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We are only two months into the 2021-22 campaign, but we can still cut the tension with a knife. Almost all top clubs seem prepared to fight until their last breath and are banking on their stars to help them finish as high as possible.
The underdogs are also more determined than ever to do all they can to dismantle the giants. Amid a sea of top players and eye-catching performances, some players have stood out, showing once again why they are so highly rated.
Today, we will take a look at five footballers who have caught our attention this season. Now, without further ado, let us check out the top five players across Europe’s top leagues this season.
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Special mentions: Dimitri Payet (Marseille), Paul Pogba (Manchester United), Michail Antonio (West Ham United), Lorenzo Pellegrini (AS Roma)
#5 Kylian Mbappe - Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain fought long and hard over the summer transfer window to keep their prized World Cup winner at the Parc des Princes. The player was keen on leaving for Real Madrid, of course, but he did not let the off-the-pitch turmoil affect his performances on it.
Kylian Mbappe’s professionalism has allowed him to emerge as PSG’s most prolific attacker, eclipsing the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar.
Mbappe’s dazzling feet and eye for goal have helped him to four goals and three assists in nine Ligue 1 fixtures. He has been mighty impressive in the Champions League as well, but this time as a creator.
In two games, he has provided two assists, one of which led to Lionel Messi’s first goal for PSG against Manchester City.
His tally of 27 goals allowed him to win Ligue 1’s Golden Boot last season. Judging by the way he has performed so far, the Frenchman surely looks on course to repeat the feat in the 2021-22 season.
#4 Robert Lewandowski - FC Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich sharpshooter Robert Lewandowski has been enjoying a purple patch over the last couple of seasons. He has scored without a hitch in almost every single game he has featured in for Bayern, emerging as a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or.
Lewandowski has netted seven goals in as many appearances in the Bundesliga this season. In the Champions League, he has scored four goals in two games, including a second-half brace against Barcelona. Finally, in the DFL Supercup, he scored twice to lead his side to a 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund.
The former Dortmund man is 33 years old, but he certainly does not look out of his depth. The Polish forward scored a whopping 48 goals in 40 appearances across all competitions last season.
It will be interesting to see if he manages to hit the magic figure of 50 this time around as he did in the 2019-20 season.
#3 Erling Haaland - Borussia Dortmund
Europe is home to some of the most fearsome strikers in world football. Every other day, a new “generational” talent pops up. Most of these footballers fade away after a couple of months. Very few manage to keep up the momentum, and even fewer are capable of increasing it.
Borussia Dortmund man Erling Haaland could easily be dubbed a generational talent, an anomaly in modern day football. He is currently leaps and bounds ahead of most forwards in Europe and is leading the Bundesliga Golden Boot race.
In only five Bundesliga appearances, he has scored seven goals and provided four assists, which is ludicrous, to say the least.
The Norwegian was on target in the Champions League as well, scoring right before half-time against Besiktas on matchday one.
Haaland still has to perform at the top level for many years to be in the same league as Lewandowski. But that should not take anything away from the way he has performed this season.
#2 Mohamed Salah - Liverpool
Under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool have turned into a complete footballing powerhouse. The German’s unwavering trust in his system and his talisman Mohamed Salah is why Liverpool have been so effortlessly consistent. Salah has started the season strongly once again, giving us a sumptuous mix of his creative ball-playing and ruthless finishing.
Salah’s best moment of the season so far came against defending Premier League champions Manchester City on gameweek seven. The forward picked the ball on the right, beat five defenders and slotted it home from a tight angle. The goal, his sixth in seven matches, allowed Liverpool to keep City from bagging maximum points at Anfield.
#1 Karim Benzema - Real Madrid
Karim Benzema has been Real Madrid’s standout performer since Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure in 2018. This season, he has taken his performances up a couple more notches, emerging as the most lethal forward in Europe.
Under Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid and Benzema have enjoyed more attacking freedom. The Frenchman looks more flamboyant than ever and seems to be present in every inch of the final third.
He combines effortlessly, fetches the ball from midfield, and scores like there is no tomorrow.
The four-time Champions League winner already has 10 goals and seven assists in 10 games across all competitions, and he is just getting started.
