Viktor Gyokeres is a name not many people would have recognised just a few years ago, but recent seasons have resulted in the Swede exploding into the limelight.
The biggest turning point in Gyokeres’ career came when he joined EFL Championship side Coventry City from Brighton & Hove Albion back in January of 2021 after his loan spell with Swansea City was cut short. His first half-season for Coventry didn’t go quite as expected with the forward only making 19 appearances and scoring three goals, but his second season is where everything began.
After moving to Sporting CP for a reported fee of £20m, Gyokeres has gone from strength-to-strength, netting 30 goals in 33 appearances with 11 assists. Those 41 goal contributions makes the Swedish striker the top goal contributor in Europe’s top seven leagues.
European giants have been eyeing up Gyokeres, with Chelsea favourite for his signature in the summer. Here’s all you need to know about the man taking Europe by storm.
Breakthrough season
While the 2021/22 campaign saw Gyokeres explode into life, as the striker provided 18 goals and five assists in 47 appearances as Coventry finished 12th in the Championship, it was last season where he really made a name for himself.
The Sky Blues performed way above expectations to finish fifth and qualify for the Championship play-off final, where they were defeated by Luton Town on penalties. Gyokeres was their main man, featuring in all 49 league matches, scoring 21 and assisting 10. His all-round play got him his big move to Portugal and with just one year remaining on his Coventry deal, Sporting managed to sign him for a bargain price of £20m, however still the most the English club have ever received for a player.
Unstoppable
Sporting CP have won the league once since 2002, that coming three years ago in 2021. Gyokeres’ goals have propelled Sporting into a title contender, with his 17 goals and seven assists in 21 matches putting Sporting second, albeit two points off the top with a game in hand.
The Swedish international has also impressed in his first appearances in any European competition in his career, scoring five and assisting one in Sporting’s seven Europa League games.
His goal in the 3-3 draw with Rio Ave on Sunday took him to 30 already in just 33 matches, before March has begun.
Gyokeres displays all the attributes of a top striker. He’s got explosive pace, power, is great with both feet, can score all different types of goals and is a very much a team player. At just 25-years-old, he has time on his side too. This solo goal against Belgium is evidence of his capabilities and one of five goals he has scored in 19 caps for Sweden.
Destined for the big time
These outstanding statistics and performances has led to Gyokeres attracting even more attention from clubs across the continent. The most noticeable of these rumours suggest that Chelsea were keen on acquiring the striker’s signature in the January window, with the Blues reportedly having a £73m bid rejected and are likely to make another move for the player in the summer window. Reports of Manchester United’s interest have also surfaced in the past few days as it’s said the Red Devils are ready to trigger the £85m release clause in the Sporting striker’s contract.
While these are just rumours, with the way Gyokeres has been performing this season we’re sure it won’t be long before the striker makes a move to one of Europe’s most prestigious sides.
Get odds of 1.55 for Gyokeres to score anytime for Sporting in their next match
