Can you name the last European Golden Boot winner to come from Blighty?
Three, two, one… answers please. Yep, it was Kevin Phillips who managed to plunder 30 Premier League goals for Sunderland in the 1999/2000 season.
But the European Golden Boot is a cruel mistress.
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There was a time when Zviad Enedladze helped himself to 40 goals for Margveti in the Georgian top flight to pick up the award.
The year before, Arsen Avetisyan took home the European Golden Boot after scoring 39 times for Homenetmen in the Armenian Premier League.
But, in order to stop players Twitterati would label ‘farmers’ winning the award, a point system was introduced.
So while Harry Kane leads the current race on points- two ahead of Mohamed Salah- there are actually three players who have scored more goals.
Albert Prosa (Tallinn/Valletta)
No one has scored more league goals during a top flight European league campaign this season than Albert Prosa.
The 27-year-old Estonian was the top scorer in the Meistriliiga (Estonian first division) with 27 goals for Tallinn.
Prosa, who’s won seven caps for his national side, had a trial with Borussia Dortmund back in July 2011 but wasn’t successful, so he’s built a career back home, aside from a short spell in the heady heights of Finnish football.
Due to the Estonian winter, where temperatures lurk below zero, the Meistriliiga runs from February to November, meaning Prosa’s already entered his submission for the European Golden Boot.
Following the end of the season Prosa moved to Malta and joined Valletta, where he’ll be liking up with none other than Michael Mifsud, who’s essentially the Maltese David Beckham.
Rauno Sappinen (Flora/Beerschot Wilrijk)
Prosa’s main rival to be the Estonian Harry Kane is Rauno Sappinen.
Sappinen also helped himself to 27 league goals in the Meistriliiga for champions Flora.
Like Prosa he won’t have any more chances to add to his tally, but he’s also managed to secure himself a move out of Estonia.
Sappinen joined Beerschot Wilrijk in the Belgian second division in one of the less-heralded January deadline day move. It certainly didn’t make the Sky Sports ticker.
While it might not scream glamour it’s still a step up for the 22-year-old, who’s been capped 16 times by Estonia.
Jonas (Benfica)
As one of the most prolific Brazilians of the last four seasons you’d expect Jonas to have more than 12 international caps to his name.
The 33-year-old has scored 25 goals in just 21 games for Benfica this season, with Portugal’s league rating the only thing holding him back in the European Golden Boot race.
Roberto Firmino’s form and Gabriel Jesus’ promise mean it’s unlikely that Jonas will break into Brazil’s squad in time for the 2018 World Cup.
But it won’t be through lack of trying. If he was 23 then he’d be on his way to the Premier League this summer for big money.
As it is the only chance we’ll get to see him in England is if Big Sam fancies another Bolton-style golden oldie spree.
What else is going on in the world of football?
You’ve heard about a false nine, but have you heard about the false centre-back?
Ajax have been trying out midfielder Frenkie de Jong in the heart of defence and it’s working a treat, with the 20-year-old strolling through a 2-1 win against FC Twente.
It won’t be long before every single player in Pep Guardiola’s Man City side is a defender/midfielder/striker in disguise.
The Turkish time hop.
Name anyone who was reasonably good in the mid to late Noughties and they’re probably now playing the the Turkish top flight.
Pepe, Vagner Love, Robinho and Samuel Eto’o all scored this weekend. There was even a goal scored by Kasimpasa’s Trezeguet.
Want a room with a view?
Look no further than Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena, where you can now have your breakfast in bed served with a side order of Arjen Robben.
Just mind the windows.
READ MORE FROM THE LIBERO:
- What boots were World Cup final goalscorers wearing when they found the back of the net?
- Who is going to be the first £200million player?
- Who are the best sides to finish 17th in the Premier League?