JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty ImagesCedric Bakambu was arguably Africa’s outstanding performer of the week when he struck a hat-trick in Villarreal’s 3-0 victory over Eibar.
The Congolese frontman is cultivating a reputation as something of a flat-track bully, but few Yellow Submarine fans will care as he takes his tally to five in six in the league so far this term after netting his first hat-trick for the club.
The forward’s intelligent movement and pace makes him a lethal prospect in the Spanish top flight – when on song – and only Lionel Messi and Simone Zaza stand ahead of the former Sochaux man in the scoring charts heading into the international break.
Dominique Badji: Last month, Colorado Rapids interim coach Steve Cooke insisted that the Senegal frontman could hit double figures on terms of goals this term and be one of the club’s top scorer for many years to come.
It was easy to be sceptical, with the 24-year-old netting just eight goals in 46 Major League Soccer appearances during his first two campaigns.
This year, however, he demonstrated another string to his bow when he contributed an assist for Alan Gordon’s 81st-minute winner with a fine low cross as Rapids beat Montreal Impact 2-1 at home.
Sofyan Amrabat: When Feyenoord were smashed 4-0 at home by Manchester City in their Champions League group stage opener, there weren’t too many of the Dutch champions who emerged with much credit.
Amrabat, featuring on the right flank, was one of a few exceptions, regardless of the fact that he was making his debut in the competition proper.
A summer signing from FC Utrecht, the Morocco international featured across the midfield last term, but was called upon to play at right-back for the trip to AZ Alkmaar on Sunday.
The 21-year-old delivered an outstanding display – belying the fact that was playing out of position – and contributed an assist in a magnificent 4-0 victory.
Ola Aina has been consistently excellent for Hull City this season after signing from Chelsea on loan during the transfer window.
The 20-year-old Nigerian defender had played just 25 minutes of league action for his parent club before this term, but has demonstrated both his improving defensive maturity and a willingness to press forward and contribute to the attack.
He contributed an assist at the weekend as the Tigers demolished hapless Birmingham City 6-1 at home, ending their recent winless run in emphatic style.
Kalidou Koulibaly: Only two clubs across Europe’s major leagues head into the international break with a 100 percent in domestic competition – Barcelona and Napoli.
Maurizio Sarri’s side remain Europe’s great entertainers – they’ve netted 25 goals in their seven Serie A games so far – but their progress has been built on a magnificent defence.
As well as delivering a commanding defensive display at home against Cagliari on Sunday, Senegal’s Koulibaly also netted the home side’s third in a 3-0 victory, and averaged a pass accuracy of 98.9 % — better than any of Napoli’s other starters.
The centre-back also registered a team-high three tackles and three interceptions during an excellent all-round display, which reaffirmed his status as one of Serie A’s pre-eminent centre-backs today.
