Messi and Neymar or Cavani and Ibrahimovic: What’s the Best Strike Force in Europe?

In recent years managers across Europe have favoured the role of the lone striker. Surrounded by attacking midfielders who effortlessly interchange and create havoc for the oppositions defence, it seemed the days of the standard two up top were done and dusted.

No longer would we have the chance to marvel at the telepathic understanding that was witnessed in some of the great strike partnerships - think Yorke and Cole or Toschack and Keegan. Modern day managers want fluidity and a seamless transition from midfield to attack. The trequartista was handed a key role in the side, a number 10 who could offer goals and an eye for a pass from the deeper position.

Chelsea flourished with Didier Drogba spearing their attack; Eto'o helped Barcelona win the Champions League flanked by Ronaldinho and Loduvic Giuly, while last season Bayern Munich were crowned the champions of Europe with Mario Mandzukic the focal point of an attacking trio.

However, this summer we have witnessed a host of transfers that suggest a two-man attack may be coming back into fashion. Edinson Cavani's move to Paris Saint Germain sets up the exciting prospect of seeing the Uruguay form a lethal partnership with the enigmatic Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Italian champions Juventus may have strolled to the title last season but it seems manager Antonio Conte was dreaming of days gone by when he decided to pair the bruising 6ft 6" Fernando Llorente with the scampering trickery of Carlos Tevez.

Manchester City have a wealth of options after Manuel Pellegrini sealed deals for Alvaro Negredo and Steven Jovetic, who join Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero at the Etihad Stadium. There is sure to be rotation but you can expect a partnership to bloom and flourish.

Should Manchester United retain the services of Wayne Rooney then he may be forced to develop an understanding with Robin van Persie if he wants to be involved in the biggest games, while even losing Champions League finalists signed another striker in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who will likely have just one season alongside the prolific Robert Lewandowski.

Over in Spain, where the 'false nine' has become the new-norm, Barcelona can boast two of the most prolific attackers in world football in Lionel Messi and Neymar. They may be far removed from a traditional striker but the two will form a feared combination that is sure to give any defensive line-up a sleepless night.

Real Madrid are working hard to assemble the most expensive forward line ever witnessed as they look to partner Gareth Bale with Cristiano Ronaldo, while even if the Welshman stays at Tottenham, Los Blancos can call upon the hugely talented French forward Karim Benzema.

To help us get a better idea of just which team can boast the most prolific strike force in all of Europe we combined each strikers goals from last season [for their respective clubs] to see just who comes out on top.

103 Barcelona Messi [60] and Neymar [43]

74 Real Madrid Ronaldo [55] and Benzema [19]

73 PSG Cavani [38] and Ibrahimovich [35]

57 Dortmund Leandowski [36] and Aubameyang [21]

55 Monaco Falcao [34] and Traore [21]

54 Swansea Michu [17] and Bony [37]

48 Man City Negredo [31] and Aguero [17]

46 Man United Rooney [16] and Van Persie [30]

44 Bayern Munich Mandzukic [21] and Muller [23]

22 Juventus LLorente [5] and Tevez [17]

This gives just a small indication as to what these teams can expect from next season and it is likely that Juventus fans will certainly expect a massive improvement from their top two after Fernando Llorente struggled to get game time last season.

Swansea City fans will certainly be excited as they clearly have a strike force that can create havoc next season, while PSG are likely to be a major force throughout Europe with their extraordinary talented combination of Cavani and Ibrahimovich.

Stats may suggest that the combination of Messi and Neymar it best but let us know who you think boasts the best front line in Europe.