{"sheets":{"players":[{"Rank":"1","Last year":"7","Up or down":"6","Name":"Robert Prueba","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Bayern Munich","League":"Germany","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"32","Nationality":"Poland","Filters":"Other nationalities, Bundesliga, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/4a7cf4de62d3e7199ab0c62d184ecee085297c33/1530_0_1970_1970","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1970,1970&size=140,500,1000,1970","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/b16aaf102c89fa6ce96f79086e9048be3c9eb3f5/0_71_1513_908","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1513,908&size=140,500,1000,1513","":"","Profile":"Some will mourn the end of the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo era but it’s really a segue into a new one, of the centre-forward who further excels in his 30s – led by Lewandowski, who is indisputably improving. His numbers are incredible; he finished 2019-20 with 55 goals in 47 club matches for Bayern Munich, and became only the second player to finish top scorer in all three competitions of a treble season after Johan Cruyff for Ajax in 1972. Later he moved into third on the Champions League all-time scorers’ list, level with Raúl. Yet when his coach Hansi Flick says “he’s in the form of his life”, he doesn’t just mean the goals. The 32-year-old Lewandowski still relishes the physical battle of being a No 9 and is a talisman for his younger teammates. With him set to dominate for years to come, Bayern may well do so too. ","Writer":"Andy Brassell","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"2","Last year":"1","Up or down":"-1","Name":"Lionel Messi","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Barcelona","League":"Spain","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"33","Nationality":"Argentina","Filters":"Argentinian, La Liga, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/8c7e8f464844e3e52c2fc0e95fe61d6f7a8cf483/2029_53_1519_1519","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1519,1519&size=140,500,1000,1519","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/f8ba3e13caceff1db8e8d619b31b5740b32a9d56/0_211_3668_2201","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3668,2201&size=140,500,1000,2000,3668","":"","Profile":"2020 was a Bad Year for Lionel Messi. Last season was about the worst he’s ever had, one in which he scored more goals, created more chances, completed more dribbles and provided more assists than anyone in Spain. Welcome to the absurdity of the outlier on every graph, the man whose career created a new category of footballing classification: “Apart from Messi.” In his worst year – <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/25/lionel-messi-tells-barcelona-he-wants-to-leave-but-faces-legal-battle-over-clause\">so bad he wanted out</a> – he finished 400 points ahead of third and 238 of our 241 judges included him. (And, no, we’re not telling you who the three are). Yet there’s no escaping the truth: in 2020 Messi really wasn’t <italics>that</italics> good, rightly falls well below Lewandowski and even second might be too high, his inclusion partly a product of habit now. Not where he wants to be, in any sense, it’s hard to escape the sadness, the frustration and the fear that the end is nigh.   ","Writer":"Sid Lowe","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"3","Last year":"4","Up or down":"1","Name":"Cristiano Ronaldo","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"LEFT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Juventus","League":"Italy","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"35","Nationality":"Portugal","Filters":"Other nationalities, Serie A, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/b88732250fd90ab321d6f8427d2fed5c6ac2fa41/0_0_2359_2357","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2359,2357&size=140,500,1000,2000,2359","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/7c08567cb882324c62fbe21efb9f597901c09015/0_146_3500_2101","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3500,2101&size=140,500,1000,2000,3500","":"","Profile":"By the standards of one of the greatest footballers ever, this was a forgettable year. Ronaldo picked up his <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/27/maurizio-sarri-serie-a-title-juventus-win-convince-scudetto\">second Serie A winners’ medal</a> – a minimum expectation while playing for a team that have won the league nine seasons running – and not a lot else, as Juventus lost a Coppa Italia final and exited the Champions League in the last 16. The Ballon d’Or was cancelled, but Ronaldo failed even to win the Italian top flight’s MVP. Yet this was still a year when he equalled a Serie A record by scoring in 11 consecutive league games and a year when he notched his 100th (<a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/sep/12/cristiano-ronaldos-101-portugal-goals-a-product-of-unceasing-appetite\">and 101st</a>) goal for Portugal, becoming the first European men’s player ever to hit that landmark in internationals. Only three of our judges had him as the world’s best player – down from 11 in 2019 – but the consensus ranking speaks to how many ballots placed him very close indeed.","Writer":"Nicky Bandini","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"4","Last year":"12","Up or down":"8","Name":"Kevin De Bruyne","Position":"Midfielder","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Manchester City","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"29","Nationality":"Belgium","Filters":"Belgian, Premier League, Midfielders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/70884f28f4c0bebea30101b794c46f6dddc1985d/1618_56_1788_1788","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1788,1788&size=140,500,1000,1788","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/ab50ac60df2610b75515a70fc22cc7a7cffda944/0_88_3794_2276","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3794,2276&size=140,500,1000,2000,3794","":"","Profile":"Missed a penalty <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/nov/08/manchester-city-liverpool-premier-league-match-report\">against Liverpool in November</a> and the nation was shocked, accustomed as it is to near perfection from Belgium's top performer. As a Manchester City player De Bruyne will not have enjoyed 2020 as much as the two years that preceded it, though he remains by some distance the side's most creative and consistent influence. At least he does in theory. A relatively quiet end to the year – he was all but anonymous in <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/12/manchester-united-manchester-city-premier-league-match-report\">the sterile Manchester derby this month</a> – has led to renewed accusations that De Bruyne goes missing against the big teams in a way that rarely happens with Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. While the suggestion that De Bruyne is the football equivalent of a flat-track bully might be criticism at the very highest level, anyone who has seen what he can do knows that is precisely where he belongs. ","Writer":"Paul Wilson","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"5","Last year":"3","Up or down":"-2","Name":"Sadio Mané","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"LEFT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Liverpool","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"28","Nationality":"Senegal","Filters":"Other nationalities, Premier League, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/d6bc11fa7bc400594035352e54f21abf15378ff8/1135_65_2071_2070","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2071,2070&size=140,500,1000,2000,2071","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/59afff7ca9be00f5bfb56f65b4dd526d0d4d334b/0_269_5182_3110","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=5182,3110&size=140,500,1000,2000,5182","":"","Profile":"A fall of two places is difficult to comprehend given that the Senegal international continued his development into one of the most dangerous forwards in the game during 2020. His contribution to Liverpool's first league title success for 30 years is reflected, however, in his position as the highest-ranked player from Jürgen Klopp's team. Mané managed to eclipse the outstanding Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino last season as Liverpool claimed the Club World Cup and Premier League titles. The 28-year-old scored 18 goals and provided seven assists as Liverpool claimed their long-awaited 19th league championship with considerable ease, although statistics alone do not measure Mané's importance. He scored critical goals, such as <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/nov/02/aston-villa-liverpool-premier-league-match-report\">the last-minute winner at Aston Villa</a> that opened a decisive gap in the title race as early as November last year, tormented defenders and epitomised the focus, class and industry of Klopp's team. He was also <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jan/07/liverpools-sadio-mane-named-african-footballer-of-the-year-for-first-time\">named African Footballer of the Year</a> for the first time in January.","Writer":"Andy Hunter","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"6","Last year":"53","Up or down":"47","Name":"Erling Braut Haaland","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Borussia Dortmund","League":"Germany","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"20","Nationality":"Norway","Filters":"Other nationalities, Bundesliga, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/1e6d6a568b237756dd37583e7faeda9ffb569316/357_72_627_627","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=627,627&size=140,500,627","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/96ed4d1b724642796cf86ddc82a89238a03bd3e1/0_60_3708_2225","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3708,2225&size=140,500,1000,2000,3708","":"","Profile":"Some eyebrows may be raised at Haaland figuring as high as sixth on our list, one place (and a mere 14 points) above Kylian Mbappé but the Norwegian’s 2020 has been nothing short of sensational. This time last year Haaland was still a Red Bull Salzburg player. Sure, he had already scored eight Champions League goals for the Austrian side during the 2019-20 group stage but no one could have anticipated he would settle so quickly at Borussia Dortmund, whom he joined on 1 January. Haaland’s debut for Dortmund came against Augsburg and he <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jan/18/european-football-roundup-borussia-dortmund-augsburg-erling-haaland-lazio-sampdoria\">promptly scored a 23-minute hat-trick</a> after coming off the bench. He then scored a double in his next two Bundesliga games, against Cologne and Union Berlin, and has not looked back. By mid-December he had 33 goals in 32 games for Dortmund. \"The most frightening thing,\" Lucien Favre said after Haaland’s debut, \"is that he is only going to get better.\"","Writer":"Marcus Christenson","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"7","Last year":"6","Up or down":"-1","Name":"Kylian Mbappé","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Paris St-Germain","League":"France","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"22","Nationality":"France","Filters":"French, Ligue 1, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/6e0ddd936f4b21e5b3abf01e98472e17c0828636/1634_124_1079_1079","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1079,1079&size=140,500,1000,1079","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/eb77264a8e3d9359bc4566720f2c3ad325d7a371/0_234_4961_2976","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=4961,2976&size=140,500,1000,2000,4961","":"","Profile":"Mbappé is obviously a phenomenon. He achieved more before turning 22 than most players achieve in their entire careers, and he is one of the most thrilling players on the planet when on song. And this year he helped Paris Saint-Germain make it – at last - past the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Yet he has slipped one place in the 100. Maybe that is because, awesome though he is, he has not been as brilliant as he could have been this year. Not consistently. He flopped in the Champions League final</a> and there have been times this year when he has seemed to rely too much on his speed, in contrast with previous years when his exceptional awareness and decision-making were among the qualities that made him so exciting. His development stalled a tad. Very few players merit both an A grade and the comment \"could do better\". Perhaps a move from PSG would stimulate him?","Writer":"Paul Doyle","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"8","Last year":"5","Up or down":"-3","Name":"Mohamed Salah","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"RIGHT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Liverpool","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"28","Nationality":"Egypt","Filters":"Other nationalities, Premier League, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/70e488b25bedb7c4397deb755e50343d7a1f081e/1672_0_2172_2172","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2172,2172&size=140,500,1000,2000,2172","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/faa2b736ade0e84aa023893728cd7cd52a3a465b/0_122_3600_2159","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3600,2159&size=140,500,1000,2000,3600","":"","Profile":"The Egypt international makes the list for the sixth year in succession. His output remains phenomenally consistent too. After a slow start to last season, at least by his elevated standards, Salah hit his productive stride and rarely wavered to help <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jun/25/how-liverpool-became-premier-league-champions\">Liverpool finally claim the Premier League title</a> with 19 goals and 10 assists. He ended the campaign as the first Liverpool player since Michael Owen 17 years previously to score 20 goals or more in all competitions in three consecutive seasons. There has been no let-up this term either, and his 11 league goals by 16 December have been invaluable to a team defending their title while suffering a procession of injuries in defence. Salah became Liverpool's all-time leading goalscorer in the Champions League with his 22nd in the competition against Midtjylland and has scored a truly remarkable 108 goals in 172 appearances for the club at the time of writin","Writer":"Andy Hunter","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"9","Last year":"31","Up or down":"22","Name":"Neymar","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Paris St-Germain","League":"France","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"28","Nationality":"Brazil","Filters":"Brazilian, Ligue 1, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/d6631c4513cd89d7a7e0712944891fa6bbe4f875/1145_79_1297_1297","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1297,1297&size=140,500,1000,1297","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/7824f30b00c0762007eb6d508824ca0b8c023b61/0_304_4559_2736","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=4559,2736&size=140,500,1000,2000,4559","":"","Profile":"To concentrate on his irritating habits is to detract from the enjoyment of all the wonderful, courageous things that Neymar does – and he does them not simply to amuse himself but, increasingly, to help his team. He rose 22 places in the top 100 because this was the year when he mostly put his extraordinary skills to the service of the PSG collective, graduating from brand ambassador to genuine leader on the pitch. Teammates give him the ball no matter how many opponents are around him because they can count on him to create or score a goal even where there appears to be no chance. He did not shine <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/23/bayern-munich-paris-saint-germain-psg-champions-league-final-match-report\">in the Champions League final</a> but he played a key role in them getting there at last and in December inspired another advance to the knockout stages by showing Manchester United what a world-class player is. He remains precious to his country, too, closing in on Pelé's all-time scoring record for Brazil.","Writer":"Paul Doyle","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"10","Last year":"2","Up or down":"-8","Name":"Virgil van Dijk","Position":"Defender","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Liverpool","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"29","Nationality":"Netherlands","Filters":"Other nationalities, Premier League, Defenders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/1dca58b87f4ceb226ed37e31172fb391cc82dacd/519_141_2170_2170","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2170,2170&size=140,500,1000,2000,2170","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/719528873f80acc6491b2ec9284c4fe4eddce901/126_323_2713_1629","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2713,1629&size=140,500,1000,2000,2713","":"","Profile":"Still the best defender in the world but no longer the second best player on our list, which does not come as a huge surprise. Partly because it was impossible for Van Dijk to replicate the incredible form and consistency he showed in 2019 and partly because he has been sidelined since <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/oct/18/liverpool-virgil-van-dijk-cruciate-injury-facing-surgery-and-long-absence-knee\">suffering a serious knee injury</a> in October’s Merseyside derby. A case of out of action, out of mind, but Van Dijk nevertheless deserves his place in the top 10 having been an ever-present and crucial part of a Liverpool team that <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jun/25/how-liverpool-became-premier-league-champions\">deservedly won the Premier League title</a> this year, as well as again proving an important and impressive figure for his country.","Writer":"Sachin Nakrani","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"11","Last year":"37","Up or down":"26","Name":"Joshua Kimmich","Position":"Midfielder","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Bayern Munich","League":"Germany","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"25","Nationality":"Germany","Filters":"German, Bundesliga, Midfielders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/ee4f72cd2d48ff9452fc0c2be1e8b07a16b1159e/1846_205_1051_1052","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1051,1052&size=500,1000,1051","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/929479d4241ebd1c99b7f0356b6fff1f907a570f/0_144_5184_3110","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=5184,3110&size=140,500,1000,2000,5184","":"","Profile":"Another player who found clarity and contentment at Bayern under Hansi Flick. Some will say the ultra-reliable Kimmich never needed that, but Flick’s decree that he is a midfielder rather than a right-back helped Kimmich elevate his game and teases the frightening prospect that this team totem will become even better in years to come. His intelligence and grit are unmatched, plus he scored the sublime winner at Dortmund in May that all but sealed Bayern’s latest Bundesliga title. True to form he played a star turn <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/23/bayern-munich-paris-saint-germain-psg-champions-league-final-match-report\">in the Champions League final</a> – filling in as a right-back, of course. ","Writer":"Andy Brassell","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"12","Last year":"20","Up or down":"8","Name":"Karim Benzema","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Real