With English clubs spending big over the summer to sign players capable of finding the net at will, the Premier League now owns an abundance of talented frontmen, any of whom could take over Luis Suarez as the division’s season top goalscorer. With goals set to come thick and fast, and contenders for Golden Boot winners many, here are the top 10 strikers who could lead the league’s goals tally come 24th May.
#10 Romelu Lukaku
Expected to build on a very impressive first season on loan at Everton, Romelu Lukaku could be an outside contender for the Golden Boot if he continues in the same vein of form that saw him accumulate 16 goals for the Toffees last term.
Having secured a £28 million move to Goodison Park from Chelsea in his efforts to gain regular first team football, Lukaku will be the focal point of an attacking outfit, and will be helped by the signature of former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o.
#9 Alexis Sanchez
One of the biggest coups of the summer transfer window, Alexis Sanchez moved to Arsenal from Barcelona for a fee of around £30 million, signalling Arsene Wenger’s intent to sharpen up his strike force.
The Chilean attacker has been among the goals consistently for Barcelona in the previous seasons, notching up 21 in 2013-14 despite being played as second fiddle to the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Pedro. At Arsenal, Sanchez might again play as a winger, but is expected to be amongst the goals for the Gunners.
#8 Stevan Jovetic
The Montenegrin was one of the big-money flops after his £22 million move to the Etihad Stadium last term, but has seen a huge upturn in form after acclimatising himself to the English league, and is starting to look worth the large investment in him.
A very smart footballer, Jovetic is expected to feed off the talent that surrounds him in the Manchester City squad, and is expected to be one of the most improved performers in the league from last season.
#7 Wilfried Bony
The only member of this list outside the top clubs, Bony has already proven his ability in his debut season in the Premier League, notching up 25 goals for the Swans enroute an otherwise disappointing 12th place finish.
However, Swansea have started this current season brightly, scoring maximum points in each of their 3 games to date, and with former player Gylfi Sigurdsson returning to the Liberty Stadium, Bony could get the service he requires to be one of the outside contenders for the season’s Golden Boot.
#6 Robin van Persie
All reasonable opinion would suggest that the Dutchman will be outside the race for the Golden Boot this season, with the striker continuing to have persisting injury problems and Manchester United signing Radamel Falcao on deadline day.
However, van Persie has proved critics wrong many a time over his distinguished career, and could continue doing so in the 2014-15 season if he can keep up his fitness. He also seems to have taken to the competition for starting spots at Old Trafford well, saying: “It is up to Falcao to fight for his place, as I have to as well. The two of us, plus Wayne Rooney and James Wilson, we must all fight it out to see who plays.”
#5 Mario Balotelli
His reputation for being a troublemaker might always precede his goalscoring prowess, but Mario Balotelli has proven time and again that he is a force to be reckoned with, when he keeps his sensibilities in check.
Even at Milan, while the club was going through a terrible phase and struggling for results, Balotelli scored 12 goals in 13 games during the 2012-13 season, and ended last term with a tally of 18 goals, showing that his form in front of goal has not taken a beating. At Liverpool, Balotelli will be helped by a squad brimming with talent, and could see much success if he can keep his head down and concentrate on football.
#4 Daniel Sturridge
A player who has really started to hit his mark in recent seasons under Brendan Rodgers, Daniel Sturridge was a major factor in Liverpool’s return to the Champions League, and is expected to keep up his goalscoring touch in the coming season.
It is left to be seen if Luis Suarez’s departure will help or hamper Sturridge’s development, but recent performances show that the 25-year old frontman is not showing signs of slowing down, and will be helped in his goals tally from being the main man at Anfield this season.
#3 Radamel Falcao
He might still be recovering from an injury and facing some serious competition for a starting berth at Manchester United, but Falcao’s chances of ending the season as the Premier League’s top goalscorer will no doubt be boosted by the Red Devils’ top-heavy lineup.
With the likes of Angel di Maria, Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata set to form his supply line, along with Robin van Persie’s well-documented injury troubles, the Colombian could be racking up the goals this term if he can steer clear of his own injury worries.
#2 Sergio Aguero
A player who has played a key role in Manchester City’s two recent Premier League title-winning seasons, Sergio Aguero scored 58 times in those two terms to help the Citizens rise to the top of the English first division, and could again be a central figure if the Sky Blues are to retain their league crown.
Having already scored 2 goals in the league, including one against Liverpool just 23 seconds after being brought on as a substitute, Aguero is already looking in prime form, and will be one of City’s key performers in their title charge.
#1 Diego Costa
Critics of the 25-year old striker were sceptical of his move from Atletico Madrid to Chelsea, suggesting that the Spaniard could face the same troubles that befell the likes of Andriy Shevchenko and Fernando Torres. However, Costa has dispelled those claims with aplomb in recent weeks, having knocked in 4 goals in his first 3 appearances for the Blues.
With a very creative midfield to support the central man, Costa could flourish at Chelsea, and is the top contender for this season’s Golden Boot.