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Sports Mole Writers' Awards: Premier League Striker of the Season

The Sports Mole team select who they believe has been the best striker in the Premier League this season.

Another Premier League season is now in the history books, and 2020-21 will go down as perhaps the most unique yet having been played during a global pandemic, mostly behind closed doors and very briefly amid a Super League storm which threatened the very future of the competition.

Here, the Sports Mole team select who they believe should be the Premier League's Striker of the Season.



Barney Corkhill, Editor: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane pictured on May 19, 2021© Reuters

There have been a fair few strikers who deserve mentions in this category: Mohamed Salah for earning a league-high 16 points for Liverpool through his goals, Patrick Bamford and Ollie Watkins for their goalscoring exploits after coming up from the Championship.

When it comes to the winner, though, Harry Kane stands head and shoulders above the rest for me. To have finished top of both the goals and assists charts is a rare feat; to have done so for a team that finished seventh is a remarkable achievement.

Kane has now won the Golden Boot three times - the same number as Alan Shearer and only one behind Thierry Henry - and his place among the Premier League's greatest goalscorers is already assured regardless of what happens this summer.



Matt Law, Football Editor: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

This is not a particularly difficult call, with Kane comfortably the standout striker in the Premier League this season.

The Tottenham forward claimed the Golden Boot with 23 goals, while he also provided 14 assists.

It appears likely that the England captain will be on the move during this summer's transfer window, and there is simply not a side in world football that would not want the 27-year-old leading their line.



Dan Lewis, Senior Reporter: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane celebrates scoring against Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League on March 11, 2021© Reuters

Taking into account the fact that he played in a side that prioritised defending under Jose Mourinho, Kane's figures this season in terms of goals and assists are quite extraordinary.

There was previously a running joke about the striker being a one-season wonder, but now he is one of the hottest properties in world football and will have a pick of clubs this summer if he does indeed leave Spurs.



Darren Plant, Senior Reporter: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

Regardless of Spurs ending the season in seventh position, you cannot ignore that Harry Kane has played a direct part in 37 goals.

His 14 assists is arguably more impressive than his 23 strikes, especially in a team which was more defensively-minded under Jose Mourinho.



Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane celebrates scoring against Leeds on January 2, 2021© Reuters

Speculation surrounding his future aside, Harry Kane - captain, creator, goalscorer - has single-handedly kept Spurs in the running for European football this term at times.

His prolific partnership with Son Heung-min will be sorely missed if the rumours about his exit are true, but for a 23-goal striker approaching the peak of his career, his desire for trophies is completely natural.



Oliver Thomas, Reporter: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

Harry Kane enjoyed another prolific season in front of goal but also reinvented his game, emerging as a much greater creative outlet.

The 27-year-old claimed his third Golden Boot with 23 strikes to his name and also topped the charts for assists with 14, becoming only the third player in Premier League history to achieve this feat and the first since Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in 1998-99.

Kane essentially carried Spurs during a campaign which fizzled out into disappointment. Nevertheless, the England international performed consistently at the highest level and established a brilliant partnership with teammate Son Heung-min.



Brett Curtis, Reporter: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane celebrates scoring against Fulham in the Premier League on January 13, 2021© Reuters

It's not very often a player records the most goals and most assists in the same Premier League season – in fact I can only recall Thierry Henry managing this feat – so to do it in a Tottenham side which has finished seventh while playing pretty defensively under Jose Mourinho is all the more remarkable.

Indeed, the way Kane has evolved his game in recent years has been a joy to watch; he's always possessed an under-rated range of passing, but his movement and intelligence has improved to make the most of it, while retaining his brilliant power and accuracy in front of goal.

He's like watching Alan Shearer and Teddy Sheringham rolled into one at times, so I'd be mildly surprised if he doesn't get the move he clearly wants this summer.



Jonathan O'Shea, Reporter: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

Even in an inconsistent Spurs side, the league's supreme attacking all-rounder has shone brighter than any other forward this season.

Goals and assists galore - despite often unambitious tactics under his former manager - have cemented his astronomical value ahead of a possible auction for his services this summer.



Francis Buchanan, Reporter: Patrick Bamford (Leeds United)

Leeds United's Patrick Bamford celebrates scoring against Southampton in the Premier League on May 18, 2021© Reuters

Sixteen goals and seven assists for a newly-promoted side is incredibly good going and I do not think Patrick Bamford gets enough recognition for what has been a stellar season for the 27-year-old.

I honestly cannot understand how Bamford consistently gets overlooked by Gareth Southgate. An England call-up must be on the cards...



Olly Allen, Reporter: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

There's not much more to say about a man who is not just the best striker in the Premier League, but up there competing with Robert Lewandowski as the best striker in the world.

Kane's finishing ability is world class – he can find the back of the net from any kind of position with any part of his body – and a third Golden Boot is thoroughly deserved.



Sam Varley, Reporter: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane celebrates scoring their first goal against Leicester City in the Premier League on May 23, 2021© Reuters

Kane has continued his status as one of the world's elite forwards this season with an excellent tally of 23 goals and 14 assists in 35 league appearances, lifting a struggling Tottenham Hotspur side to a top-seven finish which looked unlikely, and definitely would not have been possible without Kane's heroics.



Marvelous Adepoju, Reporter: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

Kane's 23 Premier League goals earned him a third Golden Boot award of his illustrious career.

The Tottenham forward enjoyed yet another dominant campaign in front of goal in what may have been his last season in North London.



Joshua Ojele, Reporter: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

Harry Kane in action for Spurs on March 14, 2021© Reuters

Harry Kane has proved he is arguably the most complete centre-forward across Europe currently.

The Englishman recorded a goal or an assist on average more than once a game and was instrumental in Tottenham securing a place in Europe as they secured a seventh-placed finish.

Kane also formed a telepathic partnership with South Korean international Son Heung-min and the duo made Premier League history with their partnership in 2020-21.


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Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane pictured on May 19, 2021
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38296399267393
2Liverpool38288294266892
3Chelsea382111676334374
4Tottenham HotspurSpurs382251169402971
5Arsenal382231361481369
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd381610125757058
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham38168146051956
8Leicester CityLeicester381410146259352
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381215114244-251
10Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38156173843-551
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381310154462-1849
12Crystal Palace381115125046448
13Brentford38137184856-846
14Aston Villa38136195254-245
15Southampton38913164367-2440
16Everton38116214366-2339
17Leeds UnitedLeeds38911184279-3738
RBurnley38714173453-1935
RWatford3865273477-4323
RNorwich CityNorwich3857262384-6122

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