With the World Cup break now over, GOAL has selected our best combined XI from Europe's 'big five' leagues from the campaign's first few months
The first half of the European season flew by at a frenetic pace, with more than a few surprises thrown up as top European clubs dealt with the demands of a gruelling fixture schedule in the lead-up to Qatar 2022.
Arsenal and Napoli upset the established order to lead the way in the Premier League and Serie A, respectively, while Paris Saint-Germain's all-star front three appears to be reaching its full potential and Bayern Munich are finally clicking as a collective under Julian Nagelsmann.
A new crop of exciting young talent is blossoming and the household superstars have raised their level, which has made for one of the most exciting campaigns in recent memory.
GOAL has collated the best of the best in our European Team of the Season so far…
GettyGK: Brice Samba (Lens)
Samba left Nottingham Forest fans heartbroken when he decided against signing a new contract in the summer, having played a key role in their return to the Premier League after a 23-year absence.
The Frenchman hasn't looked back since joining Lens, though, helping them emerge as the nearest challengers to PSG in Ligue 1 with 11 wins from their first 15 games.
Lens have the second-best defensive record in the division and Samba has kept seven clean sheets already, while his replacement at Forest, Dean Henderson, has shipped 30 goals in 15 Premier League games.
AdvertisementGettyRB: Kieran Trippier (Newcastle)
Newcastle's meteoric rise under Eddie Howe should not be simply dismissed as another example of money delivering instant results, but smart recruitment at St James' Park has certainly been a significant contributing factor.
Trippier was snapped up for the bargain price of £12 million from Atletico Madrid in January, and began the season like a man possessed after seeing his start on Tyneside disrupted by serious injury.
The 32-year-old has taken on vice-captaincy duties and been the model of consistency at the back as Newcastle have staked a claim for a place in the top four.
Getty ImagesCB: Kim Min-jae (Napoli)
Kim was faced with the daunting task of replacing Napoli favourite Kalidou Koulibaly after arriving at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium from Fenerbahce in the summer, but has been more than up to the task.
The South Korean has been colossal in the heart of the defence and has also contributed two goals at the other end of the pitch as Napoli have stormed to the top of the Serie A standings and made it through to the Champions League knockout stages.
Fellow summer signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has said of Kim's impact: ''For me, he is one of the best in the world. If he is in the defence, you are in front of an iron barrel!''
CB: William Saliba (Arsenal)
No player was more important to Arsenal during their rise to the Premier League summit than Saliba, who made the transition from Ligue 1 to the Premier League look easy after his return from a loan spell at Marseille.
Mikel Arteta has been rewarded for taking a patient approach with Saliba, who was initially signed in 2019, as the Frenchman has emphatically shaken off the tag of promising youngster.
Saliba is very much the finished article in terms of his positional sense and composure in possession, with his pace and strength making him a nightmare for strikers across the English top flight.
The 21-year-old's potential is seemingly limitless, and Arsenal's latest generational talent is on track to become the symbol behind their long-awaited return to the very top of the game.