Welcome to the Premier League Golden Boot Festival

Goals, goals, and goals. That one word has become the most anticipated aspect leading up to the new season of the English Premier League 2025-26. How could it not be? This summer transfer window has witnessed the largest exodus of world-class center forwards. From young stars to seasoned players, all are making their way in.

The transfer market trend in England is always intriguing. In previous seasons, central midfielders were once the most sought-after commodities by major clubs. The trend has shifted to pure strikers. Many clubs are competing fiercely and are willing to spend trillions of rupiah amid a crisis in the supply of quality strikers.

Arsenal paved the way by acquiring Sporting CP forward Viktor Gyokeres. Shortly thereafter, two talented young strikers from the German League, Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt) and Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig), followed suit. Ekitike moved to Liverpool, while Sesko joined Manchester United.

The three players were brought in for a fee that could potentially reach 216 million pounds sterling (Rp 4.72 trillion). Three days before the opening match of the new season, which will take place on Saturday (16/8/2025) WIB, they remain on the list of the seven most expensive players in this transfer window in England.

The exodus automatically intensifies the competition for the Golden Boot trophy or the award for the top goal scorer. Two names that have dominated that trophy over the past four seasons, Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) and Erling Haaland (Manchester City), should be on alert.

The biggest threat comes from Gyokeres. He returns to England with the status of the hottest goal machine in Europe. He has scored 97 goals for Sporting across all competitions since the 2023-24 season. The Primeira Liga and the English Premier League are clearly different, but his goal-scoring instinct cannot be overlooked.

I think he did everything naturally. From the movements, the way he timed his runs, to predicting the opponent's position, the open space, and the ball.

The impact of Gyokeres has already been evident in Arsenal's final preseason match against Villarreal last Saturday. The Swedish national team striker contributed one goal with a sharp header. Interestingly, his heading ability has never been a focal point throughout his career.

Rather than goals, the most interesting aspect of Gyokeres' performance is his ability to provide the presence of a "number 9" striker that is absent in the Arsenal squad. Whether with or without the ball, Gyokeres' movements are always direct and purposeful, consistently targeting dangerous areas.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been coaching Gyokeres for less than a month, yet he does not hesitate to praise him highly. He is impressed with the striker's ability to draw the attention of opposing center-backs. "If you give him space, one-on-one, he will eliminate you," he stated.

"I think he does everything naturally. From his movements, the way he times his runs, to predicting the opponent's position, the empty spaces, and the ball. He has that instinct. That is also what allows him to score so many goals. It is not a coincidence," Arteta continued.

Gyokeres, 27 years old, is ripe and ready for harvest. Arsenal just needs to get accustomed to the playing style of the striker, who is reliable in transition situations. Furthermore, Arsenal is not only bringing in one player through the Gyokeres transfer; they are also "acquiring" a more straightforward vertical playing concept.

The ability to execute penalties will also be an additional asset for Gyokeres. He has scored 34 penalty goals throughout his career with a success rate of 89.4 percent. Almost certainly, the player known for his "mask" celebration will become Arsenal's primary penalty taker.

Ekitike is equally intriguing. He has indeed only scored 42 goals throughout his professional career. However, the 23-year-old forward possesses the talent to exponentially increase his performance in an instant. It all depends on the environment. Liverpool, a team with a collection of the best offensive players, is very suitable to maximize his potential.

The U-21 national team player from France is surrounded by great figures, such as Salah and Florian Wirtz, who is known as an assist machine. Interestingly, Salah and Wirtz will play together for the first time next season. Other teammates, including Ekitike, stand to benefit the most.

The sharpness of Ekitike was already evident in his official debut appearance in the Community Shield match last Sunday. He scored Liverpool's opening goal, assisted by Wirtz, just four minutes into the match. The goal came from a shot outside the penalty area, closely guarded by two opposing players.

The goal was scored despite only having a very low chance value of 0.03 xG (expected goals). The player, touted as Thierry Henry's successor, demonstrated high efficiency. However, efficiency isn't his best attribute. He only managed 15 goals from 21.6 xG in the Bundesliga last season.

Liverpool captain, Virgil van Dijk, is amazed by Ekitike's rapid adaptation. "It is not easy to come from another country (and play in England). He has adapted quite well. That goal is very important for the beginning. I hope there will be many more goals from him," he stated.

Certainly, the potential of Ekitike will heavily depend on Liverpool's transfer policies in the remainder of the transfer window. As is known, the team coached by Arne Slot is targeting Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak. If Isak arrives, it will be very difficult for Ekitike to develop as expected.

Sesko, like Ekitike, also has potential as high as the atmosphere. However, he is in a club that is entering a transitional phase. MU is still seeking balance under coach Ruben Amorim after finishing in 15th place last season.

Sesko, 22 years old, is required to be more adaptive due to the major overhaul in the front line of MU. Amorim has brought in a new trident. In addition to Sesko, there are Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Unfortunately, amid the less than ideal situation, high expectations continue to weigh on Sesko. This is because he plays for the "Red Devils."

On the other hand, questions are directed at the recipient of the Golden Boot for 2022-2023 and 2023-24, namely Haaland. He will play without the assistance of creative midfielder Kevin De Bruyne for the first time since moving to City. De Bruyne has been the primary supplier of Haaland's numerous goals.

Salah, as the recipient of the latest edition of the Golden Boot, remains one of the strongest candidates to defend his title. Although he is already 33 years old, his ambitions are still very high. However, he will be distracted by the need to represent the Egyptian national team in the Africa Cup.

Of all the possibilities, there is only one thing that is certain. Football fans will be happy because many goals will be scored in the upcoming season. The best goal machines have gathered. In the end, welcome to the excitement of the Golden Boot festival of the English League. (AP/REUTERS)