Hot Shots: The Top 10 Contenders to Lead the EPL In Scoring in 2010/2011
"What a difference a goal makes" is one of the truest cliches in the game. Players who can produce goals are the most valuable in the game, and receive the most attention from fans and media.
To finish atop the scoring charts over a long Premier League season, you need athleticism, guile, finishing ability, and not to mention a dose of luck.
An injury or wrong offside call can be the difference between you taking home the Golden Boot or finishing runner-up.
Here we look at the top goal scorers in the coming Premier League season. Quality forwards such as Gabriel Agbonlahor and Yakubu Ayegbini just missed the cut, but here are the top 10 contenders for this season's Golden Boot.
10. Dimitar Berbatov - Manchester United
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Career EPL Games (Goals): 135 (48)
It would be considered a surprise if Berbatov won the Golden Boot in the 2010/2011 season, but that has not always been the case.
In his Tottenham years between 2006 and 2008, many preseason pundits backed him to shine. Can this Golden Boot dark horse make a run for the scoring title this season?
Why He Will Definitely Win
Berbatov is a sublime player. He has a magnificent first touch, and the ability to create moments of magic out of nowhere.
With Rooney and Chicharito for opposing defenders to deal with, Berbatov will be left in one-on-one situations consistently, and will ruthlessly expose them.
Berbatov had the summer off, and will be asked to lead the scoring charge early in the season with Wayne Rooney still recuperating physically and mentally from his draining World Cup experience.
After gaining confidence, a refreshed Berbatov will terrorize defenders all season.
Why He Has No Chance
He will be in and out of the team. His laid-back style of play can be perceived as lazy, and he was left on the bench for a number of crunch games last season.
With games spent on the bench, and the likes of Rooney and Chicharito also sharing the goals scored this season, the Dracula lookalike hit man will struggle to keep up with the pace of other Golden Boot contenders.
9. Nicolas Anelka - Chelsea
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Career EPL Games (Goals): 311 (116)
Nicolas Anelka is a fantastic talent but one of the Premier League's more controversial figures after bursting onto the scene as one of Arsene Wenger's young starlets.
After winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award in the 1998/1999 season when he was one goal away from the Golden Boot title, 'Le Sulk' had a series of fall outs and controversial moves that saw him play for seven different teams over the next decade.
Now apparently settled at Chelsea, Anelka will make a run at his second Golden Boot title, after winning the award in 2008/2009.
Why He Will Definitely Win
Chelsea have produced the Golden Boot winner the previous two seasons, and are a good bet to finish top scorers again this season.
Chelsea finished last season with 17 goals in three games, and will look to pick up where they left off.
With so many attacking options, it will be impossible for opposing teams to handle the pacey Frenchman, and he will rack up the goals.
It is also worth mentioning that strikers often tend to score when playing their former teams, Anelka has more games against former teams than anyone in the league!
Why He Has No Chance
He will play second fiddle to Didier Drogba, and an aging Chelsea team may at some point turn to youth.
Anelka may sit some games in order to blood young Daniel Sturridge, which would leave Anelka behind the Golden Boot contenders, in particular his teammate Drogba.
Also, it is not impossible that temperamental Anelka will at some point throw a random tantrum that could negatively impact his season.
8. Robin Van Persie - Arsenal
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Career EPL Games(Goals): 131 (48)
The World Cup finalist has been a consistent high-level performer for the Gunners. His injuries have coincided with the Gunners' loss of form last season.
Arsenal will hope he can remain healthy all season in 2010/2011; if he does, it will help their title challenge, and should see him in the running for the Golden Boot.
Why He Will Definitely Win
Van Persie will be the biggest beneficiary from Arsenal signing powerful Moroccan hit man Marouane Chamakh.
If, as expected, Chamakh can increase Arsenal's ability to win aerial balls and hold the ball up effectively, then Van Persie will become all the more dangerous.
The Dutch forward was scoring at a rate above one goal every two games before last season's injury; that kind of form will see him topping the goal-scoring charts come May if he stays injury-free.
Why He Has No Chance
Like the entire Arsenal team of late, Van Persie has found it very difficult to perform consistently well for an entire season.
Whether it be injury or loss of form, the Dutchman has yet to produce a full season of quality goal scoring.
