Capocannoniere - Top 5 contenders for the Serie A Golden Boot in 2015/16
Italy’s top tier may not have the grace and flamboyance that it once so exuberantly did. Nonetheless, it took a significant step in catapulting itself back into Europe’s elite when the league shipped in some of the stellar names from the mightier quarters of Europe and South America.The league now appears more competitive, more challenging and with many new forwards strutting the Italian soil, sees more goals – the one particular facet of the league that has bordered on scarcity in the recent years. And they are set to come in myriad numbers this season.That, however, brings us to the topic in concern – the Serie A Golden Boot. Here are the top 5 contenders for the Capocannoniere award this season.
#1 Mario Mandzukic - Juventus
Following a fair-to-middling inquisition in the Iberian Peninsula with Atletico Madrid, Croatia star Mario Mandzukic relocated to Turin to join Juventus after just one season with the Spanish capital club. The 29-year old, who won Los Rojiblancos the Spanish Supercup last year, came at a €19 million price tag for the Bianconeri, and made an immediate impact as he made a vital contribution in Juve’s Supercoppa Italiana clincher with his maiden goal for the Old Lady.
Although the defending champions have got off to a woeful start in the league, losing both the opening two games, Juventus are still expected to climb their way back into the top two. And the former Bayern Munich striker can play a starring role in it.
A proven goalscorer, Mandzukic has taken the Croatian and German league by storm in the past – scoring 68 goals in the last three seasons, never falling below the 20-goal mark. And after a mediocre year in Spain, he may find his footing and start firing on all cylinders again.