10 Greatest EFL Attackers of the 2010's

10 Greatest EFL Attackers of the 2010's

Through the years there have been many elite players who have played in the EFL leagues especially in the attacking line. So, the question will normally arise, who are the best among those names that have been seen. Today we will be looking at those players who were the best attackers from 2010 to 2019.

10. Britt Assombalonga

Assombalonga was a striker who spent 7 years in the Championship with both Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough. In those years he cemented himself as one of the best strikers in the league. He was a fast strong striker and someone who caused issues for every defender. In the 7 years he was in the Championship he hit double digits in 5 of them. His second season with Forest was limited scoring 1 goal in the 4 games he played, however, recovered in the next season. He only saw his numbers slip one other time and that was when he played his last season in the Championship.

Strength, acceleration and composure is what made him so a strong forward.

9. Jarrod Bowen

A players that a lot of people would know as a result of his time with West Ham. However, before that he was one of the best and most promising players in the Championship. He was quick, dynamic and powerful winger. He would always cause issues for the defence either by himself or allowing space for teammates. Combining this with his 22-goal season in the 2018/19 campaign you can see why he is on this list.

Left his legacy behind and was one of the first modern wingers in the Championship. His place in this list is more than deserved.

8. Ollie Watkins

Once again, we see a name that people will recognise. Once again, they started it all in the lower divisions. Watkins started in League Two putting up 22 goals and assists for Exeter City before moving to Brentford. He would then have some good seasons with 16 and 18 G/A before his final season where he would score 26 and assist 3 as Brentford finished 3rd.

He was a truly all round forward. Not just someone who would score you goals, but a player who would build up and allow chances for his teammates. His place is once again well deserved.

7. Glenn Murray

Murray was a man who started his career in the EFL with Brighton in League One. His first season in the decade we are looking at saw him score his best career goal tally with 22 goals for Brighton. This season would earn him a move to Championship side Crystal Palace. He would struggle in his first season scoring just 7 goals. However, the next season would be his best to this day. He would score 31 goals pushing Palace to the Premier League. After this he would find himself struggling for game time and opportunities seeing his next best season be for Reading back in the Championship.

Not the most flashy striker to have ever been in the EFL, however, he was reliable. He was someone who would do the job and do it well. Important and consistent goals, that is what he built his career on.

6. Ross McCormack

McCormack was a man who had some top seasons in the Championship. He would see the first of those in his second season for Leeds. He would find himself finishing the season with 19 goals. While he struggled after, his final season with Leeds made up for that. He would score 29 goals in that season and would earn a move to Fulham. In his first season in London, he would score 19 goals while also providing 10 assists. He would follow this up with an even stronger season. 23 goals and 9 assists. These are the seasons that have placed him on this list.

4 seasons with 20+ goal contributions. His place on this list is more than deserved. However, he is limited to 6th as after those seasons, he couldn’t find that level again and would eventually leave England looking to reignite his career.

5. Patrick Bamford

A man who might not have the elite statistics of the other players around him but had just as much of an impact. He was vital in Leeds ability to attack under Bielsa in their promotion season. His career started with a strong season with MK Dons scoring 17 goals in 30 matches. He would then manage to find this form again 2 years later this time with Middlesbrough. He would then leave Middlesbrough and struggle to find his form again, until he joined Leeds. This was where he truly became one of the best strikers in the league and earned his place on this list.

His pressing ability and linkup player was what made him such a good fit. Combining this with his movement off the ball in and around the goal, he truly became one of the most formidable strikers in the Championship. This is why he is on the list; however, his output has meant he marks the halfway point.

4. Tammy Abraham

Abraham is different to a lot of players we have spoken about on the list. Unlike a lot of them he was never a permanent player in any of the teams he played for. However, that didn’t stop him from showing his qualities. He has spent just 2 years in the EFL leagues with Bristol City and Aston Villa. In those seasons he was the best striker in the league. Over the 88 games he played in those 2 seasons, he scored 52 goals and provided 6 assists. He was well and truly on a different level.

While he did only spend 2 seasons in the Championship, scoring 23 goals both seasons he was there is very impressive and has earned him the place on the list. The number of goals scored, and his skill set he put on show have placed him 4th. If he spent more time in the leagues, he more than likely would’ve pushed for the number 1 spot.

3. Dwight Gayle

Once again, we seen someone who might not have the longevity but had the impact. His first truly top season came in his first season for Newcastle in the Championship. He played 34 matches that season and provided 27 G/A helping them to promotion. He would almost do that again 2 seasons later with West Brom scoring 24 goals in 41 games. His output was elite and almost helped him secure two promotions with sides as a result.

He was a player that thrived in the EFL. He would always have a strong season and would be the man to bring in the try and secure goals for promotion. The main area stopping him from being higher is consistency. While he would come and do it for most teams, he spent a lot of his career during the 2010s in the Premier League, however, the seasons he was in the Championship he would help those teams secure a top finish.

2. Teemu Pukki

Pukki spent a season in the Championship after joining Norwich. In that season he automatically proved himself to be on a different level. He would score 30 goals and provide 9 assists while helping Norwich secure promotion. He was truly an instant impact player. Someone who came in and hit the ground running.

His movement combined with his finishing put him on a different level to everyone else around him. This is what has placed him so high, while he spent very little time in the EFL during the 2010s the period he was there, he was the best player in the league. This is why he is on this list and why he is so high.

1. Danny Ings

Someone who took a bit to find himself in the football world, however, the Championship was where he found himself. After a few seasons with Burnley, it finally clicked. He would score 25 goals and help Burnley to promotion to the Premier League. He had everything, speed, intelligence, pressing and finishing. He was the main force in pushing Burnley to promotion.

While like Pukki he spent only a season in the EFL his impact can’t be questioned. He was everything Burnley needed to go back to the Premier League and find themselves at the top of the English Pyramid.