AI Names and Ranks the 20 Greatest British Strikers in Football History

The striker role is perhaps the position in British football that has had the largest talent pool of players across generations. This is partly down to the 4-4-2 formation, which has been a cornerstone of British sides until recent recent years, when other philosophies have been introduced into the British game.

This formation utilised two strikers very effectively, with both forwards being able to be used in very different roles for the side. A great example of this would be the legendary Sunderland partnership of Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips, who formed a formidable partnership while attaining two starkly contrasting styles. Quinn was a tall centre forward who could use his body to win aerial duels and hold play up, while Phillips was quicker and more agile, running in behind the backline and clinically finishing chances.

This, of course, was only one style of partnership among many others at the time, with each partnership possessing its unique style based on the pairing up top. This led to many different styles of British styles being born at that time. It's interesting to consider which strikes have been the very best. It's always subjective, which is why it's fascinating to learn what AI thinks about the topic. With that in mind, ChatGPT has ranked the top twenty British strikers of all time.

20 Mark Hateley

Clubs played for: Portsmouth, AC Milan, Monaco, Rangers

Beginning with an English striker who was more of a traditional centre-forward, Mark Hateley was a physical striker who often played as a target man for his sides. Scoring more than 200 goals in club football, Hateley was a deceptively quick forward who was technically proficient and was a clinical finisher inside the penalty area. In his time at Rangers, he managed to win eight consecutive Scottish League titles between the years 1988 and 1996, claiming the SFWA Footballer of the Year and the SPFA Player of the Year awards in the 1993-94 campaign.

AI's justification: "A physical presence in attack, Hateley was a prominent figure in both the English and Scottish leagues, particularly with Rangers."

19 Ian Wright

Clubs played for: Crystal Palace, Arsenal, West Ham United

Next up is another England international and a cherished icon of the English game, Ian Wright, who was an explosive striker with great technical ability and was a top finisher. He scored 185 goals in the Premier League and a further nine in an England jersey despite not making his top-flight debut until he was 27 years old.

Winning an FA Cup and a Premier League title at Arsenal, Wright was the Gunners' top goalscorer for six consecutive seasons. His overall passion for the game and his infectious personality and playstyle made him a fan favourite.

AI's justification: "Known for his sharpness, energy, and passion, Wright became a goal-scoring legend for Arsenal."

18 Tony Cottee

Clubs played for: West Ham United, Everton, Leicester City

Another English selection from the AI, Tony Cottee, is the next player to make this list. Playing during the 1980s and 1990s, Cottee was known for his high-energy style and goal-scoring capabilities. Scoring more than 200 goals across his career for West Ham United, Everton, and Leicester City, he was a prolific forward in front of goal.

Making only seven appearances for England on the international stage, Cottee was unlucky to play during an era of football littered with exceptionally gifted number nines. The only trophy that he was able to lift during his career was a League Cup for Leicester in 2000, partnering Emile Heskey up top for the Foxes in the final.

AI's justification: A consistent and versatile forward, Cottee was one of the most reliable goal scorers in the 1980s and 1990s.

17 Michael Owen

Clubs played for: Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United

A forward who burst onto the scene in extraordinary fashion in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Michael Owen shocked the world in the 1998 World Cup, scoring a dazzling individual goal against Argentina. Winning the Ballon d'Or in 2001, Owen is the second youngest player in history to win the award behind Ronaldo Nazario.

During his club career, Owen was at his best in his younger years, using his quick feet and technical skill to manipulate the ball away from defenders and clinically finish his chances. Winning his trophies with the unlikely combination of Liverpool and Manchester United, Owen won a Premier League, three League Cups, an FA Cup, two Community Shields, a UEFA Cup, and a UEFA Super Cup.

AI's justification: Owen was known for his speed and clinical finishing, achieving great success in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

16 Harry Kane

Clubs played for: Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich

A true world-class number nine in an era that has lacked quality in his department, Harry Kane's consistency of top-level performances over the past decade has paved a legacy as one of the greatest English strikers of all time. Playing with a unique style, Kane is exceptionally clinical in front of goal. Still, he prefers to drop deeper in play due to his superb passing range, playing diagonal passes that midfielders would be proud of.

