Complete forwards are supposed to be the complete package, capable of the hold up play of the deep lying forwards while also being equally capable of making runs in behind the defence like the advanced forward or poacher and also crafting chances like the false 9.
These requirements make it a very difficult role to fill with the right player.
With that in mind, I have decided to make it easier for you to get the best complete forwards in FM23 at the start of the save.
I have tried to limit my list to players aged 30 and below, however, there are a few like Lukaku and Harry Kane who are just too good to ignore.
Without further ado, here are the best complete forwards you can sign in FM23 at the start of your save.
Harry Kane
Harry Kane is arguably the most complete striker in FM23. Karim Benzema and Robert Lewandowski might have something to say about that, but the two are well into their 30s.
Playing for Tottenham Hotspurs, Kane is yet to win a major title in his career, despite being one of the most prolific goalscorers in world football.
How about you ensure the Englishman does not end his career with zero titles by signing him up and letting him lead your side to glory?
He will not come cheap, however, especially his wages. However, with his contract nearing its end, he might not be as expensive as he once was in previous editions of football manager.
Check out his full FM23 profile here.
Alvaro Morata
In spite of playing for the biggest clubs in Europe and winning numerous caps for Spain, Morata has never been a prolific striker.
What he does better than most strikers is build-up play. Morata is an exceptional dribbler, header of the ball and generally good in tight spaces.
He will always be open to receiving the ball from his midfielders, no matter the situation.
Currently aged 30 and his contract expiring in 2024, Morata can be signed for relatively cheap compared to the other names on this list
Furthermore, his game is not reliant on pace, therefore he will comfortably play into his 30s, making him a good option for a quality rotational complete forward.
Check out his full FM23 profile here
Erling Haaland
He just can not miss out on a list discussing any type of striker in football manager.
Haaland is the complete package, finishing, anticipation, strength and even pace, the man has it all.
The only hold up will be convincing Manchester City to let him go and the wages you will have to pay.
If you manage to do it, you will have the best young complete forward FM23 has to offer, unless the game throws up an insane regen striker in a few years.
Complete forward, deep lying forward or even as a poacher, Haaland will do it all for your frontline. The only disservice you can do to him is assigning to a role like a false 9 or target man that makes little use of his explosive pace.
Check out his FM23 profile here.
Cody Gakpo
Unlike most other names on this list, Gakpo is highly versatile and can fill a number of positions in the final third.
This versatility and a perfect blend of creativity and clinical instinct makes Gakpo an ideal complete forward.
Following his impressive outings for PSV Eindhoven, and exceptional performances at the World Cup, Liverpool moved in quickly, signed him up and tied him to a long-term contract that expires in 2028.
Therefore, signing him for your team in the foreseeable future looks unlikely, unless you are willing to spend a lot of money on him.
Check out his full FM23 profile here
Benjamin Šeško
Born in 2003, Sesko is only 19 years old at the start of FM23. He is very much an out-and-out striker, capable of only playing in the striker position.
However, what he lacks in versatility, he more than makes it up for it in his attributes.
At 194 CM, and with decent physical attributes for a teenager, Sesko has the potential to develop into a world-class complete forward in no time.
Should you wish to, Sesko can also be moulded to play as a deep lying forward or a target man, however, you will be sacrificing his explosive pace in doing so.
Despite playing in Austria for RB Salzburg (He will join RB Leipzig at the end of the first season), Sesko will easily cost upwards of 70 million pounds.
Check out his FM23 profile here.
Kylian Mbappé
Mbappé can comfortably challenge Haaland for who is the better young complete forward.
Just like the Norwegian, the Frenchman will cost your club an obscene amount in transfer fees and wages, but he will more than reward you with enough goals to win all the titles that you compete for.
What Mbappé has over Haaland is versatility. Should you get a change of heart and want to try a different system, Mbappé will comfortably operate in both the right and left flanks as an inside forward, inverted winger or a raumdeuter.
With his ridiculous wage demands, signing the 24-year-old is only realistic for a handful of clubs unless you wait for a few years when he starts slowing down in his 30s.
Check out his FM23 profile here.
Dusan Vlahovic
At just 22 years old, Vlahovic is among the few young strikers with the ability to excel as a complete forward.
The young Serbian international, having broken into the limelight in 2021 at Fiorentina, was quickly snapped up by Juventus after Arsenal started sniffing around for his signature.
He has very good physical attributes, making him capable of holding his own against the defenders, while decent ratings in passing and vision mean he will always be capable of bringing his teammates into play.
With a contract that expires in 2026, Vlahovic will not come cheap. However, at such a young age and with the potential that he has, spending the big bucks on him is not such a bad idea.
Check out his full FM23 profile here
Kai Havertz
Havertz is a very similar type of player to Gakpo.
Signed by Chelsea in 2020, he has not consistently shown what he is capable of, largely due to how the various managers Chelsea have had have been setting the team up.
Havertz’s talent however remains unquestionable, and he has a Champions League winning goal to his name.
Unlike Gakpo, Havertz’s contract expires in 2025, opening the door for you to swoop in and sign him on a bargain.
Aside from operating as a complete forward, Havertz is very well suited to operating just behind the main striker as a shadow striker in the number 10 position.
Check out his full FM23 profile here.
Youssoufa Moukoko
Borussia Dortmund are experts in identifying young talent and turning them into worldwide superstars. Moukoko is firmly on that path.
Capable of playing as a complete forward and a shadow striker, the 18-year-old wonderkid will give you some flexibility in trying out different systems or accommodating another striker when you inevitably sign one.
With a contract that expires in 2026 and playing in the Bundesliga for one of the biggest clubs in German football, Moukoko will not come cheap.
However, if you are patient and the bigger clubs in English football don’t splash the money on him, you can get him on a bargain towards the end of his contract.
Check out his FM23 profile here.
