European Golden Shoe 2023-24: Erling Haaland, Harry Kane & the top goal scorers in Europe

It may not be a name that is on everyone’s lips right now, but Sehrou Guirassy has taken the German top flight by storm ever since his arrival on loan from French side Rennes last season. The Guinea international is almost making it a habit to get on the scoresheet this season but for a spell on the sidelines that comes his way at the moment.

The Frenchman has scored an average of 24 goals ever since his move from Monaco in 2017. Having bagged one short of 30 goals in Ligue 1 last season, PSG forward Kylian Mbappe can give serious competition to Haaland as the duo chase the European Golden Shoe accolade this season.

The Argentine World Cup winner is proving to be the main marksmen for the Nerazzurri with an ever-growing appetite for goals. It almost doesn’t matter that Inter failed to land Romelu Lukaku.

RB Leipzig are known to produce world-class forwards and it will be no surprise if Lois Openda attracts high bids, with the Belgian gelling well in the Bundesliga after completing his summer move from Lens.

Probably the most surprising signing of Chelsea’s summer splash was the arrival of 21-year-old Manchester City talent Cole Palmer, who has emerged as a key player in the Blues’ attacking style in his brief time at the club. Always looking to probe and create goals, his consistently high performances thus far have caught the fans’ attention.

The name of Erling Haaland should never surprise you for someone generating crazy numbers in front of goal. Manchester City knew what they were getting last season and the Norwegian continues to live up to the expectations, averaging a goal in almost every game while aiming for a consecutive Premier League Golden Boot.

Ollie Watkins has consistently impressed for the Lions over the past three seasons. The England international has been a key figure in Villa’s revival under Unai Emery and has been a revelation since the Spaniard succeeded Steven Gerrard in October last year.

He scored 15 goals in the Premier League last season, with his efforts helping Unai Emery’s side qualify for the Europa League.

With 19 goals to his name, Mohamed Salah was the toast for Liverpool despite the Reds’ poor showing overall. The Egyptian will once again be expected to take Jurgen Klopp’s side to greater heights.

Dominic Solanke recorded a brilliant 13-goal contribution in the top flight last season, standing out as one of the Cherries’ best-performing players as Bournemouth secured survival with relative ease. This season, he has taken a step further with his productivity, with Andoni Iraola’s free-flowing system benefiting in his journey to becoming an established Premier League centre-forward.

Injuries are the only thing getting in the way of Alexander Isak reaching his potential, as it was witnessed in the Swede’s performance following the 2022 World Cup last season wherein he scored eight goals in the 19 games since January.

Ukrainian international striker Artem Dovbyk became the most expensive player in Girona’s history over the summer following a remarkable season with Dnipro-1 where he scored 32 goals in 48 matches across all competitions. He has already proven to be an astute addition for high-flying Girona, scoring clutch goals as the Gironistes continue to surprise many at the top of the table. Paraphrase and make it fluent.

Jude Bellingham has almost seamlessly fitted into Carlo Ancelotti’s scheme at Real Madrid this term. Likened to Zinedine Zidane and matching Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 10 goals in 10 appearances at the club, the England international is now tasked to live up to the hype.

Croatian veteran Ante Budimir was the hero for Osasuna in the season finale last season, as his goals helped the Navarra side clinch a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League for the 2023-24 season. He ended the 2022-23 season with eight goals in 31 matches, and is already on track to better that tally this season.

Jonathan David has been in red-hot scoring form for Lille in the last couple of seasons, and the electric Canada international looks to be amongst the most exciting prospects in Europe at the moment.

Deniz Undav, who joined Stuttgart on a season-long loan deal last summer, endured a slightly underwhelming campaign at the Amex last season as he bagged only eight goals in 30 games in all competitions. However, he’s making quite a positive impression in the Bundesliga, and looks set to surpass his goal output from last season.

Borja Mayoral has emerged as Getafe’s savour ever since the World Cup break. His scoring streak has even helped the Spanish side steer away from the drop zone to an extent.

Last summer, Juventus tried to swap the services of Dusan Vlahovic with Chelsea outcast Romelu Lukaku. In the end, the move collapsed and the Serbian ended up staying at Allianz Stadium, while the Belgian joined Roma on loan.

Although the former Fiorentina goal-machine has largely underwhelmed with his output since his big-money move to Juventus in the winter of 2022, he is once again establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with in Italian football, and has made a positive start to the current season.