While Kane is still yet to lift a trophy in his career for club or country, he has racked up individual accolades, claiming three Premier League golden boots, a Bundesliga, Champions League, and European golden boot in 2024, amongst many other personal achievements. Scoring more than 280 club career goals and 61 times for England, despite that lack of silverware, it is evident Kane is an all-time great.

AI's justification: Kane is one of the best goal scorers of his generation, renowned for his technique, consistency, and leadership for both club and country.

15 Ally McCoist

Clubs played for: Rangers, Sunderland, St. Johnstone

One of the most prolific strikers inside the penalty box in British football history, Ally McCoist was a forward who played the game with a smile on his face. Beginning his career at St. Johnstone in 1979, McCoist would join Sunderland only two years later, and after scoring eight goals in 56 appearances, joined his boyhood club Rangers in 1983.

Scoring 355 goals in club football and 19 for Scotland, McCoist went on to win nine Scottish Premier Division titles and a UEFA Cup Winners Cup during his career.

AI's justification: McCoist was a prolific goal scorer for Rangers and a vital figure in their dominant period in the 1990s, making him one of Scotland’s greatest strikers.

14 Kenny Dalglish

Clubs played for: Celtic, Liverpool

Another great Scottish centre-forward who was a legendary figure at both Liverpool and Celtic was Kenny Dalglish. Well known for his lethal partnership alongside Ian Rush for Liverpool during the 1980s, Dalglish was the linking forward who had a bit of everything to his game. His movement was one of his main threats, drifting into spaces and picking the ball up, looking to combine with his teammates.

Scoring 252 club career goals and 30 on international duty for Scotland, Dalglish was a clinical striker. A career littered with glory, the Scotsman managed to amass an unbelievable trophy cabinet as a player, winning five First Division titles, three European Champion Clubs Cups (Champions League), four League Cups, a UEFA Super Cup, four Scottish Premier Division titles, four Scottish Cups, a Scottish League Cup, and four Community Shields.

AI's justification: Dalglish is one of the greatest players in Liverpool's history and one of Scotland’s finest, known for his vision, technique, and leadership.

13 Ian Rush

Clubs played for: Liverpool, Juventus

Next up is the man who partnered Dalglish in that dominant Liverpool side, Ian Rush. The ruthless goalscorer who so often would be the match-winner for the Reds, Rush scored 346 goals during his club career and a further 28 for his national side, Wales. Composed in front of goal, Rush would use his sharp and intelligent movement to gain an extra yard on defenders, allowing him to manoeuvre shooting angles.

A player who showed up when it mattered, Rush was pivotal in Liverpool's FA Cup victory in 1986, equalising against fierce rivals Everton in the second half and then scoring an important third in the 83rd minute. In his career, Rush won five Premier League titles, two European Champion Clubs Cups, three FA Cups, five League Cups, and four Community Shields.

AI's justification: Rush was a lethal finisher and a key figure in Liverpool's success during the 1980s, becoming the club's all-time top scorer.

12 Mark Hughes

Clubs played for: Manchester United, Barcelona, Chelsea, Blackburn Rovers, Bayern Munich, Southampton, Everton

A forward who was more than a handful up top in the 1980s and 1990s, Mark Hughes was a strong and prolific striker who spent the majority of his playing days at Manchester United. A physical centre forward who held the ball up effectively and brought his teammates into the game, Hughes was selfless in the way he played the game.

Though, despite a selfless style, Hughes was still a goalscorer in nature. He scored 255 goals in his club career for seven different teams and 16 goals for Wales. He also managed to attain a seriously impressive collection of silverware in his playing days, winning two Premier League titles, two UEFA Cup Winners Cups, four FA Cups, two League Cups, a UEFA Super Cup, a German Super Cup, and three Community Shields.

AI's justification: Known for his physicality and leadership, Hughes had a long, successful career, playing for top clubs and leading Wales in major tournaments.

