5 most improved players from Europe's top leagues in 2017/18

#4 Luis Alberto (Lazio)

Alberto (centre) in UEFA Europa League knockout action

It's always good to see someone who previously struggled in one league, go elsewhere and flourish where they feel more comfortable. That goes for Luis Alberto, formerly of Liverpool, who has stunned many with his impressive displays in Italy for Lazio.

In the Spaniard's defence, he was rarely given a proper look into the first-team picture on Merseyside before being deemed not good enough and shipped out on-loan.

It's something that teams, particularly those with lofty ambitions, often feel the need to do as opposed to being patient and given their acquisitions time to settle. Not including 2017/18, Alberto's goal contributions from his last three seasons amount to 21 (8 goals, 13 assists).

Alberto (right) was rarely utilised by Liverpool and mainly either played in cup or under-21 fixtures

This campaign has been the breakthrough year he'd been waiting for, though. 11 goals and 14 assists in Serie A alone, coupled with another goal and five assists as Lazio got to the Europa League quarter-finals, he has really improved his levels of decisiveness and creates more goalscoring opportunities too.

As a versatile forward, he can operate on either wing, as a secondary striker or in the number ten role. The reason behind such a drastic surge in terms of his stats is because he's playing more regularly, the opportunity to settle under one preferred position is there - that was the secondary striker role where he supplied Ciro Immobile regularly this term and their combination play worked wonders.

In comparison to his loan spell with La Liga side Deportivo two seasons ago, Alberto made three more appearances and you can spot noticeable improvements on both ends on the pitch.

Despite committing more fouls and consequently getting booked regularly, he made a conscious effort to help out team-mates defensively. His pass completion rate this term was 80%, compared to just 69% before, while he created a whopping 50 more chances with only 400 minutes separating the two seasons statistically.

He's more risky with his passing which has paid off, whilst managing to average just under two successful take-ons per game at a higher success rate than previously before. Perhaps he's a confidence player? After having moved to six different clubs in just seven seasons, Alberto can ignore interest from elsewhere and finally begin to make the Stadio Olimpico his home.