It was recently reported in the English press that Manchester United and Chelsea are on the trail of Sporting Lisbon`s prolific Dutch striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel , but the 22 year-old, who is enjoying a superb debut season in Portugal, is not tempted just yet. "It is good that my name was linked to big clubs, but I am really content and happy at Sporting”, said van Wolfswinkel in a recent interview. "Things are excellent in every sense. I play for a good club and I am scoring goals because I am taking this satisfaction on to the pitch."

Van Wolfswinkel really has all the reasons to be content. Since joining  this summer from Dutch Side Utrecht  in a 5.4 million Euro deal he scored 13 goals in 18 matches for Sporting – 7 in the Portuguese liga, 5 in the Europa League and 3 in the state cup – and there are no signs he is going to slow down. 

After scoring 8 goals in his 2008/09 debut season for Vitesse Arnhem, the 1.85 meter striker became a hot property. The likes of Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and a host of other clubs from across the continent were interested in his services, but the then 19 year-old picked rival Dutch club Utrecht after he was promised to have a regular place in the starting line-up. The transfer fee was 2.5 million Euro. After only 9 goals in 2009/10, Van Wolfswinkel exploded a season later finding the net 23 times. He was ready for the next step, and this season he proved that he can make it big also outside his home country.

Van Wolfswinkel offers, first and foremost, plenty of game intelligence. His positioning sense, movement along the field and game reading are all of the highest caliber. In addition the Dutch striker is tall, fast, both-footed, calm in front of goal and boast excellent close ball control. He is also versatile and can act as central striker, on supporting role or as attacking midfielder.

So far Van Wolfswinkel appeared only once for the Dutch national team – 70 minutes in a friendly against Ukraine on August 2010 – but if he keeps his current form, the talented striker will surely give Bert van Marwijk plenty of food for thought ahead of the 2012 European Championship.