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Turn through the pages of the history of the English Premier League and you will find stories of legends and titans of the game who will live on in the collective memory for as long as the game lasts.
There was one thing common amongst them all: an insatiable appetite, the obsession for more, an addiction to glory, and most of all, astounding statistivs. There have been many players since the beginning of the Premier League era who were gifted with technical abilities and looked a class apart on the pitch.
Premier League's top clubs have some absolute match-winners in their ranks
The era of Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry, Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs is over.
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Their place in the anals of Premier League football is secure. However, there's a new generation that will not rest until it has its due place in that history book, hell-bent on carving a niche for themselves, even if they are not placed alongside the all-time greats.
On that note, here are the five active Premier League players with the most goal contributions in the division.
Note: All the stats are as mentioned on the official PL website at the time of writing.
#5 Romelu Lukaku - 153 goal contributions
Every time Romelu Lukaku moved from one Premier League club to another, his stock rose. The striker made his return to Chelsea this season, his first club in England where he started his journey back in 2011.
The Belgian arrived young and hopeful. However, a lack of playing time and a proper run of opportunities in the team saw him leave Stamford Bridge. Successful spells at Everton, who signed him for around €35 million in 2014 and Manchester United, who paid €84.7 million to avail his services in 2017, followed.
In his four seasons with the Toffees, Lukaku became their highest scorer (68) in the Premier League. This led to his big money move to Old Trafford.
Unfortunately for the centre-forward, the expectations weighed too heavily on him. His record was decent with 36 goal contributions in 66 games in the league, but the fans expected him to change their fortunes for the better.
When that did not happen, he became the easy scapegoat for the club and left on rather sour terms. It was then that Big Rom moved to Inter Milan in Italy and took his game to the next level.
His ability to outmuscle opposition defenders, the composure to hold the ball and link up with fellow forwards and his explosive pace all peaked in Italy. Under manager Antonio Conte, Lukaku developed into one of the world's best No. 9s.
His current tally of 118 goals and 35 assists in the Premier League means he is ranked fifth in terms of goal contributions. How long will he last in England, is anyone's guess with the big Belgian seemingly not the biggest fan of Thomas Tuchel's system.
#4 Raheem Sterling - 155 goal contributions
Sometimes it feels as if whatever Raheem Sterling does, there will always be the need for him to prove himself that one more time. The England international has answered critics multiple times in the past with his on-field displays and his impressive number of goal contributions.
The 'boy from Brent' recently scored his 100th goal in the Premier League and currently has 103 in his bag. His versatality allows him to play anywhere along the frontline and that's helped the striker record 52 assists.
With his quick pace, Sterling is at his most dangerous when he makes runs past the backline. His dribbling is inconsistent but most defenders are uncomfortable when the Manchester City forward runs at them with the ball at his feet.
In the previous Premier League season, Sterling suffered a dip in form compared to the prolific standards he showed previously, scoring 10 goals in 31 games. His place in the starting lineup at the 2020 Euros was not guaranteed, but the winger emerged as one of the brightest sparks in their run to the final.
Age is also on Sterling's side, who is just 27 and can surely have a few more years at the very top of his game. Under Pep Guardiola, he has become a clever finisher from inside the penalty box and will hope to add to his tally.
This season, Sterling has seven goals and one assist in 19 Premier League matches.
#3 Mohamed Salah - 156 goal contributions
It is very important to remind everyone that Mohamed Salah had only two goals and two assists in the Premier League to show for himself before joining Liverpool. It could be argued that at Chelsea he wasn't anywhere near a finished article and to be a starter in a Jose Mourinho team you have to be pretty darn good.
But the Portuguese manager, who calls himself "the Special One," clearly missed out on a gem who was indeed a special one.
The Egypt international did the right thing by departing for Italy where he gained confidence in Serie A and learned the art of deciding the fate of the game.
The Premier League was not ready for what was about to hit them. They hadn't seen it coming. How could they? Liverpool were signing a player who Chelsea had let go of without feeling the need to really persuade him to stay. What a bargain those €42 million must feel these days.
Since joining the Reds in 2017, Salah has restored the club's reputation as a genuine threat in the Premier League. He has done that by collecting personal accolades throughout his rise to the top and his 113 goals and 43 assists in the English top flight have made him a legend at Anfield.
The 'Egyptian King' is now the perfect blend of strength, artistry, balance and vicious goalscoring. Having already collected two Golden Boots in the Premier League, he is on his way to a third this season. The Reds forward played a crucial part in the club's Champions League and domestic triumph in recent times.
Salah has been supremely consistent and has only missed eight games since arriving at Liverpool, excluding his time at AFCON. He has put the world's top No.9s in the shade with his performances.
#2 Jamie Vardy - 166 goal contributions
Arguably one of the most inspirational and heart-moving stories of the last decade in football is how Jamie Vardy went from rags to riches. The striker climbed the ladder one step at a time, moving steadily from becoming a pro for the first time with FC Halifax Town to signing for National League club Fleetwood Town.
It was in 2012 that Leicester City and Vardy married and if hindsight has taught us anything, it's that they were made for each other. The striker's efforts helped the Foxes get promotion to the Premier League. A striker worth €1.24m was not supposed to be so good, but he was.
In fact, he is the personification of the loosely-thrown-around-metaphor about 'fine wine'. Age tried to play catch up but the Leicester striker evaded it expertly and continues to do the same. The 35-year old boasts a tally of 127 goals in the Premier League along with 39 further assists and a league winner's medal to boot.
Despite not playing for one of the traditional "Big 6" clubs, Vardy has stood his own against the most expensive centre-forwards of those teams.
But his game is more than just goals. His relentless pressing and tendency to create space for others by engaging with defenders makes the Foxes more efficient as an attacking unit.
The former England international has proved he is indeed the man for the big occasions with his 43 Premier League goals against the "Big 6". Only Sergio Aguero has more.
Vardy was the English top-flight's player of the year in Leicester City's miraculous title-winning campaign and won the Golden Boot in the 2019-20 season at the age of 33.
#1 Harry Kane - 207 goal contributions
Loyalty can sometimes prove costly...very costly, and in Harry Kane's it has cost him trophies. The striker was closing in on a move to Manchester City in the summer. But chairman Daniel Levy didn't sanction the transfer because the Etihad-based club weren't ready to pay his valuation.
Hence Kane continues for another season at Tottenham Hotspur, which will end trophyless again. He could really have been winning the Premier League this season, but no one knows when that will happen, if that will happen at all. For the time being he does have many personal milestones to be proud of.
The three-time Premier League Golden Boot winner is the player with the most goal contributions in the division with 171 goals and 36 assists. The England international has been elevated into the elite bracket not just by the stats but by how complete a forward he is.
From his off-the-ball movement to his impressive passing range and vision, Kane makes any team he walks into a better one. He is a lethal and potent finisher from anywhere on the pitch and has proven himself to be a constant threat for most parts of the game.
That is because his movement is disciplined and clever, he hardly ever wastes any ounce of energy, which has resulted in his prolific goalscoring exploits. Since becoming a fixture in the playing XI for Spurs in the 2014-15 season, Kane has finished with a tally of over 20 goals in five Premier League seasons.
The Lilywhites captain has also been included in the PFA Premier League team of the year for five campaigns. So what will it be then, the loyalty that keeps silverware tantalizingly away, or a move that sees him play for one of the best sides in Europe? The clock is ticking, Kane.
