With the Confederations Cup just around the corner, football fans are once again graced with international football during the summer period.
Hosted in Russia, eight teams will go head-to-head in two groups as they look to take the title away from Brazil. Of the top four teams in 2013, neither is taking part in this year’s tournament.
Although the Confederations Cup may not be a major tournament, it allows national managers to call upon players who they may not necessarily have done; it’s a time for players to standout and make a claim for a place in the 2018 World Cup next year.
Also read: FIFA Confederations Cup 2017: Six players who will light up the tournament
That said, here’s five forwards you should be watching.
#1 Fedor Smolov
At 27-years-old, Feder Smolov is perhaps a late bloomer in terms of scoring goals. The Russian has hit double figures in his last two seasons, just as he enters the prime years of his career.
Prior to joining FC Krasnodar, Smolov had scored just 10 goals in all competitions in a three-year spell. Since joining his current club in 2015, the complete forward has now scored 38 league goals in 50 games – an impressive tally, to say the least.
His goalscoring prowess was even recognised in Western Europe with Borussia Dortmund close to signing Smolov last summer, whilst interest remains high once again for the Russian.
Although not as prolific for Russia, the hosts will be hoping he can keep up his goalscoring habits as they look to clinch the Confederations Cup on home turf.
#2 Alexis Sanchez
In the off-season, you can always expect to hear transfer rumours. Alexis Sanchez has been linked with both Manchester City and Bayern Munich, whilst the Chile international has stated he just wants to focus on the Confederations Cup with Chile for the time being.
His 24-goal Premier League tally this past season is his best in an Arsenal shirt to date and Sanchez will be hoping he can guide Chile to their first ever Confederations Cup triumph – especially given their defence of the Copa America last summer.
Following the departure of Jorge Sampaoli, Juan Antonio Pizzi has switched from three-at-the-back to a four, playing a front three of Alexis, Esteban Paredes and Eduardo Vargas. Chile still have the fluidity that they always have done, whilst Arsenal’s star player is playing as well as ever in the international setup.
#3 Javier Hernandez
A poor season by his standard, Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez still managed to score 11 Bundesliga goals for Bayer Leverkusen in just 20 games as they avoided the relegation play-off by just four points.
The former Manchester United forward recently surpassed Jared Borgetti’s record as Mexico’s all-time leading scorer with his goal against Croatia last month, taking his tally to 47.
"I think Javier is one of the best finishers in the world," Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio said after the Croatia game.
In a group with Russia, Portugal and New Zealand, Mexico will need the 28-year-old on his best form, with the former two favourite to advance.
#4 Andre Silva
Prolific in Porto B last season, Andre Silva made the step-up to Porto’s first team this season – of which he certainly didn’t disappoint.
With 16 Primeira Liga goals in 28 games, Silva finished second in the scoring charts behind Sporting CP’s Bas Dost. Earning his first international cap in 2016, Silva has gone on to score six goals in seven games under Fernando Santos in the national side.
Arguably since Pauleta, Portugal finally have a forward they can rely on who will get them the goals. Not only is Silva able to play as the No. 9, but the 21-year-old can also play just behind the forward, or on either flank – all whilst remaining prolific.
#5 Timo Werner
Many maybe hadn’t heard of Timo Werner before this season. Starting out at VfB Stuttgart, the recently capped Germany international played over a century of games for his former club, scoring just 14 goals before his move to RB Leipzig last summer.
This season has seen RB Leipzig challenge Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga, whilst it wasn’t without the help of Werner. His 21 goals in 31 league games made him the highest scoring German as the Bundesliga new boys finished runners-up, qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in their history.
As a result, Werner was awarded his first Germany call-up by Joachim Low in March. Although he has just one cap to his name, expect Werner to start for Germany in Russia. The youngster could potentially become one of Die Mannschaft’s best players if he remains grounded.
