It’s that time again: a new Premier League season is upon us.
While slightly later than its usual mid-August start, there is a great deal of excitement for the upcoming campaign, even with continued uncertainty over when fans will be allowed back into stadiums.
With Fulham and Arsenal getting the new season underway at Craven Cottage in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off, Reach PLC’s regional football writers were asked what they expect from the new season.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane received a few votes when it came down to predicting the next Golden Boot winner.
Kane endured an injury-hit campaign last time out but still managed to score 18 goals in 29 league games, up one from his 2018/19 tally.
Having regained his fitness, the 27-year-old is widely expected to be a crucial part of Jose Mourinho’s first full season at Spurs.
Kane is searching for his third Golden Boot having won the accolade in two successive years in 2016 and 2017.
With the new season dawning, here is what Reach’s writers had to say about Kane’s chances of dethroning fellow Englishman Jamie Vardy at the top of the scoring charts.
Alasdair Gold, Tottenham Hotspur
Like Mourinho looking to remind people what he can do, Harry Kane will be desperate to return the Golden Boot to his possession. He managed to score 24 goals for Spurs last season despite those injury problems. If he can get through a season without the hamstring or ankle problems of previous ones then he could well top the charts once again.
Alex Dicken, Wolves
Harry Kane. The Spurs striker has been among the most consistent Premier League forwards of the last five years and if he stays fit for the entire campaign he's guaranteed to be in the mix for top scorer.
Provided he stays free of injury, it is difficult to look beyond Kane when it comes to the Golden Boot.
The England captain finished last season strongly with five goals in his last three games, and as long as Spurs’ creative players provide him with quality service, his considerable prowess as a finisher should be one of the main positives for Mourinho this season.
After the disappointment of finishing sixth last term, few players will be as determined to fire Spurs back into the top four as Kane.
