When it comes to the battle to win the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar there are a host of big names vying for the accolade.
The Premier League boasts some of the best attacking players in the world and it would be no surprise for a star from England’s top flight to claim the award in Qatar.
Kane Has Form To Challenge
Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane has enjoyed a positive start to the season and the England skipper should be among the goals in Qatar this winter. Kane, who is currently priced at odds of 15/2 in the World Cup betting to finish the tournament’s leading goalscorer, has found the back of the net six times in his first seven Premier League games this season. Kane endured barren spells in front of goal last term but, after a settled summer with reduced speculation regarding his Spurs’ future, he’s hit the ground running this season.
Kane playing with confidence will keep defenders up at night and the Three Lions talisman should be a force to be reckoned with at this highly-anticipated World Cup. In a group that sees England face Iran, United States and Wales, the Three Lions should fancy their chances of topping the pool. These might well be high-scoring affairs in Group B and with Kane also one of the world’s best penalty takers, the Spurs star is understandably an early favourite for the Golden Boot.
Ronaldo With A Point To Prove
A player who rises to the big occasion and has always relished silencing his critics, Cristiano Ronaldo remains one of the biggest names heading to Qatar. The Portugal international might be 37 years old but he continues to be a threat on the international stage. There might well be some concerns Ronaldo will head into the World Cup somewhat rusty, as he continues to battle for a starting role at his club Manchester United.
The arrival of manager Erik Ten Hag to Old Trafford from Ajax has seen Ronaldo have to settle for a place on the bench in the early stage of the Premier League season. The former Real Madrid and Juventus star was United’s top goalscorer last term but Ten Hag has been keen to put his stamp on the side at Old Trafford and deems Ronaldo to be slightly down his pecking order at United. While Ronaldo’s future will be the topic of speculation in the January transfer window, the forward might well want to put himself in the shop window at the World Cup in November. A Ronaldo with the motivation to show he is still one of the best in the business could well prove to be a useful weapon for dark horses Portugal this winter.
Don’t Rule Out De Bruyne
Although a potential outsider when it comes to the Golden Boot, Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne could raise a few eyebrows with the Red Devils in Qatar. The Manchester City talisman continues to be one of the best players in the Premier League and has already had a league goal to his name in his first seven appearances. De Bruyne does tend to score more for his national side and has scored 26 goals in his 96 appearances for Belgium. Two goals in five appearances for his country this season show De Bruyne has been getting his eye for goal and he could go on a scoring run in Qatar.
Much like Kane and Ronaldo, De Bruyne is clinical from set-pieces and is one of the best free-kick takers in the Premier League. The 31-year-old likes to get forward for Belgium and in a group alongside Canada, Morocco and Croatia, De Bruyne could well be among the goals.
These Premier League stars will face some stern competition from players plying their trades in different leagues. The likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Karim Benzema will all have their own hopes of finishing the 2022 World Cup’s leading goalscorer. However, the Premier League remains arguably the toughest league in the world and that should have the likes of Kane, Ronaldo and De Bruyne primed and ready to get after that Golden Boot in Qatar.
Photo by Unsplash