Filing into Kane’s big shoes is no small assignment, but Son Heung-min continues to battle any suggestion of his dip in form as he leads from the front as Tottenham captain.

Ever since Declan Rice’s departure, Jarrod Bowen has been in charge at the Hammers – both as a goal-scorer and creator in chief.

Augsburg captain Ermedin Demirovic has continued to put stellar performances for his side. The Bosnian international contributed eight goals and six assists in 30 Bundesliga games last season. However, he has taken his goal-scoring prowess to new heights this season, and is scoring at an even more prolific rate.

Former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette has excelled since his return to Ligue 1, and helped his side to a mid-table finish last term thanks to his excellent goal-scoring form. Although he has not been as prolific this campaign, Les Gones’ need their captain fit and firing on all cylinders, with Lyon in deep relegation trouble.

At the epicenter of some of the top European sides, delivering on every occasion, Alvaro Morata has now found himself realising his potential under Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid.

Foden continues to impress with his mazy dribbles and clever movement, but the young midfielder has now added goals to his game as well.

Bukayo Saka evolved into one of the most exciting and consistent young players in world football last term. His tormenting performances and 14 goals were key to Arsenal’s impressive title charge last season and he’s only grown stronger and more consistent this campaign, which bodes well for the Gunners, who look to go one step better.

Former Crystal Palace flop Alexander Sorloth may have struggled for goals in England and Germany with RB Leipzig, but he has taken off in Spanish football. He scored a respectable 24 goals in 90 appearances during a two-year loan spell at Real Sociedad, which convinced Villarreal to sign him back in July.

At just 20 years of age, in-form Hoffenheim striker Maximilian Beier has shown great promise as a super-clinical marksman this season. With the German national team crying out for an out-and-out striker for some time, his name has cropped up in German footballing circles, with many pundits urging newly-appointed Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann to bring Beier into the fold.

Although Barcelona would expect more from Robert Lewandowski, the ageing Polish forward can certainly live up to the hype given a clean health bill. His 23 goals and seven assists in 34 league appearances helped Barcelona win La Liga last season, landing him the Golden Boot in the league.

Having returned to Atletico Madrid from Barcelona, Antoine Griezmann seems to have bounced back to his best and is living up to his reputation as a prolific goal-scorer in La Liga.

Gorka Guruzeta has emerged as a key scoring figure for Athletic Club since signing from SD Amorebieta in the summer of 2022, proving to be an excellent centre-forward with a remarkable sense of grasping the opportunity and effectiveness to facilitate goal-scoring wingers around him.

Ever since Olivier Giroud joined AC Milan from Chelsea in 2021, the veteran French forward has been one to count on despite his age. He notably helped the Rossoneri to the Scudetto in 2022 and continues to accumulate goals.

Renowned for his imposing frame, lightning-fast turn of pace, lethal finishing and movement, Napoli’s talismanic striker, Victor Osimhen, has been on fire over the past 18 months. He has taken his game to another level and at this point in time, he is amongst the best forwards in world football.

The Brazilian starlet continues to be an influential cog in Los Blancos’ lineup with his ability to drop defenders and turn around the Spanish heavyweights’ fortunes with his goals and assists.

Hugo Duro has been impressive in front of goal for Los Che so far this season after a mixed spell since joining the club permanently in 2022. He has already surpassed his 2022-23 La Liga goals tally, further insinuating he is a fine talent despite a previous rough season.

There are few players who can make something happen from nothing quite like Roma’s fleet-footed winger Paulo Dybala. The Argentine superstar picked up form in recent weeks after an unconvincing start to his second season in the Italian capital, partly down to niggling injury issues.

He has proved vital for the Giallorossi in some key moments as they look to mount a top-four charge in Serie A under new boss Daniele De Rossi this season.

An aerially dominant old-fashioned target-man striker, Wood has come under scrutiny from some quarters of the fanbase for not making the impact everyone hoped for since joining from Newcastle – at first on loan, then permanently. The New Zealand international has changed the narrative around in the 2023-24 season, and has already crossed the 12-goal mark.

Considered past his use date by many, former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has recaptured his best form and lifted Marseille back into the top-four race. After a slow start, he has exploded with a string of goals and assists.

Monaco skipper Wissam Ben Yedder has somehow managed to not let his off-pitch controversies come in the way of his goal-scoring exploits this season.

