Best Italian Forwards of 2021

The year 2021 was rich in big international football competitions. EURO 2020 – after experiencing a 1 – year postpone due to COVID -19 pandemic – was held during 2021, in addition to Copa America 2021.

Four-time World Cup winner Italy have been one of the most dominant forces in international football since the advent of football.

In addition to having won 4 World Cups, Italy have now achieved 2 European Cup titles after securing the 2020 UEFA European Championship Cup when they defeated

on penalties in the final match of EURO 2020 following a 1–1 draw after extra time in Wembley Stadium.

After winning the title in 1968, Italy had reached the final match of European Cups on 2 other occasions (2000, 2012) before succeeding in winning their 2nd ever EURO title in 2021.

After failing to qualify for 2018 World Cup which was considered a huge setback for Italian football, very few people would have thought that Italy would become the Champion of Europe within 3 years.

But

and his boys fulfilled their mission and took Azzurri to the pinnacle of European football.

In a year such as 2021, prominent players' performances are mostly judged by how they appear in big international tournaments, and whether or not they could help their national teams reach any success in the said competitions.

While football on club level across Europe remains of great importance, international competitions have huge impact on individual awards given to players. Hence, Italian players have been the center of football fans' attention in 2021 more than any other year during the past decade as they are currently the reigning champion of Europe.

While Italian football have been renowned for its highly organized and effective backline defense that is focused on nullifying opponents' attacks and preventing goal-scoring opportunities – also known as Catenaccio (door – bolt) – no team can ever achieve any trophy without having a strong attack line.

Italy was not an exception in EURO 2020. Their attackers' performances impressed all football fans during the tournament as they scored a total of 13 goals during the competition, which was the best record of the tournament – alongside Spain that also scored 13 goals.

Moreover,

was the best team of the tournament in terms of total scoring attempts (128), and were only behind

with regard to the total number of total attacks (Italy: 383, Spain: 432).

What all the said numbers point to is the fact that Italian attackers spent a luminous tournament and thus have been revered by football fans and pundits.

Best Italian Forwards of 2021:

Without any further ado, we are going to name the

best Italian forwards of 2021

. In addition to their performance on international level, we are going to provide you with brief overviews about their stats with their clubs during 2021 as well.

Keep reading to know who the

best Italian players 2021

have been and what they have done to be worthy of being on this list.

Federico Chiesa

• Full name: Federico Chiesa

• Date of birth: 25 October 1997 (age 24)

• Place of birth: Genoa, Italy

• Height: 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)

• Position(s): Winger

• Current team: Juventus (on loan from Fiorentina)

The 24 – year – old has showcased a natural flair for the game in 2021. The son of former famous Italian striker, Enrico Chiesa, has impressed Juventus fans since his arrival in the October of 2020. He is definitely one of the

best Italian forwards of 2021

.

Chiesa was one of the best Players of Bianconeri and helped them to the conquest of 2020/21 Coppa Italia upon scoring the match – winning goal in a 2 – 1 victory over Atalanta.

Moreover, he also secured the Italian Super Cup with his club in his first season as a Juventus player in 2020/21. Furthermore, Chiesa was one of the most shining players of the league: he managed to score 9 goals and provide 9 assists within 33 Serie A games for his team throughout 2020/21 Serie A season.

He was his team's 2nd – highest assist provider with only 1 assist fewer than Juan Cuadrado, and also 3rd top scorer behind Cristiano Ronaldo – who finished the league as the top scorer with 29 goals – and

who scored 11.

In addition, regarded as a player with outstanding technical finesse,

completed 1.6 dribbles per game, which was the 2nd best record among Juventus players behind Cristiano (1.8).

Furthermore, he proved himself as a creative player upon making 18 big chances throughout the season which stood him in the 4th position among all Serie A players.

Additionally, Chiesa sent a total of 50 key passes (1.5 per game), the 3rd best record among Bianconeri players. Across all competitions, the tactically intelligent winger scored 15 goals and provided assists for 11 further goals within 46 appearances for Juventus throughout 2020/21 season.

His astounding performances throughout the season made him a pivotal player in Roberto Mancini's squad during EURO 2020.

Chiesa featured in all of Italy's 7 games throughout the tournament and managed to score 2 goals: 1 goal in the round – of – 16 game against

, which Italy ended up winning 2 – 1 after regulation time.

All 3 goals of the game were scored during the extra times. He scored another goal in the semi – finals against Spain in a 1 – 1 draw after extra times. Italy went on to beat the Matadors on penalties 4 – 2 and proceed to the final match.

Moreover, Chiesa created 3 big chances during the tournament as the best record among Italian players alongside Lorenzo Insigne. He was deservedly named in EURO 2020 Team of the Tournament following his excellent performances, as the only Italian forward to be named in the XI.

Chiesa has showcased his brilliance in taking opponents on in one – on – one  situations with his astonishing pace and skill with the ball, in addition to his capability of making differences in a. He is also a versatile player than can be deployed in position in the frontline.

