There’s been some predictably good performances so far this season from certain players, but there’s been a couple that have surprised the league with their performances. So after 4 games, we’re breaking down the players who’ve put in a few statement performances – keep an eye on them for the rest of the season!
Kenan Yildiz (Juventus)
Probably zero surprise at his performances but the young Turkish star has been instrumental in Juve’s decent start this season. Four matches in the league with one (spectacular) goal and three assists as well as a goal and an assist in Juventus’ first Champions League match this season has started the rumour mill turning. Apparently Arsenal and Real Madrid are both “monitoring his situation” whatever that means.
Yildiz is the main creative threat for the Turin side, with 19 “Shot Creating Actions” in his 4 matches. Direct running, long shots and a keen eye for a pass, he scored a crucial goal against bitter rivals Inter in the Derby D’Italia turning and firing home from 30 yards out. He’s picked up the player of the month award for August and is a safe bet to do the same in September too. There’ll be a lot of money sniffing around Yildiz if he carries on this form.
Nico Paz (Como)
Again, no real surprise we’re talking about Nico Paz. The 21 year old Argentinian arrived in Lombardy from Real Madrid and looks set to return their next season for a paltry €10m(ish), thanks to a buy back clause. So vital is he to Como’s success that they turned down a €70m offer from Tottenham this summer just to keep him for one more year.
Paz scored a quite magnificent free kick in the season opening victory against Lazio and topped that with a filthy turn and through ball for his assist (check it out below). He also bagged in the 1-1 draw with Genoa and provided both assists in the 2-1 win at Fiorentina. Inter were interested in the summer but his future lies outside of Italy in a much richer league. Real Madrid seems the likely destination, just enjoy this lad while he’s still around.
Luka Modric (AC Milan)
Surely at 40 years old Modric was finished and wouldn’t be surprising anyone this season? Well, after a somewhat shaky start in the defeat to Cremonese – the team were worse than he was – Luka Modric has settled into a rhythm in Allegri’s team as they storm up the table. He provided his first assist in his second game, with a sublime corner nodded home by Loftus-Cheek and followed that with the only goal of the game against Bologna.
He didn’t provide any goals or assists in the 3-0 demolition of Udinese but was a reassuringly controlled influence in Milan’s midfield. Luka Modric is clearly still a top level talented playmaker averaging just over 72 passes per match with 92% completion rate.
Francesco “Pio” Esposito (Inter)
No goals or assists yet for the Inter Milan youngster but he’s here for a reason. For the oldest squad in the league again this season, his youthful exuberance is most welcomed in an Inter side trying to find an identity under a new coach. The 20 year old first impressed in the Club World Cup with a goal and assist and then frustratingly was limited to cameo performances at the start of this campaign.
An injury to Lautaro, however, appeared to open the door to him and he was in impressive form against Ajax in the Champions League in his first start. Bullying an experienced backline, holding up the play well and creating for the players around him, he also could’ve scored twice himself. He followed this up with an impressive 77 minutes against Sassuolo in which he started the move that led to Dimarco’s goal and again could’ve scored twice – denied brilliantly on one occasion by Muric. He left the pitch to a standing ovation from the San Siro.
It’s only a matter of time before he scores one and then I’d expect to see a run of goals for the youngster, Inter fans should enjoy him while he wants to stick around!
Christian Pulisic (AC Milan)
English football fans may be surprised to see Pulisic here. Despite scoring fairly regularly at Chelsea he was never welcomed into the hearts of Chelsea fans. But in Milan he’s found a home and this season seems to be on a one man mission to drag Milan into a title race. Largely tipped to be outside the challengers this season, Pulisic’s 3 goals and 1 assist in 4 matches have helped to fire them up the table.
There’s no doubt Pulisic has possessed the talent to post these numbers, but has he had the mentality or mindset? He took a summer off from USA action, earning him heavy criticism at home but it’s paid off and if he takes that form into the World Cup next summer, I’m not sure the Americans will care about this summer.
He’s Milan’s main goal threat and will need to keep this up if they’re to challenge for a 20th Scudetto and join Inter with two stars on their shirt.
Nikola Krstovic
I think when Atalanta lost Retegui this summer and appointed Juric boss after his disastrous Roma and Southampton spells, many fans feared the worst in Lombardy. The replacement for Retegui was to be Nikola Krstovic from Lecce. He managed to bag 12 times in a poor team but expectation was low.
We didn’t see much of Krstovic on our trip to Bergamo but since then he’s managed to score twice and provide three assists including two in the 4-1 win over his former club Lecce. He’s among the leaders for combined goals and assists so far in Serie A this season and Atalanta fans will be hoping this out-of-the-gate form will continue!
So there you have it, that’s our players of the season so far, after 4 matches. Who have we overrated? Who have we missed? What have we got wrong? Let us know in the comments below!
The Calcio Blog 