The 100 best male footballers in the world 2021

The Pole becomes the first player to retain top spot since Lionel Messi in 2013, featuring on every judges’ list this year and topping 115 out of 219 votes cast. And it’s no surprise – his goal scoring feats continue to defy logic. By mid-December he had scored 66 goals in 57 competitive games for club and country.

At the end of the 2020-21 season he won his seventh Bundesliga title but Bayern were not able to repeat their Champions League triumph, going out to Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals; tellingly Lewandowski was injured for the two games against the French side.

The Bayern Munich manager, Julian Nagelsmann, says: “I think Lewy can achieve a lot, also at an older age, because of his physique, lifestyle and the way he lives as a footballer.” He is destined to be back on the list next year, possibly as a winner for a third consecutive year. Marcus Christenson

For many, not least the man himself, this summer’s Copa América triumph will have been the defining moment of the Argentinian’s year, perhaps more so than his sensational move to PSG or his much-contested Ballon d’Or win.

Messi nevertheless ended last season as La Liga’s top scorer and won another Copa del Rey, propping up a feckless Barcelona and once again justifying his uninterrupted presence in this rankings’ top three.

His time in Paris has been more muted, albeit punctuated by moments of magic such as his first goal for the club, against Manchester City. His stellar Champions League performances remain the one constant from his Catalan years – but PSG won’t mind that if he can propel them to the big prize next year. Raphaël Jucobin

Seventh in the Ballon d’Or and not even on the shortlist for the 2021 Fifpro men’s world XI – a prize voted for by fellow professionals – Liverpool’s phenomenal goalscorer is up five places to his highest ever position on our list.

Last season may have been a toil for his club but Salah’s individual contribution to a campaign that secured Champions League qualification remained immense, with 31 goals in total.

He is on course to easily surpass that tally this term, having become the first Liverpool player since Ian Rush in the 1980s to hit the 20-goal mark in five successive seasons. The Egypt international’s outstanding form has prompted Jürgen Klopp to call him the best player in the world. Andy Hunter

Back in the France team, despite the case against him for blackmailing finally coming to court and ending with a guilty verdict. On the pitch, Benzema has reached a level unreachable for most footballers – and for many years spent in service to others, even for him.

With 18 goals and eight assists already this season at the time of writing, the stats provide the headline and the watertight case, but it’s not really that; it’s that everything he does, he does well, a forward of impeccable intelligence and technique on the pitch. Sid Lowe

Few people would have anticipated the midfielder being a Ballon d’Or contender at the start of the year. He was in and out of the Chelsea team under Frank Lampard and had still not shaken off the associations with Sarriball. Now, though, nobody doubts Jorginho’s class.

The 30-year-old took his game to new heights after Thomas Tuchel replaced Lampard and he did not slow down after helping Chelsea win the Champions League. Jorginho was a controlling presence for Italy at Euro 2020 and he had an exceptional game when they beat England in the final. Just don’t remind him about missing a penalty in the shootout. Jacob Steinberg

The ignominy of France’s exit from the European Championship notwithstanding, Mbappé remains a brilliant presence for club and country. He rebounded brilliantly from his summer disappointment to lead France to the Nations League title, and has PSG poised to win Ligue 1 by a record margin.

Still only 23, his game continues to develop as well; at the time of writing he has the most assists in France this season and, with another four in the Champions League, has become both the attacking focal point and creative hub of the capital side.

Whether he leaves Paris next summer remains to be seen, but for now he continues to be as electric and compelling a presence on the pitch as ever. Eric Devin

There was a lot of speculation over whether the Norwegian would leave Dortmund last summer but, having sold Jadon Sancho to Manchester United, the Bundesliga club did not contemplate selling their main asset. The 21-year-old continues to average roughly a goal a game for club and country, his consistency remarkable for a player so young.

He was injured for a spell in late October and November and during that period Borussia Dortmund lost so much ground in their Champions League group that they were eliminated. He may drop a place in our rankings but he was only nine points behind Kylian Mbappé.

He made 211 out of 219 voting slips this year and two judges had him as the best player in the world in 2021. Maybe he is not quite there yet, but there is no reason why he can’t be in the future. Marcus Christenson

The debate that swirls around Cristiano Ronaldo being able to press at 36 shows where the game is five years on from the arrival at Manchester United of a far more static, totem No 9 – Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The latter was two years younger and there was zero debate about his ability out of possession.

