With Harry Kane now playing for Bayern Munich, there is a vacancy to challenge Erling Haaland as the Premier League’s top goalscorer this season.
With Haaland firing a brace against Burnley on the opening day, he remains the bookies favourite to retain that accolade. However, there are a few forwards who could run him close.
These are our top five players who could pip Haaland to the Golden Boot…
Mohamed Salah
We all know Salah loves to score goals and he impressed against Chelsea in the first game of the season. He scored a fine goal in the first half but VAR ruled that out for a very narrow offside decision. It was his first opening game of the season for Liverpool where he failed to score, and his link up with the likes of Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, means there is no doubt Salah will continue to score goals for Klopp’s side as Liverpool look to challenge this season.
Marcus Rashford
Embed from Getty ImagesIt feels like Rashford has improved his game a lot under Erik ten Hag. He managed 17 Premier League goals last season and has more than proved himself since he burst onto the scene in 2015/16. The signing of Rasmus Højlund doesn’t change much for Rashford as he predominantly plays off the left. With a European Championship on the horizon in the summer, Rashford will be keen to rip up the Premier League as he did last season. If he can have a campaign without injury he could challenge for the coveted prize.
Alexander Isak
Embed from Getty ImagesIsak got the nod over Callum Wilson in the opening game of the season and took his chance with a wonderful brace. That stands him in good stead to be the number one choice for Newcastle boss Eddie Howe. He chipped in with ten goals in his debut season, and was remembered for a remarkable assist for Jacob Murphy’s goal at Goodison Park. Newcastle looked relentless in their opening game and ambitions will be high again at St. James Park, even with the added difficulty of Champions League football. Isak will be key, and after a terrific start, he will be one to watch.
Gabriel Jesus
Despite suffering from an injury in pre-season which is expected to keep him out for the first few weeks of the campaign, Gabriel Jesus will be raring to go in his second year with Arsenal. With Eddie Nketiah (and maybe Kai Havertz) set to challenge for his place, there will be healthy competition for the starting spot. Arsenal’s participation in the Champions League will likely bring rotation, but Jesus has had plenty of experience scoring in the Premier League. If he can get stay fit upon his return, there’s no reason why he cannot build on his 11 league goals last season.
Evan Ferguson
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Irish teenager was dubbed as the ‘New Harry Kane’ last season thanks to some impressive performances for Brighton. He got off the mark in the opening game against Luton and has all the attributes to be the next big thing in the Premier League, and with Brighton’s beautiful free-flowing football, he could get a hatful of goals this season. There is a buzz about Ferguson’s potential and after Kane’s move, could he potentially become a similar type of striker to the England captain?
