Top 5 U-23 strikers who could take the World Cup by storm

The 2018 World Cup in Russia is just under two months away and managers will be in the final stages of selecting their 23-man squad for the tournament. With Germany coming into the tournament as defending champions, the nation will become only the third country to defend their title after Italy in 1934-38 and Brazil in 1958-62, if they manage to win the competition.

The competition in the past has been brought to life by young players and once again the world of football has a number of top talents on display provided they get picked in their respective squads.

Here we take a look at five of the most promising u-23 strikers to look forward to in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

#5 Maxi Gomez

Celta de Vigo and Uruguay's surprise package, Maxi Gomez

The 21-year-old Uruguayan forward, Maxi Gomez is a hot prospect to look out for in the World Cup. Along with Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, Gomez' addition to the front three will prove to cause a lot of defences issues with the pace, trickery and experience of the dynamic front three.

While the veterans Suarez and Cavani will be entrusted to run the show, Gomez could spring a huge surprise and steal the show for the Uruguayans who are looking to make it three World Cup victories.

Maxi Gomez currently plays his club football in Spain for Celta Vigo and has been vital to the club's form this season. Along with Iago Aspas, the Uruguayan has formed a lethal partnership and could be a potent goalscoring force in the future. The World Cup is the finest stage to make your mark on the international level and Gomez is primed to do just that.

Although he has only two caps for his country, the 21-year-old and his team are dark horses to cause a few upsets in the competition.

#4 Marcus Rashford

England will depend on Rashford's pace to turn games

The 20-year-old Manchester United striker, Marcus Rashford is another young striker who will be entering his first FIFA World Cup and could set the stage on fire. Despite not getting as many games as he would have hoped for United under Mourinho, Rashford has continued his development and improved as a player.

With rapid pace, trickery and a bullet of a shot, the young Englishman is a strong figure in the English squad and possesses enough talent to make a name for himself on the world stage as well improve England's bid to win a World Cup.

Rashford has scored six goals and made five assists so far this season in the Premier League and is headed to his first World Cup. The 20-year-old is a key asset in the England squad as he brings in another dimension to the attack with his pace and electric energy.

#3 Kylian Mbappe

France youngster Mbappe will be headed to his first World Cup

19-year-old French forward, Kylian Mbappe has surely secured a spot for himself in the French national team and will be heading to his first international tournament with the Les Bleus. Deschamps has shown tremendous faith in the player who has shown traces of his brilliant form from his incredible rise last season.

Mbappe has found the net on numerous occasions this season for PSG and will be all geared up to help the national team overcome their Euro 16 final loss at home with a second World Cup trophy. A strong young player, Mbappe can lead the line for France but that seems unlikely and will most likely be deployed on the left wing running at defenders.

The Frenchman has an incredible turn of pace, a lethal shot and composure in front of goal making him a real threat for defenders to pick up. Mbappe could take the tournament by storm and guide the Les Bleus to a historic triumph.

#2 Gabriel Jesus

Brazil trio of Coutinho, Neymar and Jesus (L) could tear teams apart

21-year-old Gabriel Jesus enjoyed his first full season at Manchester City with a title to celebrate. The Brazilian has notched 11 goals and registered 7 assists so far this season and is primed to help guide Brazil to their sixth World Cup crown in Russia.

Under Guardiola, the player has proved himself able to play in any system and is confident leading the line for his club and country. Jesus is a skilful, tricky forward with great positional sense and a keen eye for goal.

An industrious forward, the Brazilian, like most on the list is headed to his first World Cup and could take the tournament by storm. Dunga has placed his trust in the young forward and with the likes of Firmino, Neymar, Coutinho to help the player, his attacking prowess could be displayed at the grandest stage of them all.

#1 Timo Werner

Germany's new goal machine Timo Werner

Defending world champions Germany will be going to Russia confident of defending their title. With a strong, young but experienced squad, the squad will be made up of a mixture of players who featured in the Confederation Cup squad and the Rio World Cup squad.

Timo Werner could be a huge threat for Germany as the young striker will is a clever inside forward with a steady eye for goal. Heaped with the burden of replacing the great Miroslav Klose, the greatest goal scorer in World Cup history, Werner has his task cut out for him.

The RB Leipzig player has been in good form this season although it has dipped a bit since the start of the campaign. However, Werner is a goal machine and there is no better player in Germany who could replace Klose. Werner could cause teams massive problems with his pace, skill and intelligence.