Top five players who have impressed in pre-season

• Several top European teams are playing pre-season games this summer. The pre-season friendlies are the only source of excitement for football fans this summer. 
• The pre-season friendlies tell what football fans should expect next season. New signings like Gabriel Jesus have shown the fans what to expect next season. 
• Darwin Nunez struggled to impress at the start of the pre-season friendlies. However, he scored four on July 21 as Liverpool thrashed RB Leipzig 5-0. 

Top players in Europe are currently playing at the pre-season friendlies as they wait for the 2022-23 season to begin. The pre-season friendlies have given new signings like Darwin Nunez, Sadio Mane and Tyrell Malacia the opportunity to show their potential. 

The friendlies prepare the fans for what they should expect from their favourite players next season. Players like Anthony Martial, Lionel Messi and Kevin de Bruyne have done an impressive job in the ongoing pre-season games. 

This article will look at the top five players who have impressed the most in the pre-season fixtures. 

5. Darwin Nunez

Darwin Nunez is one of the players who have impressed the most in the pre-season games. The striker joined Liverpool from Benfica earlier this summer for 75 million euros. He is one of the most expensive signings Liverpool have ever made in history. 

Darwin Nunez has been training with other Liverpool players this summer and has played in three pre-season friendlies. 

The Uruguayan played his first fixture for Liverpool on July 11 as the Reds faced Manchester United. Liverpool suffered a 4-0 humiliation to their arch-rivals, who have been on form since the start of the pre-season friendlies.

Darwin Nunez did not get many chances during that match against Manchester United. However, he missed a clear chance that left football fans talking. 

Nunez made his second appearance for Liverpool on July 14 as the Merseyside giants defeated Crystal Palace 2-0. The Uruguayan striker played impressively but was not among Liverpool’s goalscorers that day. 

Darwin Nunez did what the Liverpool fans had been waiting for on July 21 as the Reds thrashed RB Leipzig 5-0. Nunez came on as a substitute in the second half when Liverpool were 1-0 up. He scored the other four goals for Liverpool in the second half. 

The first goal for Darwin Nunez was a penalty. He scored his second goal from a narrow-angle and the third after making an excellent off-the-ball movement. His fourth and Liverpool’s fifth goal resulted from a goalkeeper error. 

4. Lionel Messi 

Lionel Messi is another player who has been on form during the pre-season friendlies. The Paris Saint Germain star has excited fans while playing on the friendlies. 

Messi has played two pre-season friendlies for PSG this summer. His first was on July 15 as PSG faced Quevilly. The Argentine played in a deeper role and was a threat to opposition defenders.

Lionel Messi. Photo/talkSPORT

He won a penalty for PSG, which Sergio Ramos converted. The game ended 2-0 in favour of the Parisians. 

Messi also impressed in his second pre-season on July 20 as PSG faced Kawasaki Frontale. He scored the first goal as PSG won the game 2-1.

3. Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne is one of the best midfielders the world has ever seen. The Manchester City star continued his impressive performance on the pre-season tour. 

Manchester City faced Club America on July 20 in a hard-fought match. The game ended 2-1 in favour of Manchester City. 

Kevin De Bruyne did an impressive job as he scored the two goals for Manchester City. 

2. Gabriel Jesus

Former Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus joined Arsenal a few days after the summer transfer window was opened. The Brazilian has been outstanding for Arsenal this summer on the pre-season tour fixtures. 

Gabriel Jesus scored a brace in his first pre-season tour for Arsenal on July 7. Jesus’ two goals helped Arsenal beat Nurnberg 5-3. 

Jesus scored again on July 16 as Arsenal defeated Everton 2-0. The Brazilian international played again for Arsenal on July 20 as the Gunners defeated Orlando City 3-1. He didn’t score, but his energy was crucial in the win. 

1. Anthony Martial

Anthony Martial spent the second half of last season on loan at Sevilla. He didn’t impress the Spanish club, returning to Manchester United at the end of the 2021-22 season. 

Martial was among the players Manchester United intended to release this summer. However, the Frenchman won’t leave due to his impressive performance this summer. 

Martial has scored in all the three pre-season friendlies Manchester United has played this summer. Martial scored on July 11 as The Red Devils thrashed Liverpool 4-0. He scored again on July 14 as Liverpool defeated Melbourne Victory 4-1.

Anthony Martial celebrates after scoring against Crystal Palace. Photo/ Manchester Evening News.

The Frenchman was again on the scoresheet on July 18 as Manchester United beat Crystal Palace 3-1.