Andy Cole is one of the few underappreciated Premier League attackers who does not receive the credit they merit. During his first full season of playing in the Premier League, the former Newcastle and Manchester United player broke the record for the most goals in a season. He was the epitome of goals.
Cole has had the good fortune to line up with a number of outstanding finishers over his career, including Alan Shearer, Michael Owen, and Teddy Sheringham. But according to the man himself, there was one Englishman who was better than the others at finding the back of the net.
Robbie Fowler is the Greatest English Finisher Cole Has Ever Seen
The pair represented England together
Cole said that former Manchester City and Liverpool forward Robbie Fowler was the best finisher he had played with in an interview with fellow Man United alumnus Rio Ferdinand. Cole gave an explanation for why he was in awe of the Liverpudlian, despite Fowler’s longstanding reputation as a top-tier number nine who was clinical inside the box. (See the next video, skip till 43:12).
“Oh, you know I adored Robbie. I’ve never seen a better finisher than Robbie. I tell the truth. I’ve seen Robbie, obviously, then I’ve played with him, I’ve seen Robbie, [when] we used to go away with England, do some craziness. You go away and observe people when you’re with England.
“I’m saying because left or right foot, head, brave – and I used to sit and watch him like, his left foot was a wand as well, and Robbie was one of the best finishers I’ve seen – English finisher.”
Despite finishing his career with 379 Premier League appearances and 162 goals, Fowler is still regarded as one of the greatest players to never win a trophy. In addition, he retired with 26 England caps and seven goals.
A Career Ranking of Robbie Fowler Based on Appearances
Groups
Games
Objectives
Helps
Liverpool
369
183
50
City of Manchester
92
27
9.
Leeds United
33
14
2.
Glory in Perth
28
9.
0
England
27
7.
FC Northern Fury
26
9.
4.
Cardiff City
16
6.
One
Rover Blackburn
6.
0
One
United Muangthing
2.
0
0
Cole Shares His Thoughts On Other Legendary Strikers
He also revealed his choice for the greatest number nine ever
Ronaldo Nazário was the best number nine Cole had ever seen play, according to his comparisons of previous great number nines. But when he listed the guys he believed he was superior to, the 53-year-old didn’t mince words.
He lauded Patrick Kluivert, a former Barcelona player, and reaffirmed his belief that he was a greater striker than Kluivert. He then said the same thing about Ian Wright without hesitation. He also asserted that he was superior to Christian Vieri, Les Ferdinand, and Sheringham.
The former Newcastle and Fulham star did not elaborate on George Weah, however, noting that he would state that Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time leading scorer, did have his number even if they were different players.
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