Where do Vinicius Jr., Eder Militao rank among LaLiga’s most improved players?

2. Elche FW Lucas Boye

Every time Real Madrid faces Elche – and they have done so three times this season and two times in the last – I come away impressed with Lucas Boye. Many Madridistas do. Boye looks so good that he would not look out of place on any team in LaLiga, though, of course, he would not necessarily start for every side.

The Argentine attacker is full of invention and goals. Last season, he scored seven goals in an encouraging first season in LaLiga since being a backup for Celta Vigo in 2017-18, and the veteran Lucas Perez’s striker partner has already equaled that tally with seven in 2021-22.

Boye offers more than goals, too. Much more, in fact. The 25-year-old also has three assists to his name and is one of the most dynamic players in the league. Boye can create danger from nothing, which is why even the big clubs in Spain do not like facing him.

So far this season, he is averaging 2.6 dribbles completed per game and 1.8 fouls drawn per game. Both are clear improvements from his numbers in 2020-21. He is also averaging double the key passes per game, up from 0.4 to 0.9.

Don’t be surprised if Boye earns a transfer to a bigger club in LaLiga this summer. Elche have their own ambitions and are 13th in the league, but Boye could be playing in the Europa League. He has gone from being an intriguing player for Elche into having a case for being one of the top 10 forwards in LaLiga.