Can anyone outscore Haaland? Five contenders for the Premier League golden boot

Manchester City’s title defence got off to the perfect start last week as they beat Burnley 3-0 at Turf Moor. 

The Citizens took just four minutes to take the lead against the newly-promoted Clarets, with Erling Haaland netting the first goal of the new Premier League season before doubling his tally shortly after.

Last term the Norwegian netted a remarkable 36 league goals as City cruised to the title, earning him the Golden Boot award.

Few would bet against the 23-year-old retaining the individual award, but who are the most likely challengers to his goal-scoring throne?

Here, we take a look at the most likely candidates to outscore Haaland this season.

Mohamed Salah – Liverpool

Salah has won the Premier League golden boot three times

Liverpool star Salah is a three-time winner of the Premier League’s top scorer award and has scored 139 goals in 232 matches in the competition across spells with Chelsea and the Reds. Last term the Egyptian netted 19 league goals in 38 appearances, as well as providing 12 assists, despite Liverpool’s disappointing campaign. This time around he will be hoping to improve on that tally.

Marcus Rashford – Manchester United

Rashford scored 30 goals across all competitions last term

England international Rashford enjoyed his most successful goal scoring season last term, netting 30 times across all competitions. The United star scored 17 times in the Premier League, and will be hoping to improve on that tally this season with United hoping to challenge for the title. In total, the 25-year-old has scored 76 goals in 240 Premier League appearances.

Alexander Isak – Newcastle United

Isak netted twice against Aston Villa on Saturday

Swedish forward Isak got this season off to the perfect start by netting twice during the Magpies’ 5-1 win over Aston Villa on Saturday. The 23-year-old joined Newcastle from Spanish outfit Real Sociedad last summer and enjoyed a fine debut season in England, scoring 11 times across all competitions. If he and Newcastle continue this season how they’ve started, he could prove to be prolific.

Bukayo Saka – Arsenal

Saka scored a spectacular goal against Nottingham Forest on Saturday

Saka has been one of the Gunners’ most impressive performers for a number of seasons now, and the England international proved his goal threat with a stunning left-footed effort during Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday. The academy graduate has scored a respectable 32 goals in 136 Premier League games to date, but will be hoping to increase his output this term as Mikel Arteta’s side attempt to improve on last season’s second-placed finish.

Heung-Min Son – Tottenham Hotspur

New Spurs captain Son will be hoping to improve on last season’s performance

Last season Harry Kane, then of Spurs, netted a staggering 30 goals but was beaten to the golden boot award by Haaland. It was the second time that the England captain had scored 30 or more times in the league and not won the award, and Spurs supporters will be concerned about where their goals may come from following his move to Bayern Munich. Son, who was recently named captain by manager Ange Postecoglou, will be hoping to recreate his 2021/22 form, when he netted 23 times to share the top scorer award with Salah. Last season was one to forget for the forward, but he will be hoping to improve this time around.