Madrid","League":"Spain","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"33","Nationality":"France","Filters":"French, Bundesliga, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/5f791de13065c81d7a86b1824a3d84500f822e0d/2158_45_866_866","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=866,866&size=140,500,866","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/c62ea06b76374a174e835de16296b3baa7b7b27a/0_83_5568_3341","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=5568,3341&size=140,500,1000,2000,5568","":"","Profile":"“That’s how I see football,” Benzema said after he produced <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/jun/29/karim-benzema-real-madrid-backheel-sums-up-la-liga-weekend-of-beauty-and-brilliance\">a gorgeous backheeled assist against Espanyol</a>. And now it seems others see football his way too. They have taken a long time; after a decade at Real Madrid, much of it spent facilitating Cristiano Ronaldo, it feels like Benzema is only now getting fully recognised. Not so much a No 9 as a nine and a half, an all-round player rather than out-and-out goalscorer, he was top scorer and the key attacker in Real Madrid’s league title success. “Anyone who likes football likes Karim,” Zinedine Zidane says. Bonjour, Didier.","Writer":"Sid Lowe","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"13","Last year":"36","Up or down":"23","Name":"Sergio Ramos","Position":"Defender","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Real Madrid","League":"Spain","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"34","Nationality":"Spain","Filters":"Spanish, Bundesliga, Defenders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/4134b7dfbb522eafccbd6becabe8c0b67dac54c2/1179_78_743_743","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=743,743&size=140,500,743","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/fc4905adc2447ab02efa6784c861f49084731e0b/0_61_2704_1622","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2704,1622&size=140,500,1000,2000,2704","":"","Profile":"Up 23 places, the second highest defender on this list, and he won’t be happy to find anyone above him. Ramos is an almost cartoonish footballer, all wild and epic. At 34, he should be getting worse, but there’s no sign of that and if you want a measure of his significance, just take a look at Real Madrid without him. Have a listen, in fact: even when he’s not playing, his is the voice you can hear at Valdebebas, shouting from the empty stands. He led them to the league title last season and is closing in on the all-time, worldwide record for international caps.","Writer":"Sid Lowe","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"14","Last year":"174","Up or down":"Re-entry","Name":"Thomas Müller","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Bayern Munich","League":"Germany","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"31","Nationality":"Germany","Filters":"German, Bundesliga, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/8b4850464cb74fe513ba45c7d362852ef33fdee8/1156_65_806_806","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=806,806&size=140,500,806","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/695eff6aa590916284bf772a186b14e1da4fb2aa/512_119_2082_1249","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2082,1249&size=140,500,1000,2000,2082","":"","Profile":"For years, Müller has been underestimated outside Germany (and inside too to an extent, with Jogi Löw removing him from national team consideration), with many wondering how to define what exactly it is that the Raumdeuter (\"space interpreter\") does. Niko Kovac certainly struggled to find Müller pride of place in his team, but Hansi Flick has allowed him to be himself to spectacular effect. The 31-year-old has chipped in with goals but piled on the assists, with 21 in the Bundesliga alone last term. He is also part of Bayern’s soul – combative, dogged, refusing to be beaten and full of craft. ","Writer":"Andy Brassell","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"15","Last year":"113","Up or down":"Re-entry","Name":"Manuel Neuer","Position":"Goalkeeper","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Bayern Munich","League":"Germany","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"34","Nationality":"Germany","Filters":"German, Bundesliga, Goalkeepers","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/79a05378bffcbfcfd882d7a722884be76736c812/2285_15_1614_1614","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1614,1614&size=140,500,1000,1614","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/d506a525df7db9be3a2564bc97285de9eb8957ff/268_193_1567_940","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1567,940&size=140,500,1000,1567","":"","Profile":"The year began with heated debate in Germany over whether Neuer should even be Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper, with Marc-André ter Stegen having matured into Barcelona’s most important player after Lionel Messi. Bayern’s Champions League quarter-final demolition of Barça shouldn’t be taken as a turning point or proof of respective quality, though. Neuer’s revival this year is all his own doing, with the post-pandemic resolution of his contract standoff with Bayern clearing his mind and restoring him to his 2014 peak after a couple of indifferent years by his standards. He was key <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/23/bayern-munich-paris-saint-germain-psg-champions-league-final-match-report\">in the Champions League final</a>, too.","Writer":"Andy Brassell","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"16","Last year":"38","Up or down":"22","Name":"Serge Gnabry","Position":"Winger","Position modifier":"RIGHT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Bayern Munich","League":"Germany","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"25","Nationality":"Germany","Filters":"German, Bundesliga, Wingers","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/80277e3110aa5ec4001b94ea29a06a3d9821e049/1395_23_898_898","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=898,898&size=140,500,898","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/563b1ce3ceb93b3faf320d28e6689cbb50cd2c1b/0_90_4618_2771","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=4618,2771&size=140,500,1000,2000,4618","":"","Profile":"Gnabry’s former coach Tony Pulis is often ridiculed for once saying the winger wasn’t good enough for his West Brom team. If we’re honest, no one could have expected this version, where electric pace is allied with vision, razor-sharp passing and explosive finishes with either foot. The 25-year-old weighs in at big moments, with his brilliant goal setting the tone in the Champions League semi-final win over Lyon. He is also prolific for Germany, despite the current state of flux in Jogi Löw’s team. There has been an attempt to nickname Gnabry and Leroy Sané \"Snabry\" in tribute to their wing predecessors, but his influence deserves to be lauded on its own.","Writer":"Andy Brassell","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"17","Last year":"","Up or down":"Re-entry","Name":"Thiago Alcântara","Position":"Midfielder","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Liverpool","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"29","Nationality":"Spain","Filters":"Spanish, Premier League, Midfielders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/cf0b49a039470adc970ca6a3793d581da52e9c0b/738_71_855_854","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=855,854&size=140,500,855","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/50685a4c469f7a60bf02e1e199520efce6531b30/0_37_3783_2270","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3783,2270&size=140,500,1000,2000,3783","":"","Profile":"The midfielder rightly returns to this list having missed out in the previous two years. He was the beating heart of a Bayern Munich side that won the treble, making 41 appearances across all competitions and impressing with his passing and composure in practically every one, and the Spaniard would probably find himself higher than 17th were it not for his frequent absences since moving to Liverpool in September due to a combination of Covid-19 and being the other member of Jürgen Klopp’s side to suffer a serious knee injury at the hands of Everton. A wonderful player and the second-highest Spain international on this list, after Sergio Ramos.","Writer":"Sachin Nakrani","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"18","Last year":"17","Up or down":"-1","Name":"Trent Alexander-Arnold","Position":"Defender","Position modifier":"RIGHT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Liverpool","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"22","Nationality":"England","Filters":"English, Premier League, Defenders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/b2fdac83c995f775e195ec89d070e92baef0deb2/715_50_2445_2446","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2445,2446&size=500,1000,2000,2445","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/5c96fd04b8fea7344fb23443d0fb293c28f9c317/0_79_3312_1987","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3312,1987&size=140,500,1000,2000,3312","":"","Profile":"Liverpool's full-backs have redefined the role and Alexander-Arnold's ability to shape a game from right-back was unerring as his boyhood team cruised to the Premier League title. The homegrown talent surpassed his own record for the number of Premier League assists by a defender with 13 last season and featured in every league game for Jürgen Klopp's champions. His importance is reflected by his position as the highest ranked English player on the list, overtaking Harry Kane, and by the captain's armband he received for the first – but certainly not the last – time against Midtjylland in the Champions League.","Writer":"Andy Hunter","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"19","Last year":"51","Up or down":"32","Name":"Romelu Lukaku","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Internazionale","League":"Italy","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"27","Nationality":"Belgium","Filters":"Belgian, Serie A, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/9238317eee14c933ecca0a72dce31818eb8a9df7/1169_54_1721_1722","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1721,1722&size=500,1000,1721","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/6798fcb66b0118999f985ea546ea5b6c36e31b84/0_209_3000_1800","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3000,1800&size=140,500,1000,2000,3000","":"","Profile":"This has felt like a brilliant year but also a cursed one for Lukaku, the stand-out performer in an Inter team who finished as runners-up in Serie A and the Europa League. He won player of the tournament for the latter competition after scoring in all his team’s games, yet his <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/21/internazionale-sevilla-europa-league-final-match-report\">own goal in the final was decisive</a>, as was his accidental block of an Alexis Sánchez header as Inter dropped out of the Champions League. Things went better when he deputised as captain of Belgium for the first time in October, scoring both his team’s goals in a win over Iceland. ","Writer":"Nicky Bandini","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"20","Last year":"15","Up or down":"-5","Name":"Harry Kane","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Tottenham Hotspur","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"27","Nationality":"England","Filters":"English, Premier League, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/eb0138c42d7275d93144719abf91087bd6b92e53/1236_73_959_960","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=959,960&size=500,959","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/65682de8ed85e5a6981da3a59887caabb6db670d/242_25_2993_1797","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2993,1797&size=140,500,1000,2000,2993","":"","Profile":"Kane is riding the crest of a wave. “I’d say it’s probably the best form I’ve been in in my life,” the Tottenham striker said after scoring in <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/06/tottenham-arsenal-premier-league-match-report\">his team’s win over Arsenal</a> on 6 December. The goals have continued to flow during a year that began with a serious hamstring tear. But it has been the development of his all-round game that has taken him to a new level. Kane has always been a fine passer; a No 10 as well as a No 9. Now, as he has dropped deeper to pick out the runs of Son Heung-min in particular, he also has the assist stats to dazzle. ","Writer":"David Hytner","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"21","Last year":"69","Up or down":"48","Name":"Bruno Fernandes","Position":"Midfielder","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Manchester United","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"26","Nationality":"Portugal","Filters":"Other nationalities, Premier League, Midfielders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/41f6c5800072ba0a510f04f1bd10dc2a00150fb0/802_144_1001_999","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1001,999&size=140,500,1000,1001","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/e9f5d491f1d2c68ccae1f6846d1b1cba872213bc/0_10_2853_1711","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2853,1711&size=140,500,1000,2000,2853","":"","Profile":"Up 48 places from last year and one of the highest climbers on the list. Made such an immediate impact at Manchester United that people are already saying he is responsible for keeping Ole Gunnar Solskjær in a job. Certainly his input was central to United claiming a Champions League place last season, not to mention putting the Paul Pogba problem on a back burner, and if Solskjær had 11 players like Fernandes his prospects would look a lot more secure. As it is the Portugal international stands out like a beacon in a side struggling for consistency. Going out of the Champions League early will have been a major disappointment.  ","Writer":"Paul Wilson","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"22","Last year":"19","Up or down":"-3","Name":"Son Heung-min","Position":"Winger","Position modifier":"LEFT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Tottenham Hotspur","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"28","Nationality":"South Korea","Filters":"Other nationalities, Premier League, Wingers","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/c7a431cf8c3456081722b304d551c8666d4f2011/1038_165_1541_1541","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1541,1541&size=140,500,1000,1541","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/bfc57e34e5a0c6be3fc08245f0a8fee9322b4109/0_0_2500_1500","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2500,1500&size=140,500,1000,2000,2500","":"","Profile":"There is something about Son that cuts through football’s tribal allegiances to warm the hearts of fans of all clubs and it is reflected in our judges' views, with 208 of the 241 voting for his inclusion on the list. Maybe it is the smile, the clear impression that he loves what he does. Or perhaps it is the wholehearted commitment that is underpinned by good sportsmanship. More likely it is the pace and ruthlessness, the feeling that this is a forward hellbent on finding new ways to be effective. <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/oct/31/in-this-strange-season-son-heung-min-and-harry-kane-put-spurs-in-the-title-mix\">After a hot start in 2020-21</a>, he is on course for his highest goals return from a season.","Writer":"David Hytner","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"23","Last year":"","Up or down":"New","Name":"Alphonso Davies","Position":"Defender","Position modifier":"LEFT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Bayern Munich","League":"Germany","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"20","Nationality":"Canada","Filters":"Other nationalities, Bundesliga, Defenders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/399be10ebc71a649e71e9e96cd667587c43116a4/893_352_1756_1756","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1756,1756&size=140,500,1000,1756","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/1b2e972bb9069e57ae63c01bc9af31c62194744a/0_165_4238_2541","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=4238,2541&size=140,500,1000,2000,4238","":"","Profile":"The first Canadian to ever feature on the top 100 list was memorably described by teammate Thomas Müller as “<a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/aug/22/alphonso-davies-bayern-munich-roadrunner-speeds-on-to-centre-stage\">the FC Bayern roadrunner</a> - meep meep!” earlier in the year and his rise has been stratospheric. Arriving from MLS as a teenage winger of some promise, Davies finished last season as perhaps already the world’s best left-back. Reassigned to defence by Niko Kovac in an injury crisis to cover record signing Lucas Hernández, Davies impressed Hansi Flick enough to make it a more permanent arrangement. Davies’s acceleration makes him dangerous when attacking from deep positions, he has great quality on the ball and has learned to defend admirably quickly.","Writer":"Andy Brassell","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"24","Last year":"63","Up or down":"39","Name":"Ciro Immobile","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Lazio","League":"Italy","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"30","Nationality":"Italy","Filters":"Italian, Serie A, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/2e183b7446358b33308f701afc34449de3a7b1fe/1425_221_1999_1999","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1999,1999&size=140,500,1000,1999","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/ee83e8543d720805721f808cc78fd0764e1a07ec/0_292_6192_3715","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=6192,3715&size=140,500,1000,2000,6192","":"","Profile":"The third Italian ever to win a European Golden Shoe, and the highest-ranked Italian on our list, Immobile was simply irresistible in 2020, maintaining a goal-per-game strike rate from one season to the next and either side of a coronavirus lockdown. On his way to matching Serie A’s single-season scoring record, he helped Lazio to reach the Champions League for the first time in more than a decade. He then struck five times in four group-stage appearances – including two against the Borussia Dortmund side who discarded him five years ago – to push Lazio on toward the last 16.","Writer":"Nicky Bandini","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"25","Last year":"96","Up or down":"71","Name":"Zlatan Ibrahimovic","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Milan","League":"Italy","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"39","Nationality":"Sweden","Filters":"Other nationalities, Serie A, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/f5782f74ca07677168c0e53e8504cbce06a0d1aa/1258_43_1023_1023","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1023,1023&size=140,500,1000,1023","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/ee895ee79a9eb0a2bce13e28b2b6e9aeae2437d3/0_0_3334_2000","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3334,2000&size=140,500,1000,2000,3334","":"","Profile":"The Swede is deservedly back in the top 30 for <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2016/dec/20/the-100-best-footballers-in-the-world-2016-interactive\">the first time since 2016</a>. Milan’s decision to re-sign Ibrahinovic in December 2019 after his two years with LA Galaxy was greeted with scepticism but he has, once again, proved everyone wrong. Milan were 11th when \"Ibra\" joined and there was an immediate upturn in results. Stefano Pioli’s side finished sixth with the 39-year-old scoring 10 goals in 18 Serie A games. He is, at the time of writing the joint top Serie A goalscorer in 2020-21 with 10 goals in six games but he contributes more than goals. As Pioli said when Ibrahimovic joined: \"He is a warrior and a leader, he will inspire the whole team.