Ian Hawkey identifies the the top players, disappointments and pleasant surprises from Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1 while Andy Mitten offers his candidates from La Liga as Europe takes a football break for winter.
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La Liga Flop of the Season: Asier Illarramendi, Real Madrid. Eyebrows were raised when Madrid paid €40 million (Dh201.4m) for the Real Sociedad midfielder in July. The 23 year old had impressed for the Basques as they finished a surprise fourth, but €40 million? Overcome by anxiety when he arrived, he failed to settle quickly. After five months, he's played just 532 minutes of league football and has finished 90 league minutes only once. He's talented and has a bright future ahead, but expectations will be high given his price. Denis Doyle / Getty Images -
La Liga Surprise of the Season: Isco, Real Madrid. After costing €30 million (Dh150.7m) from Malaga, the midfielder was hardly a snip when he arrived at the Bernabeu in July. Playing for Madrid can overwhelm, yet Isco, who is still only 21, settled immediately alongside bigger names and is a foil behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale. Zinedine Zidane calls him 'the most talented footballer in his generation'. Less than halfway through his first season at his new club, he's already played 21 games and scored eight goals. Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno / Getty Images -
Bundesliga Star of the Season: Franck Ribery, Bayern Munich. Brilliant last season and just as effective in making Bayern winter champions under the new coach Pep Guardiola. The France winger will be miffed if he does not win the Ballon d’Or. John MacDougall / AFP
In Pictures: European stars, surprises and flops at the winter breaks
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