As the 2016-17 Premier League takes a breather for the third international break of the season, there have already been 306 goals scored. Getting amongst those goals are some of the most sensational strikers England’s top flight has ever seen, and fans are fortunate enough to be able to watch a number of prolific powerhouses scrap for supremacy in the goal-scoring charts this term.
Just as calling a winner in this excruciatingly tight league is almost impossible right now, so too is predicting which of the formidable forwards will claim the Golden Boot. Here’s a look at the key stats of the bookies’ five favourites to see if they can provide an indicator.
Sergio Aguero
The Manchester City striker has only claimed the Golden Boot once, in 2014-15 when he stuck away 26 goals. He followed that up with 24 last season and narrowly missed out on retaining the accolade to Harry Kane, who scored 25. The Tottenham Hotspur frontman had played 3363 minutes to Aguero’s 2361, though, and had the Argentine not missed so much time through injury he would have easily surpassed the England forward with his superior strike rate.
If Aguero can stay fit, he is the clear frontrunner for the Golden Boot in Pep Guardiola’s new-look City, who are still favourites to win the title despite a recent dip in form. The mercurial maestro is enjoying an average of 8.2 penalty area touches, up from 7.7 last year, with 4.9 goal attempts per match compared to 4 last term. He also has a slightly improved shot accuracy of 43.2, from 42.9. The 28-year-old has fired more shots on goal (33) than the leading scorer Diego Costa (28), and Aguero would also be on 9 goals, equal to Costa’s tally, had he not missed the penalty against Everton.
Diego Costa
Costa has been in fine form so far, and is demolishing defences in the same way he did when he helped to guide Chelsea to the title in 2014-15. He scored 20 goals in that campaign from only 26 appearances, and his 9 goals this term from 11 showings is an improvement on that if he can keep it up. 68% of the Spain international’s shots have been on target, which is bettered only by Romelu Lukaku’s 74% accuracy. 31 of Costa’s 37 goal efforts have come in the box, showing how adept he is at lurking in dangerous areas and waiting for his teammates to create the chances for him.
Chelsea look like a dangerous force and Costa is sure to rack up more goals if they continue this rich form. What may dissuade some people from backing the striker, though, is his penchant for suspensions, his injury history, and his lack of spot-kick duties. Others would be keen to remember, however, that Luis Suarez managed to win the award three seasons ago, and he missed the first five games through suspension and didn’t take penalties either.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Ibrahimovic joined Manchester United on the back of his most ruthless scoring campaign to date. He notched 38 goals in 31 league appearances for Paris Saint-Germain last term and began the season as second favourite to Aguero to carry on that devastating form and win the Golden Boot in England this term. The Swede started strongly and put away four goals in his first four matches for the Red Devils. However, he then embarked on a six-game barren run, which led many to question whether he was able to cope with the pace of England’s top flight. Against Swansea, he finally managed to break his drought with two goals, only to pick up his fourth yellow card of the season, meaning he will be suspended for the visit of Arsenal.
Those who believe that Jose Mourinho will be able to turn things around at United and guide them back up the table could also make a strong case for the former PSG man to usurp Costa and Aguero in the goal scoring charts. Although the 35-year-old suffered a significant spell without finding the back of the net, his threat in front of goal was not diminished. Ibrahimovic has had a total of 59 attempts on goal, with 39 of those coming from inside the box, which is considerably more than any other forward in the league. This equates to a shot on goal every 17.7 minutes. The United striker was drastically unlucky not to score against Burnley, as he fired off 12 shots in the 0-0 stalemate. Tom Heaton was the star of the show in that encounter, as the Englishman made 11 saves to earn the newly promoted side a crucial point.
Ibrahimovic has failed to start this season in the awesome form that saw him devastate defences in Ligue 1, but the stats show that he is still a danger in front of goal. If things start clicking for him and United, he could be a force to be reckoned with in the league.
Romelu Lukaku
Lukaku accrued his highest ever goal tally in the league last season with 18, and that was for a struggling Everton side that finished eleventh under Roberto Martinez. Up-and-coming tactician Ronald Koeman is now at the helm at Goodison Park, and the Dutchman has clearly tapped into the Belgian’s potential. Lukaku is in ferocious form, and has already recorded 7 goals in 9 starts. Out of the 15 goals that the Toffees have accumulated so far, the 23-year-old has had direct involvement in 10 of them, which highlights just how crucial he is to Everton’s attacks. Koeman’s Southampton side racked up 59 goals last time out. If his Everton side can match or surpass that and Lukaku keeps up this level of input, he could easily bag 30 goals in this campaign.
Lukaku has had 58 penalty area touches and 29 goal attempts, with 21 of those coming from inside the box. He has also notched 5 headed efforts, emphasising his aerial threat for Everton’s crossers to seek out. The former Chelsea man may be considered a long shot for the Golden Boot because Everton are not expected to achieve a top four finish, but the talented youngster has the ability to be the dark horse in this race.
Although these spectacular sharpshooters are leading the way in the quest to score the most goals, there are a couple of other names to consider. Alexis Sanchez has been operating as the main striker for Arsenal this season and has 6 goals to his name, but the forward could now be laid off with a muscle injury after returning early from international duties with Chile. Kane is also a worthy challenger, but his absence for five matches through injury may have cost him the chance to keep pace with the leading pack. There is still a long way to go, though, and in that time these golden goal scorers will provide us with sheer entertainment as they tussle for the top spot.
