Miguel Gutierrez is a regret for Napoli: superb start with Leverkusen, he is already the king of assists

Gutierrez has already become Leverkusen's assist king: the former Girona player has already provided three in the first five Bundesliga matchdays.

In fellow countryman Carlos Martinez Novell's squad, no one has teed up a team-mate more often so far. No one has embraced the Robin role more than Gutierrez, the perfect sidekick for a Batman in the box.

Up against Leipzig, another familiar face from Serie A played the superhero: Patrik Schick, the former Roma player. The Czech's split-second finish for the temporary 1-0 was flawless, brilliantly set up by one of Gutierrez's inch-perfect crosses.

Gutierrez also found the net in the same game, Leverkusen's 2-0 win over the Red Bull club last weekend, scoring his first goal in a Bayer Leverkusen shirt.

The Spaniard struck with his left foot from the edge of the box, though Baku's deflection proved decisive in wrong-footing goalkeeper Vandevoordt.

One stat stands out: Gutierrez has already comfortably surpassed, after a month or little more, the numbers he posted last season at Napoli. In that campaign, he scored one goal, against Fiorentina in the league, and produced just a single assist.

Napoli sold Gutierrez to Leverkusen for one main reason: financial convenience. They banked €26 million, having signed him from Girona a year earlier for 18 plus two in bonuses.

From a purely sporting point of view, though, the deal can be questioned. After an initial settling-in period, especially under Antonio Conte, Gutierrez had started to show his value. He even did it out of position, wide on the right in a four-man midfield.

Allegri still has Mathias Olivera and Leonardo Spinazzola as full-backs, and he could use them even if he switches to a back three. Olivera will soon turn 29 and Spinazzola is 33, while Gutierrez is 25. For him, though, Napoli are now the past. The present and the future are called Leverkusen.

Gutierrez has never worn the Spain shirt. Not for the senior national team, at least. He only went as far as the Olympic side, while also featuring for the youth teams.

De la Fuente did not call up the former Azzurri player for this round of Nations League matches either. Even so, the hope is still there. He admitted himself that he is chasing a big dream after his superb display against Leipzig.

"Of course, the national team is my objective, but it is difficult because they have just become world champions " he said. "I have to keep working and wait for my chance."

For now, Gutierrez is enjoying life in Leverkusen. Napoli are behind him now, and so is Serie A. The Bundesliga seems to suit him perfectly.

"I am very, very happy here, he said again after the match against Leipzig, and then it is very easy to play alongside so many strong team-mates."