FC Twente are living the dream at the moment. They have elbowed their way into the lofty reaches of the Eredivisie table while they claimed a stunning 1-1 away draw at Manchester United against the odds. Through all the highs, Sem Steijn has been a key cog in the system.
During the 2023/24 campaign, the Dutch attacking midfielder scored 17 goals in 34 league matches—and he has carried that form into the new campaign. Racing through the opening months of the campaign with six goals in as many appearances, he established himself as the top goalscorer in the division and firmly in the running for a high position in the European Golden Shoe rankings.
Marcus Thuram is not a natural goalscorer, often playing out wide and cutting infield instead of acting as a main striker. However, he's had an impressive start to the campaign with four goals in his first five matches. This may be less than others on this list, but Serie A's coefficient means his tally is doubled.
Thuram only scored 13 Serie A goals last campaign, so it's unlikely he will keep his form up again, but his ability to quickly read the match in and out of possession means he can always latch onto chances. The Frenchman is hoping he can guide Inter Milan to Serie A glory again.
6 Mason Greenwood
Marseille
Mason Greenwood controversially joined Marseille in the summer after Manchester United released the winger. He was arrested whilst at the Red Devils, but he is now back on the playing field in France under manager Roberto De Zerbi.
The Englishman, who is expected to never play for his nation again, has had a prolific start to life on the south coast of France. With five goals in his first five matches, he became the competition's top scorer, with his performances helping Marseille stay unbeaten and compete with Paris Saint-Germain at the top of the table. With Kylian Mbappe no longer in Ligue 1, there's a chance for a new name on the division's Golden Boot.
2024/25 Stats |
|---|
Matches | 5 |
Goals | 5 |
Assists | 0 |
European Golden Shoes Points | 10 |
5 Jan Kliment
Sigma Olomouc
Jan Kliment may be playing in the Czech Republic, a division that only has a factor of 1.5 for this award, but his astounding start to the campaign means he sits near the top of the standings. With nine goals from his first eight matches, Kliment has been on fire, helping Sigma Olomouc enjoy an impressive start.
The 31-year-old has not scored 10 or more goals in a league campaign since 2021, but on current form, he is expected to comfortably smash the double-digit barrier. He's not a household name compared to others on his list, but, albeit in a weaker league, his goalscoring talents cannot be discredited.
2024/25 Stats |
|---|
Matches | 8 |
Goals | 9 |
Assists | 0 |
European Golden Shoes Points | 13.5 |
4 Harry Kane
Bayern Munich
When Harry Kane left Tottenham Hotspur for Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023, he did it in search of trophies. In his first campaign, that failed to materialise, with Bayer Leverkusen completing the domestic double thanks to one of the best unbeaten runs of all time.
Kane may have walked away with last season's European Golden Shoe, but he wants more. Under new manager Vincent Kompany, that may happen, with Bayern Munich looking like a well-oiled machine so far. The England captain, who recently made his 100th appearance for his nation, has scored five and picked up four assists in just four league matches already. World-class.
2024/25 Stats |
|---|
Matches | 4 |
Goals | 5 |
Assists | 4 |
European Golden Shoes Points | 10 |
3 Robert Lewandowski
Barcelona
Robert Lewandowski used to be the face of the Bundesliga, but now he is in Barcelona, acting as a beacon of light under new manager Hansi Flick, who worked together with the Pole at Bayern Munich. Now in his third season in Spain, the Polish striker continues to excel despite being 36 years old.
He scored seven goals in the opening seven La Liga matches of the campaign, which sent Barcelona four points clear at the top of the table after winning every match. Lewandowski has strong competition for the Golden Boot in the country, mainly from Mbappe, but, on current form, he can win it.
2024/25 Stats |
|---|
Matches | 7 |
Goals | 7 |
Assists | 2 |
European Golden Shoes Points | 14 |
2 Viktor Gyokeres
Sporting Lisbon
Viktor Gyokeres was linked with a move away from Sporting CP all summer, but the Swedish striker remained in Portugal. After scoring 29 goals in 33 league appearances during the 2023/24 campaign, it seemed highly unlikely he would replicate it again, but he has.
It took Gyokeres just six matches to hit double digits this season. The 26-year-old uses his pace and acceleration to exploit spaces outside the opposition's central defenders. Often, he makes curved runs from central positions into wider areas, seizing opportunities frequently. Spectacular. The only downside to Gyokeres' bid for the continental Golden Shoe is the Portuguese league's lowly coefficient rating, which ensures that each goal he scores is only worth 1.5 points compared to the two on offer for any player in England, Germany, Spain, France or Italy.
2024/25 Stats |
|---|
Matches | 6 |
Goals | 10 |
Assists | 1 |
European Golden Shoe Points | 15 |
1 Erling Haaland
Manchester City
Erling Haaland is the firm favourite to win the European Golden Shoe. Dubbed a robot by fans and pundits, the former Borussia Dortmund star continues to go from strength to strength. He scored 27 goals in the Premier League last campaign – and he's continued his form with a burst of 10 goals in his first five matches of the new season.
Haaland's pace and strength make him the worst nightmare for even the best defenders in the world, whilst his partnership with some of the finest midfielders on the planet at Manchester City has only helped his goalscoring consistency. It feels all but guaranteed he will win the award, even if he is yet to win the Ballon d'Or.
2024/25 Stats |
|---|
Matches | 5 |
Goals | 10 |
Assists | |
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