5 most improved players in Europe this season

Over the past few seasons, thanks to the various different local media, players have been hyped up to the stratosphere and then ruthlessly criticised when not living up to that billing.

These players, one way or another, have managed to get away from the spotlight and find their feet again.

This season has seen such players return to the forefront of people's minds with eye-catching performances.

Here's the list of players who are performing back to their very best this season.

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#5 Mariano Diaz

Mariano will probably be the least recognizable name on this list, but that shouldn't take away from his achievements this season.

The 24-year-old has taken Ligue 1 by storm, helping his new team Olympique Lyon to 2nd in the league, scoring 10 goals and assisting 2 from 14 appearances in the league.

A youth product of Real Madrid, Mariano spent numerous seasons languishing in the B and C teams of his parent club. When finally given the chance last season to play alongside the big boys, he found himself in the shadow of all of them.

The 24-year-old made a bold move by deciding to switch clubs this summer, and has delivered the goods.

Real may not have needed him so much last season, but with their continuing and somewhat surprising struggles this season, how they could use Mariano and his goals.

#4 Gonçalo Guedes

Guedes is living up to his potential shown at Benfica

When Guedes signed for PSG this past January from Benfica, a lot was expected of him. He was joining a project at PSG where his teammates were a number of other youngsters poached from clubs around Europe.

In a way, he was supposed to be a part of the next generation that led PSG to the European Glory.

His season underwhelmed, and while his stats from last season might say different, it's important to remember that most of his impact last season was with Benfica.

This season, however, tells a whole different story. His astounding pace and power has propelled Valencia up to 2nd in La Liga, and he is already one of the key figures for Marcelino.

It's performances that we have seen this season that makes us understand why PSG didn't include a recall clause in his loan deal.

#3 Simone Zaza

Zaza against Real Madrid

I know, I know - Zaza was a clown at the Euros, all his own doing, with that ridiculous penalty. Adding his West Ham career to his CV, and you would imagine him to be one of the worst players plying his trade in the game.

But it's easy to forget that Zaza is still only 26, and has been a proven goalscorer in Italy for a few years now, first with Sassuolo under Eusebio Di Francesco, and then with Juventus. At Juve, Zaza may not have played a major role, but he did chip in with some key goals that helped Juve push for titles on most fronts in both his years at the club.

Zaza has now moved to Valencia, where he went from a bit part bench player to one of the first names on the team sheet. He is only behind Leo Messi in goals scored this season, and has rediscovered his smashing left foot, the one which was known to rifle balls into the bottom far corner.

If Zaza continues in this vain this season it wouldn't be surprising to see him back in the Italian squad with a shot at redemption.

#2 Memphis Depay

Depay against Everton this season

Depay has been absolutely sensational this season. Playing alongside Mariano Diaz and Bertrand Traore in the front three with supply coming from the phenomenal Nabil Fekir, Depay has been a thorn in opponent's defences all season.

He has scored 10 and assisted 5 goals, which is already more than what he had all of last season. His reaction to being subbed off this past weekend against Nice when he was on a hat-trick and his team were already 4-0 up shows that he has got his fire back.

It was only this January that his short spell at Manchester United came to an end, but he has shown a level of maturity this season that are years beyond a normal 23-year-old. It's clear that while his time at United may not have been the best, he has taken only positives and added that to his game and with continued performances like what he has shown, it won't be too long before another big gun comes calling.

#1 Alvaro Morata

Morata has been a key part of Chelsea's title push this season

Now, now calm down. Morata is probably the most high profile name on this list because of his move to Chelsea and the ruthless manner in which he has grabbed his opponents' throat in the Premier League, but all wasn't so smooth for Morata last season.

Yes, he did win the Champions League, and the La Liga with his boyhood club, as well as score 20 goals in all competitions, but that doesn't tell the entire story.

Morata spent most of the season on the bench, literally waiting in the shadows. The fact that he still had such an impact on Real's team performances is a testament to how good of a player he actually is, having outscored regular starter Karim Benzema last season.

Seeing as how he has started this season, having already scored 9 goals and set up 4 in 18 appearances, and that Real have struggled quite a bit this season, it is clear that Morata is the big winner this season.

Every time Chelsea have done something good, Morata has been a central figure as to why. With majority of the season left to go and a potential Champions League clash against his former club, he has the chance to show them exactly what they lost.