Premier League top scorers 2021-22: Salah, Ronaldo & the race for the Golden Boot
Harry Kane clinched the Premier League Golden Boot award last season with 23 goals, narrowly beating Mohamed Salah to the prestigious award.
The race is on once more as the 2021-22 campaign heats up and there are a few more contenders in the mix for the top scorers accolade this time round.
Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to Manchester United, while Chelsea have been boosted by another returnee in Romelu Lukaku, and both will be keen to etch their names into history.
With the battle commenced, Goal brings you this season's top goalscorers in the Premier League.
See here for the players with the most Premier League assists in 2021-22.
Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | 10 goals
Two-time Premier League Golden Boot winner Mohamed Salah finished second in the race last term and in 2021-22 he is targeting his third individual prize as he attempts to fire Liverpool to the title. Over the course of the past four campaigns, Salah has averaged just under 24 Premier League goals a season and will be hoping to surpass that this year.
Jamie Vardy | Leicester City | 7 goals
Despite advancing into his mid-thirties, Jamie Vardy has shown few signs of slowing down on the goals front and he continues to lead the Leicester City line. By now a legendary player for the Foxes, Vardy will be expected to chip in with strikes throughout the campaign for Brendan Rodgers' side.
Michail Antonio | West Ham | 6 goals
An unlikely candidate for Premier League top scorer, Michael Antonio scored double figures in the last two seasons and the West Ham striker hit the ground running in 2021-22. David Moyes and the Hammers faithful will be hopeful he can continue that habit until the end of the season.
Sadio Mane | Liverpool | 6 goals
Liverpool winger Sadio Mane shared the Golden Boot award with team-mate Mohamed Salah and Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in 2018-19, but his goal return has suffered in recent campaigns. The Senegal star laid down a marker of intent at the beginning of the 2021-22 campaign though.
Raphinha | Leeds United | 5 goals
Leeds United's Brazilian star Raphinha was involved in 15 Premier League goals last term (six goals, nine assists) and, in 2021-22, he has picked up where he left off.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | Arsenal | 4 goals
Roberto Firmino | Liverpool | 4 goals
Bruno Fernandes | Man Utd | 4 goals
Bruno Fernandes came third in the 2020-21 Premier League top scorers list with 18 goals and the playmaker continues to star for Manchester United. Some may have feared the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo would impact Fernandes' goal prospects, but the Portugal compatriots have dovetailed nicely.
Maxwel Cornet | Burnley | 4 goals
Cristiano Ronaldo | Man Utd | 4 goals
Cristiano Ronaldo finished last season as the top scorer in Serie A with 29 goals in 33 appearances and dispelled any doubts that he might slow down on his return to Old Trafford with two goals in his first game back. The Manchester United faithful will be hopeful that the Portugal phenomenon can help fire them on their way to a Premier League title charge.
Conor Gallagher | Crystal Palace | 4 goals
Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher has flourished under Patrick Vieira's guidance at Crystal Palace, chipping in with goals and assists.
Mason Greenwood | Man Utd | 4 goals
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer once described Mason Greenwood as "the best finisher" he had worked with and the Manchester United forward looks ready to kick on in 2021-22. With the attacking riches at Solskjaer's disposal, however, the England international could well find his minutes limited.
Hee-chan Hwang | Wolves | 4 goals
Reece James | Chelsea | 4 goals
Chelsea's marauding wing-back Reece James has been a potent threat for Thomas Tuchel in the 3-4-3 system, scoring goals as well as setting them up.
Neal Maupay | Brighton | 4 goals
Brighton striker Neal Maupay cracked double figures on the goal charts in his first season in the Premier League, but fell short with just eight goals last season. With Graham Potter's style bedding in at the Amex Stadium, the French forward will be confident of surpassing 10 goals in 2021-22.
Ismaila Sarr | Watford | 4 goals
Heung-min Son | Tottenham | 4 goals
Heung-min Son enjoyed his best ever season from a goals perspective with Tottenham last term, scoring 17 goals in 37 Premier League appearances. The forward has scored double figures in each of the last five campaigns and could be a good bet to challenge for the Golden Boot as he aims to pick up the slack from Harry Kane.
Diogo Jota | Liverpool | 4 goals
Diogo Jota made an instant impact at Liverpool when he joined the Reds from Wolves in 2020-21 and he has offered a different type of goal threat to Roberto Firmino. The Portugal international will feel he can contribute even more this campaign after seeing his maiden season curtailed by injury.
Callum Wilson | Newcastle | 4 goals
Emile Smith Rowe | Arsenal | 4 goals
Pablo Fornals | West Ham | 4 goals
Pablo Fornals scored five league goals for West Ham last term and has taken his game up a level in front of goal in 2021-22.
Wilfried Zaha | Crystal Palace | 4 goals
Wilfried Zaha is a key player for Crystal Palace and continues to show his worth by scoring goals.
Said Benrahma | West Ham | 3 goals
Algeria international Said Benrahma had an impressive scoring rate during his time with Brentford and has rediscovered that capability for West Ham this season.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin | Everton | 3 goals
Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has taken his game up a notch in recent seasons, improving his goalscoring ability in the process. The England international remains the Toffees' chief goal threat under Rafa Benitez and will be aiming to improve on his tally of 16 goals from last term.
Ben Chilwell | Chelsea | 3 goals
Emmanuel Dennis | Watford | 3 goals
Nigeria international Emmanuel Dennis has thrived since making the switch to Watford from Club Brugge, getting his share of goals for the Hornets.
Odsonne Edouard | Crystal Palace | 3 goals
Phil Foden | Manchester City | 3 goals
Demarai Gray | Everton | 3 goals
Having returned to England from a brief stint in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen, Demarai Gray has found a new lease of life with Everton. The winger has chipped in with a few goals to take the pressure off Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Danny Ings | Southampton | 3 goals
Joshua King | Watford | 3 goals
Romelu Lukaku | Chelsea | 3 goals
Romelu Lukaku has made a triumphant return to Chelsea after a goal-laden spell in Serie A with Inter, where he won a Scudetto. The Belgium striker previously scored goals in the Premier League for Everton and Manchester United, but took his game up a level at San Siro, hitting 24 league goals last season and 23 the year before that.
Mason Mount | Chelsea | 3 goals
Teemu Pukki | Norwich City | 3 goals
Norwich City may be enduring a difficult campaign back in the Premier League, but Teemu Pukki still knows how to find the back of the net.
Youri Tielemans | Leicester City | 3 goals
Leicester City's all-action midfielder Youri Tielemans has popped up with goals in the past few seasons and continues to chip in.
Andros Townsend | Everton | 3 goals
Leandro Trossard | Brighton | 3 goals
Leandro Trossard is one of Brighton's set-piece kings and he has also added more goals to his game this season.