Again, like with midfielders, “kicker” editors were smoking something real good evidently when they picked forwards. No real argument with Lewandowski – he’s a pretty hot property that most big clubs in Europe would want to get their hands on. Kiessling is a bit of a stretch, as although he’s been fantastic in the Bundesliga, he doesn’t even merit a spot on the national team. The other guys are also hardly coveted in Europe, let alone around the world. Great to have no doubt, but they need to establish a reputation first. The most interesting is that Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has fallen completely off the list due to his crap campaign. (He was certainly a legit “international” last rating)
FORWARDS World Class: (none) International class: 1. Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund) 2. Stefan Kießling (Bayer Leverkusen) 3. Vedad Ibisevic (VfB Stuttgart) 4. Adam Szalai (FSV Mainz 05) 5. Mario Mandzukic (Bayern München) In wider circle: 6. Mame Diouf (Hannover 96) 7. Max Kruse (SC Freiburg) 8. Nils Petersen (Werder Bremen)