Top 5: Most underrated Premier League strikers in 2016/17

The Premier League is blessed with many top-class strikers, but there are plenty of unsung forwards plying their trade in the top-flight, turning in consistently strong performances, but never quite grabbing the attention like their more illustrious teammates.

The likes of Diego Costa, Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku, Sergio Aguero and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are constantly analysed, discussed and scrutinised and it is not often that they manage to stay out of the limelight.

Manchester City’s Aguero – Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

With 39 Premier League goals between them this season, it is easy to see why this is the case.

However, what about those who aren’t as often in the limelight? Those that are under-appreciated, under-valued, under-analysed?

These are the types of players that are vital to every team and who are valued most by the club, but those who do not watch them play every week often ignore their ability and importance.

Here are Shoot!‘s five strikers who are often underrated in the Premier League…

Fernando Llorente (Swansea City)

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Fernando Llorente has never been a prolific goalscorer, but what he lacks in scoring power, he certainly makes up for in physical strength and chance creation.

So far this season, the Swansea striker has struggled for form and fitness and before last weekend he had a solitary goal and assist from eight starts.

The ex-Juventus and Sevilla forward then struck two late goals as Swansea completed a remarkable 5-4 win over Crystal Palace at the Liberty Stadium last weekend and Llorente literally ripped up his formbook.

Now he has these goals, he will have undoubtedly picked up some confidence and will be keen to use this to help kick-start his and Swansea’s seasons.

Alvaro Negredo (Middlesbrough)

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Alvaro Negredo has not managed to score more than ten goals in a season at any of his clubs since making regular appearances for Spanish side Sevilla in 2012/13.

This is probably why, after leaving Manchester City in 2014, the 31-year-old became pretty much forgotten until signing for Aitor Karanka’s side.

This season, the Spanish striker has three goals and three assists in his first 13 league games and will be hoping to break into double figures for the first time in four seasons.

If he wants to achieve this, Negredo will need to keep improving on his performances and showcasing more of his quality.

Charlie Austin (Southampton)

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Charlie Austin has risen through the footballing ranks over the last few years and has progressed from playing in League One with Swindon Town to making a huge impact in the Premier League at his current club, Southampton.

There is no doubt about his quality and the striker is already averaging a goal every other game this season having scored six goals in his first 12 appearances.

However, the former Burnley and QPR forward went somewhat under-the-radar before joining Claude Puel’s side at the beginning of 2016.

The 27-year-old is currently keeping Shane Long out of the side and if he can continue his current form throughout this season, Austin could really be one to keep an eye on.

Jermain Defoe (Sunderland)

Photo: Mark Leech / Offside.

Jermain Defoe has featured in every single Premier League season since making his debut for West Ham United against Middlesbrough in the 2000/01 season.

This means that the 34-year-old forward has featured in 17 consecutive top-flight campaigns, whilst netting 151 goals in 444 appearances.

The former Tottenham and Portsmouth striker undoubtedly has masses of experiences but, outside of his respective club, he has never been one of the favourites and remains somewhat underrated.

This season Defoe already has seven goals and two assists from 13 appearances and has featured in all but seven minutes of Sunderland’s campaign.

He will be a vital asset to manager David Moyes should The Black Cats have any chance of avoiding relegation.

Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Olivier Giroud has to be one of the most underrated players around the world.

The issue is that he has never been outstanding for Arsenal and although he has produced a consistent return of over ten goals a season, he has never showed enough class to keep one of the other superstars from the starting eleven.

In this campaign, despite only playing 124 minutes in the Premier League for Arsene Wenger’s side, the French striker already has three goals and two assists to his name.

Should the 30-year-old be able to sustain this, it shouldn’t take too long to convince Wenger that he can still be Arsenal’s main man.