Top 5 contenders for Golden Boot in ISL 2022-23

The last edition of the Indian Super League was one of the most enthralling editions in the history of the competition, and one of the main reasons behind its thrill was goals. In 115 matches, the fans of Indian football witnessed 354 goals, averaging 3.08 goals per match.

The 11 teams of ISL have one common factor – every team has at least one player who could do justice to the tag of a ‘goal-machine.’ While the goal-machines from last year have signed on the dotted lines for this season as well, some teams have also made brilliant acquisitions in the attacking department.

Check out the top five contenders for the Golden Boot award:

#5 Kwame Karikari

Kwami Karikari can set the stage on fire in his very first season

Our other four mentions on this list are players ISL fans are aware of since they have already proven their class in this competition, But among those who have been been in India previously but could set the stage on fire instantaneously, Kwame Karikari’s name comes first.

The Ghanaian striker has played for many reputed European teams in the likes of Sweden’s AIK and Georgia’s Dinamo Tbilisi. In the 2021-22 season, he was a part of Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima, where he was arguably the best player for the team.

Karikari scored 13 goals in 29 league appearances and 4 goals in 6 Thai FA Cup appearances. He started only one game in the 2022 Durand Cup and was successful in getting his name on the scoresheet in that match.

#4 Alvaro Vazquez

Alvaro Vazquez played a crucial role in Kerala Blasters’ qualification for the playoffs last season, and for the 2022-23 edition of the ISL, he has been roped in by Goa. With the likes of Iker Guarrotxena and Edu Bedia supporting him, Vazquez could be a contender to win the prestigious ISL Golden Boot award.

Vazquez scored 8 goals last season, but he had 70 attempts last season – the most by any foreign player. Having already got accustomed to the conditions in India, the former Espanyol striker is expected to have better returns this time in an orange jersey.

#3 Greg Stewart

Greg Stewart is the only player on our list who is not an out-and-out striker, but he still is a candidate for the Golden Boot because of his unique ability to score from anywhere. The Scottish star played for Jamshedpur last season, where he scored 10 goals in 21 appearances.

Like Ogbeche, Stewart is also known for having multiple shots at glory during a game, having had 61 attempts last season.  Now playing for Mumbai City, Stewart has already had a fantastic start as he netted six goals and won the Golden Ball award but the Islanders failed to win the Durand Cup.

#2 Roy Krishna

Roy Krishna has had a good start to his time in Bengaluru

After their spectacular performance in the 2022 Durand Cup, it is certain that at least one attacker from Bengaluru will be in contention to win the Golden Boot. Between skipper Sunil Chhetri and Roy Krishna, we have picked the latter for our list.

The Fiji international might have scored only seven goals last season, but he has already scored three goals for the Blues. Besides that, in his first two seasons in ISL, Krishna had scored 29 goals in 44 appearances.

#1 Bartholomew Ogbeche

Bartholomew Ogbeche is the all-time top-scorer in the history of ISL, having scored 53 goals in 77 appearances. Besides that, he is also the current holder of the Golden Boot, courtesy of his 18 goals in 20 appearances last season.

Understandably, the Nigerian is the prime contender to win the award this season as well. One factor which makes Ogbeche a potent goal-scoring threat is his tendency to pull the trigger from anywhere and everywhere as he had 66 attempts last season.