Rafomac News, Tech & Trends That MatterErling Haaland’s stats are off the charts — fastest to 100 goals, record-setting seasons, nearly unstoppable. Yet Troy Deeney insists the Manchester City star isn’t in his Premier League top 10 strikers of all time. The debate is far from settled.
Erling Haaland’s rise in the Premier League has been nothing short of spectacular. At just 26, he’s shattered records including the fastest player to 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 100 goals. His 36 goals in a single Premier League season set a new benchmark, while his 100 goal involvements in under 100 games (94 games) stand unmatched. Adding to this, he scored hat-tricks in three consecutive home games and posted over 50 goals in a top-flight season for the first time since 1931. Across competitions, his goal totals are jaw-dropping, with 112 goals in 132 Premier League games, 12 in 14 FA Cup matches, and 57 goals in 58 Champions League appearances. Internationally and in other leagues, his numbers stay astronomical.
So, with stats like these, it’s natural to wonder if Haaland is now the greatest Premier League striker ever. However, Troy Deeney, speaking on talkSPORT’s Drive, offers a more nuanced view. He applauds Haaland’s talents, calling him a “10 out of 10” freak of nature, but stops short of placing him in his all-time top 10—at least for now.
Deeney’s top five strikers list starts with Thierry Henry, Wayne Rooney, Alan Shearer, and Andy Cole, with the fifth spot rotating among players like Harry Kane, Jermain Defoe, Sergio Agüero, Robbie Fowler, and Luis Suárez. Notably, Haaland is absent from these ranks despite his record-breaking goal-scoring.
So what explains this? Deeney emphasizes the emotional connection and the ‘feeling’ these players gave him as a fan. Henry’s graceful pace and precision finish, Rooney’s all-round brilliance, Shearer’s sheer goal-scoring authority, and Cole’s underrated legacy—all these players left a mark beyond just numbers. Andy Cole, in particular, pulls at Deeney’s heartstrings as the “most disrespected striker” in Premier League history, scoring over 180 goals yet rarely making top 10 lists. Cole’s understated nature and lack of media spotlight likely contributed to this oversight.
While acknowledging Haaland’s incredible scoring prowess, Deeney believes the broader impact still separates the legends from the current star. Fans still debate whether Haaland can carry his side as the sole talisman, especially since Manchester City was already dominant before his arrival. The upcoming season will be telling — can Haaland shoulder more responsibility if the team isn’t the outright favourite?
Deeney also points out another dimension: versatility and involvement beyond just scoring. Players like Henry, Rooney, and Shearer contributed with hold-up play, link-up skills, and aerial dominance. Haaland, while the ultimate goal-poacher, tends to operate more as a finisher rather than the all-encompassing striker. This differences affects where he stands in the pantheon.
He remains optimistic, though, that Haaland’s story is far from over. “He’s only 26 and absolutely getting better,” Deeney says. But the pedestal for all-time greatness requires more than goals—it’s about the total package and the memories those players create moment by moment on the pitch.
On the question of natural goalscorers, Deeney highlights Robbie Fowler’s instinctual scoring ability as legendary, though hard to quantify. And when asked about Mohamed Salah, Deeney distances the winger from the ‘number nine’ striker discussion, keeping his focus strict but open-minded.
The conversation around the greatest Premier League strikers remains subjective. For Deeney, Haaland’s monumental achievements put him on the path, but not yet in the firm top 10. The challenge now: will the Norwegian’s evolving game and future impact change that view? Only time will tell.
