Wolverhampton Wanderers Benik Afobe is one of the top marksman outside of the Premier League, and his rise over the past 18 months has been nothing short of tremendous.

He started his career with Premier League giants Arsenal and, after impressing in their youth and reserve teams, he was sent out on loan by manager Arsene Wenger, but he never really showed his quality in front of goal consistently.

However, a move to then League One side MK Dons gave the opportunity to do just that and he grabbed it with both hands, as he scored 19 goals in 30 games for the Dons before his spell was cut short as he made a permanent move to Sky Bet Championship side Wolves.

In his first six months with the club, he scored 13 goals in 21 outings and has continued his form this season with six in 12 games, despite at times operating in a deeper role.

The 22-year-old has a number of qualities that mean he would be capable of performing at the highest level in English football.

FootballLeagueWorld writer Andrew Bell identifies five reasons why Benik Afobe should be a Premier League player sooner rather than later...

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE 5 REASONS!

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Goals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If there's one thing that Benik Afobe has shown in the past year and a half, it's that he knows where the back of the net is.

Last season, he scored a combined total of 32 goals for MK Dons and Wolves. An incredible tally.

He's always had the potential to be a regular goal scorer, most notably as a teenager when he was a regular on the score sheet for Arsenal's youth and reserve teams.

He is undoubtedly one of the best finishers outside of the Premier League, and his quality when he is in on goal proves that he should be a top-flight footballer.

Potential

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At just 22 years of age, Afobe still has the potential to go a long way in the game and, if he were to get a shot at the Premier League, he could be a side's regular goal scorer for many years to come.

Given his record while on loan at MK Dons last season, it was slightly surprising that Arsenal agreed the sell a young English striker that could potentially be a long-term option for the manager.

At his tender age, he could still be playing for another ten years, and his potential to go very far in the game is another reason that he should be playing in the Premier League.

Pace

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of Afobe's best qualities is his frightening pace and acceleration.

This is often a big issue for opposition defenders, and this can be a crucial attribute for a player performing in the Premier League.

Players do not seem to be running at defenders as much nowadays, but Afobe does just that.

His pace makes him an incredibly difficult player to mark and defend against, and having a forward that is able to run in behind defences and beat opposition players to the ball can be important for succeeding in the top-flight.

The pace that Afobe has in his locker is one of many reasons that he should be playing in the Premier League, and should he fail to get there with Wolves, then they will struggle to hold onto him.

Strength

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As well as possessing great pace, the former England youth international has the capability of holding off defenders, and this really helps bring some of his team mates into the game.

It's a huge asset to have in the top-flight where a number of teams play one up top.

Being able to fight off opposition defenders would benefit Afobe massively should he ever make the step up to the Premier League, and it's just another reason why he should be there already.

Part of the successful partnership with Afobe and Nouha Dicko last season was their shared strength as it allowed them to bring each other into the game and fight off defenders for the ball.

English talent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the current footballing climate, English talent is high on the shopping lists of many Premier League managers, particularly with new home grown quotas being introduced by the FA.

That is why we saw the likes of Patrick Roberts moving to Manchester City and Afobe's nationality, as well as his quality, makes him an attractive option for sides in the top flight.

After representing England at under 16, 17, 19 and 21 levels, Afobe will be desperate to make the step up to the full team and moving up a division will help him achieve this.

Wolves fans... do you agree? How good is Afobe? Are these his only strengths? What are his weaknesses which could be exposed in the Premier League? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!