Newcastle Toons
Fansided

Newcastle United’s 2010-2019 Forward of the Decade

By Carson A Merk

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 02: Papiss Cisse of Newcastle celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on May 2, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 02: Papiss Cisse of Newcastle celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on May 2, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

With the 2010s coming to an end, who was the best forward for Newcastle United in this decade?

We’re officially in the final two weeks of 2019, which means the 2010s are winding down as well. After selecting our goalkeeper, defender, and midfielder of the decade for Newcastle United, we arrive for the last position group: Forward of the Decade.

Top Candidates

Demba Ba: 58 appearances, 29 goals, seven assists

Papiss Cisse: 131 appearances, 44 goals, ten assists

Dwight Gayle: 76 appearances, 29 goals, eight assists

Yoan Gouffran: 141 appearances, 19 goals, 13 assists

Aleksandar Mitrovic: 72 appearances, 17 goals, ten assists

Ayoze Perez: 195 appearances, 48 goals, 17 assists

Expert Picks

Carson A. Merk: Papiss Cisse

While Ayoze Perez scored more and some crucial go-ahead goals, Papiss Cisse is the selection here. He only scored four fewer goals in more than sixty fewer matches. Also, he didn’t get a chance to pad his stats in the Championship or his numbers would’ve been crazy. Instead, he was scoring important goals at the top level for NUFC. In his time with Newcastle United, he was one of the top strikers in the Premier League.

During the 2012-13 Europa League, he scored a stoppage-time goal to push the Magpies past Anzhi Makhachkala in the Round of 16. Newcastle would lose to Benfica in the quarterfinals 4-2, but it was Cisse that provided both goals.

More from History

Durim Halimi: Papiss Cisse

Not only is Papiss Cisse the best forward to play for Newcastle United in the last ten years, he is, in my eyes, one of the best forwards to ever put on a black and white shirt. The Senegalese frontman was a dynamic threat for opposing defenders as he consolidated quick pace, superior dribbling and precise shooting in his game. Moreover, he was a complete striker who scored goals with both feet and found the back of the net with his head on a few occasions.

Newcastle United helped put Cisse on the map as a top striker, but his goals also enabled the club to reach new heights, especially in his first season at St. James’ Park. He scored several meaningful goals, as well as goals that created long-lasting highlights, over his five seasons on Tyneside. Yes, Cisse did experience a few dips in form in 2013 and 2015, but he made up for that with his amazing form in 2012 and 2014.