Meet some of Europe's lesser lights, who are lighting up pitches around Europe. Never heard of them ? Well, if it weren't for this post, you probably never would.
Europe's Unusual Suspects:
Europe's Unusual Suspects:
Sebastian Giovinco - Parma - Sent out from Juventus first on loan and then on a permanent move to the one time Serie A giants, he was expected to struggle during a relegation fight. However, his goal a game form sees a surprising return to the top half on a .500 team. Juventus made a mistake in letting him go. Five goals in six games.
Robert Lewandowski - Borussia Dortmund - The talented winger is one of an exciting trio of young polish talent at Westphalia. Leading the scoring for the defending champions while continuing to set touchlines around the league alight is a fantastic achievement that Lewandowski will hope to build on as the season continues. Five goals in nine games.
German Denis - Atalanta - Menacing and physically imposing, Denis lends his talents nicely to an solid Atalanta outfit who have made light of a points deduction to display Champions League form. Denis is basically unleashed up front to wreak havoc on opponents's defences, a job he has taken to with aplomb. Four goals in six games.
Rodrigo Palacio - Genoa - The sublime ponytail from Boca Juniors is making a real splash in his third season in Italy. Fast and tricky with a deadly eye for goal, he has opened the scoring four times for his club, who are nestled in mid table. Five goals in six games.
Mohammed Abdellaoue - Hannover - His redhot form is an excellent return for a player who has led his unfancied team back into the top eight, showing that their form last season was no fluke. The big eyes and giant smile underneath wildly tussled hair makes him one of the Bundesliga's most recognized strikers. Six goals in nine games.
Imanol Agirretxe - Real Sociedad - In a league that is overloaded with the superstars at the top, it is refreshing when a smaller light at a lesser team makes the headlines. Real Sociedad will spend the season in a relegation fight and Agirretxe will not be going to Euro 2012 but one can only scan the scoring charts to pick his name out each week. Four goals in seven games.
Demba Ba - Newcastle - While the other names at the top of the scoring charts in the Premiership are household names around the world, people would be forgiven for thinking the ex-Hoffenheim striker is a cousin of former French Milan striker Ibrahim. Clinical, physical and full of running. Five goals in eight games.
Demba Ba - Newcastle - While the other names at the top of the scoring charts in the Premiership are household names around the world, people would be forgiven for thinking the ex-Hoffenheim striker is a cousin of former French Milan striker Ibrahim. Clinical, physical and full of running. Five goals in eight games.
Alain Traore - Auxerre - Leading a team widely tipped to struggle, into the top six is a massive achievement, but doing it while keeping pace atop the scoring charts with the league's leading stars, makes it greater still. Auxerre has fallen and is now mid-table but with Traore healthy should make the top eight. Six goals in ten matches.
Dries Mertens - PSV - The stocky and powerful striker has elevated his game several leves following his move from Utrecht in the off season. After encouraging numbers for the former, he has been knocking them in for fun at PSV while emerging as the best talent up front for his national side. 11 goals in nine matches.
Jeremy Perbet - Mons - The little known Frenchman is leading the scoring the Jupiler Pro League for even lesser known Mons, displaying consistency and poise in front of net that many bigger names would love to possess. Perbet is a single handed wrecking machine that is upsetting the natural order of things on the North Atlantic. 11 goals in ten games.
Nolito - Benfica - The former Barcelona B striker was destructive in the second division last season - but when a move to a La Liga team was not forthcoming - made the unique choice to join Benfica across the border. Where he has flourished, bringing a classy temperament and flawless technique to the Primeira Liga. Five goals in seven games.
Matias Suarez - Anderlecht - Not only is he one of the main goal-threats for league leaders Anderlecht in Belgium, the Argentine marksman is the leading scorer in the Europa League. Add to that his four strikes in the league and the player who bears a huge resemblance to fellow Argentine Lucho Gonzalez is looking like the real deal. Five goals in three games in the Europa League.
Seydou Doumbia - CSKA Moscow - A regular on this list, the Ivorian is the leading replacement for Didier Drogba's striking mantle for national team. Fast and powerful, his leading of CSKA's line has them knocking on Zenit's door in the league and in line for a round of sixteen berth in the Champions' League. Four goals in three games in the Champions League.
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Special Mentions:
Papiss Demba Cisse - Freiburg - Another regular on this list in the past few seasons, Freiburg should keep him fit and then cash him in this January or next summer. One of Europe's best kept secrets.
Milan Mandzukic - Wolfsburg - Croatia's best striker and Wolfsburg's best bet for a top six finish. The natural successor to Davor Suker up front.
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