Five potential Golden Boot winners at this summer’s World Cup

3. Romelu Lukaku: Belgium (8 goals in 28 games)

Christian Benteke’s injury problems last season may have sent Aston Villa’s plans into disarray, but they were a boon to his Belgian compatriot Romelu Lukaku.

The Chelsea striker, who has spent the majority of his time in the Premier League on loan with West Bromwich Albion and Everton, is now all but confirmed as Belgium’s first choice goal scorer, and grabbed a hat trick in the recent 5-1 friendly thrashing of Luxembourg.

Having finally overtaken his Premier League-based countryman as the key figure up front, it seems unlikely that his ratio of eight goals in 28 games international games will stay so low for much longer.

While the likes of Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Olivier Giroud and Karim Benzema may be the names on the lips of many when it comes to selecting a potential Golden Boot winner beyond the likes of Diego Costa & Co, England and France’s chances going into Brazil don’t look all that convincing.

By contrast, Belgium will head into the tournament as confirmed dark horses, bristling with some of the most exciting attackers talents in European football, and plenty of momentum following impressive seasons for their key individuals such as Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany, Thibaut Courtais and Lukaku.

The striker is fast, strong, good in the air, decisive in front of goal and clever with his approach play and positioning. If Belgium can live up to the hype, he could be this summer’s surprise package in the race for the Golden Boot.