\" ","Writer":"Marcus Christenson","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"26","Last year":"9","Up or down":"-17","Name":"Alisson","Position":"Goalkeeper","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Liverpool","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"28","Nationality":"Brazil","Filters":"Brazilian, Premier League, Goalkeepers","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/fef8489f7a7b25db2d6826c4124f4f95bc201178/1389_0_2316_2317","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2316,2317&size=500,1000,2000,2316","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/5bf4d81561d51c20093d351ab1e171e54b38d9ba/248_248_3576_2145","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3576,2145&size=140,500,1000,2000,3576","":"","Profile":"The Brazil international missed the first three months of last season through injury – which perhaps explains why he is no longer the highest-ranked goalkeeper on the list – and yet he still finished the campaign with 13 clean sheets as Liverpool won the Premier League. Only two other keepers, Ederson and Nick Pope, kept more. Injuries have struck again this season but Alisson's presence continues to make a telling difference to the Liverpool team and not only defensively. His distribution and quick thinking are a vital part of the supply chain to Liverpool's forward line. A commanding presence. ","Writer":"Andy Hunter","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"27","Last year":"8","Up or down":"-19","Name":"Raheem Sterling","Position":"Winger","Position modifier":"LEFT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Manchester City","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"26","Nationality":"England","Filters":"English, Premier League, Wingers","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/761872788984c2de72244251287e7ee6cb2b8d51/666_132_783_783","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=783,783&size=140,500,783","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/d52c2f907eb31b26fd747f571c154b40f5bbef12/0_96_3829_2298","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3829,2298&size=140,500,1000,2000,3829","":"","Profile":"Down 19 places from <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/global/ng-interactive/2019/dec/17/the-100-best-male-footballers-in-the-world-2019\">his top 10 ranking last year</a> and, like Kevin De Bruyne, not able to stand out quite as much when Manchester City abandon their all-attacking style for something a little more defensive and sensible. Still finished the 2019-20 season with 20 league goals, his highest total for City. Also became the first English player to score 100 goals for the club since Dennis Tueart with a strike that helped knock Real Madrid out of the Champions League last season. City themselves were knocked out in the next round and Sterling has yet to add a European title to his list of achievements.","Writer":"Paul Wilson","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"28","Last year":"24","Up or down":"-4","Name":"Jan Oblak","Position":"Goalkeeper","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Atlético Madrid","League":"Spain","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"27","Nationality":"Slovenia","Filters":"Other nationalities, La Liga, Goalkeepers","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/27d59e79f8d9e47d0f64f57c671cd72316924682/281_4_1191_1192","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1191,1192&size=500,1000,1191","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/bd76aa7fee1dcd8574587cb43d7d25e2583c9aea/0_0_2782_1669","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2782,1669&size=140,500,1000,2000,2782","":"","Profile":"No one ever makes a fuss about Oblak, especially not Oblak. Yeah, so he’s been on this list every year since 2016, and in the top half too, but seen from Spain even that can feel like it underplays his significance. And maybe that makes sense: the Slovenian somehow manages to make even spectacular saves look standard, almost routine, like he was always going to get to that ball heading into the top corner. There’s no rolling about, no ostentatious shouting, and no media profile at all. He’s just there every day, doing his job – really, really well.","Writer":"Sid Lowe","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"29","Last year":"32","Up or down":"3","Name":"Jadon Sancho","Position":"Winger","Position modifier":"RIGHT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Borussia Dortmund","League":"Germany","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"20","Nationality":"England","Filters":"English, Bundesliga, Wingers","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/d9825e038cea941ac0006ea5827c7b3e4a58361f/1691_10_1552_1553","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1552,1553&size=500,1000,1552","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/23b47f2b3bb276776829a5f85e36464e592428a6/0_250_4372_2626","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=4372,2626&size=140,500,1000,2000,4372","":"","Profile":"It is easy to see why Borussia Dortmund <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/sep/29/dortmund-tell-manchester-united-90m-is-nowhere-near-enough-for-jadon-sancho\">held so firm amid Manchester United’s persistent advances</a> last summer. Sancho just gets better and better; he is one of only five players in our ranking who are aged 20 or younger and it is a tantalising thought that he should have at least a decade left at the very top. Last season he was electric, scoring 17 Bundesliga goals and providing 16 assists; the start to this term in a spluttering side has been slower but he remains a class act who blends explosiveness with a preternatural precision and ability to make the right choice. He would fit into any side in the world, although the price would be steep: the question appears to be when, rather than if, United or any of their rivals manage to get a deal over the line.","Writer":"Nick Ames","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"30","Last year":"59","Up or down":"29","Name":"Timo Werner","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Chelsea","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"24","Nationality":"Germany","Filters":"German, Premier League, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/68f4353fc22c70eb3eacbd76551c66d5433245d6/601_0_1098_1096","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1098,1096&size=140,500,1000,1098","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/9982e390d7bf56526189d11a92c72b28ce19d280/0_102_4779_2868","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=4779,2868&size=140,500,1000,2000,4779","":"","Profile":"The striker might have been even higher had he chosen to delay his move to Chelsea in favour of staying with RB Leipzig until the conclusion of their Champions League campaign last season. Werner was Leipzig’s star man – he scored 34 goals in all competitions in his final campaign with the Bundesliga club – and they missed him when they lost to PSG in the last four. Yet the Germany international <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/sep/18/timo-werner-rb-leipzig-chelsea-interview\">wanted to hit the ground running</a> in England and his single-minded decision has helped him make a fine start to life with his new club. Nicknamed Turbo Timo because of his speed, the 24-year-old is already a hit with Chelsea fans.","Writer":"Jacob Steinberg","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"31","Last year":"128","Up or down":"Re-entry","Name":"David Alaba","Position":"Defender","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Bayern Munich","League":"Germany","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"28","Nationality":"Austria","Filters":"Other nationalities, Bundesliga, Defenders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/c2e7acf75a93e2114d00a1dd3c86712516070fcd/467_160_1092_1093","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1092,1093&size=500,1000,1092","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/1ad4fcb68f69c96cb9234c49ec75c4adb12882b8/0_104_3500_2100","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3500,2100&size=140,500,1000,2000,3500","":"","Profile":"For someone as decorated as Alaba, it’s saying something to say that he has had a career-best season, but that is absolutely what has happened. Recast as a centre-back in response to a Bayern defensive injury crisis the elegant Austrian has been phenomenal, a tough customer whose expertise in bringing the ball out is key to the team’s attacking impetus. As the loudest member of the team – something reaffirmed in empty stadiums – Alaba has also been integral to in-game coaching Alphonso Davies, all of which makes his potential departure at the end of his contract alarming. Thiago Alcântara’s exit disappointed but Alaba going would be a whole new world of pain. ","Writer":"Andy Brassell","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"32","Last year":"148","Up or down":"New","Name":"Alejandro \"Papu\" Gómez","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Atalanta","League":"Italy","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"32","Nationality":"Argentina","Filters":"Argentinian, Serie A, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/97cea96797f0b3900372feddc80467e6c8e1883b/800_20_2762_2761","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2762,2761&size=140,500,1000,2000,2762","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/4d2f19923299e1d6c9bd85f4fb711c1bfecd3627/0_115_4039_2424","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=4039,2424&size=140,500,1000,2000,4039","":"","Profile":"If there is a face to the Atalanta fairytale, then it can only be Gomez, the club captain and pocket magician whose endless grin has seemed to embody his team’s joyful approach to the game. His 16 assists last season (in Opta’s count) were a Serie A record, and topped up with goals of his own – some scored at the end of whole-team moves that he had launched in his own half. But his year ends on a challenging note, with reports that he could even depart the club this January after <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/dec/17/does-the-individual-mean-more-than-atalanta-collective-with-papu-gomez-serie-a\">a falling-out with manager Gian Piero Gasperini.</a>  ","Writer":"Nicky Bandini","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"33","Last year":"74","Up or down":"41","Name":"Jordan Henderson","Position":"Midfielder","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Liverpool","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"30","Nationality":"England","Filters":"English, Premier League, Midfielders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/64bf8fc8a34b88a20651c31656546271aa6598e5/1452_0_3701_3700","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3701,3700&size=140,500,1000,2000,3701","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/ff2ab33a5833eea36991b328f2d597d38b0f3644/0_169_3584_2150","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3584,2150&size=140,500,1000,2000,3584","":"","Profile":"Henderson has risen 41 places and frankly it comes as a surprise he did not climb higher given his performances for Liverpool this year. A true captain in that he has led not only with word but also deed, regularly displaying a range of all-round abilities from midfield. The 30-year-old can do a little bit of everything and does everything incredibly well, and ultimately it was fitting that he was the man who hoisted<a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jun/30/no-one-can-replace-steven-gerrard-this-title-win-is-for-him-says-henderson\"> the Premier League trophy</a> aloft for Jürgen Klopp’s team in July. Soon after he was also named the Football Writers' Association player of the year, an honour which was fully deserved.","Writer":"Sachin Nakrani","Desked by":"","To be subbed by":"","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"34","Last year":"23","Up or down":"-11","Name":"Andrew Robertson","Position":"Defender","Position modifier":"LEFT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Liverpool","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"26","Nationality":"Scotland","Filters":"Other nationalities, Premier League, Defenders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/b8c93e51f9153f14723b25060cdf17da92fd07fe/1440_58_1635_1635","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1635,1635&size=140,500,1000,1635","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/9b571763482c2a133a9ee5de532047a227f84220/500_440_2693_1616","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2693,1616&size=140,500,1000,2000,2693","":"","Profile":"The Liverpool left-back has dropped 11 places but is the fourth highest-ranked defender on the list, and ultimately both of those things sound about right. Robertson’s performances in 2020 have not been as good as they were in the previous year but they have still been excellent, and especially so in the 2020-21 campaign. Defensively sound and a regular provider of assists, including the one that led to Roberto Firmino’s late winner in the recent <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/16/liverpool-tottenham-hotspur-premier-league-match-report\">top-of-the-table clash</a> with Tottenham. The 26-year-old has also excelled as Scotland captain, playing a crucial role in them  <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/nov/12/scotland-serbia-euro-2020-reaction-andy-robertson-steve-clarke\">qualifying for a major tournament</a> for the first time in 23 years.  ","Writer":"Sachin Nakrani","Desked by":"","To be subbed by":"","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"35","Last year":"48","Up or down":"13","Name":"Jamie Vardy","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Leicester City","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"33","Nationality":"England","Filters":"English, Premier League, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/4551226bd247a25262710af26d14bfacdd725b26/1048_112_939_939","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=939,939&size=140,500,939","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/52fb0ebcc3389f22761f37cae1aeabe2ca676c66/302_421_3863_2317","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3863,2317&size=140,500,1000,2000,3863","":"","Profile":"Age shows no signs of slowing down this striker, who has jumped 13 places in the Top 100 after becoming the oldest player to finish a season as the Premier League’s top scorer. Brendan Rodgers has helped him hone his game to prolong his efficiency, concentrating his pressing and runs in zones where he can do maximum damage. His cleverness, energy and, of course, speed make him a harrowing opponent and once he gets the jump on defenders, he remains deadly. One of nine English players in the Top 100, he would be an excellent option to have at the European Championships if Gareth Southgate could coax him out of international retirement by convincing him he could use him well.","Writer":"Paul Doyle","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"36","Last year":"28","Up or down":"-8","Name":"Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang","Position":"Winger","Position modifier":"LEFT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Arsenal","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"31","Nationality":"Gabon","Filters":"Other nationalities, Premier League, Wingers","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/abd1524aa4d3faa2f53ebe8c3e42b639bf0c8b65/1300_111_768_767","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=768,767&size=140,500,768","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/bd34d52b82adc6ed01be6cbd91b71c2e2f185a42/0_146_2611_1567","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2611,1567&size=140,500,1000,2000,2611","":"","Profile":"As recently as September there would have been a good chance of Aubameyang rising eight places rather than falling by that number. He has carried Arsenal for much of his time there and, by the end of 2019-20, could fairly be described as the best striker in the Premier League. Arsenal were outsiders to win the FA Cup but Aubameyang scored all four of their goals against Manchester City and, <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/01/aubameyang-arsenal-chelsea-fa-cup-final-match-report\">in the final, Chelsea at Wembley</a>. A long-running contract saga was quickly put to bed but the good news has slowed since. The club captain went three months without a goal from open play in the top flight before <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/16/arsenal-southampton-premier-league-match-report\">scoring against Southampton</a> in mid-December, admittedly in an uncreative side, and was facing question marks for the first time in his Arsenal career.","Writer":"Nick Ames","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"37","Last year":"35","Up or down":"-2","Name":"João Félix","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Atlético Madrid","League":"Spain","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"21","Nationality":"Portugal","Filters":"Other nationalities, La Liga, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/586e6d83d4d0f724df104d81967e272b783d8eb5/1024_47_1300_1301","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1300,1301&size=500,1000,1300","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/44dd031f093701853fa55a37f6ad1ea07cfb9f5b/0_202_2975_1785","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2975,1785&size=140,500,1000,2000,2975","":"","Profile":"João Félix is down two on last year, which is odd on one level and less so on the other. After his €126m signing, there was a sense that his first season was disappointing – a reminder: he arrived aged 19 – but his second is shaping up to be special. Arguably Spain’s brightest performer so far, just how good he is was revealed by a conversation caught on camera in the tunnel at the Metropolitano. “What a bastard that guy is,” his teammate Saúl says. “When he wants to, he can change the game, man.” To which Oblak replies, simply: “<italics>Madre mía</italics>, he’s so good.”","Writer":"Sid Lowe","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"38","Last year":"39","Up or down":"1","Name":"Ángel Di María","Position":"Winger","Position modifier":"RIGHT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Paris St-Germain","League":"France","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"32","Nationality":"Argentina","Filters":"Argentinian, Ligue 1, Wingers","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/5eb363f2c55034e2ed0a1f0323c0b4dcff1cad9c/1246_15_1665_1664","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1665,1664&size=140,500,1000,1665","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/c20d86fd9f837718918b43cda80a295a7df32548/0_128_4432_2660","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=4432,2660&size=140,500,1000,2000,4432","":"","Profile":"Di María's fifth season for PSG was unquestionably his best, as he attained a level of consistency that had previously eluded him. His ability to unlock defences with mazy dribbles or magical passes was a major factor in his club retaining their domestic title and reaching the Champions League final. On top of his eight goals he would probably, if not for the lockdown, have set a new Ligue 1 record for the number of assists in a season. “I have always said I prefer playing the decisive pass to scoring goals, that's what fulfils me,” he said in the summer. Although he scored in the Champions