Obviously this list is likely to cause plenty
of disagreement from readers, so opinions in the
comments box below are much appreciated. Let's begin:
50. Wesley Sneijder
Sneijder is the only player from the Turkish Super Lig to make this
list and if it wasn't for him Galatasaray may well be even further
behind Fenerbahce. He may be past his best, but Sneijder still provides a
great attacking option with his incredible passing ability.
49. Arda Turan
Turan has played a huge part in what has so far been a very
successful season for Atletico, he can defend, he can attack and is
overall an invaluable player for El Atleti.
48. Daniel Sturridge
Sturridge has combined with Luis Suarez this season to create one of
the most lethal partnerships in world football. He could easily be much
higher up in this list in the future.
47. John Terry
You may be surprised to see Terry on this list, after all he is 33
and one of the most hated players in the Premier League. However, Terry
has been a rock at the back for Chelsea and he and Gary Cahill (who
deserves a special mention but didn't quite make the top 50) have helped
the West London side to the top of the table.
46. Mario Balotelli
AC Milan have had an awful season in 2013/14 but Balo has provided
hope when there looked like very little for Clarence Seedorf's side.
Possible too good for Milan and i wouldn't be surprised to see him make a
big money move this summer (don't get too excited Arsenal fans).
45. Dries Mertens
Napoli have had a disappointing season but will still make the
Champions League and Mertens' performances have made that happen. The
Belgian has looked the most dangerous out of Napoli's 4 attacking
Midfielders Insigne, Hamsik, Callejón and himself and i look forward to
seeing him at the World Cup.
44. Jerome Boateng
Boateng is the first of many Bayern players on this list and with
good reason. The German signed a new contract in December and Bayern
will need him to continue to deliver rock-solid performances.
43. Ángel Di María
It's difficult to stand out in a team like Real Madrid but Di Maria
has done exactly that with his crossing ability. Five assists and three
Champions League goals speaks for itself.
42. Jordi Alba
Alba is not the highest left-back on this list but there is no doubt
he is one of the best. The attacking threat he offers in a great asset
to Barcelona.
41. Diego Costa
Costa was almost unknown before this season but in now one of the
most well known strikers in La Liga. This is no surprise with his 21
goals in the league putting Atletico right in the title race.
40. Iker Casillas
He may not be Real Madrid's number one but we all know Casillas is
still class. This may well be the last time you see him in a list like
this though.
39. James Rodríguez
Since moving to Monaco Rodríguez has been has been consistently good
and it is no surprise that Real Madrid are interested in the
22-year-old. He could be vital to Colombia's World Cup chances in
Brazil.
38. Neymar
There was a lot of pressure on Neymar after his move from Santos but
the young Brazilian really has delivered. Despite having not yet lived
up to his £48.6million price tag Neymar has performed well with 12 goals
and, at only 22, could yet become one of the best players in the world.
37. Giorgio Chiellini
Juventus are running away in the Serie A and a solid defence has been
important to their success. At the heart of it Chiellini has helped
Juventus to 12 clean sheets and is arguably performing as well as he has
ever done in his nine years playing for the club.
36. Karim Benzema
A team like Real Madrid need a great striker and Benzema would go
straight in to any team in the world. His 23 goals for Real have made a
potential treble possible and the French attacker has been linked with
many clubs including Arsenal (who hasn't) but surely Carlo Ancelotti
will want to keep hold of him?
35. Marco Reus
People forget Marco Reus is only 24 as he as already made his name as
one of the best wingers in the world. Reus has had a disappointing
season but how could I resist putting him on this list? After all, his
haircut is enough to get him on any top 50.
34. Alexis Sánchez
In contrast, Sanchez has had an incredible season in Barcelona. His 18 goals and 11 assists has earned him a first team place.
33. Radamel Falcao
Falcao is currently suffering from an injury that may keep him out of
the World Cup. This would be a very big shame as Falcao is absolutely
lethal as he showed for Atletico Madrid. His move to Ligue 1 has not
been entirely successful so far but if he can get himself fully fit I am
sure he will be back in form and scoring again.
32. Antoine Griezmann
Many of you will be wondering why Griezmann is on this list, let
alone why he is 32nd but Griezmann has been turning heads in the Spanish
League this season with 15 goals in 23 appearances for Real Sociedad.
The 22 year-old left winger has almost single handedly guided Sociedad
to a respectable sixth place. Therefore, Griezmann's position on this
list is entirely justified. If the Frenchman does make a move to a
bigger club (Arsenal fans don't get too excited) he will certainly be a
great signing.
31. Robert Lewandowski
When a player has an average season and has still scored 21 goals,
you know they must be good. Lewandowski's inevitable move to Bayern has
sparked controversy across Germany with the Champions already having
snatched Mario Gotze from their rivals. Okay, it has not been a bad
season for Lewa but the Bayern transfer has certainly not helped in
Dortmund's efforts to challenge them at the top of the Bundesliga. Once
Lewandowski has settled down in Munich he will be back to his best,
don't you worry about that.
