Players to watch in 2022

As we fast approach 2022, there are footballers across the world expected to continue with the good run of form they have shown this year. The future is unpredictable but there are several players tipped to dominate the upcoming year. 

Karim Benzema

It’s surprising that Karim Benzema, who has spent 12 years with Spanish giants Real Madrid is now only getting respect and recognition from the fans. Benzema is proving to me what attracted many European football clubs to chase after his signature while still a teenager during his time with Lyon. At 34 years old, you must predict his time at the Santiago Bernabeu is close to coming to an end but you got it wrong. He is ageing fine like wine. His wonderful early season form has seen him net 20 goals in all competitions this season for the club. The Frenchman is currently Spanish La Liga’s leading goalscorer with 15 goals and will have to remain Carlo Ancelotti’s main striker if the club wants to win the league title. 

Mohamed Salah

If Liverpool wants to be a serious contender for the league title and Uefa Champions League then Mohamed Salah must continue his fine form. His goalscoring tally this season has been impressive – a total of 22 goals across all competitions. The Egyptian talisman left fans talking of his class when netting a hat-trick against arch-rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford in October. His wonderful form this season has seen him eclipse Dieder Drogba’s 104 goals to become the African player with most English Premier League goals, despite playing fewer matches. The 29-year-old would want to transform his form to keep Jurgen Klopp in the hunt for the treble.

Vinicius Junior

Vinicius Junior seems to have found consistency in Real Madrid colours this season. After having a frustrating season in the 2020/21 season where he battled to find consistency in front of goal, the Brazilian has improved his sharpness now. Maybe playing under a new coach has bought some light in his game. A total of 12 goals in all competitions plus 4 assists for the runaway log leaders Madrid, shows a true determination on how he has transformed his fortunes. The 21-year-old with excellent pace and good dribbling skills is now slowly giving the club no regrets for the €45 million they paid for him three years ago.

Dusan Vlahovic

Dusan Vlahovic has been the centre of attention in recent months. The youngster who plays for Fiorentina is currently the Italian Serie A’s leading goalscorer with 16 goals. Vlahovic has contributed nearly half the goals for his club this season. That is why his superb goal-scoring figures have attracted European football giants like Manchester United and Juventus. On the 19th of December 2021, Vlahović scored his 33rd Serie A goal of the calendar year to equal Cristiano Ronaldo’s record set in 2020. The 21-year-old Serbian international still has many years ahead of him to continue scoring goals. And the lanky striker who is standing at 1.90 meters is amongst the players expected to continue with his good run of form next year.  

Robert Lewandowski

There is no number nine better than Robert Lewandowski across the top five European leagues for the past three years. Lewandoski is scoring goals like it’s nobody’s business and is showing no signs of slowing down. Better known for his accurate and efficient finishing with his head and both feet, Lewandowski is proving his class in front of goal. In 2021, he scored 41 goals in a single campaign, breaking Gerd Müller’s previous Bundesliga record of 40 goals, set in 1971–72. On 30 November 2021, he finished second in the Ballon d’Or, just 33 points behind the winner Lionel Messi.

At the age of 33, the Polish striker has 28 goals this season in all competitions in 23 appearances and there is no striker with a better goal-scoring ratio than him. With Bayern Munich looking to wrap up the League early, Lewandowski would be vital for the club’s hopes of winning the Uefa Champions League. There is revenge at stake and unfinished business for Lewandowski as last season he missed the crucial match against Paris Saint-German, which resulted in Bavarians crashing out of the competition. 

Kylian Mbappe

The most expensive player in history, Mbappe has been in the headlines since his world record-breaking move of €180 million from Monaco to Paris Saint-German. The youngster hasn’t disappointed since arriving in the French capital as he has gone on to score over 100 goals for the club. He is currently their third-highest goalscorer in history. Despite being linked with Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid, Mbappe’s performances haven’t dropped as he continues to shine for the club. An exciting Uefa Champions League round of 16 clash where his club will face Real Madrid has got the football fanatics talking and excited to see if Mbappe can destroy his childhood team. 

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