The Premier League has been graced by a number of world class strikers. From the technically gifted Thierry Henry to the powerful and fearless Didier Drogba. But who are the worst strikers to have ever played in the Premier League? We, Rush Football, take a look…
Jozy Altidore
The big American has had two torrid spells in England with Hull and Sunderland respectively. The United States international cost a total of £19 million and scored just two Premier League goals in 70 appearances, scoring once in 28 games for Hull and once in 42 for Sunderland. He had all the characteristics to be a success, tall, strong, quick and powerful but his clumsiness on the ball and his inability to hit the net was clear for all to see. Following his most recent spell in the North East with the Black Cats Altidore returned to the MLS where he has 47 goals in 88 appearances for Toronto FC.
Ricky van Wolfswinkel
Dutch striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel arrived at Norwich City from Portuguese side Sporting CP in 2013 for a fee in the region of £10 million. He joined after scoring 28 goals in 55 league games for the Primeira Liga side. Life in Premier League started brightly, scoring on his debut in a 2-2 draw with Everton at Carrow Road on the opening day of the season. However, this was as good as it got. He finished the 2013-14 campaign with just one goal in 25 league appearances as Chris Hughton’s side returned to the Championship. Following his unsuccessful spell at Norwich he spent the next two years on loan at Saint-Étienne and Real Betis where he continued to struggle to find form. He joined Eredivise side Vitesse in 2016 where he flourished and now finds himself at Swiss club FC Basel.
Lee Dong-gook
Very few will remember Middlesbrough striker Lee Dong-gook, mainly due to the fact he failed to score a single Premier League goal in his 18 month stay. The South Korean arrived at the Riverside Stadium from K-League club Pohang Steelers following the departure of Massimo Maccarone and Malcolm Christie. He went on to make 23 Premier League appearances for the Boro and made no impact whatsoever during his short and forgetful tenure. He left Middlesbrough in 2008 and in an interview in 2011 with Tribal Football he said “I was at Middlesbrough for 18 months and it was a meaningful time. I don’t think that it was wasted time. I did my best. I got some good experience and have no regrets about my time in England. Wherever I go in the future, the time I spent in England will be a big help.” Following his departure, he joined Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors where he has become the K-League’s all-time leading scorer.
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