The Premier League title race is very close this season and so is the battle to be top scorer. While I think Erling Haaland will claim the Golden Boot again, it’s not been anything like as straightforward for him this season as it was last term.
There was a gap of 16 goals last season between Haaland (36) and third-placed Ivan Toney (20), but at the moment the Manchester City striker, leading the league with 19, is only five goals ahead of tenth position.
Haaland and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, who ranks third with 17 goals, might have built a good lead on the rest but for missing quite a few games through injury, although both have also lost a bit of form.
Erling Haaland, Man City – 19 Premier League goals this season
The Norway striker has managed only five goals in ten Premier League appearances since he returned from injury in late January, which is a very low scoring rate for him — he is accustomed to getting almost a goal a game. His finishing has been poor but there is no reason why he won’t become clinical again soon. Furthermore Pep Guardiola very rarely rests Haaland — the City manager likes him as a distraction for the opposition.
Ollie Watkins, Aston Villa – 18 goals
Watkins’s tally is particularly impressive because he is such an unselfish player. He contributes so much more than goals. He is one of my candidates for player of the season because he has been everything for Villa — he is the reason they are challenging for a Champions League spot.
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Mohamed Salah, Liverpool – 17 goals
He has been unbelievable for Liverpool over the years but just at the moment it’s not clicking. If you take away his penalties — five of his 17 league goals have come from the spot — he has been nowhere near his normal level. But I still think he will finish in the top three.
Cole Palmer, Chelsea – 16 goals
Palmer is brimming with confidence and has a real arrogance about him, but in a good way. Just look at that Panenka penalty he scored recently against Burnley. It also takes a lot of strong-mindedness to leave City at the age of 21 because you want to be playing more often. He’s been a shining light for Chelsea in a poor season for the club — he’s surprised nearly everyone with how well he has done.
Dominic Solanke, Bournemouth – 16 goals
Solanke is the biggest surprise in this top ten. If someone had told me before the season he would be close to the top scorer, I would have said there was no evidence to support such a prediction. Yes, he had been improving, but he has been a much more complete player this season. I love it when players mature and become what everyone thinks they can’t be.
Son Heung-min, Tottenham – 15 goals
Richarlison has not played much recently so Son has been operating down the middle, which increases his chances of getting goals. He is already playing in a high-scoring team who play very open football, so he could easily get another six or seven goals this season. Don’t forget he finished as joint top scorer (alongside Salah with 23 goals) two seasons ago.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United – 15 goals
He is a manager’s dream, a great pro and the first name on your teamsheet. He runs his socks off and brings a buzz to the side, always wanting the ball. Bowen came from Hull City in the Championship and has been an absolute star for West Ham. He is versatile enough to have played as a winger and striker this season, and has scored from both positions.
Alexander Isak, Newcastle – 15 goals
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The Sweden forward often plays on the fringes of a game and you forget he is there, but then he suddenly sticks one into the top corner. He is quick and confident and has the demeanour of a great goalscorer — he reminds me of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at his best.
Phil Foden, Man City – 14 goals
If you put Foden on the transfer market now I can’t think of another player who would fetch more than him. He has a great goal return this season for a creative player and should now kick on to score regularly. As his spectacular effort away to Real Madrid this week underlined, he is the best player on this list for shooting from outside the penalty area.
Bukayo Saka, Arsenal – 14 goals
If you think back to those three England players who failed to score from the spot in the European Championship final shoot-out defeat by Italy, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho have gone backwards but Saka has flourished. He has become ten feet tall, saying: “Yes I got stick but I’ll show them.” He stays wide much more than most of the other players on this list, and he also tracks back a lot, so his numbers for goals and assists (eight) are extraordinary.
Tony’s predicted final top three for Golden Boot:
1 Erling Haaland
2 Mohamed Salah
3 Son Heung-min
