Forwards take a vital part in every team’s plan being the key for scoring goals or in other situations disturbing the defence, giving other team members the opportunity to attack. While the Premier League is the home of many remarkable Forwards, FPL managers face an annual tough decision with the launch of every season especially with the high price tag for the top scorers and their ability to make differences on weekly basis.
Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Arsenal’s Aubameyang are considered two of the top candidates in which many managers try to include while forming their teams or in other circumstances including only one of them resulting in a challenging dilemma.
Harry Kane (Tottenham, £11.0m)
No Doubt the 2018/19 season was unforgettable for Spurs with the introduction of their new stadium in April, reaching the Champions league final for the first time in the club’s history, whilst finishing 4th in the Premier League. Spurs’ fans are already looking forward to the upcoming season, their participation in the Champions League again and the full recovery of Harry Kane who had suffered his fifth ankle problem in the last three years during the Champions League Quarter Final.
The scoring machine is known and feared by many defenders in the league with his ability to finish from the most unexpected situations. Kane has appeared on 178 occasions in the Premier League, scoring 125 goals, one every 117 minutes. Having been harassed with injuries last season, Kane witnessed his lowest FPL score since 2014, however If he successfully remains fit throughout the season Kane is expected to reimburse the spurs’ fans for the unsatisfactory ending last season, whilst undoubtedly contending for the Golden Boot.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal, £10.5m)
2018/19’s Golden Boot winner remains on the top of the list of any FPL manager, as the speedy Gabonese is known for his brilliant finishing abilities accompanied by pace and off the ball activities. This aided the Gunners securing their position in 2019’s Europa League Final which was their second European final in the last thirteen years.
Furthermore, Aubameyang managed to leave his mark in the club’s history by scoring the first hat-trick for the Gunners in a European competition semi-final. In 49 Premier League appearances, Aubameyang has scored 32 goals, one every 118 minutes, showing that the striker remains a force not to reckon with. That said, there are doubts on the future of the Gabonese forward, with the rumours of Manchester United’s attempt to sign the talented forward.
Comparison
Comparing the last two seasons, you can see the two of them compare very closely:
| Player | Harry Kane | Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 377 | 292 |
| Minutes Played | 5497 | 3778 |
| Goals | 46 | 32 |
| Assists | 8 | 11 |
| Bonus Points | 55 | 44 |
| Minutes per point | 14.58 | 12.94 |
| Price | £11.0m | £10.5m |
Although Kane scored more points, this was partly attributable to the Englishman playing more minutes, as Aubameyang clearly has a better minutes per FPL point of 12.94, versus Kane’s 14.48.
The Verdict
Both of the strikers earned the fans’ respect over the past years; however Harry Kane may just be the better option to start the season. Despite Aubameyang’s significant performances last season, Spurs will be looking to invest further in their team and push on from their fourth place finish. Another point to consider is the Kane has little competition for his spot, if he is fit then he starts, whereas Aubameyang and Lacazette do on occasions get rotated.
That all said, if you are stuck, why not have both? They both rotate well for the captains armband (apart from gameweek 4) and it wouldn’t be a crazy pick!
Written by Omar EL-Sotouhy (@Sotouhy9)
