The summer of 2022 is likely to see a  footballing arms race for goalscorers  
The summer of 2022 is likely to see a  footballing arms race for goalscorers  

and, clearly, two names dominate that  list. Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland  
and, clearly, two names dominate that  list. Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland  

are the two most sort-after players  in the world and everyone knows why.
are the two most sort-after players  in the world and everyone knows why.

But what of the players beneath? It’s not quite  Sensible Transfer season at Tifo, but we’re taking  
But what of the players beneath? It’s not quite  Sensible Transfer season at Tifo, but we’re taking  

a provisional look at where the goals are and  what the coming generation of forwards looks like.
a provisional look at where the goals are and  what the coming generation of forwards looks like.

Some ground rules to begin with: we’re  only including players aged 24 or younger  
Some ground rules to begin with: we’re  only including players aged 24 or younger  

and we’re also excluding anyone who has  moved clubs within the last 12 months.  
and we’re also excluding anyone who has  moved clubs within the last 12 months.  

So, no Tammy Abraham, no Paolo Dybala and no  Victor Osimhen and, further up the food chain,  
So, no Tammy Abraham, no Paolo Dybala and no  Victor Osimhen and, further up the food chain,  

no Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane  or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang either.
no Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane  or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang either.

But our list starts in Portugal,  with Benfica’s Darwin Nunez.
But our list starts in Portugal,  with Benfica’s Darwin Nunez.

As a Uruguayan forward with long hair, it’s  too easy to compare him to Edinson Cavani  
As a Uruguayan forward with long hair, it’s  too easy to compare him to Edinson Cavani  

and yet there are similarities – not  least in the quality of his penalty  
and yet there are similarities – not  least in the quality of his penalty  

box movement and anticipation, both of  which inform his goalscoring record.
box movement and anticipation, both of  which inform his goalscoring record.

But there’s more to him. Nunez is extremely  quick, which makes him a threat in the  
But there’s more to him. Nunez is extremely  quick, which makes him a threat in the  

channels and beyond the back-shoulder,  and he’s a very dynamic dribbler,  
channels and beyond the back-shoulder,  and he’s a very dynamic dribbler,  

which allows him to beat defenders one-on-one  and create shooting opportunities for himself.
which allows him to beat defenders one-on-one  and create shooting opportunities for himself.

He’s also smart. It would be wrong to  describe him as a facilitator, but he does  
He’s also smart. It would be wrong to  describe him as a facilitator, but he does  

have some False 9 characteristics. When he  receives the ball in the penalty box, his  
have some False 9 characteristics. When he  receives the ball in the penalty box, his  

instinct isn’t always to shoot; he spots players  in better positions and can operate as a pivot,  
instinct isn’t always to shoot; he spots players  in better positions and can operate as a pivot,  

and he’s also – unusually – a good crosser,  too. He’s a goalscorer, certainly, but also  
and he’s also – unusually – a good crosser,  too. He’s a goalscorer, certainly, but also  

a creator of chances who should improve  the performance of most attacking units.
a creator of chances who should improve  the performance of most attacking units.

Next up: Gianluca Scamacca.
Next up: Gianluca Scamacca.

With Dusan Vlahovic off the market,  Sassuolo’s Scamacca is probably the  
With Dusan Vlahovic off the market,  Sassuolo’s Scamacca is probably the  

most interesting young forward in Italy.  Again, he’s a player of breadth. He’s 6ft5  
most interesting young forward in Italy.  Again, he’s a player of breadth. He’s 6ft5  

and presents an obvious physical challenge,  but he’s not purely a power-based player:  
and presents an obvious physical challenge,  but he’s not purely a power-based player:  

the touch-and-volley he scored against Napoli in  December 2021 was illustrative of his technique,  
the touch-and-volley he scored against Napoli in  December 2021 was illustrative of his technique,  

as well as his periodic ability to score unique  and eye-catching goals, and to play with craft.  
as well as his periodic ability to score unique  and eye-catching goals, and to play with craft.  

Unusually for a bigger forward, he also  frequently shoots from distance – and well:  
Unusually for a bigger forward, he also  frequently shoots from distance – and well:  

his stunning curler against AC  Milan was a fine example of that.
his stunning curler against AC  Milan was a fine example of that.

Roberto Mancini is a big fan.  
Roberto Mancini is a big fan.  

“Scamacca has everything it takes to  become a complete centre-forward,”  
“Scamacca has everything it takes to  become a complete centre-forward,”  

he told La Gazzetta dello Sport shortly after  that Napoli goal and it’s hard to disagree.
he told La Gazzetta dello Sport shortly after  that Napoli goal and it’s hard to disagree.

