Before you get into the list do remember that there is a myriad of reasons – many unquantifiable – that go into determining lists like these. Most of these entries might even reflect upon my subjectivity, meaning you might agree with some of my mentions, or none at all. Either way, we’d love to hear from you!
Well then, here we go.
Country – Gabon
Current club – Arsenal (Premier League)
Aubameyang’s form has taken a severe hit ever since he (finally) signed his contract with Arsenal. Mikel Arteta has tried playing him down the middle and out at the left, but given his current system that facilitates strikers with decent hold-up play the Gabonese fits better when allowed to roam free out wide. There are many added factors hindering Auba’s progress this season, but it’s only a matter of time before he resumes banging in goals again.
Age – 26 (11 July 1994)
Country – Argentina
Current club – Sevilla (LaLiga Santander)
Lucas Ocampos has been nothing short of brilliant since his move to Sevilla from Marseille in 2019. Known for his work rate and stamina, Ocampos was instrumental in Sevilla’s Europa league triumph last season, a team that continues to go from strength to strength under Julen Lopetegui.
Age – 23 (31 October 1997)
Country – England
Current club – Manchester United (Premier League)
Rashford has come a long way over the past couple of years both on and off the pitch.
On the pitch, he continues his rise as one of the deadliest forwards in the world, with his blistering pace and quick dribbling. Off the pitch, he is growing into a prominent leadership figure, having spent the last year spearheading the fight against child poverty across the UK.
While at 23 he’s still a young prospect, Rashford has already become an inspirational icon.
Age – 24 (13 June 1996)
Country – France
Current club – Bayern Munich (1. Bundesliga)
Already at 24, Kinglsley Coman has basically completed club football. Starting from the 2012-13 season, the Frenchman has been a league winner in every single one of them during his time with PSG (2013-14), Juventus (2014-17), and now Bayern Munich.
Having had to deal with multiple long-term injuries on both of his legs, Coman has often contemplated quitting the game altogether, but he has been able to build up his fitness and get a longer run in the team over the past year, becoming one of the most exciting wingers. Capable of playing at both flanks, Hansi Flick usually deploys him on the left-hand side.
Age – 27 (4 September 1993)
Country – Belgium
Current club – Atlético Madrid (LaLiga Santander)
Carrasco has become an even more important figure for Atlético after returning from his two-year stint in China with Dalian Professional (2018-2020). With his dogged playing style, Carrasco not only thrives in an attacking role, but can also play just as well as a wing-back.
Age – 29 (21 March 1991)
Country – France
Current club – FC Barcelona (LaLiga Santander)
Griezmann’s transfer to Barcelona made very little sense to begin with, something that wasn’t helped by the fact that the Frenchman had a difficult time slotting into the team and striking up a relationship with Leo Messi. He has, however, been able to dig in and make space for himself this season, becoming a crucial senior figure in a transitional Barça side. He’s been mostly operating as a left-winger this season, providing an avenue for Messi to spray balls into while drifting in from the right.
Age – 26 (8 December 1994)
Country – England
Current club – Manchester City (Premier League)
Under Pep Guardiola, Raheem Sterling has been converted from a trickster to a direct goal threat. Having exceled as a right-winger during Pep’s early years, Raheem is now mostly deployed on the left, although Pep keeps rotating his wingers depending on whether he needs them to stretch out the opposition defence or cut inside.
Off the pitch, Sterling has become a strong voice against racism, drawing inferences from his own experiences and experiences of his colleagues.
Age – 28 (10 April 1992)
Country – Senegal
Current club – Liverpool (Premier League)
The Senegalese forward has firmly established himself as one of the most prolific footballers over the past years. A direct, high-intense operator, Mané’s quick thinking and sharp shooting makes him an incessant problem for the opposition throughout 90 minutes.
Age – 28 (8 July 1992)
Country – South Korea
Current club – Tottenham Hotspur (Premier League)
As someone who has undergone military training, it is unsurprising that Son is a sharpshooter. The 28-year-old has gone from strength to strength during his time in England and continues to become a bigger goal threat with every passing season.
Two-footed, quick and positionally adept, Son is a nightmare on most days, but has been even more formidable under José Mourinho, striking up a near-telepathic partnership with Harry Kane.
Age – 29 (5 February 1992)
Country – Brazil
Current club – Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1 Uber Eats)
Feels like just yesterday when a young 21-year-old Neymar joined Barcelona with the world at his feet. Now, he’s almost a veteran in players’ terms, and despite everything he has won, it always feels like the Brazilian could gear up furthermore.
Just as he planned when he joined PSG, Neymar has been able to become his own person and leave behind Messi’s shadow (although they could be playing together next season). He might not be playing as much as he did during his Barça days but is simply a world-beater when he does. He almost came close to clinch the Treble with PSG last season and will be gunning go for it again this season.
Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Henrikh Mkhitaryan (AS Roma), Ivan Periši? (Inter Milan), Marcus Thuram (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Dimitri Payet (Olympique de Marseille).
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