A host of quality teams have been tussling at the top end of Serie A this season, with unbeaten Napoli leading the way in style. 

Lazio and defending champions AC Milan have also impressed this term, despite struggling to keep pace with the Partenopei.

The trio, among others, owe their success to the stars of their respective squads, who have lit up the league with their dazzling displays.

As club football pauses to make room for the World Cup, we pick out five players that have stood out in Serie A so far this term.

Victor Osimhen

Napoli's talisman Victor Osimhen has been one of the best strikers in Europe this season.

The Nigerian leads the Serie A scoring charts with nine goals, demonstrating clinical finishing to overperform his expected goals tally of 6.22. 

Key to the No9's success is his willingness to pull the trigger frequently, taking 48 shots and troubling the keeper with 15 of his efforts. 

With the Super Eagles absent from this year's World Cup, Osimhen will be fresh for the second half of the season as Napoli aim to close out their first Serie A title since 1989-90.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has reportedly caught the attention of a host of top European sides — and it is easy to see why. 

The 27-year-old has managed three goals and also tops the Italian assist charts this term with seven. 

Milinkovic-Savic has impeccable close control and a pin-point passing range that can unlock any deep defensive block, all packaged into a powerful 6ft 5in frame. 

Yet he is equally effective defensively, so far registering an impressive 25 tackles and 14 interceptions while regaining possession 35 times in the middle third. 

Lazio will be keen to keep a hold of their star man as they bid to land a top-four spot which they narrowly missed out on last term.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Few would have taken much notice when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia arrived in Naples from Georgian outfit Dinamo Batumi.

However, his performances since have made him a contender for signing of the season — not just in Italy, but across Europe.

The 19-cap Georgian international, still only 21, has six goals and five assists in Serie A this season, with nine of those contributions coming from open play. 

He is a fearless dribbler, attempting more take-ons (58) than any other player in the Italian top flight and completing 19. 

Luciano Spalletti's side have been on fire and livewire Kvaratskhelia has been at the heart of their attacking dominance.

Rafael Leao

Defending champions AC Milan may be trailing the league leaders this season — but Portuguese starlet Rafael Leao has continued to set the division alight. 

The Rossoneri winger, 23, is composed in front of goal, netting six and providing four assists. 

He uses his delicate control and fast acceleration to burst past defenders, assets that have seen him complete the joint-most dribbles (24) this campaign. 

If Milan are to pounce on any slip Napoli may make, they will need their talisman to continue to shine.

Lautaro Martinez

Lautaro Martinez has enjoyed a flying start to the season, scoring seven goals and assisting three. 

Inter Milan's vice-president Javier Zanetti spoke to Argentine news outlet La Nacion earlier this month and heaped praise on the striker’s recent performances for the Nerazzurri. 

He said: "I hope [Martinez] scores a lot of goals [at the World Cup], he's shown remarkable growth at Inter, he's added new aspects to his game. 

"Now he's become a reference point for both his club and international teams. He has a great future, [but] he hasn't yet reached his best. 

"It will be his first World Cup, and I told him to enjoy it. 

"He has a great work ethic and that's what allows him to make the difference on the pitch. The way he plays and trains, he looks like a veteran."