With just less than 24 hours to the start of the new Premier League season, fans are already eager to see what this campaign has in store. Over the years, world-class strikers have graced the league with their magical boots.
The likes of Thierry Henry, Luis Suarez, Alan Shearer, Robin Van Persie, Didier Drogba, Yakubu Aiyegbeni among many others are some of the hotshots that have made their impacts felt in the English top flight.
This campaign’s edition promises not to be different and that’s why Soccernet’s Augustine Akhilomen takes a look at the seven players capable of winning the golden boot.
Harry Kane (Tottenham)
No doubt, one of the most prolific goal scorers in the English Premier League, Harry Kane has consistently shown his hunger for goals and determination to lead Tottenham to victory in difficult moments.
Kane, who was the Premier League top scorers in 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 seasons, narrowly failed to win a treble in the 2017-2018 season, where Mohamed Salah netted 32 goals for Liverpool against his 30 goals.
However, last season was a different story as the England international had to struggle with an injury that ruled him for two months at the tail end of the EPL title. If he is injury-free, Kane remains one player that will definitely compete for the golden boot award this season.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
At the mention of Mohamed Salah’s name in the Premier League, defenders shivers in fear. The Egyptian is looking to equal the record for consecutive Premier League Golden Boot awards this season, but can he see off the challenge of Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero?
The Liverpool frontman scored 22 goals in 2018/19, earning him a share of the Golden Boot alongside team-mate Sadio Mane and Arsenal ace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The accolade was Salah’s second-consecutive top scorer award, having smashed in 32 goals the previous season to beat Harry Kane – despite the England captain netting 30 times for Tottenham.
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
2014-2015 Premier League season was the last time Sergio Aguero won the golden boot award with Manchester City, where he scored 26 goals. However, the Argentinian striker’s campaign has been plagued by injuries in recent years and that has stopped him from earning the individual honours.
Although it is expected that Aguero will continue banging in the goals, he will need to stay fit all season if he is to win his second golden boot.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)
Aubameyang transfer has been a success for Arsenal so far. He scored 10 goals in 13 Premier League games after arriving in January 2018, and – while his goals-per-game ratio dropped in 2018-19 – Aubameyang still tied Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané for the Golden Boot award with 22 goals.
Backed by attacking team-mates Alexandre Lacazette, Nicholas Pepe and Mesut Ozil – The former Dortmund striker is arguably the among the contenders for the award.
Sadio Mané (Liverpool)
Cunning, pacy, strong and a real goal poacher, Sadio Mane had one of the best seasons in the Premier League with Liverpool last season, where he scored 22 goals for the UEFA Champions League winners.
A fantastic player who has formed a perfect understanding with his African brother, Mohamed Salah in the attack, Mane will be aiming to deliver the goals for the Reds this season as they push for the EPL title.
Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
If Raheem Sterling takes every goal opportunities that come to his ways in the 2019-20120 Premier League season, there is no doubt that he will be at the top of the scorer charts this season.
Having scored 18 goals in the 2017-2018 and 17 goals in the 2018-2019 season for Manchester City, Sterling has the pedigree to dethrone Harry Kane and Mohamed Salah from the golden boot charts if he capitalizes on every opportunity to comes his way.
This season could just be the defining moment for him as he has been touted by the team manager, Pep Guardiola to get better this season.
Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)
The last two seasons have been good for James Verdy in terms of goals, scoring 20 goals in the 2017-2018 season and 18 goals in the 2018-2019 season with Leicester City.
No doubt, Vardy has the quality to surpass last season’s record but his biggest worry has always been staying injury-free.
This post was last modified on August 8, 2019 3:00 pm
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