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Let's start with a story. Suppose you go shopping, alone or with friends and family, doesn't really matter. You look at a lot of things to buy with a wide variety of choices at your disposal. Sometimes when you look at a product you say, "This or that? This has got this and that has got that". Well, shopping is no easy task guys. Let's face it, it is utterly confusing to choose one of the many great things available, especially when there is a limit of expenditure.
Now, let's move to football, shall we? The clubs go shopping twice in a year, the summer transfer window and the winter transfer window. When there are players that they hunt to bolster weak spots, it is really tough to choose between two or more players. Sometimes going for a big name isn't the best option and sometimes potential youngsters fail at big clubs. Clubs like PSG and Manchester City have money at their disposal but even with money, you need to stay within FFP regulations.
Kaka is one of the big names who has flopped with a big-money transfer. Then there are players like Luis Suarez and Neymar who have done well for their new clubs. Younger talents like Odegaard are nowhere to be seen now but some like Sergio Ramos, have gone on to excel for the team.
So our point of focus here is to handpick 10 players who have either done better than expected or stood up to the expectations.
Note: Since all of the players chosen have done well in one way or the other, the list is arranged in decreasing order of age. We expect more with younger age, don't we? Performances are not taken into consideration while arranging.
#10 Axel Witsel
Borussia Dortmund is really flying high this season. They are on top of the table in Germany, they are playing exciting football, plus, their signings are doing really well. Alcacer, Delaney, Hakimi, and of course, the oldest of all, Axel Witsel.
After spending time out of the top 5 leagues in Zenit and then in China, the 30-year-old returned to Germany, within 500 km of his home. Ever since he has come to the Bundesliga, his performances have been consistent and ever-improving. Witsel keeps running for 90 minutes, end to end, box-to-box, and he doesn't run aimlessly.
He has every ability to initiate counter-attacks while moving forward. He makes ball recoveries and interceptions while getting back towards the defensive end. But for every right reason, people had their doubts over his signing.
He is 30 already and surely you wouldn't look to sign 30-year-olds for a long term. Also, he was in China, where football is not up to the level with Europe. And better still to initiate criticism, Borussia Dortmund paid €20 million for his transfer.
But this is how you answer questions, by performing like a top-notch player day-in-day-out. The fee, the age, the place where he played, nothing matters now. The only thing that matters is that he is performing really well and he is helping his side.
#9 Xherdan Shaqiri
The Swiss maestro might be the shortest player in the Premier League but he has been making the biggest of impacts. Last season he tried every bit to keep Stoke out of the relegation zone, even scored 8 goals and assisted 7. In the World Cup, he did well for his Swiss side and grabbed more eyes.
Liverpool, however, were the first to act to the situation. With a really cheap release clause and playing for a relegation-facing Stoke, it was easy negotiating for Shaqiri. Since arriving, Shaqiri has been contributing his every ounce to the team. He has no problems being second-fiddle or on the bench. When he is on the pitch, he has been scoring goals, moreover, match-winning goals.
Shaqiri adds depth to the squad and can be trusted as a starter and also a clutch substitute. Klopp has utilised him well and now Liverpool can work towards adding depth to their forward line. Only doubt over his signing was the playing time and maybe tactical misfit. Till now, none of those things has been a problem.
#8 Bernd Leno
16. The number of keepers that Arsene Wenger fielded during his tenure as Arsenal manager (really long tenure, we must add). This explains the problems that Arsenal have been facing to get a man between the sticks. Jens Lehmann was a great man between the sticks but after his departure, it has been really tough for the Gunners.
Petr Cech's arrival did ease some pressure but then again, he was on the wrong side of the age. This summer when Unai Emery wanted to go get a man between the sticks, the Arsenal sporting director and management took a special interest in Germany. They got a man from a country known to have produced talented goalkeepers. Leno now finds himself in between the Emirates sticks, for good.
Leno now seems a fit between the sticks, with a high number of saves and probably better than some realistically available options. He will only improve with time, something he has to do regarding his save percentages. But another thing that we have to consider is the poor defence supporting him in comparison to Alisson and Kepa.
Arsenal should focus on getting their defence revamped now that they have a #1 for a long-term.
#7 Stefan De Vrij
Leaving on a free transfer is not the best of ways to leave a team. But well, De Vrij did leave Lazio to join Inter. That doesn't make him a fan favourite among Lazio fans but he has been useful for the Nerazzurri.
A solid defender who loves to make a play from the back, be it the three-man or four-man defence, that is De Vrij. He is exceptionally strong, makes good interceptions and tackles and is known to play in long forward balls to initiate the counter. Due to the plethora of defensive talents in the Netherlands, he is not finding his place in the first team. But he will be good enough if he gets to play for the nation alongside Van Dijk.
De Vrij has formed a good centre-back partnership with Milan Skriniar. Inter needs a big revamp in the midfield and the forward positions but this man has shown enough to support Skriniar in the back end of the pitch. Thanks to De Vrij, Inter can now freely look to bolster other positions and stop worrying about defence.
#6 Andre Gomes
One of the biggest resurgence stories of the last year is this man. Going through a terrible time with Barcelona, mostly on the bench and disheartening on the pitch, Gomes needed some air this season. The Toffees for whatever reason took a special interest in players who were looking to leave Barcelona this season (or maybe players who Barcelona were trying to offload).
