. Knocking the ball off them is one thing and dealing with the might that comes after is another. Thus, Dealing with such strikers isn't easy for defenders. Romelu Lukaku is also a very good example. The partnership that he has formed with Lautaro Martinez is one of the talking points of the season.

3. THE TARGETMAN

Not that different from the bully but effective. These strikers hold the ball up very well and are experts in bringing others into play. They usually have great heading abilities and aren't afraid to score from long range. Harry Kane is one such striker. They don’t use brute force to march their way through the defense but they have a never say attitude. These men will fight until the final whistle. What makes them so special is their multi-functionality. Their presence is seen everywhere. You’ll find them defending corners, running at full-backs, and even putting in crosses. Their height combined with decent jumping ability makes them harder to mark and easy to pick by a team-mate.

4. THE CREATOR

One of the most impressive tweaks in modern football has come with the invention of this striker class. Roberto Firmino is an ideal illustration. Jurgen Klopp has managed to integrate an attacking midfielder into a striker’s role. How? By playing his wingers narrower and in a more advanced position. Firmino plays just behind Mane and Salah; he provides the assists when needed and the goals when asked of. It's no surprise that Firmino hadn’t scored a single goal at Anfield this season until the 3-2 loss to Atletico. Of course, it's a question to be asked. But it's not that big of a deal due to the number of goals that the Liverpool wingers provide. This kind of system is indeed a risk. This risk has paid off for Liverpool and has made Firmino undroppable. But this is still one class that is rarely spoken of. Manchester City tried doing something similar and played Kevin De Bruyne as a false 9. But it didn’t work out as well as Pep believed it could. It’s a simple fact. If the goals don’t come from out wide or from the midfield then it makes such a system counterproductive.