'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Goals, goals, goals! Aren’t they the biggest reason we watch football? Headed goals, volleyed goals, free-kick goals – we all have our favourites. We also have our favourite stars whom we love watching racking up the numbers on the goalscoring charts. Some of them ultimately, are better at it than the others. Picking the best of them, we present the top ten contenders for the Premier League’s Golden Boot.
10. Alvaro Negredo – Manchester City
One of City’s two recruits from Sevilla this summer, Alvaro Negredo is already causing all sorts of selection headaches for manager Manuel Pellegrini. Having scored two impressive goals already, in spite of featuring on and off as a substitute, Negredo has taken his form into the international break proving exactly why he was such a feared striker in La Liga. He scored 25 goals in the Spanish top flight last season, which isn’t too bad a number given RVP won the boot with just one more to his name in England.
9. Christian Benteke – Aston Villa
Christian Benteke (Getty Images)
A monstrous presence on the pitch, both in terms of physique as well as performance, Benteke’s retention at Aston Villa has been a major success for the club. While his finishing prowess might not quite be in the same league as some of the others on this list, the sheer amount of dependence of his team on him should see him bag a few extra goals. From penalties to headers, most duties are jotted down against Benteke’s name, and he is certainly an outside contender for the boot.
8. Wilfried Bony – Swansea City
Wilfried Bony (Getty Images)
The arrival of the Dutch Eredivisie’s top scorer from last season could see a slight drop in the number of goals scored by Michu, but the finishing skills of Bony are certain to make up for them. Being the club’s record signing, Bony will be looking to give back in equal measure and perhaps attract clubs even bigger in stature.
7. Wayne Rooney – Manchester United
Wayne Rooney (Getty Images)
After a turbulent time navigating the transfer window, Wayne Rooney has remained an Old Trafford star. His concerns are not completely baseless though, as the arrival of RVP has certainly pushed Rooney down the pecking order, at least in terms of goalscoring opportunities. If there is one thing to expect from Rooney though, it is that he will never give up, and his lone start thus far fully supports that belief.
6. Daniel Sturridge – Liverpool
Daniel Sturridge (Getty Images)
The former Chelsea man seems to be enjoying himself in red, and after some stunning displays during Suarez’s absence last season, has continued to make the most of the opportunities provided to him. With three goals in as many games thus far, he has proved that he’s no pushover; so much that there is plenty of news about Brendan Rodgers’ plans to utilise Suarez in a wide position. Definitely in with a chance of bagging his first Golden Boot.
5. Sergio Aguero – Manchester City
Sergio Aguero (Getty Images)
One of the few consistent attackers for the Citizens, Sergio Aguero continues to be at the top of the pecking order under Manuel Pellegrini. After a slightly underwhelming season last time around, due to injuries and other issues, Aguero will be looking to reclaim the title which he won in such dramatic fashion the season before last.
4. Samuel Eto’o – Chelsea
Samuel Eto’o (Getty Images)
Slipping under many people’s radar, mainly because of the Gareth Bale transfer saga, Samuel Eto’o has made his way to Stamford Bridge. The last time him Jose Mourinho and him were together, they wound up winning an emphatic treble at Inter Milan. And while that may be a slightly optimistic dream for Chelsea right now, the Golden Boot is certainly a realistic one for Eto’o.
3. Luis Suarez – Liverpool
Luis Suarez (Getty Images)
Few people can afford to miss a handful of games right at the beginning of the season and still be #3 on the Golden Boot contender list. Luis Suarez is a special talent. For all his antics on the pitch which have seen him miss a considerable number of games, Suarez has scored at a phenomenal rate for Liverpool and was almost certain to take last year’s boot before he got slapped with the ban. There’s no reason to believe that he won’t continue with both his acts this season as well.
2. Roberto Soldado – Tottenham Hotspur
Roberto Soldado (Getty Images)
Brought in as part of one of the most promising revolutions in the league, Tottenham’s new striker is undoubtedly their first choice. Quite similar to Benteke in terms of the team’s dependence for goalscoring, Soldado’s performances so far indicate he will live up to their expectations. The departure of Gareth Bale, while disappointing for Tottenham, provides Soldado with more players around him who like to create opportunities. Almost as much as he likes finishing them.
1. Robin van Persie – Manchester United
Robin van Persie (Getty Images)
After two consecutive Golden Boot trophies to his name in the last couple of seasons, one with Arsenal and one with United, Dutchman Robin van Persie is the hot favourite to match Henry’s three-in-a-row record. With a fearsome reputation, a good squad surrounding him, and a manager who believes in him completely, RVP has all the ingredients required to make it to the top of the pile. The fact that he can finish spectacularly with either foot only increases his chances even further.
