Adrian Clarke looks at the top five contenders for the Golden Boot ahead of Sunday's final round of fixtures.
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Sergio Aguero (20 goals)
He may be two behind Mohamed Salah's 22 goals but do not write off the Manchester City striker.
Aguero has a habit of rising to the big occasion.
So a fourth hat-trick of the season on Sunday is not out of the question as City seek the victory they need to be certain of retaining the title at Brighton & Hove Albion.
New weapon
Aguero's sharp movement, coupled with his excellent link-up play, makes him the perfect player to spearhead a Pep Guardiola side.
His runs open up space for his team-mates, who trust Aguero's ability to then pop up in the area and finish the chances they create.
But the Argentinian has added another dimension to his game in 2018/19.
Last season only one of his 21 goals was scored with his left foot.
This term that number has increased to seven, which has made him a harder player to defend against.
Aguero's last four PL seasons
Season | Left-footed goals | Total goals |
---|---|---|
2015/16 | 3 | 24 |
2016/17 | 3 | 20 |
2017/18 | 1 | 21 |
2018/19 | 7 | 20 |
Three of Aguero's left-footed goals stand out as extra special and two of them could turn out to be vital in the title race.
In the second match of the season he produced a delightful chip after controlling a long pass from goalkeeper Ederson in a 6-1 victory over Huddersfield Town.
In January, he netted with a trademark thumping finish at the near post, inflicting leaders Liverpool's first defeat of the season and moving City four points from the top.
And only two weekends ago at Burnley, a scruffy effort on the turn crept over the line to return City to the summit by one point.
Without those contributions City would be trailing Liverpool heading into the final day.
Where Aguero gets his goals
Man City's joint-leading assist-maker this season is Leroy Sane but interestingly not a single one of the 10 goals the winger has created has been for Aguero.
In fact, none of Kevin De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Ilkay Gundogan or Gabriel Jesus have provided an assist to City's leading scorer either.
This term, Aguero's goals have mostly been set up by Raheem Sterling, City's other leading assist-maker, and Bernardo Silva, who have teed him up four times apiece.
Aguero's supply line
Player | Assists to Aguero |
---|---|
Sterling | 4 |
B Silva | 4 |
D Silva | 2 |
Zinchenko | 2 |
Mahrez | 1 |
Mendy | 1 |
Laporte | 1 |
Ederson | 1 |
Scoring at a rate of one goal every 119 minutes, statistically Aguero has the best strike rate of all the Golden Boot candidates heading into the final day.
It would take at least a hat-trick for him to deny Salah back-to-back Golden Boots but the 2014/15 top scorer and 2011/12 title decider has history of producing on the final day.
See: Premier League's top scorers
Also in this series
Part 1: Golden Boot: Vardy revived by Rodgers revamp
Part 2: Golden Boot: Mane taking central role for Liverpool
Part 3: Golden Boot: Aubameyang thriving in transitional season