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As an extraordinary year winds down, football continues to be a much-needed tonic for many. The coronavirus pandemic has restricted our movements, with sports a key aspect in the lives of most people.
Italy was among the countries majorly affected by the pandemic, with Serie A's return happening under heavily supervised circumstances. Juventus won the title last season, but this season the league is wide open.
AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus are all in contention to win the title, with some highly talented players featuring in the league. The likes of Atalanta, Roma and Napoli have all assembled exciting squads as well. Serie A has shed the tag of a defensive league, and there are attackers galore in the Italian top-flight these days.
Without much ado, let us take a look at the:
10 best players in Serie A this year (2020)
#10 Theo Hernandez - AC Milan
Theo Hernandez's move to AC Milan was carried out by legendary defender Paolo Maldini, which is indicative of the talent that the left-back possesses.
Hernandez's stint at Real Madrid had not gone according to plan, and the arrival of Ferland Mendy for big-money had further pushed him down the pecking order. After a successful loan stint at Real Sociedad, the Frenchman moved to AC Milan for £18 million in 2019.
The 23-year old has been exceptional so far in Serie A; his attacking prowess from the left-hand side has been vital in AC Milan's renaissance. Hernandez has enjoyed a strong season so far as well, and has scored some key goals as the Rossoneri sit at the top of the league table.
#9 Edin Dzeko - Roma
Edin Dzeko was heavily linked with a move away from Roma in the summer, with Juventus rumoured to be extremely interested.
However, a move failed to materialise, and Dzeko continues to one of Roma's most important players. The 34-year old has consistently impressed in Italy since joining Roma in 2015 from Manchester City, and such has been his influence that he now captains the club.
The Bosnia and Herzegovina international scored 16 goals in Serie A last season and finished as Roma's top goalscorer. This time around, he has five goals in 10 appearances, as Paulo Fonseca's side continue to rely on the veteran striker to lead the line.
#8 Robin Gosens - Atalanta
Robin Gosens has quietly crept up as one of Serie A's best performers, and has provided good competition to Theo Hernandez for the position of the best left-back in the league.
Capable of playing as a left wing-back as well, Gosens is another Atalanta success story. The Germany international joined the club from Heracles Almelo in 2017, and has firmly established himself as a vital component of Atalanta's first XI under manager Gian Piero Gasperini.
Such have been his performances, especially offensively, that he has been linked with the likes of Inter Milan, Chelsea and Juventus; if the 26-year old continues his fine form a move might not be far away.
Also Read: Ranking the 10 best Premier League players in 2020
#7 Leonardo Bonucci - Juventus
Juventus might not have been at their very best this year, but their domestic dominance has not stopped.
Few Juventus players were consistent throughout the year, with Leonardo Bonucci being one. The 33-year old, in his second stint at the club, was a constant presence in the Juventus backline last season, with injuries to Merih Demiral, Matthijs de Ligt and Giorgio Chiellini resulting in everchanging defensive partners in 2020.
The Italy international made 35 Serie A appearances last season as Juventus won the league, and has enjoyed a strong first half of the 2020/21 season. The return of de Ligt will definitely relieve some pressure off his shoulders.
#6 Sergej Milinkovic-Savic - Lazio
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic continues to be a transfer rumour mill favourite every summer, and every season he continues to be one of the best midfielders in Serie A.
Lazio have become an impressive outfit under the management of Simone Inzaghi, and Milinkovic-Savic has thrived at the club. The Serbia international's physicality and passing have been vital in the centre of the park for Lazio, and his ability to find the net has been an added bonus.
The 25-year old has been linked with almost all major European clubs, including Serie A clubs like Juventus and Inter Milan. It will be interesting to see how much it takes to poach him out of Rome.
#5 Papu Gomez - Atalanta
Papu Gomez and Atalanta's fairytale relationship might be coming to a sour end, but there is no denying the midfielder's influence at the club.
Gomez looks likely to leave Atalanta in January after a rift with manager Gasperini, and it will be an underwhelming way to end the Argentina international's Atalanta spell. Since joining in 2014, Gomez has gone on to become the captain of the club and arguably their most important player.
Highly creative and an excellent passer, the 32-year old enjoyed another fine season last time around. He will not be short of suitors, with Inter Milan, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain all linked as potential destinations.
#4 Ciro Immobile - Lazio
One of the best strikers in Serie A, and arguably, the world, at the moment, Ciro Immobile enjoyed a phenomenal season with Lazio last time around.
The 30-year old won the European Golden Shoe for his performances last season, scoring 39 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions. He equalled the record for most Serie A goals in a season as well, scoring 36 goals in 37 Serie A games.
Immobile is Lazio's talismanic player, leading the line with aplomb and scoring goals for fun. In 193 appearances in all competitions the Italy international has registered 138 goals for the club. This season, he has scored eight goals in 11 Serie A appearances.
Also Read: Cristiano Ronaldo to play a key role in Real Madrid's transfer plans - Reports
#3 Zlatan Ibrahimovic - AC Milan
When Zlatan Ibrahimovic joined LA Galaxy after a serious injury at Manchester United, many thought that it was the end of the famous striker's European adventure.
However, Ibrahimovic decided to join AC Milan in January this year on a free transfer, and the club has seemingly instantly transformed since the arrival of the charismatic Swede. One of the best strikers of the modern generation, Ibrahimovic has not slowed down; the 39-year old has been one of the best players in Serie A since his arrival.
The striker has also acted as a mentor for the likes of young Rafael Leao, while also continuing to score goals at a consistent rate. This season, Ibrahimovic has scored 10 goals in just six Serie A games. AC Milan sit at the top of the table.
#2 Romelu Lukaku - Inter Milan
Romelu Lukaku's Manchester United stint split opinion, but the striker has flourished at Inter Milan under the guidance of Antonio Conte.
Lukaku joined Inter Milan from Manchester United in 2019 for a club-record fee of £67 million. The Belgium international was in sensational form in his debut season, scoring 23 goals in 36 Serie A appearances and forming an effective attacking partnership with Lautaro Martinez.
This season the 27-year old has not slowed down; in 12 Serie A games he has scored 11 goals. A trophy does not seem far away from Inter Milan's grasp, and Lukaku will be key to their future success.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo, Juventus
Juventus might not be at their fluent best, but Cristiano Ronaldo has continued to do what he does best; lifting his team and finding the back of the net on a regular basis.
Ronaldo has been Juventus' most important player this year, as he has been since joining the club in 2018. The Portuguese superstar scored 31 goals in 33 Serie A games last season as Juventus won the title; he has 12 goals in nine Serie A games so far.
A Juventus-sans Ronaldo look toothless; the 35-year old's absence this seaosn after testing positive for coronavirus saw Juventus struggling to win games; his return immediately saw a positive run of results.
Also Read: Manchester United did not give me enough time, claims Jose Mourinho