Now, particularly with Ralf “godfather of pressing” Rangnick as United’s interim manager, the supremely talented Portuguese is viewed via the narrow prism of how much he can close down. Ronaldo, simply, remains an asset. For a struggling United he has quickly reached double figures for goals this season, and was the Capocannoniere in Serie A in 2020-21 with 29. Jamie Jackson

The midfielder was extraordinary when Chelsea won the Champions League. He overpowered Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid en route to the final and was man of the match when Manchester City were beaten in Porto.“He is a super man,” Thomas Tuchel says.

“The guy everyone in the whole world wants in his midfield.” The only problem, though, is that Kanté is not in Chelsea’s midfield enough. He has struggled to stay fit since 2019 and has been in and out this season.

It is just as well that he was ready to face City. Chelsea would not have become European champions without him. Jacob Steinberg

Ended the Premier League season as a champion, being an instrumental part of Manchester City’s Premier League triumph thanks to his 12 assists and six goals as he pulled the strings from central midfield. The figures might not look phenomenal but he featured in only 25 matches.

The Belgian will have been left frustrated that he failed to add to his silverware haul after suffering facial fractures in the Champions League final defeat to Chelsea, which ensured he was not fully fit for the European Championship as Belgium went out in the quarter-finals. Will Unwin

The Belgian narrowly misses out on our top 10 by a mere 29 points after a year that saw Euro heartbreak in the quarter-finals against Italy and injury overshadowing his return to Chelsea. However, the 28-year-old was immense as Inter powered to their first Serie A title in 11 years, scoring 24 times and providing 10 assists.

“He is like an American football player,” his coach at Inter, Antonio Conte, said in Feburary. “He is an unusual footballer. He is a centre-forward, he acts as a target man, and he is very fast.”

In the summer he returned to Chelsea 10 years after first walking through the doors at Cobham and is hoping to make his presence felt after a stop-start beginning to his second coming at Stamford Bridge. Marcus Christenson

The second goalkeeper ever to be named as Player of the Tournament at a European Championship, Donnarumma earned his spot alongside Peter Schmeichel after saving three penalties in the shootouts that decided the last two rounds.

His nonchalant swagger after keeping out Bukayo Saka’s spot-kick to seal Italy’s triumph in the final made it look like this all came too easy. In truth, “I didn’t realise we had won!” he said.

Returning to our top 100 for the first time since 2016, Donnarumma impressed for Milan early in the year, too, but ends it in a job-share with Keylor Navas at Paris Saint-Germain. Nicky Bandini

Ended early by another injury, this calendar year has perhaps been the weakest of Neymar’s career. Although most of his peers would be satisfied with 23-goal contributions in 34 PSG games in 2021 (six of his 12 goals were penalties), after 31 contributions in 27 club outings across 2020 it may not be too soon to talk of a decline with the Brazilian turning 30 in early February.

Such is his gargantuan talent, however, he has had his moments, often dragging PSG over the line in tight Ligue 1 games as the showman morphed into a fierce matchwinner. Unfortunately, however, some joyous displays in the Copa América aside, that happened increasingly infrequently this year. Adam White

Although City are not afraid of spending money, they do it after plenty of due diligence to make sure they have the right man. Dias cost £61.2m from Benfica and looked instantly assured in the Premier League, quickly becoming a leader on and off the pitch, even captaining the club, an impressive feat for the 24-year-old.

He ensured City conceded only 32 goals on their way to winning the title thanks to his classy and determined defending. “Rúben Dias is the best centre-back in the world now,” José Mourinho said.

“With his move to the Premier League with Man City, he is getting a different level of knowledge. He is a fantastic centre-back.” Will Unwin

Another year and another load of goals for Kane, scored at a rate of better than one in two games for Tottenham and exactly one in one for England; the captain got 16 in 16, moving him to 48 from 67 caps and inexorably closer to Wayne Rooney’s record of 53.

But the numbers have not told the story of a rollercoaster time, captured in microcosm at Euro 2020 when Kane laboured terribly before scoring late on against Germany in the last 16 to locate the ignition key. At Spurs, it has been trying, his failed push for a summer move to Manchester City being the low point. David Hytner

Fernandes has risen five places yet this still seems low for a player who heaved Manchester United into second place last season, contributing a stellar 18 goals and 12 assists in the league, his spirit and cussedness making him the de facto captain of a side who lack leaders.

