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The Premier League is four weeks old and there has been no shortage of goal-scoring action. The goals have been flowing with an average of 2.9 goals per game. The league has certainly lived up to its billing of being the most entertaining on the planet.
As the business end of the Premier League approaches, there is another contest people glue their eyes on: the race for the Golden Boot. The Golden Boot is awarded to the player who scores the highest number of goals in the league.
The coveted trophy has been claimed by legends like Thierry Henry, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Alan Shearer and Didier Drogba. More recently, the likes of Harry Kane, Sergio Aguero and Mohamed Salah have laid their hands on the prized trophy.
At present, Mane and Mitrovic lead the scoring charts. However, as the race heats up one can expect the usual suspects to be jostling for their place at the top. Through this article, we would look at the 5 players most likely to land the precious Golden Boot.
Without further ado, here are the prime candidates for the Golden Boot:
5. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)
The Gabonese striker arrived at the Emirates in January after a successful stint at Borussia Dortmund. Having racked up 98 Bundesliga goals in his time in Germany, he has hit the ground running and already has 11 Premier League goals to his name.
Aubameyang had a slow start to the season and didn’t find the net until his magnificent curling effort against Cardiff. Despite starting as the lone striker in all of Arsenal’s games, he couldn’t hit his straps initially. However, after Lacazette’s introduction into the starting eleven, the Gabonese has looked a man reborn.
Aubameyang has pace to burn and it was on display against Cardiff. After being set up perfectly by his strike partner, he took his chance with aplomb. Aubameyang is very clinical in front of goal and if Arsenal play to his strengths, he would surely end up getting tons of goals for the Gunners. The Gabonese has also shown the ability to sustain his performances throughout the season. His 2016-17 Bundesliga Golden Boot is a testament to the fact.
However, Arsenal are entering a transitional phase under Emery and like everyone in the squad, Aubameyang would also take time to adapt to the new manager’s methods. Thus, he only makes it to our list as the 5th most likely to scoop the Golden Boot come May 2019.
4. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
The Egyptian King had a summer to forget as he couldn’t inspire his country to a single point at the World Cup. After a forgettable summer, Salah returned to Merseyside rejuvenated, and is showing signs of hitting peak form.
Salah started off the season where he had left off last time around by scoring Liverpool’s first goal in the league against West Ham. After four games, he boasts of an impressive tally of 2 goals and an assist.
The Egyptian is quick off the blocks and added a clinical edge to his game last season. His accuracy in front of goal earned him the Golden Boot in the season gone by. However, one can expect his scoring prowess to drop off a little this season as more teams would be focussed on not affording him any shooting space.
The opposition’s reluctance to allow him a yard of space was on display in their opening games. Salah, however, is a talented footballer and though he might not get the same number of goals, he would be one of the biggest attacking threats in the league. One person sure to benefit from the extra attention afforded to Salah would be Mane, who has already notched up four goals.
Thus, for these reasons, Salah ranks as the 4th likeliest to pick up the accolade at the end of the season.
3. Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United)
The Belgian marauder was at his best in the World Cup. His dazzling contributions played a major role in Belgium chalking up 3rd place in Russia. However, the start to his Premier League campaign has been far from impressive.
Lukaku failed to inspire against Tottenham and Brighton. In the game against Tottenham, he missed a gilt-edged opportunity while he was woeful at the AMEX Stadium. However, he redeemed himself a little by bagging a brace at Turf Moor against a stoic Burnley side.
The Belgian’s goal-scoring abilities have never been up for debate. While he gets truckloads of goals against the weaker oppositions, it is his trait to go missing in the big games which has led to frustration among fans and pundits alike.
Lukaku belongs to a rare breed of strikers who possess pace and power in abundance. A marauding presence in the attacking third, he scores his fair share of headers. Additionally, he is very good at timing his runs and finds himself on the end of things often.
Lukaku would have been ranked higher on our list, if not for his tendency to go missing in the big games. With the strikers above him producing against all kinds of opposition, Lukaku only gets the No.3 spot.
2. Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
Harry Kane has been on an upward curve since making his bow for Tottenham Hotspur in the league. He was unfortunate to miss out on the Golden Boot last term, despite scoring 30 goals. After Salah usurped him last time around, the Englishman would want to get his hands on the trophy come May 2019.
Kane hasn’t gotten off to the ideal start in the league and has fluffed 4 big chances already. Despite enduring a sticky start, he has gotten on the scoresheet twice while also providing an assist. As Kane has shown many a time before: he is a hard man to stop once he gets going.
Kane is an adept finisher inside the box while also boasting of long-range stunners in his locker. His ability to score a variety of goals makes him a near complete striker. His only weakness is his ability to miss big chances in big games. However, the Golden Boot doesn’t take into consideration when the goals are scored. Thus, Kane is one of the prime candidates to land the Golden Boot at the culmination of the season.
Kane narrowly misses out on the top spot but don’t be surprised if he is the one holding the trophy aloft when the season comes to a close.
1. Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
The Argentinian is the highest ever goal-scorer for his club, Manchester City and has won the Golden Boot once previously.
Aguero has started the season on fire and has already made the net bulge on three occasions. He had a stellar season last time as well and rippled the net on 21 occasions on City’s march to the title.
Manchester City have set the ball rolling with impressive performances in the first few weeks of the season. They show no signs of stopping and are expected to produce exhilarating football on a weekly basis again. With City not sacrificing their attacking philosophy, Aguero would get his plethora of chances. With Aguero being an ace finisher, all signs point to another goal-laden season for the Argentine.
Over the years, Aguero has seemed to put his injury issues to bed and looks primed for a full-fledged season. In addition to this, the acquisition of Mahrez provides more creative ammunition for Aguero to fire.
Hence, for these reasons, Aguero looks the most likely suspect to capture the coveted prized when the season nears its conclusion.
