Top 5 Forwards of the U21 European Championships so Far

Much has been made of the talent on show in this summer's European Under-21 Championship, but when it comes down to it, people really want to know who has been scoring all the goals. 

A central defender with intelligence that far outpaces his age and a full-back who knows no fear when bombing forward is one thing, but what everyone really wants to know is who is Europe's next big striker? 

Luckily for us all, a number of exceptional goalscorers have made their way to Prague this summer and have wasted little time showcasing their talents to the wider continent. Here are the top five for your consideration after one week at the European Under-21 Championship. 

John Guidetti

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

We kick off today's list with a Swedish striker who is no stranger to the British game. John Guidetti, who picked up his trade at Manchester City before a loan move to Celtic last season, may be looking for a new club this summer, but he certainly looks at home in this U21 side. 

Often played as a lone striker, Guidetti usually lasts about 75 minutes before collapsing in a heap of exhaustion, but that's not before he often puts on a good show. He may not look it, but this 23-year-old knows exactly how to hassle a central defender twice his size. 

He may only have one goal to his name this summer, but Guidetti has shown in both games thus far why he's Sweden's first choice goalscorer. 

Kevin Volland

Petr David Josek/Associated Press

Like Guidetti, Kevin Volland really needs little introduction to football fans who already know their way around the European football scene. The German striker may only be 22 years of age, but he already has over 100 first-team appearances for Bundesliga side Hoffenheim. 

Such experience has been on show this summer for Germany in two games that showed just how important he is to Horst Hrubesch's side. 

Although Volland had a decent game against Serbia in the opening fixture, it wasn't until the forward was moved up front on his own against Denmark that we saw him at his best—first in an opening goal that saw him run on to a lovely through ball, and then on a long-distance free-kick that would have made Lionel Messi blush. 

Half of the Bundesliga want this young striker on their books next season, and there's little surprise or mystery as to why. 

Jan Kliment

Petr David Josek/Associated Press

As perhaps one of the more low-key names on today's list, Czech Republic goalscorer Jan Kliment still features as a player with as much talent and promise as any other. 

Kliment had little luck in the opening defeat to Denmark, but it was against Serbia that we saw the best of the FC Vysocina Jihlava player, when he managed to bag a hat-trick in the host's 4-0 trouncing of their opponents. 

Although the 21-year-old is more accustomed to playing as a winger for his club side, Kliment has shown an exceptional ability to find goals for his national side. With Germany coming up next, one wonders just how much trouble he could pose for the tournament favourites. 

Domenico Berardi

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

The next starlet on our list of next-generation goalscorers is Domenico Berardi, the Italian striker who may just hold the key to saving Italy's European Under-21 Championship. 

The Azzurri currently sit on one point from their first two games, yet if they can overcome England in their final group match and Portugal beat Sweden, they still can go through. 

Berardi, who has played each of Italy's first two games and scored in one, will be key to their attempt to qualify from this toughest of groups. 

Often best with the ball at his feet and with space to run in to, Berardi has proven instrumental to Italy's game plan this summer, just as he did for Sassuolo last season. 

Bernardo Silva

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Our final pick is a player that is technically not a striker or a forward at all. In fact, he's very much a No. 10 in the sense of the classic role that is often found playing behind the front line. Yet with such talent, it would seem simply unfair to exclude Bernardo Silva from a list of attacking wonders at this summer's competition. 

The Portuguese playmaker has been simply exceptional at the head of his nation's attack, pulling the strings that have made Portugal one of the most enjoyable teams to watch at this summer's Euros.

Of course, the 20-year-old is no stranger to the European spotlight—he scored 10 goals for Monaco last season—but the manner in which he has glided pasted opposition in Prague over the course of the past week has been simply magical. 

He may not be a striker or even a forward, but he's easily one of the most threatening players in this year's competition.