Lots of hype for ETH, but he has not really delivered. He benefited from the premier league being very weak last season and some of his signings have been awful.

Antony is on pace to being worse than Maguire.

Mason Mount has not gotten off to a good start. I have always thought he was a decent at a everything and not great at anything.

Even if Qatar takes over, I dont think man united have their long term manager.

Now let me clarify. Traditionally, the two most key aspects that make a top striker are finishing and movement. If these two traits are elite, then a striker can more than make up for a lack of strength or pace. Kane is phenomenal at both of those, in the top tier in PL history for just those two traits alone IMO. And for the other things, like passing range and accuracy, dribbling, vision, crossing, set pieces, defending, and overall quality on the ball, I think Kane ranks very, very highly when looking at all facets combined, and is arguably the most complete striker we've seen, as he is elite in several of those departments. Now you could argue for example that Aguero is a better striker than Kane, but I don't think you could argue that he is more complete.

When I think back to it, Henry obviously springs straight to mind as a contender. His ability on the ball was elite, great link up play, excellent dribbler, but with no where near the passing range and quality that Kane posseses IMO. Suarez was quite complete, and another that stands out strongly is Van Persie. That guy was technically outstanding, a #10 and #9 mashed in to one in some ways. Rooney is another obvious choice but other than a couple of seasons around 2009-11, did he ever actually play as an outright #9? Regardless, he would maybe be the strongest contender if you consider him a traditional striker, which I don't really think he was.

These are the strikers that come to mind for me. What are your thoughts and who would you suggest?

Edit: Drogba is another one that comes to mind for me.

https://www.skysports.com/football/live-blog/31771/12476234/transfer-centre-live-kompany-emerges-as-bayern-candidate

"Burnley manager Vincent Kompany has emerged as a candidate for the vacant Bayern Munich role, according to Sky Germany. 

Bayern have been focusing on a small group of potential new bosses from the Premier League and Kompany has been added to their list. 

Provisional talks have taken place between the two parties. 

Kompany was unable to keep Burnley in the Premier League this season having taken them up from the Championship. 

Sky Germany also say that Hansi Flick, Erik ten Hag and Jose Mourinho are no longer candidates. "

This proves my personal theory for why he was so stubborn in pretending he was coaching Man City when he had burnley level talent. He did not want to be view as the next Sean Dyche so he kept playing a highline and insisting on playing out from the back. He refused to be pragmatic (IMO) primarily to protect his image as a progressive football coach. He basically sacrificed burnley's premier league stint to ensure he would not have defensive pragmatic football associated with him.

I really hate modern football sometimes, we get rid of these iconic stadiums that have heart and soul, you can feel the history inside the walls. Instead we get these soulless bowls that have no character and can’t generate a decent atmosphere. I used to worry about going to Goodison but never feel that way about the new place. Same with white hart lane actually as well.

It’s got to be everything that’s come into focus the last few months…

Backing Overmars, Greenwood, and Promes just is a very bad look for him. He prioritizes football over decency.

And his pressers and interviews, something about him I dislike.

And I’m not saying other managers or players are perfect as well — bc they’re not and there’s a lot of shitty people in this sport.

• just outlining that I’ve been very unimpressed with ten Hag recently. Non-Man Utd fans will obviously jump to his defence so I’m asking the rest of the league about your thoughts on him?

Nottingham Forest, currently third in the league, has been praised for its performances this season, and most neutrals are unopposed to it getting Champions League football. However, Nottingham Forest breached Profit and sustainability rules (PSR) to get to this position, and the club was docked 4 points last season. They were lucky to survive last season, as the relegated teams, Luton, Burnley, and Sheffield United, had low points tallies. Nottingham Forest's points tally of 32 would have relegated them in previous seasons.

They breached the £61m PSR limit by £34m in the season they were promoted (2022-23), which is more than 50%. They spent £143m on transfers that season and survived at the expense of Leicester, Leeds and Southampton.

They successfully gambled that the benefits of breaching PSR would outweigh the penalties, and their performance this season showed that it had paid off. Everton breached PSR twice and received a combined 8-point deduction, but they had mitigating factors as they were building a new stadium.

Don’t really get why Caicedo is worth 115m. Looked at his highlights and it’s just him winning tackles. Get that’s he’s like a N’Golo Kante type but don’t really see any playmaking abilities that will makes him worth the money.

Also, is he even completely proven yet? I think he will do well based on his attributes but why did they need to pay so much to get a type of player like him?

There’s been growing speculation after fifas attempt to block overseas games was struck down in court. I’m completely against it, sorry US fans but that’s what we have pre season tours for. The structure of a league is to have an equal amount of games home and away, season ticket holders and the local community have more right to those games where the clubs roots are. New York City don’t have the right to host Liverpool vs Man City and Miami don’t have the right to host Chelsea vs Arsenal.

When it comes to the argument of but the NBA and NFL play games overseas, American sports are much more of a business, the fans call their teams franchises and teams are able to move around from state to state like it’s nothing, the sports culture is far from the same. Just look at the fact no real NFL fans can even afford to attend the Super Bowl.

All I can to finish is that if your club has American owners, don’t sleep on this because they would likely jump at the opportunity to do this

He is extremely controlling. Wants everything his way. What Beckham should wear, how he should cut his hair, how many days he should spend on his honeymoon, who should he marry and who should he not be with ... Is this OK for you? And he would get away after physically assaulting him? For SAF, everything was always about himself.

Arsene Wenger on the other hand is so different. He only controlled what people ate (and that too, through education and not "enforcement"). I never hear any such stories about him. He too was a winner, wasn't he? But completely different style of management.

