We’re ten weeks in to the new season and across Europe’s big leagues the competitions are beginning to take shape; and some players are making a big noise.
We have already seen some spectacular performances from the headline makers Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, and there have been plenty of other football players who have found a new lease of life at the start if the 2023-24 campaign.
So here is the SBOTOP selection of five players who are having a renaissance in their careers, two from the Premier League, and one each from Serie A, the Bundesliga and La Liga.
Heung-Min Son: Spurs
In a frantic start to the Premier League season Spurs are top of the pile after ten games, winning eight and drawing two and Son is the main man up front, scoring his eighth goal in a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace last Friday.
The departure of his old partner in crime Harry Kane to Munich seems to have given Son an unexpected boost and, at the age of 31 the Korean forward is in the form of his life.
In years gone by Son and Kane had a prolific partnership in terms of assists and goals but, without Kane as a focal point and with the swashbuckling approach of new boss Ange Postecoglou, Son has flourished and has been well supported by another player who is back to his best, summer signing James Maddison.
The Son is shining at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the long suffering Spurs fans are smiling from ear to ear.
Christian Pulisic: AC Milan
One player who is clearly relishing life away from London is AC Milan attacking midfielder Pulisic who moved to Serie A after an increasingly frustrating four years at Chelsea.
The Stars and Stripes captain has shown plenty of promise and some glimpses of brilliance in his time at Stamford Bridge, but he is one of those players who seemed to become lost in the midst of Todd Boehly’s whirlwind spending spree.
With four goals and two assists from ten games Pulisic is producing his best form for some time and, at 25 year of age, I Rossoneri have a real star on their hands.
Leroy Sane: Bayern Munich
While the transfer to Bayern of Harry Kane made all the Football 2023 news headlines over the summer, his arrival has also sparked a brilliant start to the campaign for wide man Leroy Sane. The former Manchester City winger has made a brilliant connection with Bayern’s new centre forward and the two players are tormenting defences throughout the Bundesliga.
While Kane has already scored 12 goals in the league, with eight league goals Sane is third in the race for the Golden Boot. He also sits third in the number of shots taken, third in the number of shots against the woodwork and third in the number of sprints. Statically he is the player to have in your team and in terms of output he is up there with the best.
Saul Niguez: Atletico Madrid
Central midfielder Saul is finally becoming the player Atleti manager Diego Simeone has been looking for as he establishes himself as one of Los Rojiblancos’ most influential players. He had a forgettable loan spell at Chelsea in the 2021–22 campaign, making just ten appearances for the Premier League side. And, on his return to Madrid last season, Saul seemed to be suffering from a serious hangover.
This season, he has come back to life, and Atleti fans are delighted as the 28-year-old almost seems like a new signing. He resisted the temptation to go off and hide in Saudi Arabia, and Saul resolved to fight for his place with the La Liga giants, and he has been superb, making five assists in the league already for Simeone’s side.
He can be an all-round midfielder; he has a fine reading of the game and the ability to move the ball into dangerous positions. The current Football 2023 betting odds rate Los Rojiblancos as third favourites behind the El Clasico pair; they currently sit three points behind leaders Real Madrid with a game in hand, and if Saul maintains his form, along with the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata, they will be a real force.
Jonny Evans: Manchester United
He’s maybe not back to the best personal form of his career, but centre back Evans deserves a mention as he is the best central defender with the Red Devils at the moment. Injuries to Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez, as well as the shaky form of Harry Maguire, have left Manchester United woefully short of experience and talent at the back, and so they called on old boy Evans to plug the gap.
At 35 years of age, the Northern Ireland man has stacks of top flight experience and he is still a fans favourite at Old Trafford where he started his career, and he made 131 appearances during the club’s golden period.
With three Premier League winners’ medals in his locker, Evans is the only player at United who knows how it feels to be the best, and that gives him the assurance and authority the club desperately needs.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
