What Is a Second Striker? Role, Tactics, FPL Scoring

A second striker is the forward who plays off the main striker, dropping into the space between midfield and attack. The role is not about holding the highest line; it is about finding pockets where a centre back is uncomfortable and a midfielder can actually reach you. In a league where teams defend in compact blocks, the second striker is often the difference between a side that keeps the ball and a side that does something with it.

The job of a second striker

The second striker starts alongside a centre forward but does not stay beside him. When the team has possession, the second striker drops off, which drags a defender out of the back line and opens space for runners. When the team loses the ball, the second striker is usually the first line of pressure, trying to stop a quick transition rather than chasing a lost cause.

That double job is what separates the role from a traditional forward. A main striker is judged on goals and pulling the defence one way. The second striker is judged on more subtle work: the lay-off, the through ball, the third-man run, the timing of a late arrival into the penalty area. In a two-man attack, one player often stays high and the other works the space. The second striker is the one who works.

Second striker vs centre forward and number 10

The easiest way to understand a second striker is to compare it with two nearby roles.

Role	Starting position	Main job	Defensive duty
Centre forward	Highest attacker	Lead the line, score, occupy defenders	Press the first line
Second striker	Alongside the main striker	Drop off, link play, arrive late	Press midfielders, track runners
Number 10	Behind the striker	Create chances for forwards	Chase and cover from midfield

A centre forward is the focal point. The team looks for him directly, and he either finishes moves or occupies two centre backs so others get space. A second striker is not the focal point, even when he scores a lot. He benefits from the centre forward doing the dirty work. That is why the partnership matters: a second striker rarely looks as good without a physical or high-running striker next to him.

A number 10 is a midfielder behind the strikers. He receives with his back to goal in the hole and feeds the forwards. The second striker can look similar, but the key difference is where he starts. A number 10 comes from midfield. A second striker starts as a forward and then drops off. That sounds minor, but it changes defensive duties and the way the team presses. The second striker is still an attacker first, while the number 10 is a creator who has to track runners.

There is also the question of modern tactics. Many teams no longer use a set second striker, because a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1 has one central forward and attacking midfielders. But the role has not disappeared. It has been absorbed into the skill set of a wide forward or an attacking midfielder. The Premier League still has teams that play two up front, especially when they need to press high and get another body in the box.

How the role fits in the Premier League

The Premier League is a 20-club competition where every side plays 38 matches. That is a lot of games, and it rewards partnerships that can be built over a season. A pair of forwards, with one playing as the second striker, gives a manager more variation without changing formation. It also helps against the bottom three, who often sit deep and make the central striker play with his back to goal. A second striker can attack the space between midfield and defence when the first striker stays on the last defender.

The league's squad rules matter here. A 25-player squad must include at least eight homegrown players, and under-21 players do not count against the limit. That pressures managers to develop versatile attackers. A player who can play as a second striker and as a wide forward is worth more to a 25-man squad than a player who only plays one rigid role. The same applies to the five-substitution rule. Five subs, taken across a maximum of three windows plus half-time, let managers change the attacking shape late in games. A second striker can be the perfect late substitute because he can drop in and help the team keep control or push for a winner.

What to look for in a second striker

First, the ability to receive on the half-turn. A second striker usually receives between the opposition's midfield and defence, which is the most crowded area of the pitch. If the first touch is bad, the move dies. If the first touch opens the body and the defence, the second striker turns defence into attack quickly.

Second, the timing of runs. The second striker has to know when to stay short and when to sprint towards the box. The best ones arrive late for cut-backs, which is why they score more than the average playmaker. Their goal tally often comes from being in the right place when the main striker or a winger gets to the byline.

Third, defensive responsibility. In a two-man attack, the second striker is asked to press the opposition's deepest midfielder or double up on the full-back. When the team drops into a block, the second striker usually becomes another midfielder rather than leaving the team short in central areas.

That combination is rare. It is why a specialist second striker has become a luxury in the modern game. Most top teams prefer a system where the attacking midfielders share those duties, which lets the manager change the structure without changing the personnel.

FPL and the second striker

For Fantasy Premier League, the position label matters more than the on-pitch behaviour. The game classifies players as goalkeeper, defender, midfielder or forward. A player who plays as a second striker is usually listed as a forward if he starts as the main striker's partner. That changes his scoring value.

Forwards score 4 points per goal in FPL, midfielders score 5, and goalkeepers and defenders score 6. A second striker who drops deep and creates chances is therefore at a slight scoring disadvantage compared with a midfielder who does the same work. But forwards also get 3 points for an assist, and a forward with a high shot volume can still be excellent value. The £100.0m budget and the maximum of three players per club mean you cannot simply buy every second striker in the league. You have to pick.

The bonus points system, with 3/2/1 for the top three BPS scorers, also matters. A second striker who presses, creates and scores tends to accumulate bonus points even when his team does not keep a clean sheet, because bonus points reward shots on target, chances created and successful actions. Yellow cards cost -1, red cards -3, and an own goal -2. Penalty misses cost -2 as well, which can hurt a forward who shares penalty duties.

The second striker is a product of football's need for flexibility. The role may not have a fixed shirt number or a fixed spot in the formation, but it keeps showing up in teams that need a link between midfield and attack.

Key takeaways

• A second striker is a forward who drops off the main striker, creating space and linking play between midfield and attack.
• The role differs from a number 10 because a second striker starts as a forward, while a number 10 starts in midfield.
• In the Premier League's 20-team structure, a second striker can be a useful weapon against deep blocks and in a 25-man squad where versatility is valued.
• FPL forwards score 4 points per goal, so a second striker who plays as a forward is priced by that higher positional value despite doing creative work.
• Five substitutes across three windows plus half-time give managers the chance to adjust attack late, making a second striker a valuable bench option.

FAQ

What is a second striker in football?

A second striker is a forward who plays off a main striker, dropping into the space between midfield and defence to create chances and make late runs into the box. The role is a hybrid between a centre forward and an attacking midfielder.

Is a second striker the same as a number 10?

No. A number 10 starts in midfield, usually behind the striker. A second striker starts as a forward and then drops deeper. The defensive duties and positioning are different, even if the two roles sometimes look similar on the pitch.

How does Fantasy Premier League treat a second striker?

If a player is listed as a forward in FPL, he scores 4 points for a goal rather than the 5 a midfielder gets. The position label depends on the game's classification, not on where the player actually spends most of the match.

Why is the second striker less common in the Premier League now?

Modern formations such as 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 usually use one central striker, so the second striker's duties are shared by wide forwards or attacking midfielders. But the role still appears when teams need an extra body in the box and a better press.