La Gazzetta dello Sport presents top 5 players who have exceeded expectations this season and have astonished with their performances so far in Serie A.
Luis Alberto
How to switch from the status of “mysterious object” to “indispensable player” in a season. A year ago, the 25 year old Spanish midfielder had to compete with Milinkovic, Felipe Anderson and Keita (nine appearances and a league goal). This season has started with more space and confidence (Keita was sold and Anderson has been injured) and the boy has repaid Simone Inzaghi in the best possible way: has has already scored 3 goals and has assisted 2 times in 7 games, his average ratings jumped from 5.94 in 2016-17 to 6,86 this season. And Inzaghi admits: “At this moment I can not do without his help.”
Rodrigo Bentancur
“Rodrigo has grown a lot and can become the surprise of the championship.” Massimiliano Allegri repeated in the summer, when Juve pursued an international level midfielder. The 20 year old Uruguayan who has arrived from Boca Juniors already shows big numbers and personality (his best game was his first minute debut against Fiorentina). “He must learn to be decisive if he does not want to end up becoming a normal player,” Allegri warns. Meanwhile, his start is promising and Rodrigo has also debuted with the national team against Venezuela.
Patrick Cutrone
Andre Silva, who cost 38 million euros, continues to search for his first goal in Serie A, Nikola Kalinic, paid 25 millions, has only scored a brace against Udinese. Patrick Cutrone, 19, promoted to first team from Primavera, scored with Crotone and Cagliari, and has served an assist. In a Milan in crisis of goals and results even Cutrone is struggling a bit more than in the first days, but his performance remains the best among the rossoneri after 7 weeks: No one has a higher average rating than him, 6.38. And we are talking about a youngster who was supposed to leave the rossoneri this summer …
Alfred Gomis
Defending Spal’s goal after Meret’s monster year in the promotion season, with the highly talented player owned by Udinese at the box and waiting to recover, was not easy. The 24 year old Italian-Senegalese responded with the maturity and security of a top player: a medium rating of 6.43, only Handanovic has done better (6.57). Meret meanwhile is working to heal from pubalgia: Spal’s goal is than safe with Gomis.
Rodrigo Palacio
Talking of surprises, for a 35 year old who has been wearing the shirts of Boca Juniors, Genoa and Inter, may seem curious, but “El Trensa” up front has convinced more than Destro and his teammates. Two goals, both beautiful, against Fiorentina and Genoa (the second was worth three points), a shot against Sassuolo leading to Okwonkwo’s goal. Let’s raise he who believed in such a brilliant championship start for Palacio. Perhaps Signori, Di Vaio or Baggio: they, of second lives under the two Towers know something …
