15 Players That Will Compete for Premier League's Golden Boot

The Tottenham Hotspur forward had a less than stellar year when it came to putting the ball in the back of the net during the 2010/2011 campaign. Tottenham looks to crack the top four and earn a Champions League spot during the upcoming season.

In order for the club to attain this lofty achievement Jermain Defoe repeating the performance he had two seasons ago when he racked up 18 goals would go a long way in helping the north London club.

14. Didier Drogba

Didier Drogba has competed for the Golden Boot wearing the Chelsea blue for the past few campaigns, including winning the award during the 2009/2010 season. Drogba during that season bagged 29 goals.

Last season he fell out of form alongside his squad during the middle of the season amassing a disappointing 12 goals for Chelsea according to his high standards. Look for the Ivory Coast international to vie for his starting spot and his place in the club under new boss Andre Villas-Boas with another break out season in the goals department.

13. Peter Odemwingie

The Nigerian forward had an impressive showing during his debut season for West Bromwich Albion. Peter Odemwingie posted 15 goals using his pace and deft finishing touch inside the box.

Odemwingie will be an integral part of WBA’s hopes to avoid relegation and finish in the top half of the table this season. Another standout season could see the WBA forward cash in with a move to one of the big clubs in England.

12. Samir Nasri

Samir Nasri had a blistering first half of the season during the last Arsenal campaign. Scoring goals left and right in all competitions. The Frenchman has expressed his desire for a pay increase after scoring 10 league goals in a largely lopsided campaign performance.

However, Nasri scored a few truly world-class goals and with a possible exit from the Emirates imminent he will be touting his talents for all potential suitors to observe.

11. Andy Carroll

The 35 million pound Liverpool signing from last season has fully recovered from injury and prepared for the upcoming EPL season. Andy Carroll has a lot to prove after being the most expensive English player in history.

Netting 13 goals between Newcastle United and Liverpool last season placed Carroll in the top 10 for goal scorers. Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez look to provide a lethal double threat up front as they attempt to resurrect Liverpool’s standing in the league.

10. Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez

Sir Alex Ferguson has done it again. Javier Hernandez has proven to be the gem of the last campaign. The Mexican striker had a dream debut season scoring 13 goals for the red devils in league play.

“Chicharito” showed a knack for being in the right place at the right time, which is something you simply cannot teach. He has all the intangibles to be a defensive nightmare for years to come. The scary part is that “Chicharito” will continue to progress as he learns from Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov.

9. Darren Bent

Aston Villa picked up the Englishman from Sunderland before last season and reaped  the rewards. Darren Bent wasted no time his first season proving his worth at his new club.

The new signature at forward showed his prolific scoring ability tallying up 17 goals for Aston Villa. Another season within the squad should only bolster his performance if he can stay clear of the physio’s table.

8.Wayne Rooney

You knew this selection would be coming. Wayne Rooney suffered from a serious loss of form that carried over from the disastrous England World Cup showing from a year ago. Rooney found a bit of form in the second half of the season helping Manchester United win their 19^th league title. 

The Englishman still managed to score 11 goals, not too shabby for an off year, and the season’s goal of the year with a wondrous bicycle kick in the Manchester derby. Look for Wayne Rooney to have a bounce back performance in what has widely been speculated will be one of the most competitive seasons in years. 

7. Sergio Aguero

Manchester City has continued their petrol-credited shopping spree by bringing in yet another high profile signing during the summer transfer window. Sergio Aguero joins Manchester City from Atletico Madrid of La Liga.

Aguero amassed 20 league goals last year for the Madrid side and has been linked with a move to England for the past few years. Aguero coupled with Carlos Tevez up front with David Silva feeding them balls could prove to be quite the unstoppable threesome.

6. Gareth Bale

Tottenham Hotspurs and Harry Redknapp have found themselves a Welsh wizard in Gareth Bale. The Wales international has taken White Hart Lane by storm over the past couple years.

Bale’s blazing pace on the wing and final finishing touch makes for a potent goal machine. Bale only amassed 7 league goals last season, but he should improve upon that number easily this season.

5. Luis Suarez

Liverpool seems to have found a long-term solution at forward in the Uruguayan dynamo Luis Suarez. Suarez wasted no time making himself comfortable wearing the Liverpool shirt. Kenny Daglish plucked him from the Eredivisie side Ajax during the January transfer windo and that has proven to be a great move.

Suarez has had quite the summer winning the Copa America. The momentum from winning the cup should carry over into the new Barclay’s Premier League season for Luis Suarez as he tries to improve on his short debut from last season.

4. Carlos Tevez

Carlos Tevez has been linked with an exit from Manchester City, but to no resolve. The Argentine has a fellow compatriot alongside him up front for the new campaign with the signing of Sergio Agüero.

Carlos Tevez finished tied with cross-town rival Dimitar Berbatov last season for the Golden Boot with 20 goals sharing the Golden Boot award. Manchester City looks to improve on their FA Cup glory and Carlos Tevez scoring goals must be a core part of their season if they wish to attain their cash fueled dreams.

3. Dimitar Berbatov

Manchester United has very little drop off from forwards that are capable of putting the ball in the back of the old onion bag. Dimitar Berbatov tied Carlos Tevez for the Golden Boot award last season scoring 20 goals for the red devils.

Berbatov has found himself in a precarious position vying for a starting role in the squad throughout the season. Starter or not, Berbatov will certainly look to defend his crown…well the half that he owns during the upcoming season.

2. Robin Van Persie

Robin Van Persie has been on a terror streak throughout the 2011 calendar year.  The Dutch striker who has seemingly been cursed with “glass” ankles throughout his Arsenal career still managed to score 18 goals last season.

That would be 18 league goals after missing a healthy portion of the first half of the season. Van Persie has continued his phenomenal run of form in the preseason for Arsenal as well. If RVP can remain healthy for the lion’s share of the season he certainly will be in contention for the Golden Boot and helping Arsenal compete for silverware.

1. Fernando Torres

Fifty million pounds extracts a lot of hidden anxieties a player never knew existed. I am sure this will be the most controversial selection of the list, but Fernando Torres is my favorite to win the Premier League Golden Boot this season. Torres had a turbulent time trying to become acclimated within Chelsea’s squad last season.

Fernando Torres had been smack in the middle of a serious drought of form when he made the move to London, but a loss of form does not mean the talent leaves with it. He struggled to find his touch and instant continuity playing amongst the squad. After a summer training with his Chelsea teammates, Fernando Torres will be eager to silence the critics and prove his worth.