The Race for the Premier League Golden Boot

As the 2021/22 Premier League season enters the fourth week and its 30th season a month ago, conversations are rife about who will emerge the League’s Top scorer after different Clubs record signings this season.

Every club has strengthened themselves to fight for their status in arguably the most competitive league in the world.

Some of the best forwards in the world call the Premier League their home. Therefore, these players will be expected to be in the right place more regularly than the rest.

With added quality into the forward pool, there is going to be tougher competition in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot this season. Big names are automatically included in this conversation when it comes to winning one of the biggest individual honors in the Premier League.

Let’s take a look at five players, who will be in contention for the Golden Boot this season.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is a record breaker. for him he know no record, his courageous and confidence in the box is a force to reckon.

After 12 years, Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford in the just concluded summer transfer. The forward scored 84 goals in 196 Premier League games for United in his first spell.

Cristiano Ronaldo

But, since then the Portuguese has established himself as the highest goal-scorer at Club level and International.

He also won the Capocannoniere in Serie A last season, scoring 29 goals. He outscored Romelu Lukaku, who made a similar return to Chelsea this season.

Even at 36, it is staggering that there remains no doubt in the Portuguese’s goal-scoring abilities. Therefore, without a doubt, Ronaldo’s name will be in the hat for the Golden Boot this campaign. He also has prior experience of bagging the award, having won it in 2007-08 scoring 31 goals that season.

The 5 time Ballon d’Or winner will be a huge boost to Red Devils this season. He could well be the missing ingredient in their quest for the first Premier League title since 2013.

2.Harry Kane

Harry Kane has won the second-highest number of Golden Boots in Premier League history (3). The Spurs striker is among the best strikers ever to set foot in the league.

Kane won the Golden Boot in the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons, before winning his third trophy last term. His current tally sits at a staggering 166 goals in 244 Premier League games for Spurs. It means that Kane currently sits at 7th place in the all time top scorers list and could break into the top four should he score 20 or more goals this season.

The leading active goal-scorer in the Premier League endured a tumultuous summer. His potential move from Tottenham to Manchester City was scuppered by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.

Despite his frustration, Kane returned to the club and maintained his loyalty and commitment. He will once again be the linchpin for the Lilly whites.

3. Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku is one of the most expensive players in the history of Premier League and one of the goal elite machine.

The Belgian is in the form of his life, having led Inter Milan to the Serie A title last season. But, it is rather easy to forget that Lukaku has also proven himself in the Premier League.

The Belgian has scored 114 goals in 254 games across spells at West Brom, Everton, Chelsea (currently), and Manchester United. It makes him the 20th highest all-time scorer in the league.

Lukaku needed just 15 minutes to find the net in the first game of the second spell since returning to Chelsea against Arsenal.

Therefore, with his Premier League experience and improved ability, Lukaku is a force to be reckoned with.

The 2020-21 Serie A MVP is certain to be among the top goal-scorers this season, considering his capabilities and the quality of creative options around him.

4. Mohamed Salah

The Egyptian has catapulted himself from a Premier League outcast to legendary status within just four years of signing for Liverpool.

Salah endured a torrid first spell in the league, playing only 13 times under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea. He only scored twice and was shipped out to Italy.

Salah returned a couple of years later and has since set the league on fire. He has scored a scintillating 97 goals in 148 Premier League games for the Merseyside club.

He led the club to their first Premier League title in 30 years, winning it in 2019-20.

Since his return, Salah has scored more than 20 goals in three out of his four league seasons, with Liverpool finishing in the top three in all those seasons. Infact, he has never finished outside the top five since joining Liverpool. He finished second in the Golden boot race last season with 22 goals, just one behind Harry Kane.

He has already won the Golden Boot twice. Salah also set the Premier League goal-scoring record after scoring 32 goals in the 2017-18 season.

This season, the 29-year-old started well with two goals in three games. Therefore, the Premier League Golden Boot race will no doubt feature the Egyptian.

5. Jamie Vardy

Jamie Vardy has established himself as a Leicester City legend and is among the best strikers to ever grace the Premier League. The inspirational Englishman has scored 120 goals in 248 Premier League games. He is the 19th highest all-time goal-scorer in the league.

Jamie Vardy

The 34-year-old has reached the double figures in goals in all barring one season in the Premier League for the Foxes. Vardy won the Golden Boot in 2019/20 with 23 goals and finished joint-second in their title-winning 2015/16 season, with 24 strikes.

He has once again started this season strong, with two goals in three games. Therefore, despite his age and Leicester’s additions in attack, Vardy is still their go-to man.