The shift in the utility of fantasy assets has meant that forward assets have become less of a priority. However, there are a plethora of assets to consider this season to bolster our attacks.
The best premium forwards
Harry Kane (£11.5m) has thrived at Tottenham Hotspur since the arrival of Antonio Conte in the middle of last campaign. He has registered 23 attacking returns so far this calendar year, more than any other player.
We associate Kane with goals, but his assists have become almost as prolific in recent seasons. He’s managed at least ten in his last two Premier League seasons and tops the charts for both big chances and big chances created since Conte took charge.
Erling Haaland (£11.5m) could become a big rival to Kane in the premium forward category: he joins the Premier League with a dazzling record from the Bundesliga, where he scored 62 goals in 67 games.
He’s set to start the season as the most owned player in the game and will be a key contender when it comes to captaincy. Manchester City face Bournemouth in Gameweek 2 and Nottingham Forest in Gameweek 5, both at home.
Jamie Vardy (£9.5m) falls under £10m this season and could provide another fast start: he’s managed a minimum of seven goals in his first ten appearances of the last three seasons. He scored five goals in his final four games of 2021/22 and will benefit from having a full pre-season under his belt.
The best mid-priced forwards
Gabriel Jesus (£8.0m) is a popular acquisition after his transfer to Arsenal. The Brazilian is set to be the central striker for the Gunners this season and could benefit from a kind run of opening fixtures. He’s showing glimmers of form already in his pre-season performances.
Kai Havertz (£8.0m) has to be a consideration, despite being reclassified as a forward this campaign. We saw him thrive in the false nine role at times under Thomas Tuchel last season, although consistency of minutes is always a concern. He netted eight goals and four assists in 2021/22.
Ivan Toney (£7.0m) was the best of the budget forwards last season, scoring 12 goals and grabbing five assists. He is the talisman of this Brentford team, with his excellent record from the penalty spot providing a crucial source of fantasy points. The departure of Christian Eriksen in midfield is a big blow ahead of this campaign though.
Ollie Watkins (£7.5m) has managed over ten goals in each of his last two Premier League campaigns and rarely misses minutes. Aston Villa have a kind run of fixtures for the opening three, against Bournemouth, Everton and Crystal Palace.
Callum Wilson (£7.5m) carries similar prospects at Newcastle United and is set for a big season ahead if he can stay fit. He managed eight goals from limited minutes last campaign and is capable of hitting 20 attacking returns in a season as a regular.
Alexandar Mitrovic (£6.5m) arrives back in the Premier League with Championship winners Fulham, having broken the goalscoring record in England’s second flight last campaign. He scored 43 goals in 46 games. Fulham have a tricky run of fixtures to navigate before he becomes a serious consideration for our fantasy squads.
Finally, Danny Welbeck (£6.5m) is a potential differential to consider at Brighton, having ended last season on a high. He grabbed three goals and three assists across the final five gameweeks of the season. The Seagulls avoid all of last season’s top four across their opening eight fixtures.
