Top 10 contenders for the European Golden Shoe

#5 Mohamed Salah- 44 points

Salah is having the best season of his career

The most surprising inclusion in the final five, Salah has been nothing short of phenomenal for Liverpool. Aided by an advanced position on the left wing, the Egyptian has been the best and most consistent player for Jurgen Klopp's side this season.

Salah is the first Liverpool player since Suarez in 2013/14 to score 30 goals in a season and it is only February. 22 of those goals came in the Premier League as his devastating pace, close control and dribbling ability make him difficult for any team's defence to handle.

While Salah is well-placed to win the European Golden Shoe in an attack-minded team, it is the lack of previous indicators of this form which decide his position on this list.

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#4 Neymar- 40 points

Neymar still has a good chance to make up ground

The world's most expensive player of all time comes in at no. 4 on the contenders' list. The Brazilian has 20 goals for PSG in just 19 games but trails team-mate Cavani, who is on 23 goals. However, the 26-year old remains one of the best players in world football with the ability to change games on his own.

Further, Neymar is the main man at the Ligue 1 club and is on penalty-duty as well for the French side. Thus, he can be expected to take hold of proceedings in the coming months as he tries to add individual accolades to his resume.

Finally, PSG are looking to overturn a two-goal deficit against Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 and failing to do so could be a blessing in disguise in this context. An exit from Europe's top club competition could see Neymar go all out in the Ligue 1 to claim the European Golden Shoe, making him a firm favourite.