5 players who are exceeding expectations in Serie A this season

# 3 Giovanni Simeone (Hellas Verona)

Hellas Verona FC v SS Lazio - Serie

Many fans might recognize Giovanni Simeone as the eldest son of Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone. However, few will be aware that the 26-year-old has been in exceptional form for Hellas Verona in Serie A this season.

Simeone has scored 12 goals in 22 games so far and also has four assists to his name. This exceptional form is one of the major reasons why Igor Tudor’s side have been punching above their weight in the league this season.

Fondly called Cholito, Simeone’s form in the last two years (prior to this season) has been poor. He scored just six goals for Cagliari last season and many thought his chances of making a top-level career were over. However, with him finding his feet on loan at Verona, this might finally be the season he takes it to the next level.

Verona fans will be hoping that their star striker’s fine form can inspire the club into European football next season.

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#2 Tammy Abraham (AS Roma)

AS Roma v US Lecce - Coppa Italia

The striker, who was deemed surplus to requirements by Thomas Tuchel, has outscored the big money striker (Romelu Lukaku) who was bought in by Chelsea to score goals.

Tammy Abraham moved from his boyhood club Chelsea to AS Roma in the summer of 2022. He wanted regular playing time and a manager who showed confidence in his abilities. Jose Mourinho, who often gets the best out of his strikers, had the same effect on Abraham.

Although it was a slow start for the English forward in Italy, he soon turned it around. In fact, no Englishman has scored more goals than him this season. He has been involved in 21 goals for the Giallorossi in all competitions, 17 goals and four assists in 30 games.

The 24-year-old striker has surprised a lot of people with his goal scoring exploits and neat link-up play. He has hit form at the right time with the World Cup being less than a year away and it will be hard for Gareth Southgate to ignore him.

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#1 Gleison Bremer (Torino)

AC Milan v Torino FC - Serie A

Last season Torino were a whisker away from getting relegated but this season has been a turnaround for the Toro as they currently sit ninth in the table. The team that had the fifth worst defensive record last season now has the fourth-best defensive record in the league. A major chunk of credit must go to Brazilian centre-back Gleison Bremer.

Gleison Bremer joined Torino from Atletico Minero in the summer of 2018. He became a regular starter for the club in his second season. In the last 12 months, he has blossomed into one of the best centre-backs in Italy.

The 24-year-old defender is known for his aggressiveness, aerial ability and good sense of positioning. He has the most recoveries in the league and has the most interceptions across Europe this season. He is at the top of almost every other defensive statistic in the league. Don’t be surprised if you see him in the Serie A Team of the Yea this season.

Bremer recently signed a contract extension with Torino until June 2024, but it is highly unlikely that he will stay in Turin next season. Big clubs like Liverpool, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich are reported to be interested in signing him