Premier League 2016-17 awards: 5 best forwards

MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - APRIL 17: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal shoots as Antonio Barragan of Middlesbrough attempts to block during the Premier League match between Middlesbrough and Arsenal at Riverside Stadium on April 17, 2017 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) /

3 of 5

Diego Costa is one of the five best forwards in the Premier League

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 03: Diego Costa of Chelsea and Nicolas Otamendi of Manchester City compete for the ball during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Etihad Stadium on December 3, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /

3. Diego Costa, Chelsea

Goal points per 90 minutes played: 5.79

The player everyone loves to hate. The Premier League’s own pantomime villain. Whatever your view of Diego Costa, there’s no denying that he scores goals, even if he has also picked up the joint-most yellow cards given to a forward this season.

When Chelsea went on the 13-game winning run which looks like it will have propelled them to winning the 2016-17 title, Costa scored in nine of the matches. By scoring the winner in 1-0 victories over Middlesbrough, West Brom and Crystal Palace, the Spanish international made a vital contribution to the Blues’ remarkable run.

His form has certainly tailed off in 2017. Costa was strongly linked with a big money move to China in January, and perhaps the speculation has affected him. He has only scored three times in the league since the turn of the year.

Costa has scored two goals against the other teams in the big six this season — away at City and at home to Liverpool — but he also only has one goal against a bottom three side, which is fewer than his predecessors on this list. He has the highest average opposition rank of the players on this list, which is to his credit as a goal scorer.

Home/Premier League