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Mohamed Salah, Robert Lewandowski, Kylian Mbappe - the usual suspects are firing this season as per usual. However, as is the essence of each season, this year too we have the emergence of surprise stars. These are players whom no one expected to perform at the level they are currently performing for one reason or another.
So here are five players who are surprising everyone with the quality of their performances this season. One player from each of the top five leagues has been included.
#5 Ligue 1 - Lovro Majer
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Lovro Majer has long been deemed a great prospect in Croatian football but no one expected his entry into Europe's major leagues to be this good. Rennes signed him in the summer for 12 million pounds and his start to the season has been so good that he's already been linked with Real Madrid.
Majer has been an excellent creative outlet for the French side who are in the midst of an impressive season. He averages 1.6 key passes per game and has already provided five assists. He is also responsible for creating 4.17 shots per game, which is quite high.
#4 Bundesliga - Patrik Schick
Patrik Schick has long been deemed as someone with plenty of potential but not much to show for it. But in 2021 it all changed. Coming off a decent season with Bayer Leverkusen, Schick took the Euros by storm, winning the Goal of the Tournament and ending as the joint top scorer.
This season he has continued his rich vein of form. He has completely exploded, scoring 18 league goals in 16 games. It wouldn't be surprising if he gets a big move this summer.
#3 Serie A - Giovanni Simeone
Until the start of the season, Gio Simeone's biggest claim to fame was his father. He happens to be the son of Diego Simeone, one of the most successful managers of this generation. But this season, he has created an identity for himself.
Playing for Hellas Verona, he has already scored 12 goals this season. He is also very hardworking off the ball which is a great virtue for forwards playing in less than elite teams. Although he has scored against the likes of Juventus, his best came in a four goal haul against Lazio in October.
#2 La Liga - Juanmi
Prior to this season, Juanmi had an average midtable career. But this season, everything seems to have clicked and his goals are leading Real Betis to UCL qualification. The Spaniard makes a lot of runs and showcases good movement in and around the box.
His skill set enables Betis, who play an organized possession-based game, to be lethal on the counter as well. Recent goals against Barcelona and Alaves show this perfectly. Juanmi has 12 league goals in La Liga so far this season, the most for any Spaniard.
#1 Premier League - Emmanuel Dennis
Fun fact about Emmanuel Dennis, he once scored a brace in the Champions League away at Real Madrid and did the Ronaldo celebration. Throughout his career, he has been a mix of great potential and pretty consistent controversy. So when Watford signed him in the summer, no one really expected much.
But so far this season he has been outright brilliant and has carried Watford's bid to survive. His 13 goal contributions are only behind Salah and Michail Antonio in the Premier League this season.
