WC 2014: Five forwards to look out for : Edin Dzeko

Thursday, July 10, 2025

WC 2014: Five forwards to look out for

Mario Mandzukic:

The Croatian international was regarded as the best box to box striker in the world by Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola. After having notched 48 goals for Bayern in two seasons, he is expected to leave the Bavarians for a top European club this summer. With differences with Guardiola reaching its depth and arrival of Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, Mandzukic will hope to use Brazil as his platform to be in the radar of top clubs. Croatia are in Group A alongside Brazil, Cameroon and Mexico and Mandzukic will lead the Croatian army and hope to lead his team in a top two finish. The major problem is that he will miss Croatia`s opening match against Brazil after having received a red card for his tackle in the second play-off game against Iceland. Mandzukic has strong presence on the field and is lethal aerially and will look to make it count and show why he is one of the top strikers in the game.

Wayne Rooney

The Manchester United striker is nine goals shy of breaking Sir Bobby Charlton`s England record of 49 goals. Expected to play in the No. 10 position behind Daniel Sturridge, Rooney leads England`s hopes and is their main player. A lot of criticisms have come against Rooney in recent times regarding his England form but Rooney has been in good touch for the Three Lions in the qualifying campaign and will look to carry on with that fervour. He had a disappointing World Cup in the last two editions and Rooney will hope to put that behind him and play his heart out in Rio. The versatility of Rooney is England`s biggest advantage and the United striker will hope to form a good link-up with Sturridge and live up to the fans` expectations. England are to play against top notch sides like Italy and Uruguay and expect Rooney to shine on big nights.

Romelu Lukaku

The Belgian youngster is touted to be one of the best developing forwards in the modern game. Lukaku has won accolades and praise from all corners and has been instrumental for Belgium and in domestic level. The Chelsea lad who has shown his frustrations with the Blues is expecting to move to a newer pasture in the summer. He has scored an emphatic 32 goals in the last two seasons in the English Premier League. With Christian Benteke missing the World Cup, Belgium has put their focus on Lukaku to help their golden generation team achieve something big in Brazil. Last week he scored a hattrick in an international friendly against Luxembourg to show his capabilities on the bigger stages. The striker stated that its a platform he is counting on and Belgium will hope his focus paves a way for a productive campaign.

Miroslav Klose

The 36-year old veteran Germany striker will be eyeing to break the original Ronaldo`s record for the highest number of goals in World Cup. Klose who has 14 goals, is tied with German legend Gerd Muller and needs two goals to topple Ronaldo. It`s just not in the numbers, Klose has been one of Germany`s biggest influential players in the history of the game. Joacheim Loew knows how much Klose fancies a World Cup and why he is still a threat. The Lazio forward became Germany`s top scorer recently netting his 69th goal for his country. This is his fourth and last World Cup and he will try to put his best foot forward to help Germany perform in a big manner and what other way than to sign off with a World Cup victory.

Edin Dzeko

Edin Dzeko has proved what a class act he is in recent times. The Manchester City forward who has been pivotal in their title winning campaign netted an emphatic nine goals for Bosnia and Herzegovina in the qualifying campaign. The war-torn nation achieved one of their biggest dreams in qualifying for it`s first ever World Cup and Dzeko led the Bosnians in style. With Miralem Pjanic`s link-up as a vital play-maker, expect goals from this Bosnia side and Dzeko upfront. Bosnia have a good group with the likes of Argentina and Ghana and Dzeko`s knack for scoring goals is such an important aspect in the circumstances. Blessed with power combined with a clinical finishing and aerial ability, Dzeko is certainly a force to be reckoned with.