Robert Lewandowski, Timo Werner, and Erling Haaland are scoring at will in the Bundesliga. If all remain at the club, next season could see a golden boot and title race for the ages.
The Coming Golden Age of Bundesliga Strikers: Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski and Timo Werner
Lewandowski, Werner and Haaland
With just 22 matches played in the 2019-20 Bundesliga campaign, Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski has scored 23 goals while RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner is a close second with 20. Bayern and Leipzig are separated by just one point at the top of the table. Much of this is down to their two talismanic players. The January transfer of Erling Haaland to Borussia Dortmund has made the striker battle in Germany even more interesting, and could very well influence the title race.
Dortmund are just four points behind league leaders Bayern. Haaland has scored an astounding eleven goals in his first seven matches for the black and yellows. Not many leagues across Europe have three world-class strikers at the top of their game. All three players have their own strengths and style of play. Erling Haaland is by far the biggest, both in terms of height and weight. Werner is the smallest, but the quickest, while Lewandowski, the most technically proficient, is the perfect physical blend of the two. If Lewandowski, Werner and Haaland stay put for next season, the Bundesliga could see a golden boot race for the ages defined by these three number nines.
Robert Lewandowski: The Veteran
When discussing Lewandowski, Werner and Haaland, the Pole is clearly the most experienced and highest regarded striker of the pack. He is viewed as not only the best number nine in Germany but maybe in all of world football. This is for good reason. Beginning in the 2015-16 season, Lewandowski has scored more than 30 goals in all competitions every campaign. The Pole’s highest tally came in 2016-17, where he netted 43 in all competitions. That campaign was preceded by 42 goals and then followed up by 41 goals.
This season, Lewandowski is on route to beat his best goal tally, as he has already netted 36. The Pole’s strength and technical ability make him one of the most entertaining centre forwards to watch. Germany’s record champions have Lewandowski under contract until 2023, making it very unlikely that he will not be playing in the Bundesliga next season.
Time Werner: Germany’s Hope for the Future
Since his move to RB Leipzig from VfB Stuttgart in 2016, Timo Werner has been prolific in front of goal. In 146 appearances for Germany’s most controversial club, Werner has found the back of the net 87 times. He already has 26 goals in all competitions this season, his best ever tally and we are only in February. Werner should reach 35 goals in this campaign. Most recently, he shined in north London midweek as his lone goal from the penalty spot beat Spurs in the Champions League round of 16. Werner’s pace makes him deadly on the break and a nightmare for any defender.
Just like Lewandowski, Werner is under contract with RB Leipzig until 2023, but his release clause is reportedly a mere €30 million. Europe’s top clubs have all been interested, with the likes of Atlético Madrid, Liverpool, and Manchester United all courting the German talisman’s services. As all Bundesliga fans know, Bayern have also been on the prowl, but Werner has rejected such a move as he would play second fiddle to Lewandowski. Barring a dramatic scene of events, the German will be in Leipzig next season.
Erling Haaland: The Golden Boy
The hype around Haaland was loud enough during his time at RB Salzburg, but ever since his move to Dortmund, the talk surrounding the Norwegian has become more and more grandiose. Many pundits believe Haaland is world football’s next best striker. It is hard to disagree with this claim, as the 19-year-old has already scored eleven goals in seven matches for Dortmund. Two of these came midweek against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
The young, humble footballer is a daunting opponent. Standing at 6 foot 4 and weighing almost 200 pounds, Haaland is much more than just a target man. Against Paris, he ran 60 metres in under seven seconds, which would qualify him for the 60-metre sprint in the track World Championships. Haaland is also more than a poacher. His second goal against the Ligue 1 side was a brilliant strike from just outside of the box. Dortmund are keen on maintaining Haaland’s services, who signed a contract keeping him in North Rhine-Westphalia until 2024. The contract does have a release clause, but this reportedly does not come into effect until 2022.
The 2020-21 Season Will Be Dramatic
If Lewandowski, Werner and Haaland all remain at their respective clubs for next season, the Bundesliga title race and golden boot race could be one for the ages. Each striker has their own style, giving something for every football fan to love. At the same time, each player is at a different stage in their career. A true, three-horse race is on the cards this season, but with Haaland playing in the Bundesliga from the beginning of the next campaign, the stories will write themselves and the drama will be palpable.
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