English Premier League Leading Scorers: Contender or Pretender?

In just under two weeks, the new Premier League season will begin. Not long after that, so will the scoring.

The English Premier League saw 1,066 goals last season, with Arsenal forward Robin van Persie leading the way with 30 strikes.

So what about this season? Can Van Persie do it again, or will his uncertain future drag him down?

What about some of the league's other big names, like Wayne Rooney, Sergio Agüero, Fernando Torres and Andy Carroll?

Read on to see who's a contender and who's a pretender to be the Premier League's top scorer this season.

Last season: 30 goals

Robin van Persie enjoyed a career season in 2011-12, leading the Premier League with 30 goals and scoring 37 in all competitions for Arsenal.

As of this writing, RvP is still an Arsenal player and the Gunners' captain, but speculation concerning the Dutch striker's future has raged this summer.

Van Persie still has a year left on his Arsenal contract, so he could feasibly stay with the Gunners this season. But there's still time for a certain club with deep pockets to make a move.

But even with all the speculation over his future, RvP is too good a player to ignore on this list.

Verdict: Van Persie is in his prime. No matter where he plays (unless it's not England, of course), he'll be a contender to lead the league in scoring. Contender.

Last season: 27 goals

If it's possible to score 27 goals quietly, Wayne Rooney did it last year.

Last season won't go down as Rooney's—or Manchester United's—best by any means. But it was still successful for the toupeed terror.

Rooney turns 27 this October, so he's nearing his prime. Also, both he and United will have a point to prove while trying to overtake Manchester City.

Those are two ominous signs for opposing defenses.

Verdict: This could be a huge season for Rooney. Contender.

Last season: 23

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero scored 23 league goals last season, third behind only Rooney and Van Persie. One of those, of course, was the all-important winner against Queens Park Rangers on the final day of the season.

That qualified as a solid first season in England for Aguero. Image what he'll do now that he's settled.

Verdict: He'll be vital to City's hopes of repeating. Contender.

Last season: 13 goals

Mario Balotelli is a riddle wrapped inside an enigma wrapped inside a mystery. And it's a fantastically interesting riddle at that.

Only Mario Balotelli knows what's going on in Mario Balotelli's head at any given time, and even he probably doesn't know sometimes.

But, hot damn, the man can play some football. See Exhibit A for more.

But…

Verdict: Until he can rein himself in and become a consistent performer, he can't be considered a true contender. Pretender.

Last season: 6 goals

Fernando Torres is the £50 million man—that is, the £50 million man who doesn't score a lot of goals.

Torres struggled again last season, scoring only six goals for Chelsea in the league. But he did show faint signs of a resurgence near the end of the campaign, and he managed to win the Golden Boot at Euro 2012 (admittedly with only three goals).

This season, Torres might have more chances now that Didier Drogba has taken his talents to China. On the other hand, with all their new signings, Chelsea might resort to a Spain-esque 4-6-0 formation.

Verdict: Torres has talent, but until he starts proving it consistently, he'll remain a punchline more than Chelsea's offensive punch. Pretender.

Last season: 4 goals

When Torres made his big-money move from Liverpool to Chelsea in 2011, Liverpool used some of the spare cash to lure Andy Carroll to Anfield. Carroll joined from Newcastle United in a £35 million deal and promptly struggled.

Carroll, 23, scored four league goals last season and earned his share of scorn from doubters and pundits. This summer, he's been the subject of numerous rumors, with Liverpool seemingly ready to cut their losses.

Whether he stays with Liverpool or moves on, Carroll has a lot to prove this season.

Verdict: He has lots to prove, but it's doubtful he'll be comfortable in Brendan Rodgers' system. He needs a change. Pretender.

Last season: 25 goals (with Montpellier in Ligue 1)

Olivier Giroud led Ligue 1 with 25 goals (the same as Nene of Paris Saint-Germain) last season and parlayed that success into a move to Arsenal.

Arsenal may or may not play without Robin van Persie this season, but if RvP does leave, Giroud figures to serve as the primary target man.

Big, strong and unselfish, Giroud fits in with Arsenal's style. But will that mean bushels of goals?

Verdict: Settling into the Premier League might take time. Until he settles, he could struggle. Pretender.

Last season: 16 goals

Demba Ba stormed onto the Premiership scene last season, scoring 16 goals for Newcastle in his debut campaign.

That total was impressive, but it's important to keep in mind Ba's struggles during the second half of the season. His last goal of the campaign came on Feb. 5 at home to Aston Villa, and he went scoreless over hiss next 14 league matches.

Verdict: Something happened down the stretch last season. Either Ba lost confidence or Premiership defenses figured him out. Pretender.

Last season: 13 goals

Newcastle signed Papiss Cisse, an international teammate of Demba Ba with Senegal, in January 2012. Between then and the end of the season, Cisse scored 13 goals.

That impressive tally included a stunning strike against Chelsea near the end of the season.

In half a season, Cisse managed to announce himself to England and surpass Ba in the process.

Verdict: There's no reason to expect Cisse will slow down this season. He could be a savvy pick to lead the league in scoring. Contender.

Last season: 17 goals

Emmanuel Adebayor scored 17 goals for Tottenham last season, taking his career total to 78 in the Premier League.

This season, he should be able to improve on that number. First, though, he'll probably need a club.

Verdict: Hard to say until he finds a home. But all things considered, Adebayor is an excellent scorer. Too soon to tell.

Last season: 17 goals

American midfielder Clint Dempsey turned heads last season with 17 Premier League goals. That impressive return earned him a summer of transfer speculation, especially from Liverpool.

Now the question is: Can Dempsey do it again?

A midfielder, it will be hard for him to compete with the forwards on this list. But Dempsey showed last year that he can score in bunches, and at 29, he's in his prime.

If he does move to Liverpool, though, it's hard to see him playing as often as he did last season with Fulham.

Verdict: If he stays with Fulham, he'll score a lot of goals (though surely not the most in the league). If he goes to Liverpool, that's not as likely. Wait and see.

Last season: 15 goals

Grant Holt led Norwich with 15 strikes last season. While it was happening, some onlookers argued that the big striker should feature for England.

The situation is a bit different this season. Holt turned in a transfer request near the end of last season but eventually signed a new deal. Meanwhile, former manager Paul Lambert is gone to Aston Villa.

Last season, Holt and the Canaries no doubt sneaked up on a few teams. So will they be able to repeat their success under Chris Hughton?

Verdict: For now, let's give Holt the benefit of the doubt. After all, he should be the focus of the Norwich offense again. Contender.

Last season: 27 goals (Championship)

Rickie Lambert led Southampton's charge last season with 27 goals in the nPower Championship. The Saints finished second in the Championship and earned a return to the Premier League.

Now comes the real test, both for Southampton and Lambert.

Lambert, 30, is no youngster, but he is an unknown quantity in the Premiership. In a 14-year professional career, Lambert has never featured in England's top flight.

So will that be a good thing or bad thing?

Verdict: He has to prove himself first. Pretender.

Now it's your turn, readers. Who do you think will lead the English Premier League in scoring this season?

Somebody from this list? Someone else? Let me know in the comments section.

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