WITH Inter reestablishing themselves as title contenders under Antonio Conte, Cagliari flying high with genuine hope of finishing in the top four, and Carlo Ancelotti on the verge of joining Everton after being sacked by Napol, it has been a fascinating start to the season in Serie A.
Just before the players wind down for the winter break, Italian football Adam Digby is on hand to give us his team of the season so far.
Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczesny (Juventus)
Having Gigi Buffon back in Turin appears to have pushed the club’s current no.1 to new heights, Wojciech Szczesny has arguably been the best form of his career in the first few months of 2019/20. In his 10 league appearances the Polish stopper has kept four clean sheets and boasts the highest save percentage of any goalkeeper in the division, his mark of 76.3% putting him a full 5% ahead of his rivals.
Right Back: Juan Cuadrado (Juventus)
Seeing how Juan Cuadrado has adapted to a new role made it impossible to include anyone else as the right-back for this team, the Colombian flyer making a seamless transition to the back four after Juve’s other options all missed time with injuries. Learning from new Coach Andrea Barzagli, the former Fiorentina man has been hugely impressive, consistently in the right position and rarely making mistakes.
Central Defence: Chris Smalling (AS Roma)
If the biggest compliment you can pay Chris Smalling is that he fully deserves his “Smaldini” nickname (relax AC Milan fans, it’s just a bit of good-natured fun!), then the second is that he has been the best central defender in Serie A this season. Yes that comes with caveats – Giorgio Chiellini’s injury, Napoli and Kalidou Koulibaly underperforming – but take nothing away from the Manchester United loanee, he has simply been exceptional since moving to the Italian capital.
Central Defence: Stefan De Vrij (Inter)
Diego Godin and Milan Skriniar might be more highly regarded, but the man lining up between them in the Inter back three has arguably been the club’s best central defender this term. Organising, passing and generally being in total harmony with those around him, the Dutch international has benefitted greatly from Antonio Conte’s arrival, playing in a system that suits his characteristics perfectly.
Left Back: Theo Hernandez (AC Milan)
Who will be AC Milan’s leading scorer this season? Going into the Winter Break, very few people would’ve opted for left-back Theo Hernandez and while that might be a damning indictment of how 2019/20 has gone for the Rossoneri, it should not detract from the impact the new arrival has had. Undoubtedly their best summer signing, the 22-year-old has been one of very few players at the club to emerge from these early months with any credit, and he has been a joy to watch as he bosses the flank.
Theo Hernández is now AC Milan's joint top scorer with 4 goals.
He's a left-back! pic.twitter.com/bJQPkBr9YQ
— FootballTalentScout – Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) December 8, 2019
Central Midfield: Radja Nainggolan (Cagliari)
Moving back to Cagliari was both a way of helping comfort his sick wife and escaping Inter where he had outstayed his welcome, yet Radja Nainggolan has somehow used those difficult circumstances to inspire an incredible return to form. His play has pushed the Sardinian club into genuine contention for a Champions League place and his four goals and five assists in just 12 appearances reflects his impact upon their performances.
Central Midfield: Miralem Pjanic (Juventus)
It has not been easy, but Maurizio Sarri’s up-tempo brand of football has slowly begun to take hold at Juventus, and nobody has improved more as a result than Miralem Pjanic. Playing the Jorginho role at the heart of the Bianconeri midfield, he is averaging 75.4 passes per 90 minutes and connecting with 89.4% of his attempts, pushing the team higher up the field and into more attacking positions than ever before.
Central Midfield: Nicolò Barella (Inter)
Arriving from Cagliari, Nicolò Barella has quickly adapted to life at Inter, playing a vital role in Antonio Conte’s game plan as he presses opponents high up the field. New team-mate Stefano Sensi has arguably been just as impressive, but injuries have restricted the former Sassuolo man’s influence, while Barella has been a more regular contributor to a vastly improved team.
Attacking Midfielder: Paulo Dybala (Juventus)
Coming into the season, Paulo Dybala was unwanted by Juve and Sarri, the club spending much of the summer trying to sell the Argentina international to Manchester United or Tottenham. He refused and found himself on the bench in the early weeks, but slowly he won over the coach and has become a true match winner once again for the Old Lady.
PAULO DYBALA WITH A BEAUTIFULLY CONTROLLED VOLLEY!
A perfect cross-field ball from Alex Sandro is converted spectacularly by the Argentine
⚫⚪ Juve take the lead away to Sampdoria! pic.twitter.com/WxRvd3C5hR
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) December 18, 2019
Striker: Ciro Immobile (Lazio)
With 17 goals already to his name, Ciro Immobile might already have secured his third Capocannoniere crown and will hope to continue scoring when action resumes after the Winter Break. He has benefitted greatly from the play of former Liverpool midfielder Luis Alberto who has registered 10 assists, but Immobile’s finishing has been the clear difference maker for a Lazio side with Champions League aspirations.
Striker: Lautaro Martinez (Inter)
While Romelu Lukaku was the headline acquisition, it is Lautaro Martinez who is making the Inter attack sizzle. When fielded alongside the ex-Manchester United man, he is the intelligent playmaker who runs off his imposing partner, but Martinez has proven equally adept at being the no.9 himself, getting in behind defences at every opportunity and attracting the attention of Europe’s giant clubs.
