When it comes to selecting the best forwards for your fantasy football team, there’s a lot to consider. While we all know the top strikers, debates often arise about choices like Dovbyk vs. Morata or Lautaro vs. Vlahovic. The team at FantaGOAT.it has devised an algorithm to rank the best forwards based on a “recommended price” for fantasy leagues, making it easier for fans to decide which number 9 to choose for their squads.
Starting off the list at number ten is Ademola Lookman. While not a traditional forward, Lookman has scored as if he were one. Before joining Gian Piero Gasperini at Atalanta, he had never scored more than six league goals in a season. However, since his arrival, the Nigerian winger has been on fire, netting 24 goals across two seasons and being instrumental in Atalanta’s Europa League campaign.
In ninth place, we find Paulo Dybala. However, fantasy players should keep an eye on the transfer market as he has been approached by Al-Qadsiah, who are willing to offer him a lucrative contract to move to Saudi Arabia. This situation puts his future with AS Roma—and your fantasy team—in jeopardy. His new teammate, Artem Dovbyk, ranks eighth on the list. After a stellar season in Ukraine, Dovbyk scored 24 goals for Girona and will be well-supported at Roma by playmakers like Pellegrini, Dybala, and Soulé.
Kwadwo Thuram takes the seventh spot, with concerns about possible reduced playing time due to competition with Taremi at Inter. Nevertheless, he was the fifth-best forward in expected goals (excluding penalties) last season. Playing for Inter, the team that created the most chances, should only help his cause.
Alvaro Morata is the sixth-best forward to consider. Although he has never scored more than 15 goals in a season, Morata’s all-around play makes him invaluable, as he contributes both with and without the ball. Moreover, coach Paulo Fonseca has a track record of getting the best out of forwards, as seen with players like Dzeko.
Staying in Milan but switching to AC, Rafael Leao comes in at fifth place. In the last three seasons, he has tallied 21, 23, and 18 combined goals and assists, proving to be a value choice compared to the top-tier forwards.
Kvaratskhelia ranks fourth on the list. Despite a difficult year for Napoli, he managed to score eleven goals and provide six assists. With a potentially revitalized team under Antonio Conte and less rotation due to cup matches, Kvaratskhelia could thrive this season.
Dusan Vlahovic claims the third spot. His contributions were somewhat limited under Massimiliano Allegri’s defensive setup, but with Thiago Motta now at the helm, there is hope for Vlahovic to build on last year’s tally of 16 goals.
Victor Osimhen follows closely in second place, despite rumors of a possible exit. If he does move on, Napoli might replace him well, with someone like Romelu Lukaku in mind. Conte has a history of enhancing the performances of leading strikers, as shown with Harry Kane and Lukaku himself. Importantly, Napoli will have a lighter schedule this season.
Finally, the top forward is Lautaro Martinez. The gap between him and the others is significant; he scored 24 goals last season, while Vlahovic, the second-best, only reached 16. This top-tier performance does come at a higher cost in the fantasy football market, so the question remains—how much are you willing to spend on him? To find out the recommended prices and player ratings for your fantasy team, be sure to check the latest updates.