EUROPE'S BEST: FOUR OF THE WEEKEND'S STAND OUT STARS

Featured Image Credit: Bundesliga

Want to know who put in a shift around Europe last weekend? Look no further!

Ligue 1: Memphis Depay - Olympique Lyonnais 

Throughout the summer transfer merry-go-round, one of the biggest stories that didn’t come to light was Barcelona’s proposed deal for Lyon’s Memphis Depay. 

This weekend Memphis showed Koeman’s side what they missed out on, providing a hat-trick of assists in a magic first half against Strasbourg. This takes his total goal contributions to 7 in the league, averaging one every hour or so. This is second only to the force of nature that is Kylian Mbappe. 

The Dutchman has come a long way in France since that underwhelming season in Manchester.

Serie A: Zlatan Ibrahimovic - AC Milan 

Milan are exciting a lot of wonderkid spotters this season, as they try to get back to winning ways with youth and enthusiasm like Donnarumma, Theo Hernandez and Sandro Tonali.

On Saturday Zlatan showed that youth can’t necessarily get you everywhere though, with a brace to hand the Rossoneri their first derby win against Inter in over four years. 

Milan are now one of just two teams in Europe’s top five leagues who still have a 100% win record. The other is Aston Villa.

Special Mention - Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano

Starred for Napoli as they cruised to a win over everyone’s favourite attack-first-ask-questions-later side, Atalanta.

Bundesliga: Thomas Müller - Bayern Munich

The Bundesliga award couldn’t exactly go to Lewandowski twice in a row, even if he did sort of deserve it, so this week it goes to his partner in crime.

As Bayern continue to look almost inevitable (ahem, Hoffenheim), they brushed aside newly promoted, but not insignificant Bielefeld at the weekend, with Muller pulling the strings in the middle for Lewa and co. 

The German has truly had a rebirth under Hansi Flick, going from and outcast and unnecessary player at the start of last season, he forced his way back in the side to reclaim his rightful spot in the starting XI back from Coutinho. Müller is Bayern, and Bayern is Müller.

Special Mention - Youssoufa Moukoko

Even after suffering horrendous and inexcusable racial abuse from certain Schalke fans at an U19 game, 15-year-old Moukoko ran away with the derby, bagging a hat-trick and promising great things for the 20 November, when he turns 16 and qualifies for the senior team. Save the date.

La Liga: Dani Parejo - Villarreal 

Parejo left Valencia for rivals Villarreal in the summer, leaving as a legend after 9 years at the club, as the Valencia ownership slowly disintegrated one of La Liga’s giants. 

He faced them for the first time this weekend and continued where he left off at Valencia, as a midfield general, dictating the play and putting in a shift with every game. He smashed home the winner on Sunday and came close to a second.

At 31, he’s been around for a while, but is consistently underrated and flies under the radar in Spain. If he doesn’t stay at Villareal, look out for him making a move to a top-tier team like Bayern or PSG as a quality backup option.