11 John Charles

Clubs played for: Leeds United, Juventus, Roma

A truly unique forward for this list, John Charles was not your typical centre forward, as his versatility ranged to the opposite end of the pitch, also operating as a centre back. Not only unique in style, Charles was also a rare British player in regard to where he played, spending the majority of his playing career in Italy playing for Juventus.

Scoring 28 goals in the 1958/59 campaign, Charles claimed the Golden Boot in Serie A, winning the first league title of his career. He would go on to win a further two league titles with Juventus, as well as two Italian Cups, and scored more than 300 goals across his career for club and country.

AI's justification: Charles was one of the most complete strikers of his era, thriving in both England and Italy with his power and versatility.

10 Denis Law

Clubs played for: Manchester United, Manchester City, Torino

A striker who became a legendary figure in Manchester playing for both Manchester clubs, Denis Law was a magical footballer who had the flair and imagination to capture the attention of football fans. Using his sublime balance and technique to ride challenges, Law was much more than just a technician.

Lethal with both feet and in the air, Law had the ability to score almost any type of goal and became well-known for his ability to improvise and finish chances acrobatically. He is the only Scottish player to ever win the Ballon d'Or and is level with Dalglish as Scotland's top scorer of all time (30).

AI's justification: Law was a stylish forward with excellent movement and finishing ability. He played a key role in Manchester United’s 1960s successes.

9 Nat Lofthouse

Clubs played for: Bolton Wanderers

When thinking of a traditional English centre forward, Nat Lofthouse is one of the names that springs to mind, with the Bolton Wanderers legend being a direct and aggressive striker. Attaining a strong physical physique, Lofthouse was a powerful forward who could bulldoze his way through defensive lines and was a clinical finisher who struck the ball with venom.

Epitomising his style of play, Lofthouse scored a majorly controversial goal in the 1958 FA Cup final, where he charged the goalkeeper into the net with the ball. Scoring 237 goals for Bolton and 30 for England, the forward managed to lift a First Division title and an FA Cup during his career and became an icon of his club.

AI's justification: A strong, physical presence, Lofthouse was a prolific goal scorer and is a Bolton legend.

8 Tom Finney

Clubs played for: Preston North End

Another incredible British forward who was a one-club man, this time for Preston North End, is Tom Finney. He was an extremely versatile forward who could play anywhere across the frontline and was said to be reminiscent in style of Stanley Matthews. A player that could produce a moment of magic out of nothing, Finney had sensational dribbling abilities and was both a chance creator and a goalscorer, able to strike the ball cleanly with either foot.

Scoring 210 goals in his Preston career and 30 for England, Finney lifted an FA Cup and a First Division title for Preston and is one of the greatest players in the club's history and one of the most talented players of his generation.

AI's justification: Finney was one of the most talented English forwards of his generation and a key figure for both his club and country.

7 Clifford Bastin

Clubs played for: Arsenal

Interestingly, making it into the AI's top strikers list, Clifford Bastin was a prolific winger for Arsenal during the 1930s. His style of play was cutting in from the left-hand side onto his right foot, possessing a powerful strike from distance. He was athletic, attaining blistering pace and great technical ability.

Hitting the back of the net 178 times for the Gunners and on 12 occasions for England, Bastin won two First Division titles and an FA Cup.

AI's justification: Known for his incredible pace and finishing ability, Bastin was one of the top strikers of the 1930s and part of the legendary Arsenal side of that era.

6 Alan Shearer

Clubs played for: Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United

Next up is the Premier League all-time top goalscorer, Alan Shearer, who was a striker as prolific as they come. His ability to finish chances with either foot and with his head made him one of the most feared men inside the penalty area in world football. Spending the majority of his career in a Newcastle United side that was not at his level, Shearer spent a lot of time with his back to goal and could hold the ball up exceptionally well.

Scoring 260 goals in the Premier League, Shearer is by quite a distance the top scorer in Premier League history, also scoring 30 in an England shirt. He won the Premier League for Blackburn Rovers in 1995, before moving to his boyhood club, Newcastle, for the rest of his career.

AI's justification: A lethal goal scorer and a talismanic figure for both club and country throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.