Scamacca has skill and dynamism to go  with his size – his deft touches can  
Scamacca has skill and dynamism to go  with his size – his deft touches can  

be a startling contrast to the force in  his game – and if he isn’t prolific yet,  
be a startling contrast to the force in  his game – and if he isn’t prolific yet,  

it’s easy to imagine him becoming so if  his high shot-volume and finishing range  
it’s easy to imagine him becoming so if  his high shot-volume and finishing range  

was incorporated within a higher-powered side.
was incorporated within a higher-powered side.

Staying in Italy, Rafael Leao might have been on  our list, but he’s currently more of an inside  
Staying in Italy, Rafael Leao might have been on  our list, but he’s currently more of an inside  

forward than a no.9. In Germany, Christopher  Nkunku has had an even better year and has  
forward than a no.9. In Germany, Christopher  Nkunku has had an even better year and has  

often been used in the RB Leipzig forward line,  but he’s still in the attacking-midfielder or  
often been used in the RB Leipzig forward line,  but he’s still in the attacking-midfielder or  

No.10 category for now. So is PSV’s Cody Gakpo.  He’s been a standout performer in the Eredivisie,  
No.10 category for now. So is PSV’s Cody Gakpo.  He’s been a standout performer in the Eredivisie,  

but we prefer him in a wider, or more withdrawn  role, and so he’s not really what we’re looking  
but we prefer him in a wider, or more withdrawn  role, and so he’s not really what we’re looking  

for. Nor is Charles De Ketelaere; we’re not quite  sure what his long-term position is going to be.
for. Nor is Charles De Ketelaere; we’re not quite  sure what his long-term position is going to be.

Back in Portugal, Evanilson is better defined.  
Back in Portugal, Evanilson is better defined.  

Porto have run away with the title this  season, and that’s partly because of the  
Porto have run away with the title this  season, and that’s partly because of the  

now departed Luis Diaz, the form of Mehdi Taremi,  but also the goals of the 22 year-old Brazilian.
now departed Luis Diaz, the form of Mehdi Taremi,  but also the goals of the 22 year-old Brazilian.

There’s a Diego Costa-like quality  to Evanilson. He’s thick-set and  
There’s a Diego Costa-like quality  to Evanilson. He’s thick-set and  

incredibly difficult to knock-off the  ball – he’s very good at shielding it,  
incredibly difficult to knock-off the  ball – he’s very good at shielding it,  

too – but like the other players on this  list, those aesthetics mask subtlety and skill  
too – but like the other players on this  list, those aesthetics mask subtlety and skill  

which contribute to the creation of goals  and the development of attacking moves.  
which contribute to the creation of goals  and the development of attacking moves.  

He’s got a nice range of flicks and  through-balls and plays with his head up.
He’s got a nice range of flicks and  through-balls and plays with his head up.

Evanilson isn’t a sure thing and there should  be weariness around any player who produces a  
Evanilson isn’t a sure thing and there should  be weariness around any player who produces a  

sudden surge of form, particularly in a  league outside the traditional top-five.  
sudden surge of form, particularly in a  league outside the traditional top-five.  

Nevertheless, his package of  abilities makes him intriguing and  
Nevertheless, his package of  abilities makes him intriguing and  

theoretically equips him  to succeed in most leagues.
theoretically equips him  to succeed in most leagues.

Back in Italy, Lautaro Martinez is  already succeeding in a top-tier league;  
Back in Italy, Lautaro Martinez is  already succeeding in a top-tier league;  

his combination with Romelu Lukaku helped  make Inter Milan champions a year ago.
his combination with Romelu Lukaku helped  make Inter Milan champions a year ago.

Lukaku has gone, but Martinez’s class  remains. As do the goals. Some of them  
Lukaku has gone, but Martinez’s class  remains. As do the goals. Some of them  

have been of the highest standard – the drive  into the top-corner at Anfield, for instance,  
have been of the highest standard – the drive  into the top-corner at Anfield, for instance,  

or the gorgeous chest, touch and finish  versus Cagliari – while others, such as  
or the gorgeous chest, touch and finish  versus Cagliari – while others, such as  

a thumping header against Peru while playing  for Argentina, or the stunning cushioned volley  
a thumping header against Peru while playing  for Argentina, or the stunning cushioned volley  

against Sampdoria - have also reaffirmed him  as a dependable converter of difficult chances.
against Sampdoria - have also reaffirmed him  as a dependable converter of difficult chances.

And, while there have frequently been murmurs  about his need for the right partner, he has  
And, while there have frequently been murmurs  about his need for the right partner, he has  

combined well with the new members of the changing  cast at San Siro – with Edin Dzeko as Lukaku’s  
combined well with the new members of the changing  cast at San Siro – with Edin Dzeko as Lukaku’s  

replacement, with Denzel Dumfries on the right,  and Federico DiMarco periodically on the left.  
replacement, with Denzel Dumfries on the right,  and Federico DiMarco periodically on the left.  

