Strikers who can comfortably play the deep lying forward role are hard to come by. This is because rather than just being good at scoring goals, a deep lying forward is expected to be more involved in the team’s overall play, holding up the ball and even creating chances for his teammates.
With this in mind, I have decided to come up with this list, to make it easier to sign a few good deep lying forwards for your next FM23 save.
I have also restricted my list to players yet to hit 30 years, however, some like Harry Kane are almost there, yet are too good to leave out.
Without further ado, here are the best deep lying forwards you can sign in FM23 at the start of your save;
Harry Kane
Harry Kane is arguably the perfect deep lying forward in the game. 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 was in previous editions of football manager.
Check out his full FM23 profile here.
Dusan Vlahovic
At just 22 years old, Vlahovic is among the few young strikers with the ability to excel as a deep lying 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.
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
Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak became one of the first big-money signings of Newcastle United after their takeover, and for good reasons.
At just 23 years old, the Swedish international is already capable of leading the line at a very high level and in a variety of roles including the deep lying forward, advanced forward and complete forward.
At 1.92 m and with the physicality to go with his height, Isak has the right attributes to play at a top level way into his 30s à la Zlatan Ibrahimović
Having joined Newcastle at the start of the season and with a contract that expires in 2028, Signing Isak will likely demand a little bit of patience from you unless you’re open to spending a ridiculous amount on him.
Check out his full FM23 profile here
Tammy Abraham
Since leaving English football in 2021, Abraham’s game has improved in leaps and bounds, and he is now of the most complete strikers in the top five leagues.
With an eye for goal and the ability to bring others into play, Abraham is the perfect striker for a club chasing Champions League football.
The Nigerian is still only 25 years old, and with strikers hitting their peak in football manager at around the age of 27, Abraham’s best form still lies ahead if you sign him up.
His contract expires in 2026, therefore be prepared to spend above his market value to sign him up.
However, being homegrown in England, you might just cash in on him and for a good profit when one of the big 6 clubs in England comes sniffing around for his signature.
Check out his full FM23 profile here
Dominic Calvert Lewin
Injury problems coupled with his club’s poor form have ensured the best of Calvert Lewin has not yet been seen consistently.
Playing for a struggling club will always mean chances for strikers to put the ball in the back of the net are hard to come by.
Despite these issues, Everton are always a better side when the 25-year-old English man is in the team.
Capable of leading the line and coming in short to receive the ball from the midfielders, Calvert Lewin makes a good deep lying forward.
With his contract expiring in 2025, signing him on a bargain is possible, especially if Everton gets relegated in the first season of your save.
Check out his full 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 deep lying 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
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 deep lying 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.