League semi-final, the year took a downturn after that, <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/23/bayern-munich-paris-saint-germain-psg-champions-league-final-match-report\">as PSG lost the final</a>, Di María lost his place in the Argentina squad and, in September, he was banned for four matches for spitting.","Writer":"Paul Doyle","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"39","Last year":"42","Up or down":"3","Name":"Paulo Dybala","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Juventus","League":"Italy","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"27","Nationality":"Argentina","Filters":"Argentinian, Serie A, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/7c89c6ff4490a1e6a04ae1f8b3d7c5f6918a98e5/1605_0_1358_1358","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1358,1358&size=140,500,1000,1358","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/7923702b36d0fdd6ba9ef745df9cf7b29443e826/0_181_4096_2459","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=4096,2459&size=140,500,1000,2000,4096","":"","Profile":"There might be enough material for a full book on Dybala’s 2020. He won Serie A’s Most Valuable Player award after starring through the summer to help Juventus win their ninth consecutive Scudetto. He scored a gem in a crucial game against Internazionale right before lockdown, too, and did not seem to suffer any lasting adverse effects from a six-week coronavirus infection in-between. Yet in recent months he has barely played – struggling to carve out a role under Andrea Pirlo and performing poorly when he does get on the pitch. The manager has suggested he needs to learn to train harder. ","Writer":"Nicky Bandini","Desked by":"TD","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"40","Last year":"","Up or down":"New","Name":"Leon Goretzka","Position":"Midfielder","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Bayern Munich","League":"Germany","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"25","Nationality":"Germany","Filters":"German, Bundesliga, Midfielders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/6fd83782df9762e2495717954e5182795be001ba/1304_50_1374_1374","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1374,1374&size=140,500,1000,1374","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/117482eee028c57121b4c8eff40861d2f31c19bf/0_247_5184_3110","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=5184,3110&size=140,500,1000,2000,5184","":"","Profile":"Goretzka was one of the big winners of lockdown, putting on considerable muscle (as his teammates merrily pointed out in their <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jun/16/bayern-munich-win-eighth-successive-bundesliga-title-with-win-over-bremen\">title celebrations</a>) as he continues to transform his game. In his second season at Bayern he went from bit-part player to first pick, with his strength and box-to-box energy a key part of the club's treble winners. Goretzka’s formidable central midfield partnership with Joshua Kimmich under Hansi Flick has evolved Bayern’s style, and was a big part of persuading the club not to pull out all the stops to halt Thiago Alcântara's move to Liverpool. He is now part of Germany’s new spine too. ","Writer":"Andy Brassell","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"41","Last year":"72","Up or down":"31","Name":"Marcus Rashford","Position":"Winger","Position modifier":"LEFT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Manchester United","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"23","Nationality":"England","Filters":"English, Premier League, Wingers","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/3cd54a52d85feda94002d6cc89601adc78f51c94/213_41_1259_1260","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1259,1260&size=500,1000,1259","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/25fd3090dba1d50eb22f0e1294e5b1e5854f5364/144_79_2856_1716","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2856,1716&size=140,500,1000,2000,2856","":"","Profile":"His finishing could be more clinical, but it would practically amount to a crime against humanity to criticise a player who has spent much of 2020 as the <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/nov/21/how-marcus-rashford-became-such-a-devastating-activist\">unofficial Leader of the Opposition</a> as well as the leader of the Manchester United attack. He helped his side to third place in the league last season, and started this one with a Champions League <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/oct/28/marcus-rashford-hits-hat-trick-as-manchester-united-dismantle-leipzig\">hat-trick against RB Leipzig</a>, the first United player to do that from the bench since Ole Gunnar Solskjær. He will be unhappy about the mainly defensive lapses that meant United were out of the Champions League before Christmas, but a jump up the list is a sign that his attacking ability is being recognised.  ","Writer":"Paul Wilson","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"42","Last year":"44","Up or down":"2","Name":"Toni Kroos","Position":"Midfielder","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Real Madrid","League":"Spain","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"30","Nationality":"Germany","Filters":"German, La Liga, Midfielders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/c69df523381ca88115dc0ecfc48b2fa65b6b842d/417_113_1233_1233","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1233,1233&size=140,500,1000,1233","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/ea3f68ad3ec9d115187a2684b1a6a39153d12250/207_409_2144_1286","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2144,1286&size=140,500,1000,2000,2144","":"","Profile":"“Kroos is so overrated man,” someone on Twitter said the night <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/16/real-madrid-win-la-liga-title-as-benzema-double-defeats-villarreal\">Real Madrid won La Liga</a>. <a href=\"https://twitter.com/ToniKroos/status/1286235341540806656\">“Yes but don’t tell anybody,”</a> Kroos replied. And anyway, placed at 42 in the list he’s not overrated at all, and would be entitled to feel that he might be higher. “I’m not Casemiro,” he pointed out and he was right. There have been moments when he has been asked to play the deep midfield role and it doesn’t really work. Get him back in his preferred position, though, and it does, and few exercise precision control like him.","Writer":"Sid Lowe","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"43","Last year":"11","Up or down":"-32","Name":"Roberto Firmino","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Liverpool","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"29","Nationality":"Brazil","Filters":"Brazilian, Premier League, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/bff750aba49e65a75221ed7f6c3f575e6ee50210/682_122_945_945","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=945,945&size=140,500,945","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/7f9db200328edd37c07b0202c719117dc0201512/275_210_2911_1747","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2911,1747&size=140,500,1000,2000,2911","":"","Profile":"This has probably been the Brazilian’s most difficult year since he established himself at Liverpool and, in that sense, it is no shock he has dropped 32 places. There have not been many goals or assists and, following Diogo Jota’s stunning impact having arrived from Wolves, a debate broke out as to whether or not he should even be starting for Jürgen Klopp’s side. But the manager has backed him and picked him and there have been plenty of occasions when Firmino has fully justified that faith. He remains an excellent forward as well as an important part of the current champions. ","Writer":"Sachin Nakrani","Desked by":"","To be subbed by":"","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"44","Last year":"47","Up or down":"3","Name":"Lautaro Martínez ","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Inter","League":"Italy","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"23","Nationality":"Argentina","Filters":"Argentinian, Serie A, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/b2ad1701e3f5af2d502ad87a965bc48f6b14cd97/1353_0_1016_1016","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1016,1016&size=140,500,1000,1016","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/f731036bfef5483474408b18ebfe5ce94800b564/0_54_2345_1407","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2345,1407&size=140,500,1000,2000,2345","":"","Profile":"After exploding into form under Antonio Conte in 2019, Martínez has oscillated between scintillating quality and frustrating anonymity. His numbers are good – he hit 21 goals across all competitions last season – and he has shown up in big games, scoring a double <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/17/inter-shakhtar-donetsk-europa-league-semi-final-report-lukaku\">in the Europa League semi-final</a> against Shakhtar Donetsk as well as grabbing Inter’s first <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/nov/03/real-madrid-internazionale-champions-league-group-b-match-report\">away to Real Madrid</a> in the Champions League. He turned around Argentina’s World Cup qualifier away to Bolivia with a goal and an assist in October, too. A little more consistency might be all that separates him from a big jump up this list. ","Writer":"Nicky Bandini","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"45","Last year":"","Up or down":"New","Name":"Ansu Fati","Position":"Winger","Position modifier":"LEFT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Barcelona","League":"Spain","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"18","Nationality":"Spain","Filters":"Spanish, La Liga, Wingers","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/65ddf572d6e1e35f9b1d11ec3e60efd087f2de0f/834_33_1293_1293","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1293,1293&size=140,500,1000,1293","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/3fcf0021efe1871b0f14e1d301c441e30596a6ea/0_358_4048_2429","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=4048,2429&size=140,500,1000,2000,4048","":"","Profile":"A new entry, the second youngest player in the list (he is 10 days older than Eduardo Camavinga), and in all probability in the lowest position he will occupy for the next decade. That, at least, is the hope. <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/nov/09/barcelona-striker-ansu-fati-out-for-four-months-after-knee-surgery-football\">A serious injury</a> has potentially ruined this season for him, which was sad enough anyway, but all the more so as he seemed set to play a starring role for Barcelona and Spain. His emergence is the most exciting at the Camp Nou since <italics>that guy</italics>. Fast, skilful and daring, a fine finisher too, the 18-year-old looks like becoming a genuinely special player for a very long time.  ","Writer":"Sid Lowe","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"46","Last year":"122","Up or down":"Re-entry","Name":"Thibaut Courtois","Position":"Goalkeeper","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Real Madrid","League":"Spain","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"28","Nationality":"Belgium","Filters":"Belgian, La Liga, Goalkeepers","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/5ad6d7a41c339d382e6593d6e7d7adf44761bee6/1499_27_1523_1523","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1523,1523&size=140,500,1000,1523","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/98e1094ce27cace27975ff357cee368063a8f498/0_74_3932_2360","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3932,2360&size=140,500,1000,2000,3932","":"","Profile":"Thibaut Courtois’s ability to slip in a mention of the fact that he made a good save (or more) in all his post-match interviews has become a bit of a running joke. But if it’s funny, maybe that’s also because it’s true. After a difficult start at Madrid and often fierce criticism, there is now unanimous approval, which is reflected in his return to our list. Game after game, he rescued Real Madrid as they came back from lockdown and went on a long winning run <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/16/real-madrid-win-la-liga-title-as-benzema-double-defeats-villarreal\">to take the La Liga title</a>. In every match there would be at least one vital save, and growing leadership skills in evidence.  ","Writer":"Sid Lowe","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"47","Last year":"119","Up or down":"New","Name":"Kingsley Coman","Position":"Winger","Position modifier":"LEFT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Bayern Munich","League":"Germany","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"24","Nationality":"France","Filters":"French, Bundesliga, Wingers","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/71333ff0db5c320a3dde7a4e2cf4bae2092642bf/2202_40_2205_2206","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2205,2206&size=500,1000,2000,2205","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/cc536852be5cdc06cb31847b7dc01d30a05b8b47/0_192_5184_3110","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=5184,3110&size=140,500,1000,2000,5184","":"","Profile":"Now the winner of nine successive league championships spanning France, Italy and Germany, the perception is that Coman is more than a bit fragile – a view enhanced by the 24-year-old having missed adding France’s 2018 World Cup victory to his staggering trophy haul through injury. Still, he played more club games in 2019-20 than in any other season in his career and in tandem with Serge Gnabry, helped to minimise the impact on Bayern of the Ribéry and Robben era coming to a close. Coman makes the difference in the biggest matches, and did so with the winner <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/23/bayern-munich-paris-saint-germain-psg-champions-league-final-match-report\">in the Champions League final</a> against PSG, the club whose academy he graduated. ","Writer":"Andy Brassell","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"48","Last year":"21","Up or down":"-27","Name":"Marc-André ter Stegen","Position":"Goalkeeper","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Barcelona","League":"Spain","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"28","Nationality":"Germany","Filters":"German, La Liga, Goalkeepers","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/d1bacbcbd274b3a8a64c10dc540a01297b5e22ff/525_65_907_906","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=907,906&size=140,500,907","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/7469c24b4a5d3e56b6fbf80f6207c4d7305a2138/0_42_5196_3120","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=5196,3120&size=140,500,1000,2000,5196","":"","Profile":"Everyone loves Ter Stegen, and rightly so. On every level, too: a superb goalkeeper, exceptional with his feet, he has embraced life in Catalonia, speaks very well, and is extremely popular, a man everyone can rely on. Which made the back end of last season disconcerting. When even he isn’t performing then you know that something is really wrong. Not that anyone blamed him for the <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/14/thomas-muller-leads-rout-as-bayern-munich-demolish-barcelona-8-2\">8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich</a> and his occasional errors with the ball at his feet are usually forgiven, maybe even indulged, as a price that has to be paid for the greater good.","Writer":"Sid Lowe","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"49","Last year":"71","Up or down":"22","Name":"Marquinhos","Position":"Defender","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Paris St-Germain","League":"France","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"26","Nationality":"Brazil","Filters":"Brazilian, Ligue 1, Defenders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/fdf59dfaa149f810f884e957bb0baf12d3deb394/519_91_753_752","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=753,752&size=140,500,753","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/dbaa35f99dc1e284dced3ddb29e443d6ed108980/0_477_3308_1985","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3308,1985&size=140,500,1000,2000,3308","":"","Profile":"The Brazilian started the year by signing a new contract with PSG and by the end of it he was the club’s captain, leading with a steely, unspectacular style that offsets some of the club’s more gaudy stylings. Thomas Tuchel was accused of conservatism for deploying Marquinhos in midfield but the player did his job effectively there and scored vital goals against Atalanta and RB Leipzig in the run <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/23/bayern-munich-paris-saint-germain-psg-champions-league-final-match-report\">to the Champions League final</a>. He returned to his best position in central defence after the departure of Thiago Silva but still popped up with useful goals, notably scoring at Old Trafford to enable PSG to prolong their Champions League campaign <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/02/manchester-united-paris-saint-germain-champions-league-match-report\">at the expense of Manchester United</a>.","Writer":"Paul Doyle","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"50","Last year":"86","Up or down":"36","Name":"Kai Havertz","Position":"Midfielder","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Chelsea","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"21","Nationality":"Germany","Filters":"German, Premier League, Midfielders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/766d430409080ed21643b2f9705e08dc7f649533/738_157_1621_1622","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1621,1622&size=500,1000,1621","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/f17cfe3b4ffbc837ffa7fb5ec18ff4441df2e181/71_423_3673_2205","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3673,2205&size=140,500,1000,2000,3673","":"","Profile":"The scary thing is that the best is yet to come from the 21-year-old, who has risen 36 places in the rankings. Capable of playing on the flanks, in a central position and as a false nine, Havertz established himself as one of the hottest young prospects in Europe during his final season with Bayer Leverkusen, helping them reach the German Cup final and the Europa League quarter-finals. <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/sep/04/kai-havertz-completes-move-chelsea-from-bayer-leverkusen\">He joined Chelsea</a> to great fanfare and has shown flashes of class since arriving in England, although he will need time to build his fitness after recovering from Covid-19.","Writer":"Jacob Steinberg","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"51","Last year":"34","Up or down":"-17","Name":"Fabinho","Position":"Midfielder","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Liverpool","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"27","Nationality":"Brazil","Filters":"Brazilian, Premier League, Midfielders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/b5f0450f1a4e9738f31a6a74c36976e9501784ef/1010_136_1166_1166","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1166,1166&size=140,500,1000,1166","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/a982275119ec1cddcf1bac2bd09b2a2f730ca9f3/0_144_4143_2484","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=4143,2484&size=140,500,1000,2000,4143","":"","Profile":"The Brazilian's fall of 17 places can only be attributed to the ankle ligament and hamstring injuries that have disrupted him in 2020. Once he regained match fitness and momentum after the first setback, the 27-year-old was commanding in the heart of a title-winning midfield. This season his importance to Liverpool has increased