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CREAM OF THE CROP

Who are the best players in Europe so far this season?

In the first of his 'Algorithm' column, Adam Jones looks at who really have been the best players in Europe's top leagues so far this season

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It’s 2017 people.

So it’s time to wake up, smell the fresh coffee and embrace the fact our lives are being defined by computers.


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From Facebook to online shopping, complex algorithms determine the way we interact on social media or carry out our weekly groceries.

And it’s no different here at Dream Team.

Some of you guys are still convinced we, as writers, provide the fantasy football ratings after every fixture.

Last weekend’s Star Man in the Spurs v Liverpool match was no contest

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Last weekend’s Star Man in the Spurs v Liverpool match was no contest

We can’t take the credit, however, as that falls with our knights in shining armour over at WhoScored.

The number crunching behind WhoScored’s mathematics

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The number crunching behind WhoScored’s mathematics

Their ratings are widely regarded as the most creditable and accurate performance indicators in world football, calculating 200 raw statistics to one overall player rating.

So who, statistically, have been the best players in Europe’s biggest leagues this season?

PREMIER LEAGUE

No real surprises here.

It’s neck and neck, as it should be, between the creative genius that is Kevin De Bruyne (8.01) and the irresistible goalscoring machine Harry Kane (8.01).

Silva reckons De Bruyne can go on to win the Ballon dOr

Reuters
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The master

Sergio Aguero (7.98) completes the top three despite after finding a new dimension this season alongside Gabriel Jesus.

LA LIGA

No contest.

Barcelona have established a four-point lead at the top already, much to do with the utter brilliance of Lionel Messi (8.92) who has 11 goals and three assists in nine games.

Lionel Messi scored four times as Barcelona beat Eibar 6-1 in September

AFP or licensors
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Messi has almost single-handedly taken Barca to the top of La Liga

Trailing in his wake are Gonçalo Guedes (7.86), who is spearheading a romantic Valencia revolution, and emerging Real Sociedad talent Mikel Oyarzabal (7.70).

SERIE A

Paulo Dybala (8.23) has already equalled his Serie A goal tally of 11 from last season this campaign and leads the standings in Italy.

Lazio are back amongst the big boys and two of their standout stars – Ciro Immobile (7.96) and Luis Alberto (7.95) – make up the rest of the podium.

Ciro Immobile's second-half penalty earned Lazio stunning win at Juventus

EPA
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Immobile is the hottest striker in Europe right now

Immobile has been involved in more goals (16) than any other player in Europe so far this season.

BUNDESLIGA

Now this is where it gets a little surprising.

Arturo Vidal (7.89) isn’t the main man at Bayern Munich anymore but he leads the way in Germany, but notice how his rating is lower than both second and third in Serie A.

Liverpool are reportedly chasing a deal for Arturo Vidal

AFP
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The best player in Germany, supposedly

Hannover centre-back Salif Sane (7.84) and Dortmund playmaker Nuri Sahin (7.74) aren’t far behind, with both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Robert Lewandowski further down the top 10.

LIGUE 1

Again there’s a clear leader and anyone who thought Neymar (8.86) wouldn’t be the main man at PSG has been proven emphatically wrong.

But he’s got stiff competition from Nabil Fekir (8.31), who has put his Lyon injury woes behind him, and Radamel Falcao (7.90) who is looking more clinical than ever.

Nabil Fekir and Alexandre Lacazette should be on Arsenal's radar this summer

Getty
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Fekir has seven goals and four assists this season

The Monaco forward has scored 13 league goals already – no player in Europe’s top five leagues has more.

TIP OF THE WEEKEND:

Sun Bets are graciously rewarding any new customer that stakes £5 with a free £20 bet.

But what could that £20 get you this weekend?

Well how about a very tasty £240 when you back Sergio Aguero, Paulo Dybala and Gonçalo Guedes to score anytime on Saturday at 11/1?

 money cash jackpot snow angel money angel GIF

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Printing. Money.


BACK AGUERO, DYBALA AND GUEDES TO SCORE ANYTIME AT 11/1