30. Paul Pogba
What a season Juventus are having, they're running away with Serie A
and a lot of their success is down to Pogba. Manchester United will be
regretting letting the 20-year-old go after watching him become one of
the best central midfielders in the world while they flounder about in
7th place. It's no surprise they want him back.
29. Vincent Kompany
Kompany is rock solid and without him Manchester City wouldn't be where they are today. 'nough said.
28. Luka Modrić
Since leaving Spurs Modric had been a bit of a dissappointment for
Madrid, until this season . Ancelotti has made Modric a key member of
the team and he is now performing to the level he once was at White Hart
Lane.
27. Dante
Dante has helped Bayern become the best team in Europe and there is
no doubt that without him the Bayern defence would not be as rigid as it
is. He also deserves massive respect for sprinting all the way back to
Neuer after scoring to thank him for helping his team to keep clean
sheets.
26. Pedro Rodríguez
Pedro is having one of his best ever seasons for Barcelona with 13
goals in La Liga. He may be small but he's had big shoes to step into
after David Villa left for Madrid and boy has he done that?
25. Mario Götze
Bayern have arguably the strongest team in Europe and the addition of
Götze in the summer has only made it stronger. It sometimes takes
players time to adjust to life at a new club but the German has
performed in both Bundesliga and Champions League competitions.
24. Xavi Hernandez
You can't have a top 50 players list without Xavi and although the 34
year-old is not having his best season you cannot possibly argue he
deserves his place here. He has been one of Barcelona's most important
players since 2001 and although he may be slightly past his sell by date
he still continues to provide consistent performances, although only 2
assists this season shows he may not be able to perform at the highest
level for much longer. I look forward to watching what will almost
certainly be this legends' last ever World Cup.
23. Edinson Cavani
Cavani guided Napoli to a 2nd place finish in Serie A last season and
since moving to PSG he has arguably become an even better player. His
shots to goals ratio is better than his strike partner Zlatan
Ibrahimovic this season! Uruguay will be in England's group at the World
Cup and I'm surely not the only one who can see Chris Smalling getting
completely dominated by him.
22. David Alaba
Right now Alaba is probably the best left back in the world and the
Austrian has shown that he doesn't just defend well with 2 goals and 5
assists contributing to his clubs success. At 21 years of age Alaba
still has potential to become even better.
21. Robin van Persie
Van Persie's heart clearly hasn't been in it this season for United
and that is inexcusable especially considering the money he is earning.
You may be surprised to see him so far from the top 10 in this list but
he has not been anywhere near as good as he was in 2012/13. Okay, he has
had a few injury problems but an unhappy striker is never going to play
at their best and so 21st on the list seems justified. Leave your
opinions below.
20. Sergio Ramos
Ramos was voted in FIFPRO World XI a decision that was not
particularly well received by a minority of the football world who felt
Dante deserved the award more. Ramos is known for his ill-discipline but
he seems to be trying to cut that out of his game having earned just
the one in the Spanish League this season.
19. Arturo Vidal
Vidal said earlier in the year that he is the best player in his
position in the world. Bit Arrogant Arturo, but he's not far wrong.
Vidal is wanted by Real Madrid and it is no surprise when you consider
he has scored 11 goals and got 5 assists this season. Chile will need
him on the top of his game in a group with Spain and Holland. Then we
can see if he really is the best central midfielder in the world.
18. Gareth Bale
There is no doubt that €91 million for one player is an absolutely
ridiculous sum of money but if you compare the transfer to £50 million
for Fernando Torres or £35 million for Andy Carroll it is money well
spent. It was by no means a dead cert that Bale would perform for Real
Madrid and so the deal to purchase the Welsh Winger from Tottenham was
risky. It seemed as if it could yet another awful transfer blunder as
Bale got injured early in his Madrid career but since then he has been
lethal for club and country. Ancelotti's decision to put Bale on the
right has payed off and 10 goals is a reasonable return from 18 games.
There will no doubt be more to come.
17. Arjen Robben
I dislike Robben's attitude towards his teammates and fans but he is
undeniably one of Bayern's best players. The 30-year-old has had another
great season for the Bavarians and deserves his place on this list
despite having an ego bigger than David Hasselhoff's.
16. Thiago Silva
PSG may not be up against the toughest attacking opposition in Ligue 1
but Silva has shown enough in the Champions League to justify his place
on this list. It is always difficult for a player to reach his full
potential when playing outside the main 4 leagues but Silva is a great
great player and even when playing teams like AC Ajaccio (no disrespect
to them), 14 clean sheets is still very impressive.
15. Andres Iniesta
I think I speak for every football fan around the world when I say
Andres will get and deserves huge support during this tough time for
him, he is a true footballing great. Iniesta may not score the most
goals for Barcelona, although he has racked up 31 in his time there, but
he more than makes up for it with the amount of goals he creates for
his teammates. The Spaniard has set up 7 this season down on the 22 he
achieved last year but still an excellent total. He is one of the most
like-able characters in the game for many reasons including the fact
that he has never been sent off in his career. A true professional who
deserves 15th place on this list.
