Men on a Mission
- Daniel Austin-Chukwu
- Feb 22
- 4 min read
At the time of writing this, Mohamed Salah has amassed 39 goal involvements already this season and weren’t not even in March. If he continues at this pace, he’s set to have the best statistical season in Premier League history. It got me thinking, what are some of the other great individual seasons we’ve seen in the Premier League. Well, for this week’s post, we’re going to go back down memory lane to discuss those individual seasons that were the stuff of legends.
Erling Haaland (2022-23)
Let’s start with the record-breaker. In his debut season, Haaland walked into the Premier League like it was his backyard and obliterated the single-season goal record with 36 strike (for a 38-game season). The scary part? He did it while looking like he barely broke a sweat. With Kevin De Bruyne spoon-feeding him assists, the Norwegian cyborg ran riot, bullying defenders and making tap-ins an art form. His ability to find space in the box was borderline supernatural, and he made elite Premier League defenders look like Sunday league amateurs. His 36 goals weren’t just numbers; they were statements of intent, putting an exclamation mark on City’s treble-winning season. Given that this was just his first year in England, there’s every chance he could set the bar even higher in the years to come.
Thierry Henry (2002-03)
It’s not just about scoring; it’s about making everyone else look good too. And Thierry Henry in 2002-03 was the ultimate creator-finisher hybrid. 24 goals would be a fantastic season on its own, but throw in 20 assists? That’s just showing off. The Frenchman essentially played two roles in one: Arsenal’s top scorer and their best playmaker. Whether it was curling efforts into the far post or threading inch-perfect passes to teammates, he was untouchable. His acceleration was lethal, his finishing clinical, and his vision unparalleled. The fact that he somehow didn’t win the Player of the Year award is still one of football’s biggest injustices. It was a season where he showcased every facet of his game, carrying Arsenal to second place and leaving defenders in his wake with ease.
Luis Suárez (2013-14)
Luis Suárez’s 2013-14 season was chaos. Beautiful, relentless chaos. He missed the first five games through suspension and still managed to score 31 goals. And these weren’t just tap-ins—he was scoring from 40 yards out, nutmegging defenders just for fun, and dragging Liverpool to within touching distance of the title. Every game felt like a Suárez highlight reel, whether it was his four-goal masterclass against Norwich or his audacious chips over stranded goalkeepers. His ability to single-handedly turn games on their head made him one of the most electrifying players the league has ever seen. To this day, he’s the only player to outscore Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo whilst they were in their prime.
Mohamed Salah (2017-18)
The phrase “one-season wonder” aged like milk when it came to Mohamed Salah. In his first season back in England, he didn’t just settle in, he broke the then 38-game goal record with 32 strikes. Every time he touched the ball, it felt like he was about to make something happen. Whether he was cutting in from the right, slotting cool finishes past helpless keepers, or just running at defenders like they owed him money, Salah was unstoppable. His ability to change direction at blistering speed made him impossible to contain. The Egyptian winger wasn’t just prolific, he was also incredibly efficient, often needing just one touch to set himself up for the perfect finish. And he did it all without playing as an out-and-out striker. This campaign set him on the path to becoming one of the Premier League’s all-time greats.
Cristiano Ronaldo (2007-08)
Before Cristiano Ronaldo became the ultimate goal poacher, he was tearing up the Premier League as a ridiculous winger. The 2007-08 season was his finest in England, bagging 31 goals and winning the Golden Boot. His free-kicks were lasers, his headers were unstoppable, and his dribbling left defenders questioning their career choices. He didn’t just score goals; he scored screamers, game-winners, and moments of sheer brilliance that defined a season. His long-range strikes were inevitable, and his movement in the box was already showing signs of the poacher he’d later become. The Ballon d’Or followed, and so did a move to Real Madrid. This was the season Ronaldo truly announced himself as the best player in the world.
Didier Drogba (2009-10)
Some players score goals, some set them up, Didier Drogba in 2009-10 just did both, and he did it while being an absolute nightmare to defend against. Chelsea’s powerhouse striker wasn’t just about brute strength; he had technique, finesse, and a ridiculous clutch factor. His 25 goals led Chelsea to the title, but those 14 assists, that’s what takes this season from “great” to “legendary.” A complete forward in every sense, Drogba bullied defenders while also showcasing his incredible link-up play. He had a knack for showing up in big games, and his ability to hold up the ball made him invaluable. Every Chelsea attack seemed to flow through him, and his leadership on the pitch was instrumental in guiding the Blues to domestic dominance.
Thierry Henry (2004-05)
Yes, Henry is on this list twice. The 2004-05 season saw him hit 30 league goals, once again proving why he was the most feared player in England. He was quick, clinical, and made finishing look effortless. Whether it was darting in behind defenders or curling shots into the top corner, Henry was unstoppable. Arsenal might not have defended their Invincibles title, but Henry was still putting defenders on skates. His 30-goal tally in a non-title-winning season just underlines how dominant he was individually. Few players have ever been able to glide past defenders with such elegance while still being ruthlessly efficient in front of goal. This was Henry at his absolute peak, showcasing why he is widely regarded as the best striker in Premier League history.
This Week’s Hot Take
Once this season is said and done, everyone will be agreement that Salah’s 2024-25 will go down as the greatest individual season in the Premier League era. To think that this man will turn 33 in June and is playing the best football of his career is a testament to his longevity and greatness.
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