The big Football European leagues have thrown up some fantastic action over the past five months, and the likes of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Kylian Mbappe have put in some spectacular performances week after week.
But while Kane has ripped up the Bundesliga, Bellingham has wowed La Liga, and Mbappe rules Ligue 1, there have been some renaissance men playing fine football after a period in the shadows.
So let’s take a look at the SBOTOP selection of the five players who are dishing out some of their best football in a while.
Antoine Griezmann: Atletico Madrid
Even though Atletico Madrid have drifted off the pace in the La Liga title race in recent weeks, there has been plenty tot smile about for the back-to-form Antoine Griezmann.
He was outstanding in France’s 2022 World Cup campaign and brought his form back to domestic football. When he left Los Rojiblancos for Barcelona in 2019, there was a lot of bad blood as he was accused of leaving Madrid “by the back door”.
But all was forgotten when he returned to the Wanda Metropolitano in 2021, initially on loan, and then his deal was made permanent at the start of the 2022/23 campaign.
Griezmann has struck up a fruitful partnership with Alvaro Morata in the Atleti attack, and when he bagged a brace in the recent 3-3 draw with Getafe, he equalled the all time record for the club, matching the 173 goals scored by the great Luis Aragones.
He is the fourth top scorer in the race for the La Liga Golden Boot with 11 goals in 19 appearances and has also weighed in with three assists.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: Liverpool
The reinvention of Trent has been one of the most striking things about Liverpool’s 2023/24 title push as he has been transformed from an “out of form” wing-back to a highly effective operator in central midfield.
He can play in a deep lying position or in a more advanced role, but it is when he sits just in front of the back line that he is back to his best.
Trent seemed to have lost some confidence as a defender, too often beaten by opposing wingers, but he is a high-class player when he has his tail up. The Reds went into Christmas in top spot, and Trent has contributed plenty of Football 2024 highlights with his long and pinpoint balls which release Mohamed Salah or Darwin Nunez in attack.
Granit Xhaka: Bayer Leverkusen
Xabi Alonso has been receiving plenty of plaudits for the way he has led Bayer Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga and the style of football Die Werkself are playing.
And the head coach has made some smart recruits, none other than the former Arsenal captain. Xhaka’s move to the league leaders Leverkusen has revitalised the player’s career as well as improving Bayer’s title chances as he plays in a dominant no. 6 role, breaking up play and launching attacks.
He was not always happy at the Emirates and had a love/hate relationship with the fans, but the Swiss star is one of the standout performers in the German top-flight on current form.
The latest Football 2024 betting odds say Bayern Munich are still the title favourites to win the title, but Xhaka and Leverkusen will put up one heck of a fight.
Christian Pulisic: AC Milan
Another player to leave the bright lights of London last summer has found a home in Italy, and USA star Pulisic is thriving at AC Milan following his switch from Chelsea.
He is wearing the no. 11 shirt vacated by the great Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and in December, Pulisic showed he is well worthy of the privilege.
He was involved in five of the Rossoneri’s goals and won the Serie A goal of the month competition with a stunning effort in a 3-1 win over Frosinone.
Pulisic got a little lost amidst the money splurging revolution at Chelsea, but he is more than welcome at Milan where he is playing his best football since he left Dortmund in 2019. And still only 25 years of age, he still has time to improve.
Richarlison: Tottenham Hotspur
He’s taken time to settle at Tottenham since his move from Everton, and Richarlison has spoken bravely about his mental health struggles. But the Brazilian has had plenty of smiles on his face in recent weeks as five goals in five games gave him a very happy Christmas.
He scored against Bournemouth, his old club Everton, Nottingham Forest, and two in Spurs’ humbling of Newcastle United. And with captain and top scorer Heung-Min Son about to leave for the Asian Cup, Richarlsion has a real chance to show his worth, starting with an FA Cup fixture at home to Burnley on Friday night.
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