Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer, & Co – 4 goals separate top 6 in Premier League golden boot race

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Haaland currently leads 

This Premier League season has been a goal-fest. With still 33 games of football to be played, the 2023/24 season has already become the season with the most ever goals in a single 38 games campaign. The 1,130 goals has surpassed last term’s 1,084, which had previously set the record around a year ago. It has been pure entertainment, and attacking players have been licking their lips. Perhaps for that reason, it looks like being one of the most exciting races for the coveted Premier League golden boot this term.

No matter how many times attackers claim ‘they only care about the team or the three points’ every forward player wants goals and winning the golden boot is the pinnacle for a striker. Down the years, some of the greatest forwards have won the award. Arsenal legend Thierry Henry is the only player to win it four or more times. Last season, Erling Haaland blew his competition away scoring a Premier League record 36 goals and claiming the golden boot in his maiden season in English football. This time around it’s a much tighter race. Just four goals separate the top six scorers in the division, with each of those players perhaps still confident of taking the award home with them in a few weeks time. Here at Transfermarkt, we assess the contenders. 

Erling Haaland – 21 goals

Remaining games – Wolves (h), Fulham (a), Tottenham (a), West Ham (h)

Leading the way currently unsurprisingly is Erling Haaland. But perhaps more surprisingly, particularly from last season’s sample size, he is only one goals ahead of the next contender. Injuries have played a part, but the Norwegian hasn’t hit the ridiculous goalscoring heights that he managed last season this term. He’s currently 15 goals short of last season’s tally of 36 with four games to go. Pep Guardiola will need his striker now more than ever, as Manchester City attempt to close in on a historic fourth Premier League title in a row. Haaland remains the favourite for the golden boot.

Cole Palmer – 20 goals

Remaining games – West Ham (h), Forest (a), Brighton (a), Bournemouth (h)

One of the true revelations of this Premier League season – Cole Palmer. After leaving Man City in pursuit of more regular game time, the young Englishmen has hit the ground running in West London. Not many expected him to have such an instant impact at Chelsea, but Palmer now has 20 league goals, and sits just one behind the leader. Two recent hat-tricks against Manchester United and Everton have seen him propelled up the leaderboard. Penalties have also been a huge factor, with Palmer scoring nine in the league this season – four more than any other player.

Alexander Isak – 19 goals

Remaining games – Burnley (a), Brighton (h), Man United (a), Brentford (a)

Alexander Isak could be one of the most wanted strikers this summer after a magnificent season with Newcastle. The Swede oozes class, and has now bagged 19 Premier League goals this term – leaving him two behind the leader Haaland. He has been in red hot form since returning from his latest injury in early March, scoring nine goals in his last eight matches. Isak has already eclipsed his goals tally from last season where he scored just 10 Premier League goals in an injury ravaged campaign.

Ollie Watkins – 19 goals

Remaining games – Brighton (a), Liverpool (h), Crystal Palace (a)

One of the standout stars tis season and one of the real contenders for the PFA player of the season award – Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins. The England striker has been in scintillating form and his 19 goals have helped Villa to fourth place. The club now look like they will hold on to fourth spot to bring Champions League football to Villa Park next season. Watkins is two behind Haaland currently, but remarkably is also top of the assists charts with 12 this season.

Dominic Solanke – 18 goals

Remaining games – Arsenal (a), Brentford (h), Chelsea (a)

Under the guidance of Andoni Iraola, Dominic Solanke has really come of age. The 26-year-old striker has notched 18 Premier League goals this term, leading to rumours that big clubs are interested in signing the Bournemouth forward this summer. With two of his final three games of the season away at Arsenal and Chelsea, it seems unlikely he will be able to make up the three goals on Haaland at this stage but stranger things have happened.

Mohamed Salah – 17 goals

Remaining games – Spurs (h), Aston Villa (a), Wolves (h)

It’s hard to look past Mohamed Salah’s recent spat with departing manager Jürgen Klopp when thinking about the Egyptian right now. But it’s easy to forget, despite not performing at the levels we have become to expect from Salah, he still has 17 Premier League goals this term. Liverpool now appear all but out of the title race, but if Salah could rack up some late goals he could close in on Haaland – the 32-year-old is currently four goals adrift.