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The 2020-21 season has been a surreal one in many ways. The COVID-19 outbreak earlier in the year meant that the previous season ended only in July/August. That has had an effect on the performances of many teams and players this season.
To make up for the season's late start, teams and players have had to contend with a more congested schedule than is usually the case. After a shorter-than-usual off-season, understandably, many top teams and players have struggled to hit their stride.
The likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and Manchester City, to name a few, have all made indifferent starts to their respective campaigns.
Lionel Messi is only beginning to come into his own after an uncharacteristically slow start to the season. Virgil van Dijk and Joshua Kimmich, two first-team regulars for their respective clubs, are already down with long-term injuries, probably because of playing too many games too soon.
Five players who have had breakthrough seasons in 2020-21
Despite the unique challenges posed by the 2020-21 season, a few players have managed to hit the ground running. The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovich, Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowski and Georginio Wijnaldum are a few examples in this regard.
While the five players mentioned above are seasoned performers, a few other players have burst into the limelight by producing breakthrough starts to the season. On that note, let's have a look at five such players.
#5 Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig)
Tyler Adams arrived at RB Leipzig from the MLS in 2019 but did not hit the ground running at the Bundesliga club.
However, in the 12 games in all competitions that he played in the remainder of the season, the defensive midfielder provided a glimpse of his talent, producing two assists to help Leipzig to third place in the Bundesliga.
A seven-month spell on the sidelines and the arrival of a new head coach - Julian Nagelsmann - at the Leipzig helm could have cut short the young American's German adventure. However, that didn't happen, and Nagelsmann thurst Adams into action in the 3-1 win over Augsburg that made Leipzig the unofficial 'winter champions'.
The 21-year-old American did not disappoint, producing a 'Man of the Match' performance while playing in an unfamiliar right-back position. Adams scored the winner in the Champions League win against Atletico Madrid, which was his first goal for Leipzig.
Adams may not have scored or provided an assist this season, but his performances in 2020-21 signify his growing stature at the club. Impressively, the player has managed to do so while pursuing a psychology degree.
The player recently said in this regard:
“Sometimes just being able to adapt on the fly and go with your instinct is the most important thing that’s helped me. The coaches set us up in ways where there’s so much adaptation within the game and tactical variations in the game that even when I’m playing right-back at times, I can receive the ball in midfield, I pressure out of midfield."
#4 Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan)
After making his debut with Atalanta in 2016-17, Alessandro Bastoni has evolved into one of the most promising young Italian full-backs.
The 21-year-old, who plays for Inter Milan now, has belied his years by impressing with his positioning, tactical prowess and contributions up front. He scored two goals in Inter's successful Serie A campaign last season, where the Nerazzurri finished just a point adrift of champions Juventus.
Bastoni, who has already tallied an assist in Inter's indifferent campaign in the Champions League, has also made heads turn with his performances for Italy. That is particularly impressive as Bastoni predominantly plays in a three-man Inter defence whereas with Italy, the centre-back seamlessly slots into a more conventional four-man rearguard.
The player, who is reportedly on the radar of Premier League winners Liverpool, credits Inter coach Antonio Conte for his growth and development, saying in this regard:
“I am very satisfied because I think I have grown a lot thanks to him. I am well both mentally and physically, he is giving me great confidence."
#3 Pedri (Barcelona)
Pedri is one of the most famous players to have come out of Barcelona's famed La Masia academy in recent years.
The player, who has just turned 18, has already scored in La Liga and the Champions League in what has been a difficult season for the club under new manager Ronald Koeman.
Nevertheless, Pedri's performances have already earned the player comparisons with a certain Lionel Messi. The 18-year-old attacking midfielder has already played the most games by a Barcelona player this season, and it's not surprising to see why.
The player's versatility and tactical flexibility allow Koeman to deploy him on either wing, as a centre-forward, in attacking midfield and also as the pivot in a two-man defensive shield!
Pedri has managed to usurp the likes of Sergio Busquets, Miralem Pjanic and Carles Alena under Ronald Koeman. Needless to say, he has impressed one and all with prowess on the ball and his ability to dictate the tempo of his team's play despite his young years.
Touted as a generational talent, Pedri might just be the new Lionel Messi Ronald Koeman has helped unearth. Unsurprisingly, the Dutch tactician has waxed lyrical about the player he apparently doesn't know 'too well':
"I knew Barca had signed him from Las Palmas, and I had seen tape of him, but I don’t think anyone expected the rapidity of his development since joining – playing and training with the best players at Barça aged just 17, delivering such high levels of performances.”
#2 Reece James (Chelsea)
Reece James has quickly evolved into one of Chelsea's defensive lynchpins since making his Premier League debut under Frank Lampard last season.
The 21-year-old player is arguably one of the best right-backs in England even though he doesn't produce as many assists as a certain Trent Alexander-Arnold.
James is seldom fazed while facing some of the best attackers in the game; his crossing ability is nothing short of imperious, to say the least, and he can score absolute piledrivers!
Besides, his versatility is another feather in his cap: James can also play as a right wing-back or even as a defensive midfielder.
In 2020-21, the young full-back has already scored and assisted a goal apiece in the Premier League. He has also impressed in the Champions League. But it is in the defensive third where he has furthered his burgeoning reputation.
It's no wonder that Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has tipped James to have a long and successful career at the club, saying in this regard:
“His progress is phenomenal. When he played at Wigan in the Championship, I watched him closely and tried to take him to Derby in that January window, but it didn’t happen. I’ve always been a big fan of his natural talent. There are things he’ll want to improve on his game, and that I think he can improve on his game.
#1 Curtis Jones (Liverpool)
Curtis Jones impressed in his maiden Premier League season in 2019-20, scoring a goal in six appearances to play a small part in Liverpool winning their first English league title in three decades.
This season, the 19-year-old midfielder has already benefitted from increased game-time, having made five appearances in the Premier League and four in the Champions League, impressing fans and critics alike with his performances.
Against Ajax, the player scored the winner to seal Liverpool's berth in the Round of 16 of the Champions League. In the process, Jones became the third-youngest goal-scorer for the club in the competition.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp recently said about the player:
"Curtis, I have to say is just a proper, proper part of this squad, which is really already an achievement, if you want. Nothing you want to tell your grandkids (about), because if it's the best thing you ever did in your life, it's not so nice. But for the age group he is in, it's massive."