Martinez has always been comfortable dropping  back into midfield and combining with supporting  
Martinez has always been comfortable dropping  back into midfield and combining with supporting  

players, too, and that makes him  an ideal, goal-scoring component,  
players, too, and that makes him  an ideal, goal-scoring component,  

even if he isn’t quite a superstar.
even if he isn’t quite a superstar.

Over in Germany, Sasa Kalajdzic  has endured a difficult few years.  
Over in Germany, Sasa Kalajdzic  has endured a difficult few years.  

A pre-pandemic cruciate ligament  injury cost him nearly an entire season  
A pre-pandemic cruciate ligament  injury cost him nearly an entire season  

and, more recently, a shoulder injury  side-lined him for the first half of 2021-22.  
and, more recently, a shoulder injury  side-lined him for the first half of 2021-22.  

Stuttgart have also suffered through a torrid  Bundesliga season, which has hardly helped either.
Stuttgart have also suffered through a torrid  Bundesliga season, which has hardly helped either.

But Kalajdzic remains a big problem for defenders.  
But Kalajdzic remains a big problem for defenders.  

At nearly 6ft7, it’s reasonable and right to  compare him to former English forward Peter  
At nearly 6ft7, it’s reasonable and right to  compare him to former English forward Peter  

Crouch – in how good his first touch is, in how  he’s able to use his body to “pin” defenders and  
Crouch – in how good his first touch is, in how  he’s able to use his body to “pin” defenders and  

keep them from challenging for the ball, and  in how clean his first-time contacts often are.
keep them from challenging for the ball, and  in how clean his first-time contacts often are.

He’s also surprisingly deft  and cold-blooded finisher.  
He’s also surprisingly deft  and cold-blooded finisher.  

One caveat is that he requires the right  supply and that, at his best, he often  
One caveat is that he requires the right  supply and that, at his best, he often  

benefitted from – among others - Borna Sosa’s  excellent delivery. But fully fit and on-form  
benefitted from – among others - Borna Sosa’s  excellent delivery. But fully fit and on-form  

he could still become the thoroughly modern  and very effective targetman he promised to be.
he could still become the thoroughly modern  and very effective targetman he promised to be.

And there are others for the radar, too.
And there are others for the radar, too.

Within Wolfsburg’s terrible season, Lukas Nmecha  (npxG+xA: 0.67/90 (90th percentile) has shown some  
Within Wolfsburg’s terrible season, Lukas Nmecha  (npxG+xA: 0.67/90 (90th percentile) has shown some  

accomplished all-round goalscoring. Jonathan David  has also developed within a difficult season,  
accomplished all-round goalscoring. Jonathan David  has also developed within a difficult season,  

with Lille suffering a post-title hangover; David  was averaging a goal every two games in the middle  
with Lille suffering a post-title hangover; David  was averaging a goal every two games in the middle  

of April, not including his performances for  the Canadian national side, for which his  
of April, not including his performances for  the Canadian national side, for which his  

pace and direct style is an ideal fit and who  wouldn’t be going to the World Cup without him.
pace and direct style is an ideal fit and who  wouldn’t be going to the World Cup without him.

Perhaps one of the most compelling players,  however, is Union Berlin’s Taiwo Awoniyi,  
Perhaps one of the most compelling players,  however, is Union Berlin’s Taiwo Awoniyi,  

who has improved dramatically during  his two years in the German capital.  
who has improved dramatically during  his two years in the German capital.  

Awoniyi is one of the better pressing forwards in  Germany and has the movement to be a significant  
Awoniyi is one of the better pressing forwards in  Germany and has the movement to be a significant  

counter-attacking threat and the skill and  finishing range to belong on this list.
counter-attacking threat and the skill and  finishing range to belong on this list.

And Southampton’s on-loan Chelsea forward  Armando Broja is also intriguing. Still just 20,  
And Southampton’s on-loan Chelsea forward  Armando Broja is also intriguing. Still just 20,  

the highlight of Broja’s season was arguably a  run and low drive to score against Crystal Palace,  
the highlight of Broja’s season was arguably a  run and low drive to score against Crystal Palace,  

but – much like Scamacca, one of our main entries  – he combines size, he’s 6ft3, with excellent  
but – much like Scamacca, one of our main entries  – he combines size, he’s 6ft3, with excellent  

technique. Southampton’s season faded away in  2021-22, but Broja showed glimpses of considerable  
technique. Southampton’s season faded away in  2021-22, but Broja showed glimpses of considerable  

talent which will pique the interest of plenty  of clubs should his Chelsea pathway be blocked.
talent which will pique the interest of plenty  of clubs should his Chelsea pathway be blocked.