Furthermore, he is believed to be a very hard – working and energetic player on the pitch who is both good at scoring goals as well as setting up his teammates. Most notably, Chiesa won the Pallone Azzurro award as the best Italian player of the year in 2021.

Italy fans have gotten their hopes very high with regard to the promising player's performance during the past year, and rely on him significantly to continue his bright form until 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Lorenzo Insigne

• Full name: Lorenzo Insigne

• Date of birth: 4 June 1991 (age 30)

• Place of birth: Frattamaggiore, Naples, Italy

• Height: 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)

• Position(s): Winger

• Current team: Napoli

Napoli's 30 – year – old Captain was one of the

best Italian soccer players 2021

. He was a standout performer for his club during 2020/21 Serie A season at the end of which he recorded his best record of all time in terms of the number of goals netted in a single Serie A season: He managed to score a total 19 goals, in addition to setting up his teammates with 7 assists.

was Napoli's highest top scorer, and 3rd best assist provider of the season after Piotr Zielinski (10) and

(8).

In addition to registering goals and providing assists, Insigne has shined through almost every other attacking facets of his game as a winger: He averaged 1.9 completed dribbles per match throughout the season.

Insigne has a short stature that endows him with a low center of gravity, which in addition to his astounding technical skills with the ball enable him to get past defenders quite effortlessly.

Furthermore, upon having an extraordinary vision and outstanding passing range, he recorded an average of 1.8 key passes per game, and created a total of 12 big chances for Napoli throughout the Italian League season, both records were highest among Napoli players. He was prolific in terms of shots on target per match as well by recording 1.4 – the 4th best in the league.

After spending a luminous season with his club, Insigne was a solid presence for the EURO 2020 champions Italy in the summer. He was a starter in 6 out of Italy's 7 games throughout the tournament.

Upon scoring 2 goals, the talented winger played a pivotal role in Azzurri achieving the trophy after 51 years. Italy's No.10 scored a goal in the opening match of the tournament against Turkey while Italy beat the opponent 3 – 0, in addition to scoring a decisive goal in the round – of – 8 match against Belgium in a game Italy ended up eliminating the Red Devils with a full time result of 2 – 1.

Furthermore, Insigne sent a total of 13 key passes for his teammates during the competition, an astonishing record which places him only behind

with 14 key passes and next to his fellow countryman Marco Verratti, who also sent 13 key passes.

Moreover, the visionary player created 3 big chances, again the best among Azzurri players – alongside Federico Chiesa. Insigne has kept his bright form to the new season of 2021/22 where he has scored 7 goals and provided 6 assists for Partenopei in 21 Serie A games by the end of February, 2022.

Despite being only 30 and apparently being in the peak of his career, it has been announced that the deft quick winger will join the MLS side

in the summer of 2022. He is regarded as one of the

best Italian forwards of 2021

.

Italy fans have pinned their hopes on him to help them qualify for 2022 World Cup, and then finding success at Qatar after their absence in the previous version.

Domenico Berardi

• Full name: Domenico Berardi

• Date of birth: 1 August 1994 (age 27)

• Place of birth: Cariati, Italy

• Height: 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)

• Position(s): Forward

• Current team: Sassuolo

's superb performance during 2021 on both club and international level made everyone wonder why he is still playing for

, club Berardi is its all – time top scorer with over 100 goals.

He took his tally to 17 goals and 7 assists within 2020/21 Serie A season for Sassuolo, meaning he was directly involved in 37.5% of his teams total goals. It was Berardi's best goal – scoring season in his professional football career which helped Neroverdi to finish the league in the 8th position, missing out on Europa Conference League qualification on goal difference.

He was his team's both top goal scorer and best assist provider. He recorded 1.4 shots on target per match last season which was 4th best record of the league.

Furthermore, Berardi averaged 1.9 key passes per match, which is an astonishing record with regard to the fact that he is primarily a left – footed winger who prefers to cut inside and shoot the ball with his strong foot.

In addition to that, the quick player created 10 big chances for his team throughout the season, again the highest Sassuolo's squad.

Being a key player for Roberto Mancini at EURO 2020, the technically gifted featured in 6 of Italy's 7 games during the competition, within which he managed to provide an assist.

He came on as a substitute in the final match of EURO 2020 and won the title with his team following a 3 – 2 penalty shoot – out win against England.

He was the one who converted Italy's first spot – kick in the shoot – out. In addition to the European Championship, Berardi showcased a luminous performance during UEFA Nations League where he scored 3 goals in 4 appearances including a match – winning goal in a 2 – 1 victory over

in the 3rd place play – off match of the 2020/21 UEFA Nations League.

Moreover, he has retained his form to 2021/22 season, where he has been one of the best players of Serie A upon scoring 10 goals and providing 11 assists within 24 appearances this season. He is the league's top assist provider by the end of February 2022.

Berardi helped Sassuolo win the Serie B title and being promoted to Serie A in 2012/13 at the age of 19. He was named Serie B Footballer of the year at the end of the said season and established himself as one of the most promising young talents in the world of football.

