After his best-ever Premier League campaign, Chris Wood has quickly turned his attentions to repeating his heroics for Burnley.
The Clarets kick off the new season against Leicester on September 20 – a tight turnaround after the Covid-enforced delays in the 2019/20 season.
But Wood has enjoyed some post-season recovery in Spain, while reflecting on his 14 goal-haul.
“My highest goal tally is for me, something that's extraordinary,” he told 1 NEWS.
“Not many people seem to do that on a yearly [basis], so hopefully I can continue that and go better this year."
Just twelve players bettered his tally, including golden boot winner Jamie Vardy and England captain Harry Kane.
Both players warmed the bench for Leicester City in 2013, with Wood hogging the starting spot.
"I'm sure them sitting on that bench they would've thought, 'I want to be playing, I want to be out there doing it week in week out.’
“And rightly so, they went away and worked on their games, and came back bigger and stronger players, taking their games to higher levels than I have so far.”
The former teammates are now serving as inspiration for the Burnley striker.
“Hopefully I can reach those levels that those boys have achieved, but I think Harry's a potential stardom player in the sense that he will be chasing down Alan Shearer's [Premier League goalscoring] record."
Kane, who spent time on loan at Leicester, was clearly talented.
"You could see it from day dot, his finishing, his shooting was second to none. But ultimately that season I was scoring goals, I fitted in well with the team, I was working well, and it just came down to the fact that me and Dave Nugent up top were the ones in form at that point in time."
In terms of his own achievements, Wood admits the prospect of breaking the magical 20-goal barrier would be a massive challenge.
"I think if I did it for Burnley I'll need a statue back home,” he joked.
“That is something that would be extremely hard. That is a feat that is dream-worthy for me."
“You look at Harry Kane, he only got 18 this season. [Marcus] Rashford only got 17, [Raul] Jimenez, 17.
“You have to be the top players in the league to get to the 20-goal mark. Don't get me wrong, I'm fighting for it and doing my best to get there, but it's a long way off. Hopefully I can get there but it would be a big occasion if I did."
Part II of Chris Chang’s interview with Chris Wood will air tomorrow evening on 1 NEWS at 6pm.
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