Troy Deeney’s top five Premier League strikers as Aubameyang misses out

Troy Deeney made no room for Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in his list of the top five current Premier League strikers, which was topped by Tottenham‘s Harry Kane.

Deeney was tasked with naming the best front men with the Watford captain only picking players that are ‘out and out No 9s’.

With Aubameyang often playing out wide instead of through the middle, the Gunners’ captain missed out on a spot, but there was a place for Liverpool‘s Roberto Firmino who came in at fifth place.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (bottom) was not named on the list of Troy Deeney’s top five current Premier League strikers, but Harry Kane (top) topped the Watford captain’s chart

Firmino only managed nine goals in comparison to Aubameyang’s 22 strikes in the Premier League last season but Deeney highlighted the Brazilian’s role in linking play between Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane 

Speaking on talkSPORT, Deeney said: ‘I think he’s the new No 9. He works hard, doesn’t get as many goals as he probably should considering the team he plays for but also links the play really well. 

‘I think he’s the link between Salah and Mane which allows them to get the most goals.’

Deeney described Roberto Firmino as the ‘new No 9’ because of the forward’s link-up play

Fourth on the list was Wolves forward Raul Jimenez, who scored 17 league goals last season. The 29-year-old already has four in the current campaign.

‘His work rate across the front is remarkable,’ said Deeney. ‘He doesn’t give the defenders a moment’s peace, he can link play, score right foot, left foot and I think he’s got the ability to grow.’

Taking third place was Leicester’s Jamie Vardy. The former England international won the Golden Boot last season and reached the milestone of 100 Premier League goals as the Foxes finished fifth. 

Wolves’ Raul Jimenez (left) came fourth while Leicester’s  Jamie Vardy made the top three

Deeney described Vardy as a ‘thorn in everyone’s side’ and insisted Leicester look like a different team without him. 

Sergio Aguero just missed out on the top spot with the Manchester City forward coming in at second.

The Argentine has 180 goals in 265 Premier League appearances and has won 13 trophies during his nine-year spell at the Etihad.

‘I think Aguero is the ultimate poacher,’ said Deeney. ‘He’s always in the right place, right foot, left foot, tap-ins, worldies – he can do the lot.’

Man City’s Sergio Aguero came in second and Deeney described him as the ‘ultimate poacher’

Kane came top of the list with Deeney arguing that he’s one of the best in the world 

Watford captain Deeney rates Kane above Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema too

But it was ultimately Kane who came out on top with Deeney describing the Spurs and England captain as the best in the business.

Kane has 148 goals in 216 Premier League appearances and has made a strong start to the current campaign with five goals and eight assists, seven of which have been for Son Heung-Min.

The 27-year-old has scored 91 goals with his right foot, 33 with his left while 23 have been headers. 

Deeney said: ‘I think he’s the best No 9 that’s about in the Premier League at the moment, you could argue in world football. 

‘Lewandowski and Benzema would probably give him a run for his money but (from the) out and out No 9s he’s the best in the Premier League for me. And he’s adding assists to his game now.’ 

Deeney has previously claimed Kane has not been regarded as world-class because he is English and that the likes of Lewandowski and Benzema are always ranked above him despite his ‘ridiculous’ record.