Not many forwards in world football have had a better start to their season than Southampton's Cyle Larin. The Canadian striker currently leads the Championship in goals and has outperformed anyone in Europe's top five leagues with his remarkable tally.

With seven goals in seven league matches, Larin's scoring average of 73 minutes per goal surpasses that of stars like Kylian Mbappe (75 minutes) and Erling Haaland (90 minutes). His performance has garnered significant attention, prompting Saints head coach Tonda Eckert to label him as "the best striker in the league," a title that includes notable players such as Jarrod Bowen, Raul Jimenez, and the rising Will Lankshear.

Larin's nickname, the 'Brampton bagsman', reflects his Ontario roots, and his contributions have propelled the Saints from the bottom of the table to the top eight, accumulating 10 points. They would be in second place, just behind West Ham, if not for a points deduction due to the Spygate scandal.

Since joining Southampton on loan from Mallorca in early 2026, Larin has made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut and finishing last season with eight goals in 16 appearances. His impressive World Cup performance for Canada, where he scored two goals, further solidified his reputation.

Back on English soil, Larin has scored eight times in nine appearances across all competitions this season. He credits his teammates and coach for his success, emphasizing the importance of teamwork. With the likes of Finn Azaz and Leo Scienza, who have contributed five goals and six assists respectively, Larin has a strong supporting cast as the season progresses.