Top Performers Across Europe's Big 5 Leagues

England

Kevin De Bruyne

The Belgian midfielder had one of the best if not the best season of his career. The 29 year old Man City player was directly involved in 33 goals (13G 20A) in 35 games for Man City in the Premier League. His assist tally of 20 equaled Thierry Henrys’ previous record of assists by a single player in a campaign. He also created 33 big chances in the league which is more than any other player this season. He is no doubt my player of the season.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Arguably the most important player for Arsenal, Aubameyang scored 22 goals in the league this season the second time he is doing so in his 2 and a half year stay at Arsenal so far. His goals go more than just the numbers, it’s their importance as well. His goals were Arsenals saving grace in arguably their worst season in recent years, scoring in the semifinals as well as the finals en route to their record 14th FA cup success. Aubameyang finished second level on goals with Danny Ings of Southampton and 1 behind Jamie Vardy of Leicester City in the race to the golden boot. However a new deal for the player would be important for Arteta who has a rebuilding job on his hands at the Emirates.

Nick Pope

Burnley’s number one stopper enjoyed a phenomenal season which saw him miss out on the golden glove by 2 clean sheets to Ederson of Man City. Pope had 15 shut outs last season and also recorded 120 saves ranking him 4th on that list. What is even more impressive is that his team had the second leakiest defense (conceded 50) in the top 10 and he still managed impressive numbers. It is clear that Burnley would be worse without him.

Spain

Karim Benzema

Benzema was one of the players that stepped up for Real Madrid this campaign and played a very important role in their title winning season. Scoring 21 goals and recording 8 assists in 37 games he proved that at 32 years old he still has a lot to offer. He was involved in 41% of Madrid’s league goals this season more than any player in his team. As well as scoring very important goals against Granada, and Alaves which eventually won them the league title.

Thibaut Courtois

Belgian shot stopper Courtois was another important part of Real Madrid’s title winning team. He kept 18 clean sheets in his 34 league appearances and conceded 20 goals in the same space of time. His solid frame in front of goal was a key factor in helping Madrid secure their 2nd league title in 3 years.

Gerard Moreno

Gerard is a striker that plays for Spanish club Villareal CF. He scored 18 goals and had 5 assists this season helping his team to a 5th place finish on the La liga table. His influence in his team can’t be overestimated scoring goals in important games like Betis(A) and Granada(A) which ultimately secured Europa League football next season.

Italy

Romelu Lukaku

After his summer move from Manchester United to Inter, Lukaku settled down quite nicely and ended the league season with 23 goals, Inter’s highest goal scorer this season. His impressive goal scoring form was key to Inter’s brief title challenge before a series of poor results ultimately saw Juventus just win the league. However in what has been a remarkable debut season for the striker he has scored 34 goals in all competitions for Inter equaling Ronaldo’s record of debut goals for the club, Lukaku can still surpass the milestone if he scores in the Europa League Final.

Papu Gomes

Atalanta’s playmaker in chief Alejandro Dario Gomez also known has Papu Gomez experienced the most unlikely of resurgences this season as the 32 year old Argentine recorded 16 assists in his 36 Serie A appearances this season scoring 7 goals in that time. The number 10’s contribution was vital as his team secured Champions League qualification for another season while scoring 98 goals in the process. He was no doubt one of their most important players, if not the most important.

Ciro Immobile

Another footballer in his prime years in Italy was Ciro Immobile who scored an astonishing 36 league goals in 37 games for SS Lazio. The striker single handedly contributed 55% of Lazio’s total league goals. An astonishing figure for a player who was considered to be close to retirement. Immobile who is 30 played a key part in Lazio qualifying for the Champions League while winning the Serie A golden boot and is still in pole position for the European Golden Shoe, unless Robert Lewandowski has something to say about that.

France

Kylian Mbappe

World cup winner Kylian Mbappe had yet another impressive season even as the French league was cut short due to the corona virus pandemic. He was still involved in 25 goals, scoring 18 times and assisting 7 before the closure of the league. He played an integral part in PSG’s title challenge and a potential treble with the Champions League final still on Sunday. He has no doubt cemented his place in the PSG team and in world football. If PSG are victorious on Sunday, Mbappe would have won the World Cup, Champions League and Ligue 1 all at 21. No small feat indeed.

Moussa Dembele

French and Olympique Lyon striker has yet again had a season with impressive form in front of goal. The striker scored 16 goals this Ligue 1 campaign in 27 games in what was a very disappointing season for Lyon who finished 7th in the Ligue 1. However he can take positives from his season and his form as this was the 3rd consecutive season in which he has scored double figure goals in the league.

Victor Osimhen

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen who played for Lille last season experienced a stellar first season in France, he scored 13 goals and provided 5 assists in 27 games. Osimhen dazzled the league with his pace and precision which saw him hit double figures in the league. The former Charleroi forward averaged a goal almost every two games in all competitions, which made his 70 million euro move to Napoli come as no surprise. However with the player costing so much it’ll be interesting to see how he gets on at Napoli next season.

Germany

Robert Lewandowski

Another player having the season of his life is seasoned Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski. The Polish center forward who is 31 years old has hit his peak years scoring an astonishing 56 goals in all competitions in a season that isn’t even over for him yet. The striker failed to contribute to goals(either score or assist) 4 times in the league and failed to score in only 5 games in a 36 game season. His goals have played a key part in Bayern’s trophy laden season, with the club winning their 8th consecutive Bundesliga title as well as the DFB Pokal and the DFL Supercup. And with the team hot favorites for the Champions League, a trophy that they’ll need to complete their treble he will have personal goals to reach as well needing one goal to overtake Immobile for the European Golden Shoe and break Cristiano Ronaldo’s Champions League goal record(16) a feat he could reach with much fewer games than Ronaldo.

Jadon Sancho

In-demand Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho has once again had another astonishing season in which he scored 17 goals and recorded 17 assists in the Bundesliga, astonishing numbers for a player who is just 20 years old. The Manchester City academy product is currently the host of this summer windows transfer saga involving Manchester United and Dortmund. In a season where he was involved in 40 goals(20G 20A) in all competitions it’s no surprise his club are demanding a high fee to let him leave. However irrespective of where the young Englishman ply’s his trade next season he has had a magnificent season and he can only get better.

Kai Havertz

Young German attacking midfielder Kai Havertz who plays in the Bundesliga for Bayer Leverkusen took the steps to transition from young prospect to a superstar as he was involved in 18 goals (12G 6A) in the Bundesliga. However his impressive season goes beyond just numbers as his performances where very eye catching with his impressive dribbling and overall on the ball ability he looked like a very comfortable player most of the time. With his height, pace and power he will definitely improve any team he plays in, no surprises that Chelsea are heavily linked with the player.