In the midst of the top five leagues ramping up their action, we’re turning our focus to a handful of players who might have flown under the radar previously but are now making remarkable beginnings in the 2023-24 season.
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Serhou Guirassy in Bundesliga
This season, the Bundesliga has been in the spotlight, mainly due to Harry Kane’s arrival. Even if you don’t closely follow Germany’s premier league, you’ve probably heard about the England captain’s impressive start.
Harry Kane has notched eight goals in seven matches across all competitions, including a memorable hat-trick during Bayern’s 7-0 triumph over Bochum. Nevertheless, surprisingly, he finds himself trailing behind the Bundesliga’s leading goal scorer.
Serhou Guirassy, while not exactly an unknown player, is currently in exceptional form. At 27 years old, he may not be a household name, but he’s the most lethal striker in the top five leagues based on current performance. Guirassy has scored 10 goals in just five league games, with none of them coming from penalty kicks. What’s more, his goals have come from a variety of impressive shots, showcasing the high standard of his scoring. To put this in perspective, the next highest scorer (excluding penalties) in the top leagues is Erling Haaland with seven goals, highlighting just how remarkable Guirassy’s form is.
Furthermore, Guirassy has matched a record previously held only by Robert Lewandowski by scoring more than 10 goals in the first five games of a Bundesliga season. This not only sets a new standard for him but also for Stuttgart, who have enjoyed their second-best start to a top-flight campaign, accumulating 12 points, only surpassed by their 1996-97 season when they had 13 points at this stage.
However, the sudden emergence of a goal-scoring phenomenon raises the question of whether this form is sustainable or not. Guirassy’s 10 goals have been achieved with an expected goal (xG) of 4.3, which suggests that unless something specific has changed in his game in the last year, his form may eventually level out.
Despite this, Guirassy’s 4.3 non-penalty xG is only exceeded by Erling Haaland (6.3), Robert Lewandowski (4.6), and one other Bundesliga striker: Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface. This statistic underlines just how impressive Guirassy’s current form truly is.
Victor Boniface in Bundesliga
Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface is emerging as a notable presence in the Bundesliga. The 22-year-old Nigeria international could pose a significant threat to Harry Kane’s aspirations of winning the ‘Kicker-Torjägerkanone,’ much like Serhou Guirassy. What sets Boniface apart is his ability to maintain a sustainable goal-scoring rate. He has already scored six goals, which is quite efficient considering his expected goals (xG) of 5.76 (or five goals from 4.97 xG if we exclude penalties).
Boniface’s rise has been relatively sudden, as he arrived at Bayer Leverkusen from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in the preseason. However, the looming Africa Cup of Nations might potentially disrupt the momentum for both Boniface and Guinea star Guirassy.
Nonetheless, for the time being, Harry Kane faces some serious competition in the race for the top goal-scorer title in the Bundesliga.
Savio in La Liga
Girona has undoubtedly been the standout story of the La Liga season so far, sitting at the top of the table, ahead of traditional giants Real Madrid and Barcelona. They’ve been playing an attractive brand of football and remain undefeated, accumulating an impressive 19 points, which is a little twice as much as their previous best at this stage in a top-flight season.
While it’s uncertain how long their remarkable form will continue, Girona is savoring the moment and benefiting from the presence of several highly talented footballers. One player who has notably caught the eye is Savio.
For Manchester City fans, Savio is a name to watch closely. The 19-year-old Brazilian winger is owned by the City Football Group (CFG), which is the same organization that facilitated his move to Troyes – a club within the CFG network – when he initially ventured to Europe last year. The deal for Savio could potentially cost €12.5 million.
After a brief loan stint at PSV, where he had limited impact with just six Eredivisie appearances, Savio returned to the CFG family during the preseason and was subsequently loaned to Girona. His time in Catalonia has been nothing short of excellent so far.
While Savio had a preference for playing on the right wing and cutting inside onto his left foot during his youth days with Atlético Mineiro, where he made his debut at the young age of 16 under the guidance of Jorge Sampaoli, he has been operating on the opposite flank for Girona. In Girona, his role resembles that of a traditional winger, showcasing his versatility and adaptability on the pitch.
Savio has truly excelled on the pitch. His ball-handling skills are immediately noticeable, with only three players in La Liga attempting more dribbles than him thus far (29). Impressively, he has completed 15 of these dribbles, boasting a success rate of 51.7%, which is surpassed by only six players among the 27 who have attempted at least 15 dribbles.
