EPL 2017/18: Top 5 Golden Boot contenders

The 26th Premier League season is here with teams carrying new expectations and renewed hope. Like every year, there will be those players tasked to score as many goals as possible to aid their team's fortunes.

Now, every main goalscorer might not deliver but there will be a few whose goalscoring exploits will see their team contest for trophies at the business end of the season. The ones who deliver will naturally be in contention for winning the end-of-season awards. The Golden Boot, awarded to the player who scores the highest number of goals, is the dearest for goalscorers everywhere.

Tottenham's Harry Kane won the award last year with good competition from Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez and Everton's Romelu Lukaku. A lot has happened between May and now while one can expect a few more twists before next May arrives.

Thus, a number of players can be considered contenders for winning the award but only a select few can be considered as the real deal. Let's take a look at the top 5 players who have a great chance of winning the illustrious award.

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#1 Harry Kane, Tottenham

Harry Kane will take some beating to be dethroned of the Golden Boot

The list starts off with the most obvious one - Harry Kane. The 24-year old is the holder of the award since the past two seasons and is one of the most consistent strikers in the league.

Ever since he came on to the big stage in the 2014/15 season, Kane has progressively improved his returns with 21, 25 and 29 goals respectively. Thus, he has grown from a one-season wonder to a top marksman under three years.

Kane has a brilliant support cast at Spurs with partner-in-crime Dele Alli and creator Christian Eriksen along with Mauricio Pochettino's quality squad. Further, Kane has age on his side, is well-settled in the team and is now experienced in the league as well.

Hence, he can be considered to be the top contender for winning the award yet again and unless injuries intervene, one would not put it past him to complete a hat-trick of Golden Boots.

#2 Romelu Lukaku, Manchester United

Romelu Lukaku is a born goalscorer and has better support at United now.

If there is one word to describe Lukaku as a footballer, it is goals. Right from his Anderlecht days, the big Belgian has been a terrific goalscorer. His fantastic goal output at West Brom and Everton further prove the fact. In fact, he finished second to Kane in the race for the Golden Boot last season.

Now, for the first time, he is at a top club in Manchester United. If the former Chelsea striker could score over 80 goals while playing for West Brom and Everton, then one can only predict how many goals he can plunder playing for Jose Mourinho's side. While new surroundings and the pressure of playing for a top club do exist, there is the upside of having creators such as Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba around him.

Thus, the new Manchester United no.9 will be itching to finally win the Golden Boot this season. Lukaku's pace, finishing and size make him an ideal player for the league as well as for United. At 24 years of age, he will only get better and can definitely improve on his 25-goal return from last season.

Thus, there is a strong possibility of a two-way competition between Kane and Lukaku for the Golden Boot this season.

#3 Sergio Aguero, Manchester City

Both Aguero(left) and Jesus(right) are capable of becoming the league's top scorer

There is a strong case for either of Aguero or Jesus to become a prime contender for the Golden Boot. Pep Guardiola possesses attacking riches unlike any other team in the land with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva to name a few.

If we consider new full-backs, Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy, then the attack-minded nature of the squad can be understood. All these players point to only one thing, more goals in the side. Thus, the prime beneficiaries will be the strikers, Jesus and Aguero, depending on who nails the spot.

Aguero is the deadliest marksman in the Premier League and has been so since his arrival in 2011 with 122 league goals. On the other hand, 20-year old Jesus is a hot commodity and is the preferred striker for Pep. Thus, there is a healthy competition between the two and the winner will benefit from the premium service coming in from around.

On adding the individual brilliance of both players to the quality support, there is no doubt the winner of their battle will be a contender for the Golden Boot. In case Pep decides to go ahead with both of them starting, then one cannot discard the possibility of both of them fighting for the award as well.

#4 Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal

Alexis Sanchez is arguably the most complete player in the league

The biggest question mark over Alexis Sanchez is the club he will represent this season. Currently at Arsenal and into the final year of his contract, the Chilean has openly expressed his desire to leave. However, Arsene Wenger is adamant that Sanchez will not be allowed to this year and instead can run down his contract. Either way, the 28-year old is a serious contender for the Golden Boot.

There was a stage last season when Sanchez was the front-runner for the award. Despite failing to top the scoring charts, he ended with 24 goals and another 10 assists to cap a stellar season. The Arsenal superstar is missing the start of the season though, with an abdominal injury.

Irrespective of whether he stays at Arsenal or moves to Manchester City, who have shown interest to sign him, there is no doubt that he is a player at the peak of his powers. In the situation where he stays at Arsenal, club-record signing Alexandre Lacazette could rival him for goals. On the other hand, if he moves to City, there is the obvious threat from Aguero and Jesus.

Nevertheless, Sanchez's versatility is a key asset and his winning mentality gives him an edge against the rest. Thus, the former Barcelona attacker can be banked on to continue his goalscoring form and stay in contention for the award come May.

#5 Jamie Vardy, Leicester City

Jamie Vardy is the dark horse for winning the Golden Boot

Arsenal's Lacazette, Crystal Palace's Christian Benteke or even AFC Bournemouth's Jermain Defoe can become contenders for the Golden Boot. However, Leicester's Vardy knows his role at the club, is experienced in the league and has already breached the 20-goal mark before.

Vardy's footballing rise is a true rags-to-riches story and he completed the fairy tale by leading the line in Leicester's underdog PL win in 2016. While the team's dip in form coincided with the Englishman's drought in front of the net, Vardy finally rediscovered his poacher's instinct towards the end of the season.

The Foxes look to have found their stability again under Craig Shakespeare, who has brought the title-winning tactics back. Further, the signing of City's youth sensation Kelechi Iheanacho adds another potent goalscorer as well as a team player. This releases the pressure off Vardy's shoulders while getting more chances to score.

Thus, the odds could be longer than the other players on the list, but Vardy definitely has the chops to win the Golden Boot this season.