with his enforced deployment in central defence enabling the champions to maintain their superiority without Virgil van Dijk or Joe Gomez. Should another title arrive this season it will be down to contributions such as Fabinho's. It is no surprise Liverpool are looking to reward him with <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/07/liverpool-fabinho-new-contract\">an improved and longer-term contract</a>.","Writer":"Andy Hunter","Desked by":"","To be subbed by":"","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"52","Last year":"156=","Up or down":"New","Name":"Dayot Upamecano","Position":"Defender","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"RB Leipzig","League":"Germany","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"22","Nationality":"France","Filters":"French, Bundesliga, Defenders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/3d8bebbd84428505748ddd84fc5af4679880853c/1759_89_1653_1653","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1653,1653&size=140,500,1000,1653","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/b103809a039ce536c45d48cfade97d6a81856779/0_95_7072_4248","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=7072,4248&size=140,500,1000,2000,7072","":"","Profile":"Anyone who watched Upamecano's performance in <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/13/rb-leipzig-atletico-madrid-champions-league-quarter-final-match-report\">RB Leipzig's victory over Atlético Madrid</a> in the Champions League quarter-finals back in August will not be surprised to see him feature so highly on this year's list. He put in a colossal defensive display against Diego Simeone's side in the 2-1 win and, after being tipped for greatness from a young age, has now emerged as one of the most sought-after young players in the world. Manchester United and Liverpool are believed to be among his suitors in the Premier League – especially given that he has a reported £38m release clause this summer. But after Upamecano's performances in the Bundesliga over the last three seasons, it's no surprise that Bayern Munich are also said to be keen.","Writer":"Ed Aarons","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"53","Last year":"","Up or down":"New","Name":"Lucas Ocampos","Position":"Winger","Position modifier":"RIGHT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Sevilla","League":"Spain","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"26","Nationality":"Argentina","Filters":"Argentinian, La Liga, Wingers","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/952a85a85e424a2a17dfc7299b060aa1c9d841f1/864_0_1104_1104","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1104,1104&size=140,500,1000,1104","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/f41eef551458f4626c45ace26717087c02d82afa/0_115_4282_2570","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=4282,2570&size=140,500,1000,2000,4282","":"","Profile":"Against Eibar last season, Ocampos scored the only goal of the game and, called upon as an emergency goalkeeper, also saved a 101st-minute shot from his opposite number, Marko Dmitrovic, who had gone up for a corner. A new entry, there’s something enjoyably unorthodox about Ocampos: aggressive, direct, relentless, almost childish in his enthusiasm, carrying attacks and bombing all over the place. Sevilla’s top scorer coming in off the wing, his La Liga tally of 14 more than double that of any of his teammates, he led them to a Champions League place and to <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/21/internazionale-sevilla-europa-league-final-match-report\">Europa League success</a>.  ","Writer":"Sid Lowe","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"54","Last year":"68","Up or down":"14","Name":"Thiago Silva","Position":"Defender","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Chelsea","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"36","Nationality":"Brazil","Filters":"Brazilian, Premier League, Defenders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/de2443708c1bca7b0d063814bf92da2bd2fd6f16/1058_95_1705_1705","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1705,1705&size=140,500,1000,1705","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/719a552eb634fc877d13be018f3076599b97aadf/0_242_7271_4362","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=7271,4362&size=140,500,1000,2000,7271","":"","Profile":"A mainstay on the list since its inception in 2012, the Brazilian veteran shows no sign of slowing down despite his age. The 36-year-old provided outstanding leadership as <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/23/bayern-munich-paris-saint-germain-psg-champions-league-final-match-report\">PSG reached the Champions League final</a> last season, rarely putting a foot wrong in central defence. He had an excellent game against Bayern Munich in the final and has impressed since <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/27/chelsea-sign-thiago-silva-on-free-transfer\">joining Chelsea on a free transfer</a>, using his experience to improve his new team’s defensive record. Fears that his lack of pace would be exposed in England have proved misplaced. He has oozed class in a Chelsea shirt.","Writer":"Jacob Steinberg","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"55","Last year":"22","Up or down":"-33","Name":"N'Golo Kanté","Position":"Midfielder","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Chelsea","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"29","Nationality":"France","Filters":"French, Premier League, Midfielders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/d37986a36249ca7d71ec8bbfceb5dbdb2f86cb25/439_273_2028_2028","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2028,2028&size=140,500,1000,2000,2028","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/c5ad7aa56eabe8d4dc9cafcc6c56ae5c9e01a02d/0_141_4230_2538","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=4230,2538&size=140,500,1000,2000,4230","":"","Profile":"It has not been easy for Kanté since he defied a knee injury to help <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/may/29/chelsea-arsenal-europa-league-final-match-report-eden-hazard\">Chelsea beat Arsenal</a> in the Europa League final in 2019. Short-term gain caused problems down the line. Playing through the pain barrier was commendable but the midfielder has struggled for fitness since that game, explaining his fall down the rankings. Injury problems restricted Kanté to 28 appearances last season and he was off the pace when he did play, raising concerns that the 29-year-old’s powers were waning. This season, though, he has been closer to his best: fitter, sharper and as energetic as ever. It is clear why Frank Lampard still values him so highly.","Writer":"Jacob Steinberg","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"56","Last year":"61","Up or down":"5","Name":"Casemiro","Position":"Midfielder","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Real Madrid","League":"Spain","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"28","Nationality":"Brazil","Filters":"Brazilian, La Liga, Midfielders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/e2ec2682a44a832736738d588b6279775781153a/469_0_1869_1869","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1869,1869&size=140,500,1000,1869","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/3852ad7e129f799ac47eaffa75154964de809f02/0_84_3500_2100","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3500,2100&size=140,500,1000,2000,3500","":"","Profile":"“It’s not the legs, it’s the mind that’s in charge,\" Casemiro <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/05/casemiro-zidane-real-madrid-defensive-midfielder-manchester-city\">said recently</a>. \"I always thought the key was thinking: being better positioned, seeing the move before it happens. I love to learn. I watch back, see the errors, evaluate. I love that. I always try to read the game, the other team’s mind. I have Wyscout and watch everything. It’s my work. And I love it. My life is football. I think permanently about football.” It shows. Arguably the world’s best defensive midfielder and probably the most important player in <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/16/real-madrid-win-la-liga-title-as-benzema-double-defeats-villarreal\">Madrid’s title-winning team</a> last season.","Writer":"Sid Lowe","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"57","Last year":"64","Up or down":"7","Name":"Duván Zapata","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Atalanta","League":"Italy","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"29","Nationality":"Colombia","Filters":"Other nationalities, Serie A, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/510c131a10c0b01491022766d1a3b82dc0292718/1115_0_1170_1170","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1170,1170&size=140,500,1000,1170","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/7a0e922750f22808746487b2428694e9db787ab8/0_159_3570_2142","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3570,2142&size=140,500,1000,2000,3570","":"","Profile":"Atalanta’s captain, Papu Gómez, described Zapata as a “train” this April, confessing that sometimes he was afraid to even get close to the striker on the training ground for fear of getting crushed. In matches, though, he was happy enough to watch the Colombian roll over opposing defences, scoring time after time through the summer to keep Atalanta on track for a second consecutive third-place finish. The Bergamo club upgraded his loan from Sampdoria into a permanent deal in January, paying a club record €25m fee. ","Writer":"Nicky Bandini","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"58","Last year":"26","Up or down":"-32","Name":"Luis Suárez","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Atlético Madrid","League":"Spain","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"33","Nationality":"Uruguay","Filters":"Other nationalities, La Liga, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/d3ac467047cfafe722eb76d6450a95752e0c58df/296_0_1214_1214","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1214,1214&size=140,500,1000,1214","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/0d2121ce7b3a463d708b14ff0113def05cd74793/0_329_5472_3283","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=5472,3283&size=140,500,1000,2000,5472","":"","Profile":"Down 32 places, but on the way back up again? Forced out at Barcelona, where he had become the third-top scorer in their history, some thought that Suárez’s time was up and his knees were gone. Diego Simeone, though, was not among them. The Atlético manager, long an admirer, pushed to bring him to Madrid, provoking Barcelona to momentarily back out at the last minute, terrified that he might actually turn out to be quite good still. Which he did. He <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/sep/28/hurricane-luis-suarez-unleashed-in-spectacular-atletico-madrid-arrival-la-liga-sid-lowe\">scored twice on his debut</a> for a side that are currently leaving his old side lagging behind in La Liga.  ","Writer":"Sid Lowe","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"59","Last year":"","Up or down":"New","Name":"Jack Grealish","Position":"Midfielder","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Aston Villa","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"25","Nationality":"England","Filters":"English, Premier League, Midfielders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/581330e2364991ab9bbd9f53df703e6e5acbb684/440_252_1161_1162","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1161,1162&size=500,1000,1161","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/eb19f20d925e3f245f79933954f4972cb037226e/0_204_4316_2587","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=4316,2587&size=140,500,1000,2000,4316","":"","Profile":"Aston Villa fans had craved wider acknowledgement that their hero is one of the best players around. This year Grealish demonstrated it in style, inspiring Villa to Premier League survival, then helping them push on this season and, after being <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/sep/08/denmark-england-nations-league-match-report\">given a chance by Gareth Southgate in September</a>, lighting up the international stage by <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/nov/12/jack-grealish-pulls-england-strings-republic-of-ireland-friendly\">adding an exciting, unpredictable new dimension to England</a>. Flash? Whatever. He demands attention in the best possible way, by drawing opponents to him and then dancing through them, swatting them aside, eliminating them with a cute pass to a freed teammate or just forcing them to kick him to the ground. This year marks his first appearance in the top 100 and any remaining critics can be bumped aside in the manner of Héctor Bellerín during <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/nov/08/arsenal-aston-villa-premier-league-match-report\">Villa’s 3-0 win at the Emirates</a> in November.","Writer":"Paul Doyle","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"60","Last year":"29","Up or down":"-31","Name":"Hakim Ziyech","Position":"Winger","Position modifier":"RIGHT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Chelsea","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"27","Nationality":"Morocco","Filters":"Other nationalities, Premier League, Wingers","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/b8cb2f8182a9a08686aedae6a0342dab867e1bd5/435_137_1782_1781","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1782,1781&size=140,500,1000,1782","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/824213b24419ed36c1c2c50ceb28b1437df70785/0_118_2965_1778","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2965,1778&size=140,500,1000,2000,2965","":"","Profile":"The Moroccan’s slide in the rankings is easy to explain: he has simply not played much football this year. The pandemic meant he played his last game for Ajax on 7 March and although he officially became a Chelsea player on 1 July, he was not eligible to feature for his new side at the end of last season. Ziyech had to be content with training with his new teammates and his hopes of making a fast start in England suffered a setback when he injured a knee in pre-season, meaning he could not make his Chelsea debut until October. Since then, though, <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/oct/28/hakim-ziyech-stars-in-chelseas-crushing-victory-over-krasnodar\">he has been superb</a>.","Writer":"Jacob Steinberg","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"61","Last year":"","Up or down":"New","Name":"Josip Ilicic","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Atalanta","League":"Italy","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"32","Nationality":"Slovenia","Filters":"Other nationalities, Serie A, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/db19b662d8d18fd14bf7853ac00a18a6f2401892/1222_136_1274_1275","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1274,1275&size=500,1000,1274","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/c188c53c9f3a71e8efc6acc41d4e2a3b286f06cc/0_76_3000_1801","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3000,1801&size=140,500,1000,2000,3000","":"","Profile":"This has been a rollercoaster year for Ilicic, who began 2020 in extraordinary form – an early-January brace against Parma was followed later that month with a hat-trick (featuring <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/07/its-the-bandinis-2020-the-complete-review-of-serie-as-2019-20-season\">a goal from the halfway line</a>) against Torino and then a <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/mar/10/valencia-atalanta-champions-league-last-16-second-leg-match-report\">four-goal obliteration of Valencia</a> in the Champions League in March. He did not score another goal for eight months thereafter, his purple patch interrupted first by the pandemic and then personal issues that led him to take some time away from football. He returned to Atalanta in October, and got back on the scoresheet in <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/nov/25/liverpool-atalanta-champions-league-match-report\">the victory over Liverpool</a> at Anfield. ","Writer":"Nicky Bandini","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"62","Last year":"30","Up or down":"-32","Name":"Kalidou Koulibaly","Position":"Defender","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Napoli","League":"Italy","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"29","Nationality":"Senegal","Filters":"Other nationalities, Serie A, Defenders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/3fe59edda9791c7de359e696261fd3e36cc28aee/1136_20_888_889","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=888,889&size=500,888","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/550e884581e637d9bd6b30f0da1f6e19fae78bb3/0_124_3000_1801","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3000,1801&size=140,500,1000,2000,3000","":"","Profile":"This was supposed to be the year when Napoli finally cashed in on Koulibaly, their highest-paid player, but a combination of dipping performances and a global pandemic subdued the market for the centre-back with a reported €150m release clause written into his contract. Perhaps it will turn out for the best. Like many others, Koulibaly has seen his form gradually rebound under Gennaro Gattuso and he shut out Cristiano Ronaldo as Napoli <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jun/17/napoli-hold-nerve-to-sink-juventus-in-shootout-after-goalless-coppa-italia-final\">won the Coppa Italia</a> in June. That was his first piece of silverware since the Supercoppa he won in his debut season at the club.","Writer":"Nicky Bandini","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"63","Last year":"","Up or down":"New","Name":"Diogo Jota","Position":"Winger","Position modifier":"LEFT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Liverpool","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"24","Nationality":"Portugal","Filters":"Other nationalities, Premier League, Wingers","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/c73a1d68b118ab2848150e570031f45c7d21b3e4/1171_70_1514_1514","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1514,1514&size=140,500,1000,1514","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/2f950f022f08918758ddd3a916581207d963ba88/0_98_4255_2552","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=4255,2552&size=140,500,1000,2000,4255","":"","Profile":"The versatile forward enters the list for the first time. After showing supreme bursts of the dribbling, deft first touch and imagination that marked him as one of Wolves’ most dangerous players during their rise to Europe, he was <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/sep/18/liverpool-sign-thiago-alcantara-from-bayern-munich-jurgen-klopp\">acquired by Liverpool for £41m</a> and immediately soared. In just his fifth start, Jota dismantled Atalanta in Bergamo <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/nov/03/atalanta-liverpool-champions-league-group-d-match-report\">with a hat-trick</a> and he scored nine goals in his first 14 appearances for Liverpool before injury struck against Midtjylland. Having arrived in a squad featuring a celebrated attacking trio of Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané, so far Jota has comported himself like their equal. ","Writer":"Tumaini Carayol","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"64","Last year":"76","Up or down":"12","Name":"Memphis Depay","Position":"Winger","Position modifier":"LEFT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Lyon","League":"France","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"26","Nationality":"Netherlands","Filters":"Other nationalities, Ligue 1, Wingers","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/157ddc957091863129da83c7950f26e86a5d3eb3/351_113_1760_1759","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1760,1759&size=140,500,1000,1760","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/a7c55831980a5ceb85d56e1acf4c8bce1e12b122/0_217_4000_2400","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=4000,2400&size=140,500,1000,2000,4000","":"","Profile":"The Dutchman has moved up in the list despite being out of action for the first half of the year because of torn knee ligaments. Lockdown and the early termination of Ligue 1 meant he did not miss as many matches as he would otherwise have done. His goals and leadership ensured Lyon reached the Champions League knockout stages and he regained fitness in time to help them advance, scoring a crucial penalty in helping to <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/07/juventus-lyon-champions-league-match-report\">oust Juventus in the last 16</a>. When Ligue 1 returned in August, he showed his determination to pick up where he left off by scoring a hat-trick on the opening day against Dijon.","Writer":"Paul Doyle","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"65","Last year":"13","Up or down":"-52","Name":"Sergio Agüero","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Manchester City","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"32","Nationality":"Argentina","Filters":"Argentinian, Premier League, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/09f67fd55b8998e94ccdff888d80ac007f8ccefc/1680_112_1100_1101","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1100,1101&size=500,1000,1100","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/e0d4a38ca0ae4ee6323719d141db53521f107662/0_174_4582_2749","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=4582,2749&size=140,500,1000,2000,4582","":"","Profile":"An ever-present in these lists since their inception eight years ago, but a drop of 52 places is an indication 2020 was not one of his vintage years. After managing to win over an initially sceptical Pep Guardiola and keep his place ahead of a Gabriel Jesus who looks callow by comparison, Agüero is still the most reliable finisher at the club and has long been regarded as one of the most consistent performers in Premier League history. He missed a lot of games <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/08/sergio-aguero-face-fitness-test-for-manchester-citys-marseille-trip\">through injury this year</a>, however, and even if he makes a full recovery it is debatable how long he can continue to spearhead the Manchester City attack when he will be 33 in 2021.  ","Writer":"Paul Wilson","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"66","Last year":"","Up or down":"New","Name":"Federico Valverde","Position":"Midfielder","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Real Madrid","League":"Spain","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"22","Nationality":"Uruguay","Filters":"Other nationalities, La Liga, Midfielders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/125094ebcdd2042752d9c4bcb221abfb972be1f1/1244_312_1075_1075","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1075,1075&size=140,500,1000,1075","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/4a5f0e8eece1a3cee30d67221e846dead2655188/0_72_5854_3511","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=5854,3511&size=140,500,1000,2000,5854","":"","Profile":"Five years is a long time in football. In 2015, Valverde was named among 50 of world football’s best young talents in <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2015/oct/07/next-generation-2015-50-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football\">the Guardian’s Next Generation list</a>. Now he steps up to the main ranking after a year that has seen him become an essential cog in Zinedine Zidane’s midfield three. Valverde has developed into an excellent all-round midfielder who can move possession on slickly, press hard and break the lines with bursts of speed. He is adding goals to his game and one of them, in October, opened the scoring in <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/oct/24/barcelona-real-madrid-la-liga-match-report\">Real’s clásico win at the Camp Nou</a>. Nicknamed “The little bird”, Valverde adds a classic Uruguayan toughness alongside energy and dynamism that have long been an issue for Real’s ageing engine room.","Writer":"Nick Ames","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"67","Last year":"102","Up or down":"Re-entry","Name":"Keylor Navas","Position":"Goalkeeper","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Paris St-Germain","League":"France","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"34","Nationality":"Costa Rica","Filters":"Other nationalities, Ligue 1, Goalkeepers","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/fb54a5f67170d31d728eb77eb045e84937ede980/1640_207_2304_2305","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2304,2305&size=500,1000,2000,2304","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/2c84680d26d8b41cbf230a3f79f159ed12503da5/294_463_2159_1296","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2159,1296&size=140,500,1000,2000,2159","":"","Profile":"The Costa Rican has proved to be a bargain recruit for PSG, who picked him up for around £11m from Real Madrid. After excelling against his former club in the group stages of the Champions League he continued to deliver commanding performances for the French club, radiating a solidity that inspired a team sometimes prone to brittleness. “Keylor is very good and strong and gives us confidence,” said his manager Thomas Tuchel. “With him we are calmer.” The way he has responded to being let go by Real has led to him returning to our top 100.","Writer":"Paul Doyle","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"68","Last year":"","Up or down":"New","Name":"Marcel Sabitzer","Position":"Winger","Position modifier":"RIGHT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"RB Leipzig","League":"Germany","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"26","Nationality":"Austria","Filters":"Other nationalities, Bundesliga, Wingers","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/2aefc10a9bc69b1f67a908d7ced3475340faaa2a/792_28_1331_1331","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1331,1331&size=140,500,1000,1331","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/bc926107747eae8cbf980a1208985e08293cc712/0_186_4660_2796","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=4660,2796&size=140,500,1000,2000,4660","":"","Profile":"Until last season, Sabitzer’s undoubted gifts had not always translated into regular end product. But in 2019-20 he came alive, scoring nine Bundesliga goals and 16 in total, adding seven assists on the domestic stage. He was on target twice <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/mar/10/rb-leipzig-tottenham-champions-league-last-16-second-leg-match-report\">against Spurs in the Champions League</a> in March and it all constitutes the blossoming of an attacking midfielder whose potential was rarely in doubt. Sabitzer is a classic product of the Red Bull machine, having arrived at RB Leipzig as a 20-year-old when they were a second-tier club before enjoying a breakthrough season on loan at Red Bull Salzburg. He can sometimes look unorthodox but his energy, speed of thought and ability with the dead ball exist in the top bracket. Perhaps it is in the genes: his father Herfried was, like him, an Austrian international.","Writer":"Nick Ames","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"69","Last year":"18","Up or down":"-51","Name":"Matthijs de Ligt","Position":"Defender","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Juventus","League":"Italy","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"21","Nationality":"Netherlands","Filters":"Other nationalities, Serie A, Defenders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/f451da6ed97a93385a6c38f969e73cc37afd212c/288_225_1645_1645","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1645,1645&size=140,500,1000,1645","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/35e5a9f5415474cd27eb4382b3ed7ddaf9f32671/0_178_3758_2255","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3758,2255&size=140,500,1000,2000,3758","":"","Profile":"A steep drop for De Ligt, who featured on only 23 of our 241 judges’ lists. The Dutchman needed time to find his feet after <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jul/18/matthijs-de-ligt-joins-juventus-from-ajax-75m-deal\">joining Juventus last summer</a>, but his arms seemed to be the greater problem early this year – when he found himself a repeat victim of the new handball laws. His performances had been improving through the spring and early summer, before a shoulder injury sidelined him for more than three months. A commanding presence in <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/mar/08/european-roundup-juventus-inter-serie-a-real-madrid-betis-bayern\">Juventus’s win over Inter in March</a>, he popped up with some important goals in their title push too.","Writer":"Nicky Bandini","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"70","Last year":"16","Up or down":"-54","Name":"Bernardo Silva","Position":"Winger","Position modifier":"RIGHT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Manchester City","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"26","Nationality":"Portugal","Filters":"Other nationalities, Premier League, Wingers","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/968130f5b1b994dfff83e8a0ec16d70423666906/1175_32_1654_1655","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1654,1655&size=500,1000,1654","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/d2ea8c79a6936228d11d4b3347246411bb507214/286_363_3760_2256","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3760,2256&size=140,500,1000,2000,3760","":"","Profile":"Another of Pep Guardiola's wing-midfield options, Silva has not been able to replicate the consistency or productivity that saw him voted City's player of the year in 2019. He was deputising for the injured De Bruyne when <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/may/12/manchester-city-liverpool-premier-league-title\">Manchester City won the title</a>, something not many players would be able to do, but has become slightly more peripheral since. Has now played more games for City than Monaco, without scoring quite as many goals. Made <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/oct/21/six-liverpool-players-on-ballon-dor-shortlist-bronze-and-white-nominated\">the shortlist for the Ballon d'Or</a> a year ago, but a drop of over 50 places in these rankings shows he has not been as prominent in 2020.  ","Writer":"Paul Wilson","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"71","Last year":"45","Up or down":"-26","Name":"Luka Modric","Position":"Midfielder","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Real Madrid","League":"Spain","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"35","Nationality":"Croatia","Filters":"Other nationalities, La Liga, Midfielders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/515335551c82b2f5ec921fd06766979fce8d5119/1415_29_946_947","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=946,947&size=500,946","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/b0987adda610502f413cd2a98771d81e46b4021a/0_181_5000_3000","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=5000,3000&size=140,500,1000,2000,5000","":"","Profile":"It’s a long way <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2018/dec/18/the-100-best-male-footballers-in-the-world-2018-nos-100-71\">from first</a> to 71st in just two years, suggesting a dramatic collapse that hasn’t really been the case. Russia 2018, where Modric <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jul/15/france-croatia-world-cup-final-match-report\">led Croatia to the final</a>, meant that year was an outlier that probably served to exaggerate his performances during those 12 months and his decline since. He is older, yes, and there were moments early last season when it looked like his time might be coming to an end, with Federico Valverde emerging as an energetic alternative in midfield. But since football resumed in June he has been superb, and is still beautiful to watch.","Writer":"Sid Lowe","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"72","Last year":"","Up or down":"New","Name":"Houssem Aouar","Position":"Midfielder","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Lyon","League":"France","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"22","Nationality":"France","Filters":"French, Ligue 1, Midfielders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/7dff6707ce68b3c2224bebb58e75ff38379239a1/771_0_1707_1707","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1707,1707&size=140,500,1000,1707","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/d57c7388fb4ebec8b4319e42698210ae4b507d30/0_61_3436_2063","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3436,2063&size=140,500,1000,2000,3436","":"","Profile":"Lyon's desire to hold on to one of their prized assets in the face of <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/sep/26/arsenal-bid-for-houssem-aouar-rejected-by-lyon-transfer\">Arsenal's interest</a> in the summer may not have done Mikel Arteta any favours but Aouar's displays this season have helped his boyhood club mount what could turn out to be a serious title challenge. The 22-year-old also caught the eye in Lyon's <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/15/manchester-city-lyon-champions-league-quarter-final-match-report\">surprise victory over Manchester City</a> in the Champions League quarter-final but is believed to be in the sights of PSG next summer having made his first senior appearance for France in October against Ukraine. Manchester City, Real Madrid and Juventus are also said to be pursuing the midfielder. ","Writer":"Ed Aarons","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"73","Last year":"43","Up or down":"-30","Name":"Georginio Wijnaldum","Position":"Midfielder","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Liverpool","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"30","Nationality":"Netherlands","Filters":"Other nationalities, Premier League, Midfielders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/0ee4ed95b49696a2156727b09faabec4650539ef/861_60_900_900","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=900,900&size=140,500,900","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/15e2cb80404b88b0f13d586258d83a001115790c/0_123_3049_1830","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3049,1830&size=140,500,1000,2000,3049","":"","Profile":"One reason presented for the midfielder's reluctance to sign a new contract at Liverpool is uncertainty over his role in Jürgen Klopp's future plans. That argument beggars belief. No midfielder made more appearances during Liverpool's Premier League title winning campaign than Wijnaldum, one of five Dutchmen on the list. Only Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah have started more games this season too at the time of writing. He is Klopp's Mr Dependable, a selfless and tireless operator whose quick feet and distribution under pressure are a crucial part of Liverpool's success. Barcelona want him on a free next summer but Liverpool, understandably, hope to persuade the 30-year-old <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jun/09/liverpool-and-georginio-wijnaldum-hold-positive-talks-over-new-contract\">to extend his fruitful Anfield career</a>. ","Writer":"Andy Hunter","Desked by":"","To be subbed by":"","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"74","Last year":"152","Up or down":"New","Name":"Martin Ødegaard","Position":"Midfielder","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Real Madrid","League":"Spain","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"22","Nationality":"Norway","Filters":"Other nationalities, La Liga, Midfielders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/23b54a751406acb1d870e29dcd40136d7e1e49c7/1023_0_739_739","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=739,739&size=140,500,739","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/3ce6058b1ffc3c899c83a2fe975bc5ca8b80c7a9/0_149_3771_2263","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3771,2263&size=140,500,1000,2000,3771","":"","Profile":"Ødegaard was supposed to spend two years on loan at Real Sociedad but at the end of the 2019-20 season, Real Madrid decided to bring him back early. That was a reflection of their needs and his level. Playing off the front, with freedom to move all over midfield from where he delivered a wide range of clever passes and offered unexpected leadership, taking responsibility for the team, a case could genuinely be made for declaring him La Liga’s best player before the suspension in March. Nacho Monreal said his departure left Real Sociedad “orphaned”, but opportunities have been limited since his return to Madrid.","Writer":"Sid Lowe","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"75","Last year":"91","Up or down":"16","Name":"Leroy Sané","Position":"Winger","Position modifier":"LEFT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Bayern Munich","League":"Germany","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"24","Nationality":"Germany","Filters":"German, Bundesliga, Wingers","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/f66ac520d1bd06e0391284f7ee4f520945c89d9e/984_29_1274_1274","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1274,1274&size=140,500,1000,1274","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/e24ea34b24259b642b9def2439450ba42791da03/0_173_5184_3110","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=5184,3110&size=140,500,1000,2000,5184","":"","Profile":"Between his continued recovery from a torn ACL, <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/03/transfer-news-leroy-sane-joins-bayern-munich-from-manchester-city\">a move from Manchester City to Bayern Munich</a> that has so far seen him primarily used from the bench and his new manager Hansi Flick noting that he \"still has room to improve\", this has not been an ideal year for Sané. It is testament to his stratospheric ability that he remains one of the best in the world for a fourth year running. By mid-December Sané’s cold-blooded efficiency and relentlessness when running at goal this season had yielded five goals, three assists and the expectation that he is on the verge of reaching even greater heights. ","Writer":"Tumaini Carayol","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"76","Last year":"90","Up or down":"14","Name":"Achraf Hakimi","Position":"Defender","Position modifier":"RIGHT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Internazionale","League":"Italy","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"22","Nationality":"Morocco","Filters":"Other nationalities, Serie A, Defenders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/7675750086faf3f2c5edecfe59bfd884c3790d78/862_233_1298_1298","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1298,1298&size=140,500,1000,1298","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/4a2c08a3ea67deed7c74909c211d3cb86869fe22/0_135_3072_1843","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3072,1843&size=140,500,1000,2000,3072","":"","Profile":"The perception in Italy was that Inter got away with daylight robbery when they snapped up Hakimi <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/02/transfers-internazionale-sign-achraf-hakimi-real-madrid\">for €40m in July</a>. Hakimi had contributed five goals and 10 assists while playing at Borussia Dortmund, on loan from Real Madrid, last season and wasted no time in showing what he could do for the Nerazzurri, delivering an assist off the bench on his debut against Fiorentina, then scoring in his first start four days later. There have been some missteps since, but Antonio Conte believes his lightning-quick full-back has room to get even better yet. ","Writer":"Nicky Bandini","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"77","Last year":"49","Up or down":"-28","Name":"Riyad Mahrez","Position":"Winger","Position modifier":"RIGHT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Manchester City","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"29","Nationality":"Algeria","Filters":"Other nationalities, Premier League, Wingers","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/fa719cbedce4dbbac891ec5a8b6527c709da7c7d/1843_129_1440_1440","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1440,1440&size=140,500,1000,1440","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/ac6539865646458ae33c342bde509be2a356a84d/0_247_3309_1987","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3309,1987&size=140,500,1000,2000,3309","":"","Profile":"Intermittently brilliant for Manchester City though nothing like the force he was at Leicester in their title-winning season, when <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2016/dec/20/the-100-best-footballers-in-the-world-2016-interactive\">he was 10th in our list</a>. The Algerian is at least getting a little more game time this season with David Silva and Leroy Sané out of the way and managed <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/nov/28/manchester-city-burnley-premier-league-match-report\">a hat-trick against Burnley</a>, though that added to accusations that he only tends to sparkle against the smaller sides. He still hasn't really made the adjustment from being one of the first names on the teamsheet at Leicester to being one of several talented players Pep Guardiola likes to keep in rotation.  ","Writer":"Paul Wilson","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"78","Last year":"111","Up or down":"New","Name":"Raúl Jiménez","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Wolverhampton Wanderers","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"29","Nationality":"Mexico","Filters":"Other nationalities, Premier League, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/28bfdd9bacb9699776d177ac656a71bf2747da97/1091_293_1152_1152","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1152,1152&size=140,500,1000,1152","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/b3918a97bb66cdc0db2b4c3878a9e04cf28bfb24/0_0_4300_2580","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=4300,2580&size=140,500,1000,2000,4300","":"","Profile":"The only Mexican in the Top 100 is one of the most complete centre-forwards in the world, a player who scores regularly but whose contribution is measured in much more than goals. Throughout Wolves' run <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/06/wolves-olympiakos-europa-league-last-16-second-leg-match-report\">to the Europa League quarter-finals</a> and seventh place in the Premier League, he served not just as a spearhead but also as a wide man, a creator, a ball-winner and an aerial powerhouse in both boxes. He is smart, deft and selfless enough to link up with any teammate and earn unanimous admiration. The sickening collision with David Luiz that led to him <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/nov/29/arsenal-wolves-premier-league-match-report\">suffering a fractured skull</a> curtailed his 2020 efforts in November and now looks to leave Wolves deprived of his qualities for a sustained period.","Writer":"Paul Doyle","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"79","Last year":"10","Up or down":"-69","Name":"Frenkie de Jong","Position":"Midfielder","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Barcelona","League":"Spain","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"23","Nationality":"Netherlands","Filters":"Other nationalities, La Liga, Midfielders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/63fd7f7dc0db697c8449cfd1a89c59b6da61dc00/416_70_939_938","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=939,938&size=140,500,939","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/7c85e553b23866666b1f80cec5df2405e708dfa8/0_191_3689_2213","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3689,2213&size=140,500,1000,2000,3689","":"","Profile":"Frenkie went to Hollywood and it all fell apart. The outstanding midfielder in the Champions League in 2018-19, he became the summer’s biggest signing at Barcelona but finished the 2019-20 season on the wrong end of <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/14/thomas-muller-leads-rout-as-bayern-munich-demolish-barcelona-8-2\">an 8-2 hammering</a>. “It’s a big disappointment; not just for me but for the club,” he said. “We’re the biggest club in the world, we have to perform much better.” Amid a collective crisis at every level not much of the blame was directed his way but, often uncomfortable, out of position and unable to impose himself, his performances had been poor too.   ","Writer":"Sid Lowe","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"80","Last year":"","Up or down":"New","Name":"Dominic Calvert-Lewin","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Everton","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"23","Nationality":"England","Filters":"English, Premier League, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/437dc3b662337ccf94a3f6b977f1279a5dffc6be/576_104_1154_1153","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1154,1153&size=140,500,1000,1154","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/8085494c44aefadc035bd43ad8c0ef1f56988001/273_280_4237_2543","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=4237,2543&size=140,500,1000,2000,4237","":"","Profile":"A first appearance on the list for the Everton centre-forward underlines the impressive strides he has made since Carlo Ancelotti got to work on him 12 months ago. The Everton manager, with key contributions from assistant Duncan Ferguson, felt Calvert-Lewin was doing too much of his best work outside the penalty area and in the channels. He has impressed on him the need to take charge inside the box instead, and for first-time finishing reminiscent of Filippo Inzaghi, and was repaid with goalscoring that reached double figures in the league by the end of November. The 23-year-old also scored on his <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/oct/08/england-wales-international-friendly-match-report\">England debut against Wales</a> in October.","Writer":"Andy Hunter","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"81","Last year":"100","Up or down":"19","Name":"Philippe Coutinho","Position":"Midfielder","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Barcelona","League":"Spain","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"28","Nationality":"Brazil","Filters":"Brazilian, La Liga, Midfielders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/f2bbb573a1fcedc7823bdec503a0364895b3e972/1014_449_1821_1821","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1821,1821&size=140,500,1000,1821","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/c7e65e2738c9a3e08643c0903c0581300b95105c/0_150_3758_2255","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3758,2255&size=140,500,1000,2000,3758","":"","Profile":"Only one Barcelona player left Lisbon with any credit in August, and that was the one that didn’t play for them, appearing (and apologetically scoring, twice) for Bayern instead during the <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/14/thomas-muller-leads-rout-as-bayern-munich-demolish-barcelona-8-2\">stunning 8-2 Champions League victory</a>. Yet if a year on loan in Germany brought some hope – and an unexpected climb in this list – it didn’t last long. Bayern didn’t want to keep him, Barcelona couldn’t sell him, and the optimism that came with renewed opportunity at the Camp Nou quickly evaporated. The talent is there, but Coutinho appears to lack confidence and continues to struggle to find a role in a dysfunctional Barcelona side.","Writer":"Sid Lowe","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"82","Last year":"144","Up or down":"New","Name":"Richarlison","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Everton","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"23","Nationality":"Brazil","Filters":"Brazilian, Premier League, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/2d95645b0f8d67fc0a3c75d795abfea7c1899c54/1145_67_1674_1674","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1674,1674&size=140,500,1000,1674","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/bcf8270b5961a475a82a9cfa0cb51f7205cfd8dc/0_144_5568_3341","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=5568,3341&size=140,500,1000,2000,5568","":"","Profile":"Carlo Ancelotti believes the Brazilian has all the attributes to be \"a top, top striker\" after finishing the past two seasons with 13 Premier League goals. There is no disputing his importance to Everton – who have not won a Premier League game in Richarlison's absence since <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jul/24/everton-complete-40m-signing-richarlison-watford\">he joined the club in 2018</a> – but there is work to be done to fulfil the Italian's prediction in terms of consistency and concentration. Now firmly established in the national setup under Tite, the 23-year-old has impressed on the left and at centre-forward for club and country.","Writer":"Andy Hunter","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"83","Last year":"14","Up or down":"-69","Name":"Eden Hazard","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Real Madrid","League":"Spain","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"29","Nationality":"Belgium","Filters":"Belgian, La Liga, Midfielders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/dc4b88b3c96b22c6edc557f05bdbb0fead79a811/475_50_1024_1024","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1024,1024&size=140,500,1000,1024","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/15142e055089666b37f317fe0405537ddc8fbd45/0_269_4039_2424","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=4039,2424&size=140,500,1000,2000,4039","":"","Profile":"Hazard falls 69 spots after a hellish injury-plagued 2020. His setbacks include a microfracture to his right leg, a broken fibula, hamstring complaints, various knocks and a positive coronavirus test. There have been fleeting glimpses of his talent, including a thunderous 35-yard finish <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/oct/31/european-football-round-up\">against Huesca in October</a>, but each hopeful moment has been cruelly snuffed out by another complication. His luck will surely turn, but he will need ample resilience to rediscover his best form at a club as demanding and impatient as Real Madrid. \"Sometimes injuries happen and we have to endure,\" said Zinedine Zidane. \"He is strong, I have no doubt.“","Writer":"Tumaini Carayol","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"84","Last year":"78","Up or down":"-6","Name":"Dries Mertens","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Napoli","League":"Italy","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"33","Nationality":"Belgium","Filters":"Belgian, Serie A, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/35c7f520a418f952c8740617306e632c2052b257/1117_0_944_944","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=944,944&size=140,500,944","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/a879ee9db6a294f296825eed8b454e541f24fc0e/0_114_3500_2101","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3500,2101&size=140,500,1000,2000,3500","":"","Profile":"This was the year when Mertens overtook Marek Hamsik to become Napoli’s all-time leading scorer, though he was the first to put that achievement in perspective after Diego Maradona, who held the record before Hamsik, <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/nov/25/diego-maradona-dies-one-of-greatest-footballers-of-all-time-argentina-world-cup-1986\">died last month</a>. “Forgive me if my name has ever been placed close to yours,” he wrote, “I could never be at your levels.” Indeed not, but Maradona himself was a fan, <a href=\"https://twitter.com/dries_mertens14/status/1272601292356157442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1272601292356157442%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.football-italia.net%2F154530%2Fvideo-maradona-congratulates-mertens\">sharing a video full of praise</a> when the record fell in June. And if Mertens has not yet emulated Diego and led Napoli to a Scudetto, he did <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jun/17/napoli-hold-nerve-to-sink-juventus-in-shootout-after-goalless-coppa-italia-final\">lift his second Coppa Italia</a> with them in June, after scoring the goal that won the semi-final.","Writer":"Nicky Bandini","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"85","Last year":"120","Up or down":"New","Name":"Thomas Partey","Position":"Midfielder","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Arsenal","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"27","Nationality":"Ghana","Filters":"Other nationalities, Premier League, Midfielders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/3d735ef93f35117c70dc43e105080878465cfabb/1188_63_781_782","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=781,782&size=500,781","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/9b2d2eb52840967c364d1c9a1734680ea4921891/0_182_4914_2949","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=4914,2949&size=140,500,1000,2000,4914","":"","Profile":"Arsenal had been tracking Partey for four years so there was a sense of triumph when, with hours to spare before the September transfer deadline, they met his £45m release clause <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/oct/05/arsenal-make-move-to-sign-thomas-partey-from-atletico-madrid-for-51m\">and got their man</a>. The <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/oct/13/if-i-was-an-animal-id-be-an-octopus-partey-plans-a-splash-at-arsenal\">“Octopus”</a> quickly added extra drive and technical stability to a dreary midfield and was instrumental in the Gunners’ <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/nov/01/manchester-united-arsenal-premier-league-match-report\">first top-flight win at Old Trafford in 14 years</a>, but he subsequently picked up a calf injury and cut a despondent figure when it recurred <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/06/tottenham-arsenal-premier-league-match-report\">halfway through the north London derby</a>. When he is fully fit, Arsenal will feel the full benefit of a multiskilled, versatile international who became a key player for Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid and fully deserves his first appearance on this list. ","Writer":"Nick Ames","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"86","Last year":"","Up or down":"New","Name":"Jesús Navas","Position":"Defender","Position modifier":"RIGHT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Sevilla","League":"Spain","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"35","Nationality":"Spain","Filters":"Spanish, La Liga, Defenders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/3d4cd9d4730e5dfb5ffcc0776706f551da008a34/256_2_634_634","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=634,634&size=140,500,634","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/b45301945d4be480fbb7aad6286063d4875e0c0d/0_111_4000_2400","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=4000,2400&size=140,500,1000,2000,4000","":"","Profile":"When Luis Enrique named his Spain squad at the end of last season, he included Navas. Asked when he expected the Sevilla captain to rest, what with him playing a European final just days before, the Spain coach grinned and replied: “Fifteen minutes and he’ll be fine again.” A pretty good way of summing Navas up. Among the oldest on this list, this winger-turned-full-back never stops, as if he was aged 15 rather than 35. He played every game in La Liga last season, delivering more crosses than anyone, and also lifted <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/21/internazionale-sevilla-europa-league-final-match-report\">his third Europa League</a> 14 years after his first.","Writer":"Sid Lowe","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"87","Last year":"","Up or down":"New","Name":"Eduardo Camavinga","Position":"Midfielder","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Rennes","League":"France","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"18","Nationality":"France","Filters":"French, Ligue 1, Midfielders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/3d74d98f1af4756b9c622f562b075a76df7718b5/2060_24_1188_1187","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1188,1187&size=140,500,1000,1188","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/b5ec2e411caf695984eece53d2659ae9bb738527/0_130_4000_2400","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=4000,2400&size=140,500,1000,2000,4000","":"","Profile":"\"My parents are happy, but I want to make them even happier,\" said Camavinga in his first interview as a professional player back in May. \"The way I was raised, happiness is not uniquely linked to material things, it is certain things together, a holistic balance.\" As the youngest player on this year's list, having made his France debut before his 18th birthday in November, the son of Congolese parents who was born in an Angolan refugee camp <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/sep/01/eduardo-camavinga-most-exciting-teenager-football-rennes-france\">hasn't been doing too badly</a>. Camavinga's performances for Rennes last season helped the Breton club qualify for the Champions League group stage <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/12/rennes-wake-up-the-neighbours-as-champions-league-anthem-plays-at-3am\">for the first time</a> and it is surely only a matter of time before he is snapped up by one of Europe's big fish.","Writer":"Ed Aarons","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"88","Last year":"","Up or down":"New","Name":"Marcos Llorente","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Atlético Madrid","League":"Spain","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"25","Nationality":"Spain","Filters":"Spanish, La Liga, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/abfd6395c0e1ef065b75913fc9b6c03b166fb989/792_910_2332_2332","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2332,2332&size=140,500,1000,2000,2332","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/805dfb803f028f605a05f605b8b9e244e8f7dc62/0_141_2678_1607","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2678,1607&size=140,500,1000,2000,2678","":"","Profile":"A new entry on this list and on any list. The son, grandson, nephew and great nephew of professionals, born into a family of football and basketball players who represented Real Madrid, where he too began his career, Llorente is the latest star across the city at Atlético. A defensive midfielder, he has been a revelation over the last six months as an attacking midfielder or even a forward – a role he discovered <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/mar/11/liverpool-atlletico-madrid-champions-league-last-16-second-leg-match-report\">against Liverpool in the Champions League</a> in March and one which has led him to the Spain squad. That night changed his life so much that <a href=\"https://www.espn.co.uk/football/atletico-madrid/story/4082310/atletico-madrids-llorente-names-dog-anfield-after-knocking-liverpool-out-of-champions-league\">he named his dog Anfield</a>.","Writer":"Sid Lowe","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"89","Last year":"40","Up or down":"-49","Name":"Ederson","Position":"Goalkeeper","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Manchester City","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"27","Nationality":"Brazil","Filters":"Brazilian, Premier League, Goalkeepers","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/ca53bb4c89013a659ee244334d41ed85b43846d0/816_42_868_868","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=868,868&size=140,500,868","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/76844d76faf8eabb2844d9ed764a80e744102433/341_330_3682_2208","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3682,2208&size=140,500,1000,2000,3682","":"","Profile":"One of the best goalkeepers around, even if he has made a couple of mistakes already this season. His shot-stopping is as good as ever, as is his distribution, and his is not the area of defence that Pep Guardiola <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/jun/25/manchester-citys-defensive-problems-must-be-tackled-to-reel-in-liverpool\">will be most worried about</a>. Just as Liverpool did a year later City looked to Brazil for a commanding presence in goal, and haven't looked back since. His hefty fall in the list is probably explained by Liverpool finally gaining the upper hand on City in 2020.  ","Writer":"Paul Wilson","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"90","Last year":"25","Up or down":"-65","Name":"Antoine Griezmann","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Barcelona","League":"Spain","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"29","Nationality":"France","Filters":"French, La Liga, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/4cbcc26a22b76217685bbbc62c424c6334cbf6f6/1071_78_1090_1089","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1090,1089&size=140,500,1000,1090","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/df42631757695277be0bf324717f5be84fd7e050/478_109_2388_1433","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2388,1433&size=140,500,1000,2000,2388","":"","Profile":"Griezmann once said he wanted to dine at the same table as Lionel Messi but he is finding it hard enough just playing in the same team. A man who genuinely could have won the Ballon d’Or two years ago (when he was at No 6 in this list), and would have deserved it too, consistently brilliant over five seasons at Atlético, his lowly position on this list tells a story of his fall from grace since <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jul/12/antoine-griezmann-joins-barcelona-from-atletico-madrid-for-120m\">joining Barcelona last year for €125m</a>. Scorer of 15 goals in all competitions last season, at times the criticism has been exaggerated, but he just hasn’t found a role, still less happiness, at the Camp Nou.","Writer":"Sid Lowe","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"91","Last year":"","Up or down":"New","Name":"Robin Gosens","Position":"Defender","Position modifier":"LEFT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Atalanta","League":"Italy","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"26","Nationality":"Germany","Filters":"German, Serie A, Defenders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/3c35531d431e80da49857dd7b4f178c29070aec5/508_0_1002_1002","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1002,1002&size=140,500,1000,1002","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/cafcc6fad9175c2c43eb3504589f1e7aae9b66aa/133_225_3288_1973","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3288,1973&size=140,500,1000,2000,3288","":"","Profile":"A new entry and one of four Atalanta players on this year’s list after their stunning progress <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/12/atalanta-paris-saint-germain-champions-league-quarter-final-match-report\">to last season's Champions League quarter-finals</a>. The 26-year-old wing-back is typical of this Atalanta side: unassuming, hard-working and tactically very astute. Gosens, who has a Dutch father, left the German footballing system in 2012 to join Vitesse’s under-19s and signed for Atalanta in 2017 after spells at Dordrecht and Heracles Almelo. He cost a mere £800,000 but made his Germany debut in September with Joachim Löw describing him as \"a versatile player whose dynamism, enthusiasm and determination is impressive\".","Writer":"Marcus Christenson","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"92","Last year":"","Up or down":"New","Name":"Nicolò Barella","Position":"Midfielder","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Internazionale","League":"Italy","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"23","Nationality":"Italy","Filters":"Other nationalities, Serie A, Midfielders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/6b8abf4fa03c7ad3b3f53ac0db8a60e633af9347/1532_255_2520_2520","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2520,2520&size=140,500,1000,2000,2520","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/991787eecd52bdc69060ca386016416d11542ffe/329_81_2743_1648","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2743,1648&size=140,500,1000,2000,2743","":"","Profile":"A first-time entry, but unlikely to be the last for a player who has made himself essential to both Inter and the Italian national team. His 2020 highlights reel included a surgical dissection of the Dutch defence to set up Lorenzo Pellegrini in the Nations League this October, and an outrageous backheel flick <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/nov/03/real-madrid-internazionale-champions-league-group-b-match-report\">to tee up Lautaro Martínez</a> away to Real Madrid in the Champions League. Barella’s contribution to team play, though, goes so far beyond those eye-catching moments, with a tireless work ethic that serves him equally well in either the No 10 role or as a box-to-box midfielder.","Writer":"Nicky Bandini","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"93","Last year":"","Up or down":"Re-entry","Name":"Éver Banega","Position":"Midfielder","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Al Shabab","League":"Saudi Arabia","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"32","Nationality":"Argentina","Filters":"Argentinian, Other leagues, Midfielders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/bbb7ae2a2f40fab470dead52dc8c5b59e459ee63/1651_1134_984_985","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=984,985&size=500,984","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/0784a5621f7ec0505c7bd1e1065d2290aea8e5a1/185_326_3422_2053","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3422,2053&size=140,500,1000,2000,3422","":"","Profile":"“I told Éver he can’t go,” Fernando said speaking for everyone at Sevilla but it was too late. Banega’s mind was made up: it was time to turn down the tension and head to Saudia Arabia. The Argentinian had announced the decision early, prompting some to doubt his commitment for the rest of the season but Julen Lopetegui insisted: “I trust him” – and he was right. “Sevilla play well when Banega plays well,” their manager added, and he was right about that too. Banega signed a contract extension to stay on post-lockdown, led them <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/21/internazionale-sevilla-europa-league-final-match-report\">to the Europa League title</a>, and said goodbye in style.","Writer":"Sid Lowe","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"94","Last year":"","Up or down":"New","Name":"Ferran Torres ","Position":"Winger","Position modifier":"RIGHT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Manchester City","League":"England","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"20","Nationality":"Spain","Filters":"Spanish, Premier League, Wingers","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/85433e3f3b83ab05c1922678ee45b0d810198461/961_72_944_943","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=944,943&size=140,500,944","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/e173c8d03cc4347e6d3572fb67a5ea2dadf6641f/282_107_2880_1729","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=2880,1729&size=140,500,1000,2000,2880","":"","Profile":"Wears David Silva's old number, so has plenty to live up to. Still early days at City, but he has made his Premier League debut and scored his first Champions League goal, as well as breaking into the Spanish national side. With <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/nov/17/ferran-torress-treble-helps-spain-humble-germany-in-nations-league\">a hat-trick for Spain in the 6-0 rout of Germany</a> last month especially catching the eye, 2020 went so well for Torres that people are already describing <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/04/ferran-torres-meets-manchester-city-director-to-seal-move-from-valencia\">the £24.5m fee that Manchester City paid Valencia</a> as daylight robbery. Probably bought as a winger rather than a goalscorer, though it's abundantly clear he can do both.","Writer":"Paul Wilson","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"95","Last year":"","Up or down":"Re-entry","Name":"Álvaro Morata","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Juventus","League":"Italy","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"28","Nationality":"Spain","Filters":"Spanish, Serie A, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/7de96440efc47e10ec5f8d96fd59604df86ef51f/975_87_1617_1618","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1617,1618&size=500,1000,1617","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/976915f9706bfd02e603736fad027bac66fd856f/0_220_5285_3171","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=5285,3171&size=140,500,1000,2000,5285","":"","Profile":"The Spaniard returns to our list for the first time since 2017 after moving back to Italy and Juventus in the summer on loan from Atlético Madrid. The 28-year-old has had some of his happiest times in Turin and has started extremely well under Andrea Pirlo, linking up well with Cristiano Ronaldo and scoring nine goals in his first 14 games for Juve this season. The key, as always with Morata, is that he has a manager who trusts him and in his former teammate Pirlo he has just that. \"Morata is a very strong player,\" Pirlo said in November, \"he just needs consistency and confidence. If he’s good mentally then he can do anything, he can be one of the best strikers in the world.\" ","Writer":"Marcus Christenson","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"96","Last year":"","Up or down":"New","Name":"Dominik Szoboszlai","Position":"Midfielder","Position modifier":"LEFT","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Red Bull Salzburg","League":"Austria","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"20","Nationality":"Hungary","Filters":"Other nationalities, Other leagues, Midfielders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/9c68dc3d47c22c43c3d54fb50ce56e1791612bf8/268_40_541_540","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=541,540&size=140,500,541","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/9d32819450c000e46c48affed6f01d3d1b49d62f/231_231_4498_2699","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=4498,2699&size=140,500,1000,2000,4498","":"","Profile":"Szoboszlai featured on midfield shopping lists around Europe but in the end RB Leipzig beat the rest to sign him from their friends at Red Bull Salzburg. He'll swap Austria for Germany next month and Leipzig will be getting their hands on a creative force who has been likened to David Beckham for his set-piece prowess and Kevin De Bruyne for his ability to dictate a game’s tempo. Last season’s Austrian player of the season has a wand of a right foot and an increasing taste for the big occasion, both of which he demonstrated in the sensational injury-time solo goal in November <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/nov/12/euro-2020-playoffs-georgia-north-macedonia-hungary-iceland\">that earned Hungary qualification</a> for next year's European Championship finals. Technically exceptional and deliciously creative, Szoboszlai has the potential to be a star for the next decade – his first appearance on this list is highly unlikely to be the last. ","Writer":"Nick Ames","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"97","Last year":"","Up or down":"Re-entry","Name":"Jérôme Boateng","Position":"Defender","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Bayern Munich","League":"Germany","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"32","Nationality":"Germany","Filters":"German, Bundesliga, Defenders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/61929c26b7e6d29b7b5d34ca1cd22589faa7e6f2/2819_86_1448_1448","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=1448,1448&size=140,500,1000,1448","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/5ac98474dac6af4be9a65bc6e2c5ab43ce5c96e3/0_134_5184_3110","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=5184,3110&size=140,500,1000,2000,5184","":"","Profile":"One of the true unsung heroes of Bayern’s glorious 2020 returns to the list for the first time since 2016. Binned by Joachim Löw for Germany and with the German champions inviting offers for him in recent summers, it looked as if Boateng was on the way out <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/06/jerome-boateng-premier-league-bayern-munich-chelsea-young-talent\">not just of Bayern</a>, but of elite-level football in general. Instead, he was brought back into the fold by Hansi Flick – partly out of necessity with resources stretched – but responded with composed and stylish performances, not easy at 32 with his team playing a high line. There have even been calls for Germany to bring him back to fix their leaky defence. ","Writer":"Andy Brassell","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"98","Last year":"","Up or down":"New","Name":"Luis Alberto","Position":"Midfielder","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Lazio","League":"Italy","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"28","Nationality":"Spain","Filters":"Spanish, Serie A, Midfielders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/a367b5c9ded02741f997534ecc6243e9929943d3/827_153_709_709","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=709,709&size=140,500,709","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/fc227f13038d38575b81f1f7c4276f5157e927be/0_97_6192_3715","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=6192,3715&size=140,500,1000,2000,6192","":"","Profile":"Depending on whose numbers you want to use (Serie A’s official figures disagreed with those from Opta), Luis Alberto was either the No 1 or No 2 assist provider (behind Atalanta's Papu Gómez) in Serie A for 2019-20. Either way, he surpassed the previous record held by Ronaldinho, and <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/jun/29/lazio-luck-luis-alberto-sorcery-serie-a-title-hopes\">played an essential role</a> in both Lazio’s top four finish and Ciro Immobile’s push to win the European Golden Shoe. He caused a stir in November when he criticised the club for spending money on an aeroplane instead of the team, but remains as indispensable as ever to manager Simone Inzaghi. ","Writer":"Nicky Bandini","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"99","Last year":"","Up or down":"New","Name":"Presnel Kimpembe","Position":"Defender","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Paris St-Germain","League":"France","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"25","Nationality":"France","Filters":"French, Ligue 1, Defenders","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/8ead3d149be0622e2b95cd773f7e6a9a8aca516e/97_86_588_587","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=588,587&size=140,500,588","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/660850bcd21436c9ae6dcf4e6c1baba1c39b1645/0_251_3559_2135","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=3559,2135&size=140,500,1000,2000,3559","":"","Profile":"Despite being on PSG’s books since the age of 10, his breakthrough performance coming almost four years ago when he subdued Lionel Messi <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/feb/14/paris-saint-germain-barcelona-champions-league-last-16-first-leg-match-report\">in a victory over Barcelona</a>, and having a 2018 World Cup winners' medal, it was only this year that Kimpembe truly established himself as an essential part of his team, a development reflected in his first appearance in the Top 100. With his increased solidity in central defence he helped his side <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/23/bayern-munich-paris-saint-germain-psg-champions-league-final-match-report\">reach the Champions League final</a> and – since the departure of Thiago Silva, on whom he said he models his play – he has emerged as one of PSG’s most influential voices, often entrusted with the captaincy. “I am not one of the phenomenons of my generation, I have had to work hard to come as far as I have,” he said this year.","Writer":"Paul Doyle","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""},{"Rank":"100","Last year":"153","Up or down":"New","Name":"Wissam Ben Yedder","Position":"Forward","Position modifier":"CENTRE","Club on 20 Dec 2020":"Monaco","League":"France","Age on 20 Dec 2020":"30","Nationality":"France","Filters":"French, Ligue 1, Forwards","Image found":"","Video Path":"","Facewall cell image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/302ce3ce81b0ecb3b9f586694e9b0edb420634c3/1166_105_953_953","Facewall cell image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=953,953&size=140,500,953","Facewall main image GRID src":"https://media.guim.co.uk/ea130d8c46b81031070e3a0445f0828c179d6e27/0_238_6424_3854","Facewall main image GRID attributes":"cropRatio=6424,3854&size=140,500,1000,2000,6424","":"","Profile":"With technique honed during an early spell as a futsal international, Ben Yedder thrives in tight spaces like a fleet-footed David Blaine. That ability, combined with a rare instinct for finishing, makes him a deadly striker, as he demonstrated last season – his first with Monaco – by finishing joint top-scorer of Ligue 1, level on goals with Kylian Mbappé, with whom he has become a regular in the France squad. His attitude, on top of his ability, endears him to his club, who appointed him captain less than a year after his arrival. His popularity there was fuelled further in January when one motorist <a href=\"https://www.asmonaco.com/en/when-wissam-ben-yedder-does-good/\">thanked the striker for paying for his petrol</a> after his card was declined in a service station.","Writer":"Paul Doyle","Desked by":"SG","To be subbed by":"JA","Subbed":"","Revised":""}],"furniture":[{"headline":"Top 100 footballers 2017:the best talents in the world","standfirst":"The Guardian picks the best prospect from each club born between 1 September 2000 and 31 August 2001, an age band known as first-year scholars. Check the progress of our <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2016/oct/04/next-generation-2016-20-of-the-best-talents-at-premier-league-clubs\" target=\"_new\">2016 class</a> | <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2015/oct/06/next-generation-2015-20-of-the-best-talents-at-premier-league-clubs\" target=\"_new\">2015</a> | <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/ng-interactive/2014/oct/13/next-generation-2014-20-of-the-best-talents-at-premier-league-clubs\" target=\"_new\">2014</a>","pagestrap":"<a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/football\" target=\"_new\">Football</a>","shareurl":""}]}}