Best Players of the weekend in each of Europe top five leagues | Here are the five most standout individuals, one in each of Europe top five leagues featuring the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1.
Best Players of the Weekend in Each of Europe Top 5 Leagues
English Premier League Player of Round 4 | Martin Zubimendi of Arsenal
Arsenal’s Spanish midfielder had match of his wildest dreams as he scored a brace to lift the Gunners to a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, marking a return to winning ways after the loss at Anfield before the international break.
The Spanish midfielder, returning on the back of two strong displays for his country in the European World Cup qualifiers, broke the deadlock just after the half-hour, lashing onto a clearance following a corner for his first Arsenal goal.
It was also a first goal from outside the box in his career, with his previous 12, ten for Real Sociedad and two for Spain, coming inside the penalty area.
He went on to complete his first-ever career brace later in the second-half, rising high in the box to head past Matz Sels from a Leandro Trossard cross and sealing a convincing 3-0 win, which helps Mikel Arteta’s charge move up to second on the Premier League standing.
Spanish La Liga Player of the Round 4 | Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappé was the star of the show as Real Madrid overcome adversities in their travel to San Sebastian on Saturday, to continue their perfect record in La Liga this season, and his outstanding display has earned him La Liga Player of the round recognition.
The Frenchman had a quick start to the match, setting up Arda Guler for the opening goal inside the opening three minutes, only for the effort to be ruled out for an offside.
He eventually took it upon himself and gave the visitors a deserved lead in the 12th minute, pouncing on a poor back pass by Goti before beating Alex Remiro to his near side for his fourth league goal of the campaign.
After Real Madrid was reduced to 10 men following Dean Huijsen’s red card after the hour mark, chances of winning was in jeopardy, but Mbappé produced a brilliant moment to set-up Arda Guler and helped establish a cushion.
The two goals were in the end enough for all the points as the host couldn’t only pull one back, while Mbappé continued to work hard to help his team protect their lead.
He completed nine dribbles, joint-most in a single La Liga game this season, won 13 duels, two fouls, created two chances to take himself to 14, also joint-most in the league this season alongside teammate, Arda Guler.
Italian Serie A Player of Round 3 | Charles de Ketelaere of Atalanta
Unplayable on his day, and Sunday evening was one of them. The Belgian sensation was at his best in a performance that saw him lead Atalanta to their first win of the season against Lecce.
Charles de Ketelaere scored a second-half brace in a 4-1 victory in Bergamo, before his withdrawal 15 from time, after which the visitors grabbed their consolation through substitute, Konan N’Dri.
After failing to record a win in their opening two games of the season, the pressure is mounting on new manager Ivan Juric, but after Giorgio Scalvini head home a Nicola Zalewski corner in the 37th, it was nothing but all Atalanta as they cruise to a win inspired de Ketelaere.
The former Milan midfielder doubled the host’s advantage six minutes after the restart, receiving the ball from Nikola Krstovic on the edge of the box, finding a little space before firing with his weaker right foot into the bottom corner.
He then made it 4-0 to Atalanta in the host in the 73rd minute, three after Nicolas Zalewski had scored a third, bullying Jamil Siebert and stealing the ball before beating Wladimiro Falcone for the second time in the game.
Apart from the goals, De Ketelaere completed all four attempted dribbles, won all 11 duels contested, maintained a perfect two success from two tackles, won four fouls without giving any away, created six chances and made seven recoveries.
German Bundesliga Player of Round 3 | Harry Kane of Bayern Munich
In all four domestic games in Germany this, Harry Kane has had 2+ goal involvement in each, making him the most productive player earlier in the season with seven in four games across all club competitions.
On Sunday, the England captain was at his best again, scoring twice as setting up one in a 5-0 demolition of newly promoted Hamburg as the Bavarians makes it three wins out of three in the league to kickoff their title defence charge.
Kane, who played just over an hour set up Aleksandar Pavlovic to double the host’s lead inside the opening ten minutes, before converting a penalty won by Serge Gnabry four minutes before the half-hour.
He then scored the fifth and final goal of the game two minutes after the hour mark, receiving the pass from Michael Olise inside the penalty area, moved the ball to the right of a defender before firing his shot into the bottom corner for 5-0.
The striker was withdrawn two minutes later having completed other impressive stats like three of three duels won, four key passes and one big chance created, with his two goals also coming from his two shots attempted.
French Ligue 1 Player of Round 4 | Vitinha of Paris Saint-Germain
Vitinha was at the heart of things as Paris Saint-Germain eased to a 2-0 win over Lens in Ligue 1, in the absence of their star attacker Ousmane Dembele.
The Portuguese midfielder set up the two goals, both scored by Bradley Barcola, one in either half as the European champions continue their perfect start to the season, and ahead of the start of kickoff of their Champions League title defense.
Vitinha intercepted a pass in midfield and immediately played the ball to Barcola on the left. The French winger choose to curl on in instead of beating his marker and found the back of the net in outrageous style.
He also set up first-half substitute Ibrahim Mbaye with a big chance, but the youngster could not find the right finish as his shot was fired straight at goalkeeper Robin Risser.
Vitinha got his second assist of the day, playing a simple pass to Barcola, who did all the work, moved into a more central position before unleashing a hard but low strike into the bottom corner from outside of the box.
That sealed a 2-0 win for the champions in the absence of Luis Enrique, who could not make the dugout following surgery on his fractured collarbone in a bike accident during the international break—deputized by Rafel Pol.
Ultimate Player of The Weekend in Europe Top 5 Leagues
Charles de Ketelaere without a doubt was the most standout individual during the weekend. His brace wasn’t the only reason for his recognition but his overall game play.
It is one his best so by despite his big standard and Atalanta will hope he add more consistency to help the team more over the course of the season, both domestically and on the continent.
