The second striker is a unique position in football; positioned just behind the main forward, this player combines the instincts of a goal scorer with the vision of a playmaker.
They are neither standard No. 9s nor classic No. 10s, but rather fall somewhere in the middle—linking midfield with attack, drifting into space, generating chances, and scoring when it matters. In the Premier League, some of the best attacking players have excelled in this role.
Here is a list of the top ten finest second strikers in the league during the 21st century.
10. Pedro, Chelsea (Second striker to Diego Costa)
Pedro frequently operated from wide areas, and in numerous tactical configurations under José Mourinho and Antonio Conte, he played just behind Diego Costa. Costa was able to focus on finishing thanks to his runs, pressuring, and brilliant movement, while Pedro contributed inventiveness and deep goals.
9. Shinji Kagawa, Manchester United (Second striker to Robin van Persie).
Despite his brief time at United, Kagawa was most effective as a backup to van Persie. The Japanese playmaker thrived in the area between midfield and attack, making passes and gliding into dangerous situations.
8. Louis Saha – Manchester United/Everton (second striker behind Ruud van Nistelrooy and Yakubu)
Saha was resourceful, but he excelled when playing behind a dominant frontman. At United, he complimented van Nistelrooy’s acquisitions with quick movement and link-up play. At Everton, he was Yakubu’s support act, frequently diving deeper to weave together.
7. Juan Mata, Manchester United (second striker behind Zlatan Ibrahimović and then Marcus Rashford).
While primarily deployed on the right wing, Mata was occasionally utilized centrally as a second striker/attacking midfielder, particularly under Louis van Gaal and José Mourinho.
Wayne Rooney played behind or off Zlatan Ibrahimović Marcus Rashford Antonio Martial Romelu Lukaku throughout his time with United.
6. Paolo Di Canio – West Ham (second striker behind Frederic Kanouté and Jermain Defoe).
Di Canio played with flare and unpredictability right behind the main striker. He was the creative core of West Ham’s attack, frequently collaborating with more traditional forwards such as Kanouté and Defoe.
5. Eidur Gudjohnsen – Chelsea (second striker behind Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Didier Drogba).
Gudjohnsen was one of the most intelligent players of his period. His technique and vision worked brilliantly with big attackers like Hasselbaink and, subsequently, Drogba, providing balance and elegance behind the main striker.
4. Wayne Rooney – Manchester United (second striker behind Ruud van Nistelrooy, Dimitar Berbatov, and Robin van Persie).
Rooney spent a big portion of his career in the No. 10 position. He was the motor and link player between midfield and attack, assisting strikers such as van Nistelrooy and van Persie and frequently sacrificing his own goal tally for the team’s balance.
3. Eric Cantona – Manchester United (second striker behind Mark Hughes and Andy Cole).
Cantona played directly behind the striker, organizing assaults and scoring himself. His brilliance and management enabled Hughes and Cole to succeed ahead of him. He was the creative force behind United’s early Premier League domination.
2. Dennis Bergkamp, Arsenal (second striker to Thierry Henry)
Bergkamp, a master of the second striker role, laid the groundwork for Thierry Henry’s success. With magnificent vision, technical genius, and selfless play, he made Henry even more dangerous, providing him opportunities and drawing defenders out of position.
1. Carlos Tevez – Manchester United & Manchester City (second striker behind Wayne Rooney and Sergio Agüero).
Tevez was one of the finest strikers football has ever seen. 73 goals in 148 games for Manchester City; 50 goals in 96 outings for Juventus.
He formed a deadly partnership with Rooney at United. At City, he complemented Agüero’s tenacity and ability to drop deep, making both teams extremely difficult to stop.
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