Frank Leboeuf backed Chelsea centre-forward Romelu Lukaku to grab more goals than Harry Kane this year.
Whilst speaking on ESPN, Leboeuf made his bold Premier League Golden Boot prediction concerning the two strikers.
Kane is the current holder of the award after he netted 23 times for Tottenham Hotspur last season.
That is one less than Lukaku managed for Inter Milan in Serie A during the same period.
Now, the deadly attackers are set to lock horns in a battle for the league’s highest scorer, following the Belgian’s return to Chelsea.
Rom in a race with Kane
Although Thomas Tuchel’s team didn’t need the 28-year-old’s contributions against Crystal Palace on Saturday, Leboeuf insisted he would only improve the Blues offensive output.
“The one-piece that is missing is of course Lukaku up front,” said the former Chelsea centre-back.
“I think we have a false judgement of Lukaku because we saw him playing England and struggling and missing lots of goals.
“People who followed Serie A found lots of improvements in Lukaku’s finishing. So, I want to be persuaded that he has evolved.
“I’m pretty sure he is the piece they need. He scored so many goals for Inter that I have no doubt he will score many goals for Chelsea.
“I think he might score more goals than Harry Kane.”
A new City for Harry
Leboeuf has now thrown down the gauntlet to Lukaku, a task he will happily accept.
Part of the reasoning behind his mega-money move back to Chelsea was to prove his English doubters wrong.
There would be no better way to silence those critics by outgunning the country’s international captain.
However, this might not be so easy if Kane does join Manchester City before the transfer window closes.
The England skipper, who is valued at £160 million (Football London), is yet to feature for Spurs since he went away to the European Championships, amidst serious interest from Pep Guardiola’s employers.
If he was surrounded by the creative forces at City that would certainly make Kane favourite to reclaim his Golden Boot prize.
Although this could easily be stolen by Lukaku, who himself will be supported by a cast of superstars at Chelsea.