3 players that have proved their worth this season

There are many players that fail to reach their tremendous potential, Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott`s injury plagued career`s come to mind. Many others are slapped into the same category, however, im focusing on the players that managed to clamber out of that trap and really show everyone where the original heaps of praise came from.

Adama Traore - Wolverhampton Wanderers

Traore was always labelled as something special ever since his handful of appearances for Barcelona at the age of 17 in 2013. He made the transfer to English Football when he was snatched up by Aston Villa in 2015 for £8m. Just one year later after a stagnating time in his career, he moved to teesside to join Premier League newcomers Middlesborough. At his 2 year spell at the club we saw his fantastic ability to glide past players effortlessly, power through defences like a steamroller and his blistering pace was displayed for all to see. His ability on the ball however differed from his athletic capabilities, he didn`t manage to score a goal in his 16 appearances for the relegated Middlesborough. The Spaniards numbers improved in the Championship and that`s when in the summer of 2018, another Premier League new boy, Wolves took a chance on the former Barcelona academy graduate.

His first season for Wolves was much like his first at Middlesborogh, many flashy displays but his numbers in front of goal were poor, triggering media outlets and fans alike to question his ability, was he good enough for the Premier League? The now 24 year old was ready to prove his critics wrong, the 2019/20 season turned out to be Traore`s breakthrough campaign. Scoring 6 goals and collecting 7 assists this season, he has been without a doubt more menacing in front of goal, with half of those goals coming against champions Manchester City. As well as still displaying his glamorous speed, power and dribbling ability, the Wolves forward added dangerous crossing and telepathic link up play to his portfolio. His performances this season have attracted attention across the continent, even Liverpool are reported to be interested. It will be interesting to see if the elegant winger keeps up this momentum going into next season.

Ciro Immobile - Lazio

It seems like 30 year-old Immobile has finally reached the peak of his career. The broad Italian learned his trade with lower league Italian side Sorrento before Juventus learned his potential in 2009 and purchased the target man. After later being sold by the Italian giants, he enjoyed many spells with many clubs in many countries, playing for the likes of Torino, Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla. Throughout his travels of Europe he proved that he was a more than capable scorer, especially in his breakthrough season with Torino, finding the net 22 times in 33 games. His `big moves` to Dortmund in 2014 and Sevilla in 2015 didn`t go as planed as the once lethal striker`s career fell flat and his potential dried up. Until he returned to his native homeland Italy in the summer of 2016, as Lazio`s 7m punt on the 26 year-old gave him another chance.

At Lazio his once petering out career was injected with new life, he found great consistency with the white and sky blues, scoring 94 goals in 131 appearances, including a ground-breaking season this year. This season marks his 4th year with the club and it`s looking to be his best yet, he has finally shown why the excitement at the start of his career was so genuine. He has a clinical eye for goal, proves a natural in the air and holds invaluable capabilities with both his feet. His technical ability seems to have also improved, whilst his work rate, even at 30 years of age is tireless and Immobile has proved his vital importance when it comes to having a potent goalscorer in a team that`s going toe-to-toe with big hitting Juventus this season. The Serie A top scorer is even pipping the likes of Inter Milan`s Romelu Lukaku and coveted Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo in the charts, scoring 27 times already. I have no doubt that his form will continue and maybe the Lazio fan favourite will pull up some more trees come the end of the campaign.

Virgil Van Dijk - Liverpool

This one may seem a little more obvious, but i feel its essential to include the towering Dutchman. Although its not been a breakthrough season for the 28 year old it certainly has been a significant one, with him being of undeniable severity when it comes to Liverpool`s season of dominance. After making a lasting impression at Scottish champions Celtic, he was purchased by Premier League side Southampton, who already had a rich reputation of nurturing some of the finest talents in football. He spent 2 years at St-Mary`s where he displayed many resolute and gargantuan performances, he was still susceptible to the odd mistake though and until they were ironed out the Netherlands international would never really reach the heights expected of him.

In 2017 Liverpool took a risk, they met Southampton`s colossal demands and agreed to pay £75m for Van Dijk, a world-record fee for a defender at the time. Before the purchase of the elegant centre-half Liverpool were struggling in the defensive department, which was labelled as significant draw back to why Jurgen Klopp`s side were not seriously competing for trophies. The money spent on Van Dijk seems to have paid off though, in his first full season with the reds he won the Champions League, a feat the club had not achieved since the famous 2005/06 Istanbul triumph. He was also nominated for the Ballon`dor, which was significant as defenders are historically discriminated against in the competition, eventually placing 2nd, behind Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

Despite his heroics last season, I think its this season where he has truly played his way into football history. He has displayed consistency throughout, with it now being a matter of time before Liverpool claim their first ever Premier League title. Looking at all the evidence it seems that he continues to be one of the most important players around, changing the Reds fortunes ever since he stepped through the door. His leadership, defensive masterclasses and technical ability solidifies his place among the world best and he still has so much to offer. Comparing the fee Liverpool spent on him to the money being thrown around in today's inflated market, it seems they really did get their money`s worth.