4 players who proved Barcelona fans wrong this season

#2 Paulinho

Paulinho has revitalized his career at Barca

FC Barcelona spent what was estimated to be €40 million to land a player from Guangzhou Evergrande -a team playing in the Chinese league last year. This was nothing less than a shocker for fans and pundits alike. A player coming from Chinese League to one of the top clubs in Europe! It is usually the other way around. Besides, there was also the fact that his previous stint at Europe - at Tottenham Hotspur - was nothing short of a failure.

Over his two seasons at Guangzhou Evergrande he scored fourteen goals. He also clocked an impressive pass success rate of 86.5%. In the meanwhile, he also scored six times in eleven matches for the Brazilian national side in their quest for World Cup qualification. The guy was playing in China, but he was far from burnt out.

His performance graph has only risen at the Nou Camp. As part of a stellar side showing solidity in defence and intensive pressing under Ernesto Valverde, Paulinho has scored eight goals thus far in this season with an improved pass accuracy of 89%.

His actual contribution to the team is beyond those statistics though. Providing a much-needed physicality in the midfield, Paulinho has had a huge role in strengthening this side - literally. One major reason for Barca's fantastic defensive record this season is their added strength in the centre of the park - both in quality and quantity. This enables them to cut out attacks in the bud and convert it up front.

It is, therefore, safe to assume that Paulinho has revitalized his career graph at Barca. Considering how he is just behind Messi and Suarez on the top-scorers' list for them this season, it has to be underlined that he has done it with a flourish.