14. Medhi Benatia
Probably the most controversial positions on this whole list. Yes,
Medhi Benatia is, in my opinion, the best centre back in the world. Roma
have surprised everyone this season and their defence has been
consistently better than Stoke's on a wet and windy Tuesday night. That
really is saying something. Benatia at the heart of the defence has been
a brick wall and is the main reason why "i Giallorossi" have only
conceded 11 goals in Serie A all season. Certainly the most in form
Centre back, but the best? Comments are much appreciated.
13. Manuel Neuer
Every great team needs a great shot-stopper and Bayern absolutely
have that with Manuel Neuer. Having been voted FIFPRO goalkeeper of the
year for 2013 Manu has continued to act as a wall for club and country
and could be influential in Germany's World Cup campaign.
12. Bastian Schweinsteiger
Schweinstiger has been on the scene for what seems like 50 years and
it is hard to believe Schweini is only 29. He has struggled with injury
this season but still remains one of the best midfielders in the world.
In my opinion Bastian is better than Xavi and Iniesta despite not making
the FIFPRO World XI. The German is stronger than the Spanish duo and
his shooting ability sets him slightly above them. Disagree? Let me know
below.
11. Francesc Fàbregas
Fabregas is having a great season and deserves his place on this
list. Since leaving Arsenal the Spaniard has got even better and this
season he has displayed his quality with 12 assists and 8 goals, a tally
that comfortably betters teammates Xavi and Iniesta.
10. Yaya Toure
Manchester City made one of their best signings ever in 2010 by
purchasing the Ivorian for £25 million. They may not have known it then
but Yaya Toure would turn out to be one of the world's best
players.There is no denying that Yaya struggled at Barcelona and was
certainly not much loved by Pep Guardiola but Yaya immediately fit into
the style of City and has surely never looked back.
9. Luis Suárez
For me, Suarez is not the best striker in the Premier League. Now
we've got that out the way let's talk about what he is. Luis is an
unbelievable chaser of the ball and will give no defenders time on the
ball, an attribute to please any manager. He is clinical, fast,
unselfish and is technically brilliant. If you forget all of the
childish behavior he is the perfect striker.
8.Sergio Agüero
Agüerooooooo provided us with one of the greatest moments in
footballing history last season and despite struggling with injury this
season has still managed to muster a handy 15 goals in 17 games. The
Argentine is explosive and just gives his team a little bit extra and
that makes him the best Premier League striker. This will of course
cause disagreement so comments below are appreciated.
7. Thomas Müller
Müller is one of my favourite players but he is not just here because
of that. The German has had an incredible season once again, as has
everyone at Bayern, and has more goals and assists than Franck Ribery
and Arjen Robben this season.
6. Eden Hazard
Hazard is the best player in the Premier League and could yet become
the best in the world. Despite only being 23 the Belgian has already
rocked the world and if Belgium do win the World Cup Eden will of course
play a huge part.
5. Zlatan Ibrahimović
Let's be honest, everyone was gutted that Sweden didn't qualify for
the World Cup. And let's be honest, we were only hoping they would
qualify to see this guy. He is quite possibly the most arrogant player
in the world, but he has the right to be. Zlatan scored the best goal of
2013 with his overhead kick against England but unbelievably he almost
topped that with a scorpion kick against Bastia earlier this season. If
you haven't seen it already I recommend you do.
4. Franck Ribéry
Ribery was in the final 3 for the Ballon d'Or award but is still not
the best Bayern player on this list. Franck has actually only scored 8
goals this season having suffered a burst blood vessel in his buttock.
Nasty. However, there is not doubt that the Frenchman is a great great
player.
3. Philipp Lahm
Lahm is one of the greates player of the 21st century and his ability
top adapt to any position on the pitch sets him above many exceptional
players. The right back earned himself a place in the FIFPRO World XI an
award that is thoroughly deserved. Lahm has been given a more attacking
position this season and he has shone to earn 3rd place on this list.
2. Lionel Messi
Okay, so Messi didn't win the Ballon d'Or award but you have to
remember that he was injured for the final part of 2013. He matches
Ronaldo in every category apart from strength but when you have
dribbling ability like Lionel you really don't need it. He's 29 goals in
32 games for Messi this season a total that may be slightly
disappointing to him but he seems to be improving every game and when he
gets back to full fitness he will certainly be terrorising defences
again.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
I know Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or but in my opinion he is still not
as good as a certain little Argentine called Lionel. Ronaldo's pace,
strength, shots and incredible skill makes him a great player to watch
and deserved the award for last season. £80 million is seeming more and
more like a bargain as Cristiano continues to be a vital player for
Madrid.
Popular Posts
-
With the increasing influx of Nigerian into Europe, Nigerian born players have been able to integrate themselves into European countrie...
-
Arsenal players certainly don't look to be going easy on striker Olivier Giroud after he was caught out cheating on his wife with a gla...
-
Mr. Bada Akintunde Johnson is currently a household name in Nigeria's sports broadcasting industry. In this exclusive interview, he sp...
-
Manchester United manager David Moyes has been given three matches to prove that he should be in charge of the Red Devils at the start of ...
-
Who has heard of Andreas Christensen? I have. Its just because i'm a Chelsea fan and i'm conversant with the...
About me
2013. Powered by Blogger.

No comments:
Post a Comment