MY ACCOUNT
It appears to be an open contest to be crowned champions at Women’s Euro 2022 and the battle to finish as the top goalscorer is also an intriguing affair.
Some of the biggest names in the game will feature at the tournament on English soil next month.
And all eyes will be on Norway’s Ada Hegerberg, who could easily walk away with the Golden Boot.
Hegerberg, 26, is back in international action following a five-year self-imposed exile after falling out with the Norwegian FA.
She had to overcome a serious knee injury but the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner scored a hat-trick against Kosovo on her return to action with the national team and was also on target as Lyon claimed a surprise victory in the Champions League final against Barcelona last month.
Hegerberg’s goalscoring exploits for club and country speaks for itself and she would have to come into calculations with a record of 41 goals from 68 games for Norway.
White can emulate former team-mate
England’s Jodie Taylor was the top goalscorer at the last Euros in 2017 and Ellen White will be hoping to emulate her former team-mate.
White was one of the stars of the show at the 2019 World Cup, when she scored six goals as Phil Neville’s Lionesses reached the semi-finals.
That tally was enough for the Manchester City striker to finish level at the top of the goalscoring charts with American duo Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan.
White, 33, scored just four goals in what was a difficult Women’s Super League season for the Citizens but there is every chance she should be ready to hit the ground running in front of a home crowd.
Magic Miedema
Any Golden Boot predictions also have to feature another star performer in England’s top flight, Netherlands striker Vivianne Miedema.
The top WSL goalscorer of all time, the Arsenal striker has scored 92 goals in 108 appearances for the Netherlands as well as notching 117 goals in 144 games for the Gunners.
And she demonstrated her liking for big tournaments by finishing as the top goalscorer at last year’s Tokyo Olympics with 10.
If the Dutch are to mount a successful defence of their title, she will have to be at the top of her game.
Putellas looking to add to Ballon d’Or
Spain’s Alexia Putellas is recognised as the world’s best women’s player and the Ballon d’Or holder could be about to prove it.
She is not an out-and-out striker but the Barcelona star, 28, could still have a big role to play if the pre-tournament favourites are to make their presence felt.
With a glittering domestic trophy cabinet, Putellas is yet to earn major silverware for her national team and will be motivated to inspire La Roja to glory.
Dark horses
Two other players could also enter the Golden Boot equation.
Bayern Munich’s Lea Schuller is expected to lead the German charge having scored 16 goals in 22 league matches last season, while she has also chalked up an impressive 25 goals in 38 appearances since making her national team debut in 2017.
And with France’s Marie-Antoinette Katoto seemingly eyeing a move to either Barca or Lyon following a contract stand-off with Paris Saint-Germain, the striker could relish the chance to have a huge impact.
She has scored 24 goals in 28 appearances for France and bagged eight in eight tournament qualifiers.