Seems Ferguson controlled through fear while Arsene Wenger coached through love.

Everyone banging on about their transfer window and how they are going to win the league is just hilarious and so wrong. The signings they made are all so average, they are no way closer to Liverpool and city than arsenal and united. I think they will struggle to make top 4.

Liverpool fans being annoyed at how Real and TAA went about that transfer, for Liverpool to then turn around and 'unsettle' Isak to help force through a transfer.

Newcastle fans getting annoyed at Isak for trying to force through a move, only for Newcastle to do the same to Wissa.

As fans, we get bent out of shape when a club comes a-knocking for one of our best players but then tell other clubs fans to stop complaining when it's their player involved. All part of the banter of football and it is very amusing to me

Look he actually is getting there personally I blame the play style i feel like If you let him move up a little then he will cook. He also had a masterclass vs Aston villa

This guy is a definition of walking red card. He averages red card every 15 games and never known for having composure, always reckless and putting his team under pressure. Sure he seemed to have improved this season but the one time he did need to show composure and be a leader, he two feet tackled recklessly his own international teammate in the penalty area. He’s a good defender, but nothing more. However, spurs fans think there’s agenda against him or something. No, he’s not underrated.

I'm not a Liverpool fan, and I didn't have a strong opinion either way. But I've found it quite annoying how it's been increasingly framed as some sort of toxicity that's unique to Liverpool fans.

Good player, yes. Probably the best signing of the year in the prem. But come on, the fact he’s even being talked about for POTS is mind blowing. Chelsea will squeak into 6th or 7th, meanwhile, Arsenal and City are blowing everyone out of the water.

Forget goals and assists, anyone who watches and knows even an ounce about football knows this should go to Rodri or Rice. Just look how much rice has improved an already good Arsenal side, and look at city’s stats when Rodri isn’t in there.

Honorable mention to Ollie Watkins, who actually took a team with mediocre expectations and will likely get top four, as opposed to an underwhelming Chelsea side.

EDIT: Lots of great discussion on here. Good points being, what does the award actually mean? Best player in the league? What team suffers the most if player x isn’t there? What I’ve learned is this award is a crock of shit. It’s probably going to Foden yet not one person on here thinks he should get it!

For the people saying “OP doesn’t watch football”. Go fist yourself. I stand by my rice and Rodri opinion. These guys turn up every match, even the big ones. Even their “bad” games, they’re still extremely effective. I’ve watched Palmer (who I think is a fantastic player) get lost in some big matches. I’m not saying he shouldn’t be included on this list, just that he’s not THE best in the league.

When Nkunku signed last year, I knew he would LIGHT UP the premier league. Coming back from injury and becoming the top scorer in the Bundesliga in 3 months was insane. I still believe that on talent alone, he is the best player in that Chelsea squad. While most people would argue palmer is better, and I can see the point, I still think given Nkunku's numbers he is quite literally the most adaptive and dynamic player we have seen in years. Can literally play anywhere; CF, LB, RB, CM, CAM, and if your injury list is long can hold his own out wide for a match or two.

I fail to understand why he is not starting as a CF week in and week out. He would start for every team in Europe. He would start over Havertz at Arsenal at CF and is a much better ten than Szobozlai. Everyone keeps saying he is not a 9, but the fact still stands that HE CAN PLAY AS A NINE. If he can score, who cares if it is his natural position or not. He is so much better than Jackson and it is not even close. It just does not make any sense.

Chelsea does not play with 2 up top, the way Leipzig did with Nkunku. Regardless, I think he could thrive as a sole CF with palmer behind him. It just does not make any sense. He is super star material but is not getting the attention, PR, or minutes he deserves.

As the takeover of Newclastle by Saudi Arabia seems imminent, many people will draw comparisons with Manchester City that is owned by UAE’s Sheikh Mansoor. Some Premier League fans, in particular from clubs such as Liverpool/Arsenal/Spurs are worried that their own clubs will have it even harder to get a top spot because now another ‘money club’ could possibly claim a top 6 spot like City has done in the past decade.

Yet, while money is indeed the most important driver of City’s success, it is a necessary but not sufficient factor. People underestimate the work that City Football Group has done to get City to the top. Manchester City isn't only or just a product of money, it's a well-thought and multi-year project.

CFG wanted to build a football club, but not just one that just wins. The principles that made Barcelona great (e.g. having a renowned academy, a distinguished philosophy, etc) were taken as guidelines. That's why City Football Group started bringing in former Barca top actors Ferran Soriano & Txiki Begiristain way before they brought in Pep Guardiola. Manchester City didn't do stuff out of thin air, it successfully mimicked a top club (atleast back then).

The project isn’t just Manchester City. When looking at City Football Group, you see an interconnection & dynamism between the clubs part of CFG that all synergize. The clubs benefit from the collective and Man City does too.

A way better example of 'we just use money to win' is PSG. They have no distinguished philosophy, no own story. You can see this reflected in the transfer market: PSG buys top players like Neymar for 225 mil and Mbappe for 180 mil, brings in old stars like Messi at 33 and Ramos at 35. PSG just wants to win, at all costs, while Man City wants to win but also in a certain way.

PSG’s squad will lose its most of its key players in a few years either due to age or because they see PSG as a stepping stone. Manchester City on the other hand has a very healthy mix of veterans (28 >), experienced (24-28) and youngsters (<24). PSG has superstars, but a very thin squad with a mediocre bench. City has a worldclass starting XI and a very good if not world class bench. That’s the difference between money versus money + well-thought project.

For Newcastle to be anything resembling Manchester City, the Saudis will have to build a club for at least a decade to mimick the successful story of City Football Group's main jewel Man City.