Ex-winners in the run-up to the Golden Shoe in their cards watch: Trossard is an ‘incredible sjotter’, but there will be little discussion about Vanaken

Golden Shoe The Golden Shoe is rapidly approaching. Who writes the 65th edition on his name? Who crown themselves ‘Trainer of the Year’? And who was the best goalkeeper? We suggested to the most pressing questions to our council of the wise. Today is Julien Cools is the winner of 1977 as the first turn: “I don't bother me, sometimes to the zwaaiwerk of Ivan Leko.”

He was at the top of his six years, one of the patrons at Club Brugge, gave the Red Devils a european CHAMPIONSHIP final in 1980 and for many years was the driving force behind the national junior. On his 71st Julien Cools has become an ‘eminence grise’ in the Belgian football. The ex-captain of the national team following the all still on the foot. A not-to-ignore voice, so in the debate around the Golden Shoe. All there is for Cools only one obvious winner.

“I think this year there will be much discussion about Hans Vanaken. I have him in the two rounds of voting on one. This is a logical choice. I see him regularly play in the stadium, he has a very constant season behind them and do it almost every week with a goal or assist. It is thanks to him and Ruud Shaper that Club last year's season champion could play. Some will get big points in one of the two rounds of voting, Hans will do that in both.”