Among the three signings that Everton made from Barcelona, Andre Gomes was the one questioned the most. He was simply horrific at Barcelona, Everton took a big risk by getting him. But risk reaps rewards as well. Gomes has adjusted well and better to the environment in England. The style of football suits him better than the one in Spain.
There was a time everyone hated him and hated the decision to sign him. Suddenly, Gomes has turned the tables and now everyone loves him. He has provided the much-needed support for Gylfi Sigurdsson in the middle of the park and has put up inspiring performances. Gomes now looks at home in Everton and the Toffees too will be happy that their risk paid off. As for new signings, now the Toffees can look to add depth in the midfield or add-remove some defenders.
#5 Joao Cancelo
The most talked about signing this summer would surely be Cristiano Ronaldo. While everyone was busy celebrating Ronaldo's arrival, not many would have noticed Cancelo. The options that Juventus had at right-back were Lichtsteiner and De Sciglio. Both of them did not show enough to cement their places. Lichsteiner of course ageing and De Sciglio not very inspiring.
On a lookout for a right-back, Juventus signed a young talent from Inter called Joao Cancelo. Half of the season gone by, Cancelo is now turning out to be a trump card for Juve. His linkup with Ronaldo is impressive and he also does well on a daily basis.
Juventus got a really good signing for left-back without much trouble. They now pretty much have every base covered. Till Cancelo's arrival, the left flank was a spot of bother and it seems settled now. De Sciglio is better as a backup for Cancelo than a starter. Still only 24, Cancelo can now, in fact, go on to play for a long time for Juve like Marcelo did for Madrid.
#4 Alvaro Odriozola
Real Madrid are running weak on many spots this summer. One of the two big signings they made was Alvaro Odriozola from Real Sociedad. Getting a spot in the LaLiga Team of the Year of many news outlets and websites is not an easy task. In the league dominated by three teams, Odriozola got the right-back spot ahead of Dani Carvajal from Madrid.
A true revelation last season, Odriozola joined Madrid in the summer. Carvajal's injury in October put more pressure on the Spaniard to perform. He took his time settling in the squad but he has put up more assuring performances with time. The main purpose that he has to serve is a good backup for Carvajal. That purpose is served very well here.
Odriozola has been a good addition to the Madrid squad and will surely improve in the long term. Even though he has played only seven games in LaLiga, he still averages 1.4 tackles and 1 interception in them. Purpose served. Now, Madrid can focus on getting a striker and a long-term midfield replacement for Luka Modric.
#3 Lucas Torreira
When Unai Emery took charge of Arsenal, he brought about some valuable additions to the squad. Arsenal spent quite some money in the transfer market buying young Guendouzi, Leno, Sokratis, and Lichtsteiner. The most expensive signing though was young Uruguayan Lucas Torreira.
Torreira was impressive in the World Cup for Uruguay and attracted many scouts in the summer. However, Arsenal swooped him from Sampdoria. Torreira's playing style is pretty much similar to what Busquets does. Operating deep in the field of play, acting as a cover for defenders, playing line-disturbing passes, this is Torreira's style. His ability to hold possession and dribble is a cherry on the cake.
Torreira has undoubtedly been Arsenal's best signing and for that matter their best midfielder this season. He has been impressive in almost every match, especially in the North London Derby. Simply put, the warrior that Arsenal had needed for a long long time.
#2 Arthur Melo
Another Brazilian to sign for Barcelona. Just a few seasons earlier, Barcelona scouts travelled to Brazil and came back with a young player by the name of Neymar. This season, a young gem from Brazil arrived at Barcelona, scouted in the winter by former technical secretary Robert Fernandez.
Arthur was rarely known to people in Europe and to all of us at different ends of the world. When he first donned the colours of the Blaugrana in LaLiga, not many were impressed. There were glimpses but not a full picture of what he could do. But when his first match in the UCL came by, there he was, toying with Spurs.
It was a complete midfield performance by the Brazilian. Turning away from each and every tackle, keeping possession at all costs, providing a neat interface to the defenders and forwards alike, this seems like Xavi.
But Arthur it is. At first sight, his gameplay looks a carbon-copy of Xavi, maybe a long-term replacement, who knows? Replace Xavi or not, what is known is that he is here to stay for a long time and cement his legacy. Barcelona's midfield let them down last season, this season, their new additions including Arthur are taking command.
#1 Vinicius Junior
What is it with South Americans on top always? Well, this list is based on age, even in terms of performance, it would be either Arthur or this guy on top. So here it is. Ronaldo leaves for greener pastures and there is a big hole to fill in the wings. Gareth Bale is injured almost all the time. Mariano Diaz inherits the number 7 jersey and guesses what, even he gets injured.
Madrid is almost out of wingers now. But for the composed performances of Vazquez on the wings and then this guy, Madrid has managed to stay afloat. Vinicius was Madrid's most expensive signing this season. Seriously? A team who always searches for Galacticos are signing a Brazilian from out of nowhere.
But hey folks, here is Vinicius Junior, giving us some insights on what the future in the Real Madrid wings will be like. He has good pace in the wings and the hunger to take defenders on. What can he improve on? For starters, choosing the right pass and finishing. That is the primary thing he must do. Another thing is that he must stay disciplined. His spat with Bartra is not good for his age or any player of his age, the ego can consume talent.
For now, he has given a relief to the Madrid ultras in the wings. Sit back and enjoy this unfold chaps.
