10 most effective players in Europe so far this season

We are halfway through the current season and we have seen goals galore in all the major leagues across Europe as well as in European competitions.So which players have been involved in the most number of goals for their teams this season? Find out in this list of the top 10 most effective attacking players in Europe statistically.Criteria for selection:The total number of goals and assists provided is considered.Only players from the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1 are considered.To maintain uniformity only league competitions and the European Competitions (UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League) are considered.No goals in the qualification and playoffs rounds of European competitions are counted.For uniformity, goals for the first half of the league season are considered. For example, the goals scored by a player in the English Premier League for the first 19 games and for a player in the Bundesliga the first 17 games.In case of a tie between two players, the player with fewer games or minutes is given preference.Honourable Mentions: Paulo Dybala (Palermo) – 10 goals and 6 assists in 19 appearances (16)Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich) - 12 goals and 4 assists in 19 appearances (16)Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) – 12 goals and 4 assists in 20 appearances (16)Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich) – 10 goals and 6 assists in 20 games (16)Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli) – 12 goals and 4 assists in 25 appearances (16)

#10 Kevin De Bruyne 18

6 goals and 12 assists in 23 appearances

A year ago, Kevin De Bruyne was not good enough to play for Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea and was shipped off to Germany. De Bruyne settled into his new team with relative ease and has been pivotal to their good season so far.

The Belgian leads the assists table in Germany with 10 to his name in the league and has also chipped in with three goals. His performance has helped Wolfsburg to stay second in the table with a six-point advantage over third-placed Bayer Leverkusen.

The former Chelsea man was also voted the best attacking midfielder in the league ahead of the likes of Thomas Muller, Mario Gotze, Roberto Firmino, Halil Altintop and Hakan Calhanoglu.

The 23-year-old was also impressive in Wolfsburg’s Europa league campaign with two assists and three goals.