5 Sir Geoff Hurst

Clubs played for: West Ham United, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, Cork Celtic, and Seattle Sounders

The first player to ever score a hat trick in a World Cup final, Sir Geoff Hurst was instrumental to England's 1966 World Cup winning campaign. Hurst was renowned for his goalscoring prowess, using his intelligent movement to sniff out opportunities to score. He played largely as a target man who created space for his teammates, and was known for his ability to drag defenders out of position.

Scoring 249 club goals and 24 for England, Hurst was prolific in front of goal. He managed to win three trophies across his club career with West Ham United, lifting the FA Cup, Community Shield, and the European Cup Winners' Cup.

AI's justification: Famous for his iconic hat-trick in the 1966 World Cup final, Hurst is forever etched in England's footballing history.

4 Jimmy Greaves

Clubs played for: Chelsea, AC Milan, Tottenham Hotspur

One of the most prolific centre forwards in British football history, Jimmy Greaves became known as a Tottenham Hotspur and English legend for his phenomenal goalscoring record for both club and country. Blessed with immense pace and balance, Greaves was able to use his technical skill to evade challenges and manoeuvre space to get a shot off.

When given the opportunity to strike at goal, he was clinical, leading to him scoring 357 goals in his club career and 44 on the international stage for England. A part of the 1966 World Cup-winning side, Greaves also claimed seven domestic trophies in his career, winning the Serie A title, two FA Cups, a European Cup Winners' Cup, and three Community Shields.

AI's justification: Greaves is one of England's greatest-ever goal scorers and a consistent presence in top-flight football across decades.

3 Gary Lineker

Clubs played for: Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur

Another supreme English goalscorer who specialised in poaching in the six-yard box, Gary Lineker was an exceptionally well-tempered and intelligent striker. Specialising in his movement off the ball, Lineker was never a striker to take unnecessary touches and rather focused on getting into dangerous goalscoring positions.

This style seemed to be quite effective, as the forward scored 246 club goals during his career and a further 48 for England, scoring 10 of those goals in World Cup tournaments, finishing the 1986 campaign as the top scorer. During his career, Lineker won the European Cup Winners' Cup, FA Cup, Spanish Cup, and three Community Shields.

AI's justification: Renowned for his clinical finishing and a key figure in England's 1986 and 1990 World Cup campaigns.

2 Bobby Charlton

Clubs played for: Manchester United

A true great of the British game, who many attest to be the greatest footballer in British history, Bobby Charlton was not exactly a traditional centre forward but did operate in Manchester United and England's front line. Playing as what is now considered an advanced midfielder or second striker role, Charlton played behind a conventional striker. His ball-striking abilities were frighteningly good, able to shoot from distances with tremendous technique, power, and accuracy with either foot.

Scoring 249 goals for the Red Devils and 49 for England, Bobby Charlton had a tremendous career topped off with some of the biggest honours. These include a Ballon d'Or, a World Cup, three First Division titles, a European Champion Clubs' Cup, an FA Cup, and two Community Shields.

AI's justification: One of the most iconic figures in football history, Charlton was a vital part of both England’s World Cup-winning side and Manchester United’s European success.

1 Wayne Rooney

Clubs played for: Everton, Manchester United, D.C. United

Ranking in at the top spot in the AI's best British strikers of all time is Manchester United and England icon Wayne Rooney. An unbelievably gifted all-round footballer, Rooney was very versatile and thus could play many different roles in the forward line. Playing as a second striker for the majority of his career, Rooney would do everything for the Red Devils. He had the work rate to close players down and make crunching tackles, as well as the technical brilliance to drive past defenders, the passing range to switch the ball accurately over the top, and was clinical from outside and inside the penalty box.

Also capable of the spectacular, Rooney's talent is exemplified by the outrageous bicycle kick that he produced in the Manchester Derby. Scoring 253 club goals in his career and 53 for England, Rooney was integral to United's relentless success in the 2000s and early 2010s. In that period he won five Premier League titles, a Champions League, four League Cups, the Club World Cup, a Europa League, an FA Cup, and four Community Shields.

AI's justification: England’s all-time top scorer and a key figure in Manchester United's dominance in the 2000s and early 2010s.