Player Focus: The Best Breakthrough Performers in Europe's Top 5 Leagues

The international break is always a good time to reflect on what has happened in Europe's top 5 leagues and, so late on in the domestic season, it represents an opportunity to evaluate the strongest performers of the campaign.

It's the time of year when thoughts turn to the end of season awards and we at WhoScored have come up with our own. Rather than simply assessing those that could be considered as a 'Young Player of the Year' candidate we are looking at those to have had the greatest breakthrough season.

We're judging this based on players aged 23 or under who had made fewer than 10 appearances in any of Europe's major leagues or in Europe prior to this campaign. Based on our statistical ratings, here we highlight one player from each of Europe's top 5 leagues that has stood out the most based on the aforementioned criteria.

Premier League - Jores Okore (Aston Villa)

It's fair to say that when Aston Villa signed Jores Okore the fans were excited to see just how well the young Danish international would adapt to the Premier League. That anticipation was cruelly cut short after a cruciate ligament injury in only his third appearance for the club ruled the centre-back out of action for the rest of the season. On the fringes at the start of this campaign, Okore has profited from injuries to some of his more senior teammates to finally take his chance to impress.

The 22-year old has performed admirably alongside Ciaran Clark - who has also come on leaps and bounds these past six months - to earn a league rating of 7.15 from WhoScored.com, which is only bettered by his centre-back partner for Villa this season. Impressive averages of 2.2 tackles, 2.9 interceptions and an 86.7% pass accuracy have helped the side to concede more than once in a game in just 4 of Okore's 21 appearances across the league and cup and more than twice in a game just once.

Serie A - Paulo Dybala (Palermo)

Having helped Palermo to regain their top-flight status in Italy few could have predicted just how easily Argentine striker Paulo Dybala would adjust to the rigours of Serie A. With 12 goals and 7 assists to his name, only Carlos Tevez has had a direct hand in more goals in Italy's top tier than the young Palermo ace, so it's little surprise that some of Europe's top clubs are thought to be interested in acquiring Dybala's services this summer.

His partnership with playmaker Franco Vazquez has been one of the real highlights of the Serie A season and the main factor in Palermo's comfortable mid-table standing upon their return to the top-flight. Having mustered more shots than any other player in Serie A (96), as well as ranking among the top 10 players in terms of dribbles per game (2.6), Dybala has secured a superb WhoScored.com rating of 7.38.

La Liga - José Gayá (Valencia)

Just how Valencia keep producing some of the finest young left-backs in European football is unclear but, following the departures of Jordi Alba and Juan Bernat to Barcelona and Bayern Munich respectively, it seems José Gayá could be the next big thing to come out of the Mestalla. Indeed, a move to grander surroundings could yet be on the cards for the teenager too, with Real Madrid strongly tipped with an interest in the 19-year old already.

Gayá very much fits the mould of his los Che predecessors as a modern day full-back, capable at the back whilst providing a threat going forward down the left-flank. The Spaniard has produced an impressive 2.8 tackles and 2 interceptions per game but also weighed in with 4 assists, 28 successful dribbles and 22 accurate crosses to help Valencia's push for automatic Champions League qualification.

Bundesliga - Jin-Su Kim (Hoffenheim)

The Bundesliga is renowned for its Far East imports and one of this season's newcomers from South Korea has proven to be a real success. Hoffenheim's Jin-Su Kim was plagued by injuries in the early part of the season but the 22-year old has made the left-back spot his own since returning to the side last November and his consistency has been impressive in that time.

Kim has only picked up two WhoScored ratings lower than a 7 in his 14 Bundesliga starts thus far, for a seasonal average of 7.39. His pace and athleticism has allowed him to adapt to the fast-paced Bundesliga comfortably and his defensive statistics have shone, averaging 3.3 tackles, 3.7 interceptions and 3.5 aerial duels won per game, aiding in Hoffenheim's marked improvement at the back.

Ligue 1 - N'Golo Kanté (Caen)

There have been some impressive performances from youngsters in France this season but N'Golo Kanté stands out of those to meet the requirements here. Having helped Caen secure promotion to Ligue 1 last season the pocket-sized midfielder has been a bundle of energy in the middle of the park as Patrice Garande's side attempt to consolidate their top-flight status.

Kanté has got forward when possible to weigh in with 2 goals and 4 assists this season - averaging 1.3 key passes and 1.4 dribbles per game - but it's defensive work rate that has really caught the eye. An excellent WhoScored.com rating of 7.41 comes as a result of having made 2.8 interceptions per game and 16 more tackles (143) than any other player in Europe's top 5 leagues.

Which of these five have you been most impressed with this season? Let us know in the comments below