Silent and deadly – Youssef En-Nesyri

An unlikely name on the top of La Liga's top goalscorers list, Youssef En-Nesyri has well and truly made a name for himself since the turn of the year. In a fortnight, his two hat-tricks made him a popular figure, but Sevilla fans already knew what they've got – a silent hitman.

He is one of those players who doesn't like to do interviews and offer big statements to the media. He's a family man who goes to work. And he's in the goal business. He helped his team extend their strong run of form, which has seen them win seven of their last ten games, losing just once – to Atletico Madrid. The Morocco international has featured in six of those wins and found the net eight times.

Hat-tricks in the games against Real Sociedad and, most recently, against Cadiz, made him the talk of Spain, but his rise didn't happen overnight. Born in the Moroccan city of Fes in 1997, the striker's early days with Maghreb Fes recommended him to recently-formed Mohammed VI Academy, a camp designed to develop young athletes. In the four years spent at the Academy, En-Nesyri became a prominent young player in his homeland, and after starring in a youth tournament, he was picked up by Malaga in 2015. His Spanish adventure was to begin.

Malaga boss Juande Ramos introduced a then-18-year-old to senior football in 2016, and the youngster was a big part of the side that was relegated from La Liga in 2018. Towards the end of his Malaga stay, he'd become the only Los Boquerones player to score at a World Cup when he beat David de Gea in a 2-2 draw in Russia. However, it was virtually impossible to keep the young star at the club following their demotion, so CD Leganes swooped to recruit the promising goalscorer.

Leganes boss Mauricio Pellegrino has seen his fair share of talented strikers while playing for Valencia and Liverpool, so he knew what he was speaking about the Moroccan's potential of becoming a big player.

"If he can keep his composure and calmness when presented with goalscoring chances, Youssef will be a player of the highest level. He has the technical ability, and it's all about reaching that mental stability and maturity. He is on the right track."

Pellegrino was right, and he wasn't the only one to notice Youssef's ability. After a year and a half in Madrid's outskirts, Sevilla came calling, and En-Nesyri was on his way back to the region of Andalusia, signing a five-year contract in early 2020. Leganes had signed him for $6.6 million and sold him for $22 million less than two years later. It may have been a hefty fee, but everyone at Sevilla knew that they'd gotten a fine replacement for recently departed strikers Munas Dabbur and Chicharito Hernandez. And young En-Nesyri wouldn't disappoint.

Four goals in his 18 appearances in the Covid-ravaged months weren't spectacular. Still, Sevilla head coach Julen Lopetegui stuck with the Moroccan and gave him time to adjust to life at Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán. Youssef repaid his boss with 16 goals since the start of the season, leaving other Sevilla forwards Luuk De Jong and Munir far behind in the goalscoring charts. He put the ball in the back of the net with both his feet and his head. A strong presence in the air, he thrives on service from the wings, and you wouldn't bet against him rising the highest to get to the ball in the area.

Off the pitch, En-Nesyri likes to keep his head down and spend time with his family whenever he's not spoiling goalkeepers' days.

"If your mindset is right, you can succeed at the highest level. I'm thankful to Julen Lopetegui and the Sevilla supporters for giving me so much confidence. It's not easy to achieve your dream, but if you continue hard and you've got the support from your family, you can make it. I think that family is vital. They always come first for me."

So far, Youssef En-Nasyri is focused on his career in Spain despite West Ham United's reported interest in his services. His current market value is estimated at around $50 million, but it will undoubtedly continue to rise if he continues to torment defenders the way he's done recently.