He was Serie A's top assist provider in 2014/15 and won the Bravo Award as the most outstanding Young European Football Player of the year in 2015.

Ciro Immobile

• Full name: Ciro Immobile

• Date of birth: 20 February 1990 (age 32)

• Place of birth: Torre Annunziata, Italy

• Height: 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)

• Position(s): Striker

• Current team: Lazio

has been one of the best Italian players 2021 the same as recent years.

's highest all – time top scorer has impressed greatly with his natural flair in scoring.

The prolific striker netted 20 goals during 2020/21 Serie A season, which placed him 5th in the ranking of the league's top scorers. Moreover, Immobile managed to provide 6 assists for his teammates as well.

Notably, he was directly involved in 26 out of Lazio's total 61 goals during the season (42.6%), and played the most pivotal role in Lazio finishing 6th in the league, and being qualified for the Europe League.

He averaged 1.5 shots on target per match - which was the 3rd best record of the competition. Not only was he an astonishing finisher, but he was the most creative player of his team upon making a total of 11 big chances throughout the season.

In addition, his form has been even more astounding during the first half of 2021/22 season: he has scored 19 goals and provided 2 assists within only 22 Serie A games by the end of March 2022. He currently stands 2nd in Serie A top scorers of the season behind Juventus's wonder kid Dusan Vlahovic.

Following his bright form throughout 2020/21 season, Immobile was Roberto Mancini's first – choice for the striker position throughout EURO 2020.

He was a regular starter for Azzurri during the competition and was a decisive presence for the title – winning Italy by scoring 2 goals and recording 2 assists during the tournament.

He scored once in the 3 – 0 victory over Turkey in the opening match of the tournament, and added one further in another 3 – 0 win against Switzerland in the 2nd group stage match.

Furthermore, Immobile's finishing abilities with both feet, coupled with his astonishing spatial awareness has made him a nightmare to defend against in recent years.

He has won the Capocannoniere award as Serie A's highest goal scorer of the season on 3 occasions: 2013/14, 2017/18, and 2019/20. He achieved the European Golden shoe at the end of the latter one as the biggest individual award of his career while playing in Messi and Ronaldo's era.

While Italy has to go through a play – off qualification round before 2022 World Cup, Italy fans expect the tenacious striker to keep his form in a fine level.

Andrea Belotti

• Full name: Andrea Belotti

• Date of birth: 20 December 1993 (age 28)

• Place of birth: Calcinate, Italy

• Height: 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)

• Position(s): Striker

• Current team: Torino

Torino's 28 – year – old Captain has been one of the best strikers Italy has produced during the last decade.

scored 13 goals and set up his teammates with 6 assists during 2020/21 Serie A season. He was a key player as Torino escaped relegation when they finished the league in the 17th position.

Having been an Italy national team player since 2016, he was called up to the team's squad for EURO 2020. Although he was not regular starter, he came on as a substitute in 5 games and started 1 further.

In the semi – final match against Spain, and after a 1 – 1 draw after the extra time, he was Italy's second penalty taker and succeeded in converting the spot – kick. Azzurri eventually proceeded to the final match after a 4 – 2 victory in that penalties.

However, in the final match against England, as the game's fate was going to be determined in the penalty shoot – outs, he missed Italy's 2nd penalty which was saved by England keeper Jordan Pickford. Nonetheless, Azzurri won the game – and the trophy – so he can call himself very lucky!

Furthermore, he is renowned for having an eye for goal and excellent shot power which has enabled him to score over 10 Serie A goals in every season since 2015/16. Although he has retained his form to a good level, he never left Turin to play for a more prominent club.

Hence, a Serie B title with Palermo in 2013/14 has remained the only trophy in his club career. However, winning the 2020 European Championship Cup with Italy national team has compensated for his lack of team trophies.

Gianluca Scamacca

• Full name: Gianluca Scamacca

• Date of birth: 1 January 1999 (age 23)

• Place of birth: Rome, Italy

• Height: 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)

• Position(s): Striker

• Current team: Sassuolo

has been one of the most talked about strikers in the Serie A this season scoring 11 goals for Dionisi's Sassuolo.

The 23 – year – old forward who plays for Sassuolo has introduced himself as a competent player, especially in the latter half of the 2021 calendar year during 2021/22 season.

The tall striker was Coppa Italia 2019/20 and 2020/21 top scorer with 4 goals. He has scored 10 goals for his team during 2021/22 Serie A season and has showcased great finishing abilities.

He has caught some big clubs' eyes. He is said by some to have the capability to be something special by the time he hits his peak.

Scamacca was first called up to International duty in the September of 2021, and Italy has seemingly found a young talented striker for their future.

Scamacca is a very gifted striker at 195cm with dominant presence who possesses great technical ability and agility for a footballer for his height. It's a very rare profile for a striker these days.

He's got the perfect blend of both a traditional and a modern striker. The most comparable player to Scamacca is perhaps Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

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