PLAYER OF THE SEASON
MAURO ICARDI (INTERNAZIONALE)
No player had a greater influence on the success – or failure – of their team than Icardi. The 25-year-old experienced the most-prolific season of his career, notching 29 times in 34 league appearances as Inter earned a cherished return to the Champions League.
Pertinently, this accounted for 44-per-cent of Inter’s overall tally – second-top scorer Ivan Perisic scored 18 fewer. Highlights included a hat-trick to lift his team past AC Milan in October.
There was also the four-goal haul at former club Sampdoria in March and August’s brace as head coach Luciano Spalletti enjoyed an instant winning-return to Roma. His, apparent, show of fealty after Sunday’s win at Lazio is another huge boost.
WORTHY MENTIONS
Luis Alberto (Lazio)
The 25-year-old Spanish playmaker really came into his own this season, notching 11 goals and 14 assists.
Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria)
This was a vintage season for the 35-year-old striker. His 19 goals put him fourth on the Serie A scoring list – one place ahead of Napoli and Belgium ace Dries Mertens.
Paulo Dybala (Juventus)
The early months promised one of the great Serie A campaigns. But even though the Argentina forward, 24, could not reach legendary status, a tally of 22 goals – with one coming every 107 minutes – shows his ability.