Niclas Fullkrug has continued to surpass expectations since arriving at Borussia Dortmund last summer. An old-school centre-forward, the German international has enjoyed a rich seam of goalscoring form this season, while his ability to lead the line and batter opposing defenders into a dazed state meant he has established himself as first-choice striker for Eden Terzic’s side.

Donyell Malen had a poor first half of the season at Dortmund amidst strong outside interest. However, Malen has once again come to life in front of goal to play an important role for his side in the second part of the campaign.

Tim Kleindienst was the driving force behind Heidenheim’s promotion to Germany’s premier division as the forward scored an astounding 25 goals in the 2. Bundesliga.

The German has replicated his performances from last term once again as he looks to keep his side afloat once again.

Victor Boniface has the pace, physicality and goal-scoring ability – all that the Nigerian needed to adapt quickly to life in Germany since his arrival from Belgian side Union SG last summer.

Hwang Hee-chan moved to the Premier League in January in 2022 as Wolves snapped him up in a £14 million deal from RB Leipzig. For all his versatility, tenacity, speed, and mobility, he has largely struggled to deliver the goods in the final third. However, he’s enjoying a fine goal-scoring purple patch, benefiting from Gary O’Neil’s attacking brand of football at Molineux.

Jamal Musiala has revolutionized Bayern Munich’s side with the German international chipping in with crucial goals from attacking midfield.

Terem Moffi joined Nice with an ambition to turn around the French side and the Nigerian striker has been able to do so thundering some magnificent strikes for the club.

Eintracht Frankfurt were looking for a replacement for Randal Kolo Muani and as a result moved in for Omar Marmoush on a free transfer from Wolfsburg. Although he took his time to settle in, the Egyptian international has already surpassed his previous career bests in the German top flight.

On loan from Juventus, Soule has emerged as one of the most outstanding players in Serie A with his electric performances at the newly-promoted Frosinone, who have been a surprise package this season. And it seems his excellent goal-scoring form has caught the attention of several Premier League clubs such as Newcastle United and Tottenham, who are ready to pay big bucks for his signature.

After finishing runner-up to Cristiano Ronaldo for the Capocannoniere in the 2020-21 term, Romelu Lukaku is lighting up the pitch with Roma this season. The Belgian is shining on-loan under Jose Mourinho once again.

A well-crafted Spanish forward, despite underwhelming performances over the last couple of seasons with Villarreal, Gerard Moreno looks to regained his momentum this term.

Anthony Gordon has been a superb signing for Eddie Howe’s side as the winger has chipped in with crucial goals. The former Everton man has the ability to chip in with crucial goals for his side and can also turn into a creator when required.

Domenico Berardi has spent his entire career at Sassuolo, coming from their youth ranks and briefly being in a co-ownership status with Juventus, but notably refusing to move to Turin. The Italian has been one of the most consistent wide players in Serie A in recent years. Fresh from penning a new deal until 2027 in Sassuolo, he has been in superb form this season, and will look to continue pushing the Neroverdi towards the top-half of Serie A standings.

Complementing Kane perfectly under Thomas Tuchel’s tutelage at Bayern Munich, Leroy Sane is revisiting the kind of form he displayed during his prime at Manchester City. The 2023-24 may just be the season for something noteworthy.

With the move back out to his favoured wing position at the start of the season, Ghana striker Inaki Williams has improved his output dramatically this season. Often noted with his lack of a clinical touch in the final third in seasons gone by, he is taking more shots per game, and is well on his way to surpassing his goal tally from last campaign.

The former Bournemouth forward has carried forward his poaching instincts to the Magpies. Callum Wilson recorded his personal best of 18 goals in the Premier League last season.

Akor Adams has added his name among the starring Nigerian forwards to ply their trade in Europe following his summer transfer move worth around €4.5m from Norwegian side Lillestorm to Montpellier.

After a slightly underwhelming campaign last term, Real Sociedad’s creative goal-scoring winger Mikel Oyarzabal has bounced back in style in the new season and is contributing goals and assists for La Real’s cause.

The Irish wonderkid broke into the limelight last season and has not slowed down since. Evan Ferguson is also set for a guaranteed first XI berth under Roberto De Zerbi given the youngster’s potential in front of goal.

Mostafa Mohamed scored eight goals in 36 Ligue 1 appearances amid only 18 starts last season. Initially brought in on a loan deal from Galatasaray in 2022, Nantes eventually handed the Egyptian a permanent contract.