His prowess in dribbling ties into his ability to carry the ball effectively. Savio ranks among the top players in terms of distance covered with the ball, having carried it for a remarkable 1,364 meters. What sets him apart is his purposeful ball-carrying style, ranking 11th in progressive carries (53) and claiming the top spot for carries resulting in assists (3). These carries with assists account for all of his crucial key passes this season.
His first assist came from a beautifully executed chipped cross to the back post, which Yangel Herrera headed in during the match against Getafe on August 20. Nearly a month later, facing Granada, Savio received the ball just inside the opponent’s half on the left flank. He showcased his skill by maneuvering between two defenders and embarking on a penetrating run, ultimately finding Viktor Tsygankov on the edge of the box for a magnificent curling strike. His third assist, which came at the weekend, demonstrated his ability to outsmart his marker wide on the field, elude another defender, and provide Iván Martín with a perfectly executed cut-back.
In addition to his impressive assists, Savio has also found the back of the net a couple of times this season. His first goal was a breathtaking long-range strike, while the second showcased his composure with a cool finish following a clever give-and-go with Artem Dovbyk. This means that Savio is averaging 0.98 goal involvements per 90 minutes, a statistic that places him just slightly behind Jude Bellingham (1.02). As a result, he ranks as the seventh most productive player in La Liga this season, considering a minimum of 180 minutes played.
Indeed, La Liga may very well be witnessing the rise of a future superstar in Savio.
Pedro Neto in English Premier League
Wolves’ winger Pedro Neto has been a glimmer of hope for the team. It’s always disheartening to witness any player, especially a young talent, suffer a serious injury that can disrupt their development and potentially hinder them from reaching their full potential. Over the past two seasons, injuries limited Neto to just 31 Premier League appearances, a significant drop from the 60 he managed in the two seasons prior.
However, in the current season, Neto has shown resilience by playing every minute of Wolves’ first six league games. He has been a joy to watch with his aggressive and direct style of play, primarily operating from the left side of the midfield. Notably, Neto has already recorded four assists, putting him on par with the likes of Mohamed Salah and James Maddison for the most assists in the Premier League. This is quite impressive, considering that Wolves have scored only six goals, while Liverpool and Tottenham have netted 15 each.
Pedro Neto’s assists this season have showcased the diverse range of skills in his repertoire. His first assist of the season involved a deep cross from the right, while against Crystal Palace, he provided two precise deliveries from a similar range on the left, one during open play and the other from a free-kick. In the 3-1 loss at home to Liverpool, Neto displayed his brilliance by initiating Wolves’ opening goal with a fantastic solo run from his own half, followed by a superb pass right across the face of the goal for Hwang Hee-chan to finish.
It’s worth noting that only Bukayo Saka (19) has created more chances than Neto (18) in the Premier League. Additionally, Neto’s expected assists (xA) of 2.1 place him fourth in this statistic. This suggests that while he may have benefited from some clinical finishing, the quality of the chances he has created is consistently high.
Wolves might have encountered a challenging beginning to the season, having earned just four points in their initial six matches. However, Pedro Neto stands out as a significant variable for the team. His skills possess the capacity to alter the course of a game and aid the team in handling difficult circumstances. It’s clear that their chances of staying clear of relegation will see a substantial boost if Neto stays healthy and performs at his best. Additionally, for those who admire the abilities and style of versatile wingers, his presence on the field is a source of excitement.
Andrea Pinamonti in Serie A
Roberto Mancini’s earlier remarks about the perceived shortage of promising young players in Italy, particularly in the forward positions, didn’t sit well with many. As the head coach of the Italian national team, his comments were far from a vote of confidence in the country’s talent pool.
Mancini’s observation about the limited options in the offensive department didn’t go unnoticed. Mario Balotelli, known for his outspokenness, responded to Mancini’s comments, garnering considerable attention. However, perhaps more noteworthy was the reaction from Andrea Pinamonti, a player with more realistic prospects of representing the Azzurri in the future. Pinamonti expressed his feelings on the matter, stating that Mancini’s comments were indeed somewhat irritating, especially for a player aspiring to be called up to the national team. However, he also saw it as motivation to improve.
While Mancini is no longer the coach of Italy, Andrea Pinamonti has been making a strong case for himself at Sassuolo this season. He has scored four goals in five Serie A games, already surpassing his total from the previous season. Pinamonti is heading into a match against Inter, the club where he came through the academy, on the back of scoring in each of his last three league outings. This promising form is likely to put him back in contention for a potential national team call-up.