Also, if Chamakh cracks the lineup as a central forward, it could move Van Persie wide in a three-man forward line and lessen his scoring opportunities.
7. Frank Lampard - Chelsea
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Career EPL Games (Goals): 467 (129)
He may be a midfielder, but Frank Lampard has reached double figures in Premier League goals for seven consecutive seasons.
Questions have been asked about Lampard's England form of late, but his Chelsea performances are beyond question.
Why He Will Definitely Win
Lampard is one of the best goal scoring midfielders in the world, and is in the all time top 10 Premier League goal scorers.
With holding midfielders like Michael Essien covering behind, and Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka occupying defenders in front, Chelsea allow Lampard to join the attack late with devastating effect.
The midfielder is a threat to score from anywhere inside of 25 yards, and also takes the penalties for the Blues.
Lampard should be a threat to beat his tally of 22 goals from last season, and become the first central midfield player to win the Golden Boot.
Why He Has No Chance
An aging Lampard will find it more difficult to make as many forward runs past the age of 30. The number of goals scored by Drogba and Anelka will hinder Lampard's chances of winning the Golden Boot.
Another problem for Lampard was shown over the summer. Even if he kicks the ball over the goal line, it will not necessarily count as a goal!
6. Carlos Tevez - Manchester City
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Career EPL Games (Goals): 124 (49)
In 2006, Tevez arrived in the Premier League as part of a transfer deal Alan Pardew does not get enough credit for.
In August 2006, Pardew pulled off the double signing of Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez. How good does that bit of business look now?
Tevez has went on to win a number of accolades, including two Premier League titles, and a Champions League title with Manchester United.
After a cross-town move to bitter rivals City, Tevez netted 23 goals last season.
Why He Will Definitely Win
Tevez is simply one of the best strikers in the world. He followed an excellent Premier League season with an impressive World Cup. Tevez has a sky-high work rate, coupled with magical ability in possession.
A Manchester City team full of attacking options will create a boatload of chances this season, and Tevez is just the man to finish them.
Why He Has No Chance
Teams will look at the City lineup and park the bus. Many a game could be played against 10 men behind the ball, and limit the ability of Tevez to outscore every player in the league.
City also have an embarrassment of riches in the attacking department. Tevez is likely to miss a handful of games due to squad rotation. This could see him slip behind the leading pack.
5. Jermain Defoe - Tottenham Hotspur
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Career EPL Games (Goals): 286 (97)
Jermain Defoe returned from the World Cup as the only England forward to score, and one of the few England players with his reputation still intact.
Defoe is a lethal finisher and is playing his best football of late. He will look to challenge for his first Golden Boot in the 2010/2011 season.
Why He Will Definitely Win
Defoe has lightning pace and clever movement; he is a handful for every defender in the league to keep track of over 90 minutes.
When he gets chances, he has the ability to finish clinically, as shown in his 18 Premier League goals scored in 34 games last season.
When he is confident, Defoe has the ability to score goals in bunches as he showed last season, a campaign which included him scoring five goals in a single game against Wigan Athletic.
Why He Has No Chance
With a grueling schedule of both European and Premier League games, Defoe is entering unfamiliar waters. He may struggle to keep up with the pace if an extra 10 or so Champions League games are added to his season.
In addition, Harry Redknapp will likely use squad rotation to cope with the schedule.
Robbie Keane and Roman Pavlyuchenko give Spurs enough depth to spell Defoe for a few games.
Those games on the bench could cost him a shot at leading the Premier League in goals.
4. Fernando Torres - Liverpool
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Career EPL Games (Goals): 79 (56)
'El Nino' has a phenomenal Premier League strike rate of well over one goal every two games.
Torres has been a revelation since joining Liverpool and is on course to be remembered among the great strikers to play at Anfield.
You want someone who produces in big moments? Torres scored the winning goal when Spain won Euro 2008, and helped set up the winning goal for Andres Iniesta in their recent World Cup victory.
Why He Will Definitely Win
Torres scored 18 Premier League goals in 22 games last season before injury cut his season short. That pace would have saw him be a string contender to win the Golden Boot.
