Goalkeeper: After a year out, De Gea returned to action with Fiorentina and he hasn’t disappointed. The former Manchester United player has kept four clean sheets in his league nine appearances, is averaging a respectable 3.2 saves a game and is the only goalkeeper in Serie A to have registered an assist. Fiorentina are a point off top spot and have the division’s joint third-best defensive record having shipped 10 goals, with De Gea key to their flying start.
Right-back: Paris Saint-Germain top Ligue 1 after 11 games, and a main reason behind their unbeaten start has been Hakimi. The Moroccan has three assists but that number could have been higher with Hakimi second for key passes (27) and clearcut chances created (eight) in the division. Defensively, he has been solid, with averages of 1.9 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per 90 minutes.
Centre-back: Although Leipzig are five points behind the Bundesliga leaders, Bayern Munich, they occupy second place and much of that is down to their backline. Across 10 matches, Leipzig have conceded five goals, so it is no surprise to find Willi Orban has a rating of 7.64. The 32-year-old has won more aerial duels (42) than any other defender in the Bundesliga, returning a 76.4% success rate, and ranks fifth for clearances (51). Leipzig are struggling in the final third but Orban’s performances are proof that the best form of defence is, in fact, a good defence.
Centre-back: It’s feasible to suggest it took Napoli more than a year to replace Kim Min-jae, but the addition of Alessandro Buongiorno has finally allowed them to move on from the South Korean. Not only do Napoli have the second-tightest backline in Serie A, with nine goals conceded in 12 games, they have a possession average of 48%, ranking 11th in the division. As such, Buongiorno’s impressive reading of the game is vital for Antonio Conte’s side. The Italy international has combined this with a desire to get stuck in, with the former Torino player ranking fourth among Serie A centre-backs for tackles and interceptions combined (40).
Left-back: Lazio’s coach, Marco Baroni, relies heavily on width to hurt opponents, evident in that only 25% of the team’s attacks have come through the middle, the second-lowest return in the division, and Tavares is benefiting from the Italian’s demands to push forward. The 24-year-old has registered more assists (eight) than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues, and his 18 successful dribbles are the third-most among defenders. Lazio have an obligation to make his loan permanent next summer and the club president, Claudio Lotito, has said he wouldn’t sell the Portuguese “even for €70m” after that.
Right midfield: The first of two Barcelona representatives in the XI, Lamine Yamal has matched last season’s La Liga goal haul (five) and bettered his assist return (return) under Hansi Flick. He ranks fourth for key passes (26) in Spain’s top tier, second for big chances created (12) and top for successful dribbles (34). The 17-year-old’s impact is evident in that Barcelona’s only two league defeats have come in the two games that he didn’t start, against Osasuna and Real Sociedad.
Central midfield: Raphinha is also flourishing under Flick. When Barcelona sought to sign Nico Williams last summer, the Brazilian was a sellable asset who could have helped to fund a move for the Athletic Club player. But Raphinha has been one of Barcelona’s standout performers in their superb start. The 27-year-old ranks top for key passes (44) and big chances created (14) in La Liga and works tirelessly off the ball, winning possession in the attacking third 10 times, a metric topped by Lamine Yamal (15). In his third season in Spain, Raphinha is making the impact many expected when he arrived.
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Central midfield: Jamal Musiala is the first of two Bayern players in this team, with the Germany international crucial in helping his club score 33 times in their opening 10 Bundesliga games. Musiala’s desire to run at opponents is a weapon Vincent Kompany has sought to exploit, with the 21-year-old ranking fourth for successful dribbles (22) in the Bundesliga. He may have only five goals and one assist but it’s not for want of trying, evidenced by averages of 3.7 shots and 1.9 key passes per 90.
Left midfield: No Mbappé, no problem. PSG have had to come to terms with the departure of the France captain but they had a ready-made replacement to shoulder the goalscoring burden. Barcola struggled for a regular spot last season but is maximising his chance to nail down a spot. After 11 games, Barcola has scored more league goals (10) than in the previous two campaigns combined (9). Ligue 1’s leading scorer has been vital in ensuring Luis Enrique’s side not only lead by six points but have scored nine more goals (33) than any other side.
Striker: Kane has made another flying start in the Bundesliga. He has 11 league goals – no player has more – and five assists – only one player has more. The England captain is hunting a first major trophy and his goals and assists hauls come from averages of 4.3 shots and 1.8 key passes per 90.
Striker: Marmoush is WhoScored.com’s best-rated player in Europe’s top five leagues this season. The 25-year-old Egyptian has made a stunning start, directly involved in more goals (18: 11 goals, 7 assists) than any other player. Marmoush has also completed the 17th-most dribbles (25) in Europe’s top five leagues to help boost his reputation, with clubs including Liverpool, Bayern and Barcelona reported to be interested.
