Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has already scored 28 Premier League goals and could well break the record for most goals in single season (34) before the campaign comes to a close.
The Egyptian international has 36 in all competitions, plus 12 assists, and still has the games to try and surpass The Reds’ all-time record of 47 (Ian Rush).
Salah unsettles defenders, has a willingness to track back and could see be named Player of the Year as a result.
Former Liverpool winger Harry Kewell believes a strong World Cup with Egypt could see him in line to win the Ballon d’Or, however.
He told talkSPORT:
“People are saying about Player of the Year, but I’d even go that next step,”
“If he was to have a fantastic World Cup, gets a couple of goals and plays well, then continues again next season, why not go for the Ballon d’Or?
“I don’t see why he couldn’t win it.”
Salah was named African Player of the Year last season for almost single-handedly carrying Egypt to the 2018 World Cup.
The ex-Roma star shone at the Africa Cup of Nations too, finishing runners-up, and continued his strong form from the second half of 2016-17 to the start of 2017-18.
Lionel Messi has scored four fewer goals in the league than Salah this season. Cristiano Ronaldo has netted six fewer.
Based on what other players have done this season, there’s a good case for Salah challenging Messi and Ronaldo for the next Ballon d’Or.
At this stage, it could be down to who does more for his club in the Champions League and country at the World Cup.
Kewell, who is currently the manager of League Two side Crawley Town added:
“He has this amazing dribbling ability, and defenders are scared of it.
“That’s the key with Salah – he drives at people, he’s chopping, turning, dribbling, and people just don’t know how to deal with him.”
“It’s a part of the game that players believe they can do, but when you get someone who can actually dribble and chop and change on a dime like Salah, you just can’t stop it.”