WATCH: The best goals of pre-season - 2023/24

'Tis the time for goals, goals, and more goals!

While pre-season has taken on greater significance in modern times for shaping a club's upcoming season, it remains a period when players build themselves up to peak fitness and manager's become attuned to optimal formulas.

With rotation aplenty and tactical plans often experimental, the summer is not a time for rigid and robust defending. Goals are leaked, and there have been plenty to enjoy already this pre-season.

Here are ten of the best from this summer so far.

1. Luka Romero vs Real Madrid

Young Romero's career failed to lift off at Lazio, but life at Milan started with a bang for the crafty playmaker.

The 18-year-old certainly isn't revered for his proficiency from distance, but his debut Milan goal was a thumping effort from just outside the box. Romero's strike was almost instinctual with his first touch setting up the finish. Andriy Lunin had no chance.

2. Mykhailo Mudryk vs Brighton

Describing Mudryk's start to life at Chelsea as 'tough' would be an understatement. The winger arrived with lofty expectations in January but failed to score during his first few months at the club as both Graham Potter and Frank Lampard didn't quite know how to get the best out of him.

The arrival of Mauricio Pochettino, however, looks to have handed Mudryk a new lease of life. His first Chelsea goal arrived against Brighton in the Premier League Summer Series, and what a finish it was!

The sequence encapsulated everything that made Mudryk a £88.5m footballer just a few months ago.

3. Harry Wilson vs Brentford

Fulham's Summer Series encounter against London rivals Brentford kicked off in some style thanks to the sumptuous left boot of Harry Wilson.

This was a trademark Wilson goal, with the Welshman shifting in off the right flank before unleashing an unstoppable effort which left the man between the sticks motionless.

4. Donny van de Beek vs Lyon

Look, this probably isn't going to be the start of a Van de Beek remontada in Manchester, but that shouldn't take away from what was quite an exquisite finish.

The Dutchman scored the game's only goal in United's friendly with Lyon at Hampden Park; curling a first-time volley away from the keeper from a cross which certainly didn't lack venom. Serious technique and control.

5. Rodri vs Yokohama F. Marinos

There have undoubtedly been more spectacular goals this summer, but this Rodri effort is worthy of a mention due to the Champions League final nostalgia.

Sure, the goals aren't identical, but City fans would've quickly compared Rodri's controlled side-footed finish into the bottom left corner against Yokohama to the most significant goal in the club's European history.

6. Antoni Sarcevic vs Chester

'Shades of Bergkamp', The Guardian says, but have you ever seen anyone pull off a finish like this?

Stockport County's Sarcevic scored an utterly unique goal against Chester. The forward made it look so simple, but the technique was anything but. Sarcevic's first touch with the outside of his boot from a long ball in behind was ideal for the finish which ensued.

The ball never touched the ground as Sarcevic deftly lobbed the ball over the onrushing keeper to complete a quite magical finish.

7. Gabriel Jesus vs MLS All-Stars

This is the sort of goal we've seen Lionel Messi pull off time and time again over the years.

With the goalkeeper rooted to his line, this was an audacious chipped effort from Jesus at the edge of the MLS All-Stars box, but the trajectory of his subtle strike was pinpoint.

There was enough power to outfox the keeper, who couldn't quite believe he'd been outdone by the Brazilian from that position.

8. Lars Stindl vs Liverpool

Oh, hey Mr Stindl. Nice to see you still doing your thing.

The former German international is now plying his trade in 2. Bundesliga following eight years with Gladbach; returning to former club Karlsruher SC.

Stindl, who has over 100 career goals to his name, may not have scored one sweeter than this. His first-time volley from a driven corner was simply outstanding. In off the bar, too! Bonus points.

9. Luis Diaz vs Greuther Furth

It was a slow burner of a return to action for Diaz last season, who missed much of 2022/23 because of a knee injury.

The Colombian will hope he can rediscover his most potent form next term, and the early signs this summer suggest he'll do exactly that. Diaz opened the scoring for the Reds in their friendly against Greuther Furth with a lovely solo effort. The winger beat one man and showed wonderful close control in the opposition's box before curling home.

10. Emiliano Buendia vs Newcastle

There may not be a more impressive individual performance this pre-season than Buendia's against Newcastle. After teeing up Ollie Watkins for the game's opener, Villa's chief creator then scored the first of his two strikes to double the Villans' lead.

Buendia received possession down the left, isolated Kieran Trippier one-vs-one, created a yard of space with a stepover and fired beyond Nick Pope at the near post.