Andrea Pinamonti’s recent performances have demonstrated his versatility as a forward. His instinctive headers against Juventus and Hellas Verona showcased his ability to play as a traditional “big man up top,” a role that suits his physical stature. However, he’s not limited to just that style of play.
In the surprising 4-2 defeat to Frosinone, Pinamonti displayed his subtlety as a striker. He recorded a brace, which included a stunning 20-yard volley and another well-placed finish after making a run through the inside-left channel. These goals were particularly noteworthy because they came from a low expected goal (xG) value of just 1.16, indicating that they were not considered high-probability scoring opportunities.
Despite the relatively small number of shots he’s taken (only six, excluding blocks), Pinamonti has been remarkably clinical, boasting a conversion rate of 66.7%. This conversion rate is the joint best among all Serie A players with at least two attempts. While it’s still early days, these statistics highlight Pinamonti’s effectiveness in front of goal and his ability to make the most of scoring chances.
Andrea Pinamonti has demonstrated his potential in the past. His impressive tally of 13 Serie A goals during his loan spell at Empoli in the 2021-22 season was a significant achievement, and it convinced Sassuolo to invest €20 million in his talent. However, he faced challenges in replicating that success in his initial season with Sassuolo.
Both Sassuolo and the Italian football scene as a whole will be optimistic that Pinamonti’s recent performances are a sign of even greater things to come. His early-season form suggests that he has the ability to contribute significantly to his team’s success, and there’s hope that he can continue to develop and thrive in the future.
Romain Del Castillo in Ligue 1
Romain Del Castillo is emerging as one of Ligue 1’s late bloomers, adding to the league’s tradition of surprises, especially when you look beyond Paris Saint-Germain’s dominance. Last season, Lens’ second-place finish was a testament to this unpredictability, and the early 2023-24 season promises more potential for unlikely stories.
Strasbourg and Reims currently hold European places, unbeaten Nice is in second place, and surprisingly, Brest leads the table with 13 points, two more than PSG in third.
Romain Del Castillo, aged 27, has played a prominent role for Brest. While he’s not a newcomer to this level, there’s a growing sense that he is maturing as a player, building on his promising performances in the 2022-23 season with an excellent start to the current campaign.
Del Castillo has already contributed significantly with three goals and two assists this season. While two of those goals came from the penalty spot, his overall performances have been noteworthy.
In terms of chance creation, no player in Ligue 1 has provided more opportunities than Del Castillo’s 23, and he ranks second with 14 chances created from open play. While a few players have more assists than him, he leads the league in expected assists (xA) with 2.36, with no one else exceeding 2.0 xA. This statistic underscores the high level of creativity he brings to his team, consistently providing quality opportunities for his teammates.
Romain Del Castillo delivered an exceptional performance in the recent victory against his former club Lyon. He generated an impressive six scoring opportunities during the match, marking the highest number of chances he has produced in a single Ligue 1 game since November 2018 when he managed eight against Caen. To be fair, it’s worth mentioning that one of the six chances in Saturday’s game was a shot that led to a header attempt by a teammate. Nonetheless, this performance is notable, as he is one of only two players who have created five or more opportunities in a game on multiple occasions during the 2023-24 season, with the other player being Téji Savanier.
Teddy Teuma in Ligue 1
Romain Del Castillo isn’t the only late bloomer making a strong impression in Ligue 1 this season. Teddy Teuma of Reims has been a revelation in the early weeks of the competition.
At the age of 29 (turning 30 soon), Teddy Teuma, who was born in France but represents Malta internationally, is getting his first taste of Ligue 1. This opportunity comes after spending five years in Belgium with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. It’s worth noting that prior to this season, he had only played in Ligue 2 a total of 13 times, and his initial three years with Union SG were in the second tier.
Despite this being his debut Ligue 1 campaign, Teuma has already made quite an impact with three goals and two assists in just six games. His breakthrough moment came on August 27 when he scored two exquisite goals against Montpellier, including a stunning 30-yard half-volley and a beautiful free-kick. In that same game, one of his corner deliveries led to a header goal by Yunis Abdelhamid, making it a memorable debut for him in the French top flight.
Teddy Teuma characterizes himself as a “complete” midfielder capable of managing various facets of the game, though he humbly acknowledges that he may not excel in every aspect. In a recent interview with Ligue 1 earlier this month, he discussed how his time in Belgium played a pivotal role in his transformation from a more traditional defensive midfielder into a versatile player.
It’s worth highlighting that not too long ago, Teuma was balancing his football career with employment as a courier. His journey to Ligue 1 has been far from straightforward, but he is undoubtedly demonstrating his value on the field with consistently impressive performances.
