European Team of the Month: Manchester City big money signing finally delivering
Here we run through the top WhoScored rated XI from the month of September across Europe’s top five leagues, with additional information about their Football INDEX share prices.
Goalkeeper: Zack Steffen (Fortuna Duesseldorf) – 7.52 rating
Football INDEX share price – N/A
Zack Steffen has been a revelation for Bundesliga side Fortuna Duesseldorf and a regular in the WhoScored Team of the Weeks this season. The 24-year-old made more saves, including a penalty stop, than any other goalkeeper in the Bundesliga in September and ranked fifth in Europe’s top five leagues (21). Manchester City are asking for £20m for their loanee as a result of his impressive showings this season.
Right-back: Ricardo Pereira (Leicester) – 7.75 rating
Football INDEX share price – £1.07
Leicester demanded a world record fee for a defender to let Harry Maguire leave in the summer and they will be able to command another high price if any suitors come calling for right-back Ricardo Pereira at the end of the season. The Portugal international finished September with goals in successive matches, while completing 13 tackles across three matches.
Centre-back: Salif Sane (Schalke) – 7.80 rating
Football INDEX share price – £0.32
Salif Sane was an unlikely goal source for Schalke in September, netting two goals in three league appearances for David Wagner’s side. Schalke inflicted RB Leipzig with their first defeat of the season at the weekend, in which Sane found the back of the net. The 28-year-old also won 16 aerial duels and made 10 tackles and interceptions combined.
Centre-back: Dedryck Boyata (Hertha Berlin) – 7.74 rating
Football INDEX share price – £0.37
Former Manchester City defender Dedryck Boyata finished September in sensational fashion with a goal and WhoScored Man of the Match display in Hertha Berlin’s 4-0 win away to newly promoted FC Koeln. Boyata registered a pass success rate in excess of 90% in two of his three league appearances in September. Furthermore, only one player made more clearances than the Belgium international in the Bundesliga last month (19).
Left-back: Achraf Hakimi (Borussia Dortmund) – 7.65 rating
Football INDEX share price – £1.29
Real Madrid loanee Achraf Hakimi has made another great start to the season for Borussia Dortmund and it will be interesting to see what happens with his future in the summer. The 20-year-old was a constant goal threat for Dortmund last month, completing 11 dribbles; while also managing three shots and four key passes. Hakimi did not shirk his defensive responsibilities, completing seven tackles across three appearances.
Right wing: Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) – 8.47 rating
Football INDEX share price – £2.20
After a relatively frustrating maiden campaign at Manchester City, Riyad Mahrez has stepped up to become a match-winner for Pep Guardiola’s side this season. The 28-year-old played a direct hand in three goals in as many league appearances last month and earned the WhoScored Man of the Match award in City’s 3-1 win away to Everton to close off September. Mahrez was also one of four City players to garner a perfect WhoScored 10 rating in their 8-0 win over Watford.
Central midfield: Philippe Coutinho (Bayern Munich) – 8.24 rating
Football INDEX share price – £2.89
Philippe Coutinho has made a seamless transition to life at Bayern Munich and has already rediscovered the mojo he lost in Barcelona. The former Liverpool midfielder finished September with successive WhoScored Man of the Match awards and scored and assisted in both fixtures. Furthermore, only one player registered more clear-cut chances than Coutinho in the Bundesliga last month (three), while the Brazilian also ranked second for accurate through balls (two).
Central midfield: Suat Serdar (Schalke) – 8.21 rating
Football INDEX share price - £0.76
Suat Serdar scored two goals in three league appearances in September and picked up the WhoScored Man of the Match in their 2-1 win over Mainz. Serdar completed seven dribbles in that time, registered two key passes and attempted five shots. Without the ball, the 22-year-oled completed 14 tackles and made four interceptions.
Left wing: Amine Harit (Schalke) – 8.60 rating
Football INDEX share price – £1.67
Amine Harit is the third Schalke player in the best rated XI from Europe’s top five leagues for September and also the player of the month. The 22-year-old impressively played a direct hand in the most goals in the Bundesliga last month (six), at least two more than any other in his division. Harit scored in three straight matches and won the WhoScored Man of the Match award twice.
Striker: Gerard Moreno (Villarreal) – 7.91 rating
Football INDEX share price – £1.05
Villarreal striker Gerard Moreno remarkably only needs two more goals in LaLiga to equal his tally from the duration of last season. The 27-year-old started September with successive WhoScored Man of the Match awards against Real Madrid and Leganes and finished the month with a direct hand in five goals in as many league appearances.
Striker: Islam Slimani (Monaco) – 8.56 rating
Football INDEX share price - £0.72
Islam Slimani’s enjoyed a remarkable run of form in September for Ligue 1 side Monaco and the former Leicester flop is currently the second highest WhoScored rated player in Europe’s top five leagues this season. In fact, no player in Europe’s top five leagues played a direct hand in more goals than Slimani (seven) last month, while the 31-year-old also produced the most clear-cut chances on the continent (seven).
