The Athletic FC Podcast Why are the big-money strikers misfiring?
Jan 28, 2026
Carl Anka, football writer who dissects striker fit; Mark Carey, experienced reporter with sharp signing assessments; Oli Kay, analyst focusing on tactics and stats. They discuss why recent big-money forwards have struggled in the Premier League. They examine evolving striker roles, how team shapes and service patterns affect tall centre-forwards, and why recruitment and temperament matter for adaptation.
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Higher Adaptation Demands For New Strikers
- Premier League strikers now face higher adaptation demands and shorter fan tolerance than before.
- Carl Anka argues modern judgement is binary: early struggles quickly label signings as flops.
Tactical Mismatch Reduces Striker Output
- Modern centre-forwards face varied tactical roles and less consistent service from teammates.
- Oli Kay says many big signings lack team systems that optimise classic centre-forward strengths.
Eketike's Rapid Adaptation At Liverpool
- Mark Carey praises Hugo Eketike's adaptation and versatility at Liverpool despite limited minutes for Isak.
- He highlights Eketike's close control, aerial profile and strong counter-attacking threat.