EPL Golden Boot: Wayne Rooney, Robin Van Persie or Someone from Man City?

Wayne Rooney and Sergio Aguero are tied for first with nine goals each. Edin Dzeko sits at third with eight and Robin Van Persie is just a step behind with seven. After that there are three players tied for fifth with five goals apiece.

We are about a quarter through the season and the true contenders for the Golden Boot are starting to separate themselves from the pack.

Which strikers will keep up their early-season pace, which will fizzle out and who will hold the Golden Boot when it is all said and done?

Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney is only two goals away from his League total last year (11). Dimitar Berbatov’s brilliant start last season and the surprise emergence of Chicharito Hernandez probably took goals away from him last year.

Wayne Rooney seems to be the focal point of United’s attack this season. While Danny Welbeck, Chicharito Hernandez, Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen fight for that second-striker position, Rooney’s starting position on the pitch is unquestionable.

I can only see one thing standing between him and the Golden Boot—his temper. Rooney has the tendency to lose his cool; his temper has already cost him the group stage of this summer’s European Championship. 

Robin Van Persie

Robin Van Persie finished third on the scoring chart last season. The loss of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabergas only means that the Gunners will expect more from the talented Dutchman.

Mikel Arteta should help Van Persie score more goals. The Spanish midfielder isn’t a goal scorer like Samir Nasri and Fabregas. He is a creative passer who knows how to set people up with scoring opportunities.

A lot of negative things have been written about the Gunners this season. Few people expect them to finish in the top four. If there was ever a time that Arsenal needed a savior, it is now, and there would be nothing more heroic than Van Persie helping them out by winning the Golden Boot.  

Manchester City

Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli, pick your poison. All three of these strikers have the skill and supporting cast to win the Golden Boot and that is the problem. Manchester City has so much talent that none of these players is guaranteed 90 minutes every week.

If I had to pick one it would be Sergio Aguero. The Argentine striker is getting more playing time than the other two—at least for now. The problem with Mario Balotelli is that he could burn his bathroom down with a firework at any time. Edin Dzeko has had a great start to the season, but he has a history of being a bit bipolar.

If there is something negative to say about Manchester City’s wealth of talent it is that it makes it difficult for one of them to steal the spotlight and the goals. 

History Says They Wont...

Rafael Van der Vaart and Demba Ba are currently tied for fifth. Although they are playing great at the moment, history is not on their side. Only two midfielders have won the award since its inception in 1992. That, added to the fact Spurs have a sold striking core, does not bode well for Van der Vaart.

As for Demba Ba; it would be a great surprise to see Newcastle near the top of the table when the season is over. The odds of that are very unlikely, and every Golden Boot winner this decade has played for a top four club. 

What About Someone from Chelsea and Liverpool?

The only potential threat I see coming out of Chelsea or Liverpool is Luis Suarez.

He did not waste time adjusting when he came in late last season and has played very well early this year. The Uruguayan may only need a hot streak during the season to elevate his chances, which wouldn’t be uncommon of him. Luis Suarez scored 35 league goals in 33 matches while playing for Ajax in 2010.

If Chelsea had the same Fernando Torres that played for Liverpool, he might be a contender. Unfortunately they have this guy.

Frank Lampard and Daniel Sturridge are the team’s top scores right now. It would be a big surprise if they had more than Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Fernando Torres at the end of the season. It would be an even bigger surprise if one of them ended up with the Golden Boot.