10 players across Europe who exceeded expectations this season
Usually, I tend to veer away from clichés, but I’ll allow myself this one; this football season has been like no other, incorporating a series of twist and turns, and not only in England’s top flight.
While Leicester City continue to romp towards an inconceivable Premier League title, Hertha Berlin are eyeing Champions League football and Aston Villa are among a host of historic clubs set for the drop.
It’s been the season of the underdog, as more and more unknown talents have announced themselves on the big stage and, ahead of this summer’s Euros in France, are aiming to cement a place in their respective national squads.
So then, let us take a look at ten individuals in particular who have shone this season, potentially against all the odds.
1) Jamie Vardy
Where better to start than with the rags-to-riches tale that has epitomised what this season has been all about. Jamie Vardy has spearheaded the Foxes’ title push, scoring 19 league goals and bagging 6 assists so far.
His blistering pace on the counter and contagious confidence has propelled Leicester into top spot and, although Ranieri’s unit as a whole deserves praise, it seems difficult to envisage the same outcome without the former-Fleetwood man’s influence.
Snapped up by Leicester for a mere £1 million fee back in 2012, the Sheffield-born forward has used his fine form to earn a catalogue of England call-ups, scoring his first goal for the Three Lions in a friendly with Germany late last month.