Kevin Denkey: Europe's top scorer you’ve never heard of

Suraj Radia

• 25 Feb 2024 12:09 GMT
• 3 min read

Not many players can say they can compete with the likes of Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane…but one player in Belgium is putting himself among esteemed company with his performances this season.

Kane is Europe’s top scorer overall this season with 27 goals in just 23 games for Bayern Munich, however no player aged 23 or younger can say they have netted more times than Cercle Brugge striker Kevin Denkey.

The 23-year-old has been a one-man show for Cercle, scoring 20 of their 36 goals this season in just 25 games, including ten in his last ten in the Juliper Pro League.

Denkey is enjoying a breakout season with Cercle, scoring more goals this season than he had during his during his three previous seasons with the club combined.

The former Nimes forward has also found form at international level, having scored five times in 2023 for Togo as they narrowly missed out on qualification for the recent African Cup of Nations.

With affordable young strikers proving a rare commodity in recent times, Denkey’s fine form could attract interest from Europe’s major leagues if teams are willing to gamble on the prolific record of a man in form.

Poacher Denkey likely to command French interest

Denkey has played largely a poacher role for Cercle this season, with the majority of his 20 goals coming in and around the penalty area, however he has often helped create his chances with his own control and movement.

Rather impressively, Denkey has played with a hint of flair to his game, adding goals with a backheel, a rabona and a flick to his season showreel.

Although Denkey’s game outside the box perhaps requires refinement, having yet to create a goal in this campaign, the number nine did assist eight times in addition to his nine goals last season.

Teams have yet to formally make a move for Denkey, given his only recent breakout, however sides in Ligue 1 have been linked and would prove a natural step up for the French-speaking star.

SciSports, who use data-driven analytics to provide an insight into players, sees Rennes as the best club for Denkey to develop, although moves to Turkey, Spain and Italy are also suggested.

Ultimately Denkey’s form in a lesser league is intriguing to teams with limited resources and it would be no surprise to see the hotshot move to a bigger club this summer in the hopes of becoming the next unknown quantity to make his name as an elite forward.