Top 11 strikers in the 2022 Nations League
By Sean Walsh
The 2022/23 Nations League is on the horizon and places in next year's finals are up for grabs.
France are looking to defend their crown but there are plenty of sides who have a decent shot at dethroning them.
The best-equipped teams will have a top striker to lead their charge. Here are the 11 best who will be on show...
11. Ciro Immobile
Sassuolo pair Giacomo Raspadori and Gianluca Scamacca are aiming to nail down a place in Italy's starting lineup, but the Azzurri's best option up top remains Ciro Immobile.
The 32-year-old has been in fine form with Lazio once again this season and is often Roberto Mancini's man for the big occasion, notably starting in last summer's Euro 2020 final.
10. Patrik Schick
After truly announcing himself to the world with a Puskas Award contender last year, Schick is starting to finally fulfil his potential and has become a leading scorer in the Bundesliga.
A youthful Czech Republic side will be looking to build on their impressive Euros campaign and Schick will be pivotal to their hopes of remaining in the top-tier League A.
9. Kai Havertz
Hansi Flick has rotated between playing Timo Werner and Kai Havertz up front, but the latter is our pick for this list.
Though he has only showed glimpses of his brilliance in England, Havertz's stock back in Germany remains sky high and he has been one of their most consistent performers since the Euros.
8. Dusan Vlahovic
Despite a so-so start to life at Juventus, Dusan Vlahovic remains one of Europe's best up-and-coming forwards.
His record for Serbia is none too shabby either, scoring seven goals in 14 games for the Eagles.
7. Ferran Torres
Ferran Torres has spent a lot of time playing through the middle for Luis Enrique's Spain, and with Alvaro Morata falling out of favour and spending a lot of time playing on the wing at club level for Juventus, he looks set to continue as Spain's number nine.
The former Man City forward has also looked back to his best since his January move to Barcelona.
6. Romelu Lukaku
Sure, Romelu Lukaku has had one of the worst seasons of his career by his own lofty standards, but he is still one of Europe' finest marksmen and his Belgium record is impressive.
The Chelsea striker is his country's record scorer by a staggering 35 goals, with former Blues star Eden Hazard in second place on that list.
5. Erling Haaland
Fresh from his blockbuster move to Manchester City, Erling Haaland will be looking to spearhead Norway's international revolution.
The Lions are starting to build a decent side that should be challenging for promotion to League A, with Premier League stars Martin Odegaard and Kristoffer Ajer supporting Haaland in building a strong spine of the team.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo
Though Portugal have plenty of attacking depth, Cristiano Ronaldo is still the main man.
International football's all-time leading scorer will be looking to extend his record during these Nations League matches, with the Selecao facing the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Iberian rivals Spain this summer.
3. Harry Kane
Now only four goals off becoming England's all-time leading scorer, Harry Kane has a great chance to break that record this summer.
The Three Lions skipper has returned to form with Tottenham following a post-Euros hangover and will undoubtedly have his sights set on overtaking Wayne Rooney as soon as possible.
2. Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski hasn't always stepped up to the plate with Poland (just the 75 goals in 129 games, mind) and talk of him winning a Ballon d'Or has cooled off, but he's still undeniably one of Europe's best players.
Poland will fancy their chances of advancing to the Nations League finals after being drawn with Belgium, the Netherlands and Wales, and Lewandowski's performances will likely determine whether the White and Reds make it through.
1. Karim Benzema
But while Lewandowski's Ballon d'Or hopes are dwindling, Karim Benzema's are going from strength to strength.
What he does with France during their Nations League campaign likely won't affect his chances of winning football's biggest individual honour, however after missing a sizeable chunk of his career playing for Les Bleus, he has a lot of time to make up.