Serie A: 5 hyped summer signings who are having a great season

Serie A is a league that has improved drastically over the past few seasons, not just in terms of quality, but also in terms of its popularity. The signing of Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid certainly helped the division out in that respect and also lifted Juventus back to the world stage once again.

Whilst it may not be on par with a competition like the Premier League, the Serie A still serves as entertainment for many people across the world and with clubs in the top half of the table growing richer with each passing season, we may be able to see them challenge top clubs from across Europe for more world-class players like Ronaldo.

With that said, let's take a look at five players who were signed by their respective clubs in the summer and still managed to make a huge impact on their debut season.

#5 Lautaro Martinez

Lautaro Martinez is a 21-year-old centre-forward who currently plays for Inter Milan. He has also featured eight times for Argentina's national team since making his debut in March 2018.

Martinez signed for Internazionale for around £12.5m from Racing Club back in July. He was thought to be a hot prospect with huge potential in Argentina and what he's achieved with Inter so far this season confirms that.

He has made 21 appearances so far this season, scoring six goals and assisting two. Martinez has been an important player in the Inter Milan set-up and has been used as a cover for Mauro Icardi, who has been out of action for six weeks following a bust-up with the manager, for which he was stripped of his captaincy.

Given the fact that Martinez is only 21-years-old, his goal tally can be overlooked as he is sure to develop over the coming seasons and at least double that number by this point in the season.

As a result of Martinez's form, his market value has risen from £12m to £22.5m in the space of nine months.

#4 Duvan Zapata

Duvan Zapata is a 28-year-old centre-forward who currently plays for Atalanta. He has also featured five times for Colombia since his debut in March 2017. Duvan is the cousin of Cristian Zapata, who plays for AC Milan.

Zapata is actually on loan at Atalanta from Sampdoria, but that is sure to have changed by the end of the summer transfer window, given just how well he's played. Sampdoria will struggle to keep hold of him.

Duvan has scored a whopping 19 goals in 29 appearances for Atalanta, registering five assists in the process. His string of sublime performances have also meant that his market value has soared; it now sits at £31.5m.

It's only been recently that the striker has found real form though, as his goal tallies from previous seasons have been mediocre at best. Perhaps the fact he's now entered a footballer's peak age bracket (27-29) that he is suddenly so clinical in front of goal - both experience and composure blending together to make an animal.

#3 Fabian Ruiz

S.S.C. Napoli v Red Bull Salzburg - UEFA Europa League Round of 16: First Leg

Fabian Ruiz is a 23-year-old central midfielder who currently plays for Napoli. He has also featured for Spain U21s ten times but is yet to make an appearance for the senior squad.

Before making the switch to Napoli for £27m last summer, Ruiz had been with Real Betis since the start of his footballing career, progressing from the B team to the U19s before finally getting a shot in the senior squad. He spent six months out on loan with Elche CF before earning himself a spot in Betis' first team by the summer of 2017.

The fact he was signed by Napoli for such a big sum after just a year with the Betis first team is a testament to Ruiz's ability and how good he truly is.

Ruiz has played 18 matches for Napoli this season, scoring three goals and assisting two in the process. What makes him such a great utility player is his versatility: he can play as a right or left midfielder as well as a central midfielder.

If Napoli can keep hold of him for the next few seasons, he could turn into something very special.

#2 Joao Cancelo

Joao Cancelo is a 24-year-old right-back who plays for Juventus. He has also featured for Portugal's national side, having made 14 appearances since his debut in September 2016.

Although Cancelo was initially a key player for Valencia, he eventually became surplus to requirements which is why a loan offer from Inter Milan in the summer of 2017 was accepted. He returned from the loan move with the intention of joining the Italian side on a permanent basis but after Juventus' offer of £36m was accepted by Valencia, he went there instead.

In his first season for the club, Cancelo has already become an asset. He has played in 19 games for the Old Lady, scoring once, assisting four, and racking up an impressive 10 cleansheets.

With his market value now at almost £50m, Juventus will relish the fact they bagged such a superb player for the price they did last summer, as he's only going to improve from here on out.

#1 Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is a 34-year-old left winger who plays for Juventus. He is the captain of his national side, Portugal, for whom he has played 156 times and scored 85 goals in the process.

This is really a man who needs no introduction. He has done virtually everything in the footballing world and is regarded by many as one of the best, if not the best, footballers in the world.

When Juventus signed Ronaldo for £105m last summer, they knew exactly what they were doing. He has brought with him a legion of fans that now support Juventus and his contribution to the club already this season has been nothing short of spectacular.

Ronaldo has found the back of the net 19 times and assisted 10 goals in 26 appearances. It's safe to say that he's settled well in Turin, and that age is no hindrance to a player with the ability he has.

It's likely now that Ronaldo will probably see out the rest of his career with Juventus as it has everything there for him. And even once he retires, his brand, CR7, would flourish in Italy of all places as Milan is the hub of the fashion world, which he is attempting to break into.