Sport
WHO’S IN THE RACE FOR THE EPL GOLDEN BOOT IN 2015-16?
WHO’S IN THE RACE FOR THE EPL GOLDEN BOOT IN 2015-16?
The Premier League title is clearly the biggest domestic prize on offer this season, but ahead of Saturday’s big kick-off, a select group of players may have half an eye on another trophy that is handed out in May.
Sergio Aguero was the latest recipient of the Golden Boot three months ago, the Manchester City striker’s 26 goals enough for him to scoop the award for the first time. The Argentina international’s goals-per-game ratio of 0.84 – his 26 strikes came in just 31 games – was one of the highest in the last two-and-a-bit decades, beaten only by Andrew Cole’s 0.85 in 1993-94, Alan Shearer’s 0.89 in 1995-96, Cristiano Ronaldo’s 0.91 in 2007-08, Didier Drogba’s 0.91 in 2009-10 and Luis Suarez’s Premier League record 0.94 in 2014-15.
Aguero is among the favourites to finish as the league’s top scorer this season, too. While City still have deficiencies in defence and in the centre of midfield, they possess some excellent options in forward areas: David Silva is arguably the best playmaker in the country, Raheem Sterling has proven himself to be a fantastic talent and Yaya Toure, for all of his lack of defensive discipline, remains a fine player going forward.
City have scored 185 times in their last 76 top-flight games, an average of 2.43 a match; Aguero, who is deadly in front of goal, will not find himself without ample opportunities to hit the back of the net over the next 10 months. Providing he stays fit for long enough – the 27-year-old has been dogged by niggling injuries over the last three campaigns – Aguero will certainly be up there come the season’s end.
Harry Kane was an unlikely challenger last time out: the Tottenham frontman began 2014-15 behind Roberto Soldado and Emmanuel Adebayor in the Spurs pecking order and was only handed his first start in November, making his tally of 21 goals a brilliant return for a player who was largely unheralded 12 months ago. Kane will be desperate to show he is not a one-season wonder by replicating – or perhaps even bettering – such a feat this term.
Diego Costa is another man who will have his eyes on the Golden Boot following an excellent debut campaign in English football. The former Atletico Madrid striker netted on 20 occasions despite only starting 24 games, an excellent record for someone who had never before played on these shores.
The Blues have added Radamel Falcao to their ranks this summer, but Costa will continue as their first choice up top. Should the Spain international finally shake off an ongoing hamstring problem, he could finish as the league’s top scorer.
After being deployed in central midfield at times last season, Wayne Rooney will be restored to Manchester United’s forward line by Louis van Gaal for the campaign ahead. With Falcao and Robin van Persie both leaving Old Trafford, Rooney is likely to start every game in which he is fit, giving him a great chance to win his first ever Golden Boot.
The last “surprise” Premier League top scorer was Kevin Phillips in 1999-2000. Playing for a Sunderland side who finished in seventh place, Phillips fired in 30 goals in 36 games in what was a sensational season for the then-26-year-old. In the 15 years since, the prize has been won by a player from either Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United or Manchester City.
Aguero, Kane, Costa and Rooney are the four favourites to finish top of the pile this time, but others may fancy their chances too. Christian Benteke will likely the line for a Liverpool side who remain strong in attack, with team-mate Daniel Sturridge another competitor; Arsenal’s progression means Olivier Giroud or Theo Walcott – it is still unclear who Arsene Wenger will favour as his main man up top – will be a regular starter for a side who many are tipping to win the title; while the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Graziano Pelle, Saido Berahino or Charlie Austin (should he seal a move to West Ham or Newcastle before the end of the month) could capitalise if higher-profile contenders fall short. Eden Hazard, Memphis Depay and Alexis Sanchez, meanwhile, will beat numerous goalkeepers despite not being out-and-out strikers.
The race for the Premier League title could be hotly-contested this season, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City all hoping to come out on top. While obviously not as important as the league championship, the battle for the 2015-16 Golden Boot looks set to be an intriguing subplot.
