Can Sergio edge ahead in the race for the Golden Boot?

This is a guest post.

The race for the Golden Boot is well and truly on. The frontrunners – Kane, Costa and Aguero – are all in the hunt for personal glory, but who finish the season at the head of the market as the Premier League’s most prolific frontman?

The man to beat

If Harry Kane continues to break all barriers and jump all hurdles, he might just be uncatchable. The Tottenham striker has scored 29 goals in all competitions for his club this season, 19 of which have come in the Premier League; mighty impressive for a player who didn’t score in the league until November.

Kane could even be a potential target for Manchester City in the summer, but it’s extremely unlikely any deal would materialise. The 21-year-old is still enjoying the honeymoon period at his boyhood club, and Spurs would be mad to part with a player who provides so much happiness for the White Hart Lane faithful. Furthermore, Tottenham tend to prefer their stars to move abroad rather than to domestic rivals, and it is difficult to see Real Madrid splashing out on a relatively unproven player so soon.

City’s hope

Manchester City fans’ mouths would surely water at the sheer idea of Kane partnering Sergio Aguero up top. A young, likeable English prospect alongside one of the world’s best strikers would be an irresistible combination. For now, City will have to put up with Aguero alone. Oh, and Edin Dzeko. And Wilfried Bony! Boo-hoo.

Aguero has netted 17 league goals this season, two behind Kane. If the champions are to put up any kind of fight to retain their title in the run-in, the little Argentine will be key. During a mixed campaign, the striker has been a shining light at the Etihad, his hat-trick against Bayern Munich a particular highlight.

As usual, however, injuries have hampered any hopes of extended run of form for the striker. Those 17 goals have come in just 23 games. It’s frightening to ponder how many he would have added to his tally had he been fit for every game. And it’s equally unfortunate to think how much closer City would be to Chelsea if additional Aguero goals had turned draws into wins.

Third party

This particular opinion can be turned on its head; where would City be without Aguero’s goals? The same could be said for Chelsea and the influence of Diego Costa.

Costa sits level with Kane on 19 goals at the top of the Premier League scoring charts. Incredibly, the Spaniard has failed to register in any other competition. His 19th strike, which came against Hull City before the international break, was an exemplary Diego Costa goal, holding the ball up, cutting inside and powerfully curling the ball into the far corner. In fact, the Chelsea striker shares many similarities with Aguero. Both possess common traits of a top striker, and it shows in their respective goal returns. Costa’s goals will be vital in Chelsea’s inevitable title charge. From an individual and club-orientated point of view, Aguero will be hoping that is not the case.

Arsenal duo Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud may have left it too late to be in the running for the Golden Boot. Both have scored 13 goals this term. Above them sits Charlie Austin on 15, an impressive tally given the striker has been playing in a poor QPR side all season and, like Aguero, has missed chunks of the campaign through injury.

The award is very likely to end up in the hands of Kane, Costa or Aguero. Exactly who, though, is a tough one to predict. Either way, the goals of Costa and Aguero in particular may have a big say in where the Premier League trophy ends up come May.

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