Bulinews Player of the Season Awards: Hamburger SV's Player of the Season | OneFootball

After an historic relegation leading ino seven long and arduous season in Germany's second division, the glory days seem to be back at Hamburger SV. Returning to the Bundesliga this campaign yielded success for Merlin Polzin's side, who after some initial struggles, found their feet. At no point throughout the season did it look like the Hanseatic club would face relegation. 

That observation was dramatically improved by the performances of one Luka Vušković in the heart of the HSV rearguard. Arriving on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, few would have thought he'd settle so quickly as a 19-year-old with relatively little senior professional football under his belt. However, it wasn't long until he managed to impose himself on Polzin's plans.

Safe for a yellow card suspension and a knee injury which ruled him out for a combined four games, the Croatian made 28 appearances showing in-game smarts beyond his years. A strong sense of positioning coupled with a remarkable knack of winning duels (eleventh best in the league with 316) and his tally of six goals hold all the hallmarks of a truly generational centre-half.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCE:

Luka Vušković's standout performance of the season came in a Matchday 4 victory over 1.FC Heidenheim, giving Hamburg their first points of the season. Despite being under the he cosh early on, the Croatian would net the opening goal. A scramble in the the box eventually fell to the centre-half who did well to fire low through bodies with the aid of a slight deflection.

Although guilty for conceding a chance just a minute later, Vušković recovered to keep the shot out with HSV's goal unguarded. Rayan Philippe would double the hosts lead before Adam Kölle netted late as Hamburg hung on for a 2-1 triumph. In doing so, Vušković was the man behind 14 clearances, 4 recoveries, and 80% duel success which highlighted his dominance. 

HONOURABLE MENTIONS:

The only other member of the Hamburger SV squad to earn a vote from our team of writers was Fábio Vieira. The midfielder arrived on loan from Arsenal with high expectations but delivered as became comfortable in Polzin's side. In his 29 appearances, the Portuguese star finished as HSV's top scorer and top assist creator with 7 and 5 respectively. Now, fans of the club will be hoping they can retain his services for another year.