To play as a first-choice centre-forward in the modern era, you’re expected to contribute more than simply scoring goals.



Gone are the days of physical, sturdy strikers waiting for service in the penalty box. Instead, top-level football is about forwards who come short, link play and assist team-mates. Such is the demand for all-rounders, attackers are often now judged by what they can’t do, rather than what they can.



This seems particularly relevant given the interest of various Premier League clubs — particularly Tottenham Hotspur — in Milan’s Krzysztof Piatek. The big Pole is a throwback, an old-school goalpoacher who focuses solely on converting chances himself. There remain a few other strikers in his mould, but few are quite so committed to the brand, and that can be underlined by one very telling statistic.



Piatek arrived in Serie A at the start of last season, signing for Genoa. He smashed in 13 goals in an incredible...