The winter break is over and now the majority of Europe is at the halfway stage which allows us to take stock of the players who striking it hot.
The narrative for each of the top five European leagues is largely in place with Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Manchester City running away with their respective domestic titles.
There is much to play for in Serie A, however, but even in Italy the trend has been set in regards to the players who are firing on all cylinders.
With that in mind, we take a look at the leading light for each league to assess who is the player of the year for each so far.
BUNDESLIGA: Leon Bailey
Games: 15
Goals: 6
Assists: 4
Key passes: 25
Chances created: 29
Successful take-ons: 28
Leon Bailey was allowed time to settle in at Bayer Leverkusen last season after his arrival last summer following an impressive two years at Genk. That patience in the 20-year-old Jamaican is already paying dividends this term.
The attacker has terrorised Bundesliga defenders with his explosive pace and dribbling, scoring six goals and providing four assists in 15 outings so far this season.
The Jamaican’s infectious personality has translated onto the pitch as well with his expressive style of play bringing a greater degree of positivity to Leverkusen’s attack.
His directness, delivery from wide areas and ability to score from range has seen him become one of the most dangerous players in the league.
Leon Bailey – Bayer Leverkusen 2017/18
Ready for the next step. pic.twitter.com/fHtVvOWN0O
— DG (@Mezzapunta) January 13, 2018
LIGUE 1: Nabil Fekir
Games: 18
Goals: 15
Assists: 4
Key passes: 26
Chances created: 30
Successful take-ons: 56
Paris Saint-Germain were always going to be the runaway favourites in Ligue 1 this season after adding the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe to their ranks. However, Lyon have been impressive themselves, despite trailing the leaders by 11 points.
A large part of why they’re even in the hunt though is their influential skipper Nabil Fekir. The Frenchman has been at the heart of Lyon’s attacking play this season from his central attacking role.
At 24, Fekir is maturing into a dependable, consistent performer. With 15 goals and four assists in the league so far, he’s emerged as arguably the finest player in France’s top flight at the moment.
His deadly sharp-shooting, acceleration and vision have really come to the fore this season.
The Lyon talisman averages 2.3 key passes, 3.7 dribbles and 3.3 shots per game. It’s not a stretch to say that Fekir is as instrumental for his side as Lionel Messi is for Barcelona.
If I am Edwards and Coutinho is indeed sold, I would call Aulas at Lyon and give him the 60M£ asking fee for Nabil Fekir. Used to play ST now CAM covering so many bases. Pay attention to goal no.3 from halfway line. Not joking! pic.twitter.com/39VxU6FgPt
— Moby • LFC Scout (@MobyHaque) January 2, 2018
PREMIER LEAGUE: Kevin De Bruyne
Games: 23
Goals: 6
Assists: 9
Key passes: 59
Chances created: 68
Successful take-ons: 39
David Silva is still an influential figure at Manchester City but while his absence could somewhat neutralise them in seasons gone by, that’s not the case anymore. Instead, it’s Kevin de Bruyne who is the man that really makes them tick.
Pep Guardiola has reserved special praise for the Belgian in the past, holding only Messi in higher regard. The 26-year-old has come into his own in the last couple of seasons and is now one of the most complete midfielders in the world.
De Bruyne is a relentless machine, creating chance after chance for his team-mates. It also helps that his supreme fitness has seen him start every league game for City this term. He’s thrived under Guardiola’s possession-based system and will go down as the driving force behind the team’s success this season should they claim the Premier League title.
What A Goal From De Bruyne⚽️ pic.twitter.com/4WV5hqjgP0
— Cardiff United (@CardiffUnitedFC) November 18, 2017
LA LIGA: Lionel Messi
Games: 19
Goals: 17
Assists: 8
Key passes: 41
Chances created: 49
Successful take-ons: 101
It’s a testament to how good Lionel Messi is that not much has been made of his brilliant form this season. So he has 17 goals and eight assists in just 19 games? No big deal. It’s just what Messi does.
However, you only need to look over at Cristiano Ronaldo’s paltry four goals for Real Madrid in La Liga this term to appreciate Messi’s persistence at the highest level. While the Portuguese has struggled with his side not being at their best, Messi stepped things up to fill the void left by Neymar, inspiring his team to push on.
With the little genius in their corner, it’s no wonder the Catalans remain unbeaten this campaign, scoring 12 more goals than any other team in the division.
Messi has grown into his more central, play-making role with aplomb as Andres Iniesta’s powers have waned. His latest evolution is just another feather in his hat.
Lionel Messi is not a human. This pass confirms it…pic.twitter.com/kth3aeNmlS
— Caño Football (@CanoFootball) January 11, 2018
SERIE A: Mauro Icardi
Games: 20
Goals: 18
Assists: 1
Key passes: 20
Chances created: 21
Shot accuracy: 72%
In his element, Mauro Icardi is one of the finest strikers in the world and he’s proved as much over the course of the current Serie A campaign.
The Argentine is a fighter, a street footballer even, and it’s that tenacity and drive with which the Inter skipper has dragged his side into the top three at this stage of the season.
His 18 goals in the league is second only to Ciro Immobile. A rather flat Inter midfield has seen the onus fall on attack with Icardi leading the line expertly, aided by wide players Ivan Perisic and Antonio Candreva.
The 24-year-old has made the most of the service afforded to him, scoring over 50% of his side’s goals this season.
“It’s absolutely sensational at San Siro from Mauro Icardi, what a player” pic.twitter.com/HEHgzQWY0W
— skinny saf 🇸🇴 (@safeeyaar) January 16, 2018
