📰 Table Of Contents
Harry Kane – Tottenham – England
Whilst his overall future remains uncertain, what is almost assured is that Harry Kane will be playing in the Premier League next season. The England striker came good in the end at Euro 2020, netting some pivotal goals for the Three Lions.
His forays in the EPL were as frequent as usual with 23 goals and 14 assists making him the Golden Boot winner once again. Kane will be looking to break the 40 goal contribution barrier for the upcoming campaign. Should Manchester City manage to acquire the services of Kane the likelihood of him becoming the league’s top scorer will of course skyrocket.
Yet, even remaining at Spurs doesn’t necessarily restrict his chances either. Time and time again he has proven to be their standout player and, bar Heung-min Son, the only true threat to the opposition goal with so much channelled through him. Another goal-laden season surely awaits.
Mohamed Salah – Liverpool – Egypt
Whilst Liverpool were unable to mount a respectable title defence, their star man Mohamed Salah tried his utmost to drag the Reds to the Champions League places and eventually succeeded. Finishing behind the aforementioned Kane by just a single goal, his 22 goals had to counterbalance the lack in form of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and the frequently-injured Diogo Jota.
Salah and Liverpool seem to go hand-in-hand yet questions surrounding the Egyptian’s future have remained with the likes of PSG linked with a possible move. Yet the noise has quietened and Jurgen Klopp will be expecting his talisman to give it is his all once again this campaign after refusing to allow him to join up with the Olympic squad. Wanting him fit and raring the go from match day 1.
Salah recorded half as many assists in 20/21 as he did in 19/20, a possible sign that his style is shifting further along the goalscoring wide-man spectrum. Another big season with some key Liverpool teammates returning could boost his numbers greatly.
Edinson Cavani – Manchester United – Uruguay
26 games played but just over 1300 minutes in the Premier League. Cavani proved vital for Man Utd, especially in the Europa League where he scored 6 goals in 5 knockout round games.
With the emphasis to be a starting striker from the off, Cavani, flanked now by the creative mastery of Jadon Sancho, is a genuine competitor for the accolade.
Ollie Watkins – Aston Villa – England
Aston Villa could yet again be a dark horse for the new season. Having made a strong push for a European place to come up short, Dean Smith is adding quality to ensure that they can compete and go the distance.
Ollie Watkins has now finished his first season in the top flight and with a great return of 14 goals. With Villa adding Emi Buendia, one of Europe’s highest chance creators, Watkins will be given even more ammunition to attack opposition goals.
Leon Bailey has also come in to replace some of the creative spark that Jack Grealish has now taken to Manchester City. But even without Grealish Emi Buendia, Bailey, Bertrand Traore and Anwar El Ghazi should provide enough support to Villa’s no.9.
Ivan Toney – Brentford – England
Definitely the riskiest pick on the list to choose a promoted team’s striker. However, Ivan Toney has quite frankly been a goal machine whilst with Brentford.
The 25-year-old will push for an England call-up ahead of the World Cup in 2022. This step up to the English top-flight is what the composed Toney has been relishing for so long to prove this is the level where he can make it.
31 goals in the Championship last season will certainly set him up with well-built foundations to attack the Premier League with an exciting Brentford side.
His ability in so many different situations be it on the floor, aerially and from set plays make Toney such a difficult player to mark out of the game. If he can get some early strikes it could propel him to a brilliant debut season.