If he can stay healthy and score at that rate, he will be the first Liverpool player to win the Golden Boot since Michael Owen shared the award in 1999.
Can he also be a member of the first Liverpool team to win a Premier League title?
Torres at his best is simply unplayable. His performance against Germany in the Euro 2008 final, and his abuse of Nemanja Vidic in a 4-1 win at Old Trafford, are performances that exhibit forward play at its absolute best.
Roy Hodgson made Bobby Zamora into a top Premier League forward, what will he do with this guy?!
Why He Has No Chance
The chances of him staying healthy all season are minimal. A triumphant World Cup for Spain ended on a slightly sad personal note for Torres.
After limping through the tournament half speed, he broke down in the late stages of the final with what looked like a troubling injury.
While Wayne Rooney is supported by Berbatov and Chicharito, and Drogba will be allied with Nicolas Anelka, Torres could be calling upon a partnership with David N'gog.
3. Darren Bent - Sunderland
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Career EPL Games (Goals): 171 (74)
Darren Bent is coming off an excellent season for the Black Cats. Scoring 24 Premier League goals, last season was the second time Bent has placed third in the Golden Boot race.
While he is a sleeper candidate, it would not be a complete shock if Bent was to finish atop the scoring charts come May.
Why He Will Definitely Win
Bent has dynamic movement and pace from a standing start that most defenders struggle to keep up with.
With the addition of exciting Paraguay World Cup winger Christian Riveros, Sunderland will increase the chances served up for Bent.
Bent has physical and mental advantages from the World Cup. He will be seething at his last-minute axe from the England squad, and refreshed physically after a summer of rest.
Why He Has No Chance
The departure of powerful strike partner Kenwyne Jones will allow opposing defences to key on Bent.
The lack of Jones' aerial presence and hold up play, could mean Bent performing a higher percentage of his work outside the penalty area.
Sunderland could choose to set up with a five-man midfield in tough road trips. If this happens, expect Bent to toil and graft, but with not quite as prolific a return for his efforts.
2. Wayne Rooney - Manchester United
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Career EPL Games (Goals): 256 (106)
Wayne Rooney will need to score goals to silence many critics after a poor World Cup showing, and few would bet against him doing just that.
With one beautiful first-time pass to Luis Valencia to open the scoring in the Community Shield, Rooney showed the confidence and flair that was so lacking in South Africa.
Sir Alex Ferguson knows how to bring the best out of Wayne Rooney, and he will be a strong contender for the Golden Boot.
Why He Will Definitely Win
Rooney is a once-in-a-generation talent; someone with the ability to tear a defence apart with one moment of magic.
The goals he creates for himself will be supplemented by the ones laid on a plate for him by his world-class teammates.
Rooney has a point to prove after the summer, and a work ethic that is as high as any player in world football.
Why He Has No Chance
The forward is physically worn out and emotionally drained after the World Cup.
Sir Alex Ferguson will rest him in the early stages of the season, and he will not be able to make up the deficit created by the early leaders in the Golden Boot race.
If Rooney struggles at all, his combustible temper will be a problem, and petulant card could mean him being suspended for vital games as his rivals bang goals in.
1. Didier Drogba - Chelsea
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Career EPL Games (Goals): 166 (84)
Didier Drogba is a fantastic athlete and a clinical goal scorer. Drogba is also a fantastic leader with an underrated positive influence in the dressing room.
The goals of Drogba were a driving force to Chelsea's league title last season, and his 29 Premier League goals in 32 games earned him the Golden Boot.
Drogba will be out to defend his title as leading Premier League goal scorer in the 2010/2011 season.
Why He Will Definitely Win
A Chelsea player has won the Golden Boot the last two seasons. The attacking mindset of the team, and multiple scoring options will frighten teams off double-teaming Drogba.
Whether it be from headers, shots inside or outside the area, or free kicks, Drogba has multiple ways to add to his tally.
Why He Has No Chance
Drogba played through a broken arm during the World Cup. While it was brave, it could mean the injury is not healed, and any time missed could allow the likes of Rooney to gain a lead in the Golden Boot race.
Many believe the current Chelsea side to be slowing with age, and believe the 3-1 Community Shield defeat was a sign of things to come. If that is the case, Drogba's production could drop off from last season.