This was underscored when Fernandes’s first flatlining of form since arriving in January 2020 coincided with United’s dismal two months this autumn, a period that ended with Ole Gunnar Solskjær being sacked. Fernandes scored a hat-trick against Leeds on the opening day and managed only one more goal for United until 2 December. Just as strange is how muted Fernandes can be for Portugal, as he was at Euro 2020. Jamie Jackson

When Euro 2020 began, Chiesa was still being introduced to international audiences as “the son of the former Italy striker Enrico”. Federico wound up playing as many games for the Azzurri this year as his dad did in an entire career.

He started the Euros on the bench but made himself undroppable after an extra-time winner against Austria and followed up with a brilliant goal in the semi-final against Spain. Goals against Porto and Chelsea in the Champions League further demonstrated his habit for rising to big occasions – even when teammates couldn’t. He is the second highest new entry on our list. Nicky Bandini

It was a strange year for Kimmich, who was his normal superhuman self for most of the year, even rolling with the punches when moved by Joachim Löw to a hybrid right-wing-back role in an attempt to cover some of Germany’s deficiencies in Euro 2020.

Likely to lead for club and country going forward, he then attracted criticism for his publicly expressed vaccine scepticism in the autumn and missed the end of the year with Covid and a lung infection. We can expect him to return strongly in the new year as a central pillar of Bayern’s push to regain the Champions League. Andy Brassell

“Fat” and “finished” … and a league champion, a leader for the best team in Spain last season, having been pushed out by Barcelona and thus powered by rejection. Towards the end of the campaign, when Atlético were on edge, Diego Simeone suggested they were entering the Suárez Zone.

When they came out the other side, they did so with the title, the Uruguayan appropriately scoring the goal that finally clinched it, away at Valladolid, his 21st in the league last season, and sitting there sobbing on a video call with his family. Sid Lowe

The Senegal international, who is the second highest goalkeeper on the list, was relatively unknown when he joined Chelsea from Rennes. Everyone knows who he is now though. Mendy has taken his game to another level this year.

The numbers are staggering – at the time of writing Mendy has conceded as many goals (25) as he has kept clean sheets since Tuchel’s arrival at Stamford Bridge in January – and the performances are just as impressive. A new entrant, the 29-year-old offered security when Chelsea won the Champions League and his importance was underlined when he made a string of stunning saves during a 1-0 win at Brentford in October. Jacob Steinberg

Pedri says he plays football as if he was in the garden with his brother and sometimes it shows. “A millionaire who doesn’t know it yet,” in the words of his former Las Palmas manager Pepe Mel. There’s something unassuming about him, the kid who turns up in a taxi with his kit in a carrier bag, but plays with an unlikely assuredness on the pitch.

“Did you see Pedri’s Euros?” Spain coach Luis Enrique asked. “I haven’t seen that from any 18-year-old in any competition, not even Andrés Iniesta. I’ve never seen anything like it; it’s totally illogical.” Sid Lowe

Who else but Bonucci could have silenced Wembley this summer? The man who celebrates all his goals with a “wash your mouth out” gesture was Italy’s star performer in the final against England – scoring the equaliser and creating one of their best chances to win the game outright with a ball over the top for Domenico Berardi.

He was on target in the shootout, too, and thrived throughout the tournament, reminding the world what he was capable of alongside his long-time Juventus and Italy partner Giorgio Chiellini – even if that same combination has appeared less infallible at club level. Nicky Bandini

It is no surprise that the Liverpool forward is a significant faller on this year’s list. Mané described last season as “the worst of my career” and admitted he was so concerned about his form at one point that he underwent tests to check there was nothing physically wrong with him.

Jürgen Klopp maintains he never harboured the same doubts and, after a rare extended holiday and a first full pre-season for several years, Mané has returned this season like the influential, selfless, penetrating striker of old. While Salah’s goalscoring feats have understandably demanded the headlines, the Senegal international has been a key factor in Liverpool’s recovery too. Andy Hunter

No other player looked like they had more fun at Euro 2020 than Chiellini. Whether throwing himself into a sliding challenge at the end of a group-stage blow-out or bear-hugging Jordi Alba before a semi-final shootout, Italy’s captain was constantly grinning and laughing, teasing and cajoling.

He was technically without a club at the time – even Juventus were wavering over their decision to renew the contract of a player whose 37-year-old body had seemed close to breaking down. Chiellini plays fewer games than he used to, yet achieved his highest-ever position in our list by making the most of the ones he got. Nicky Bandini

The Stockport Iniesta continues to thrive under the guidance of Pep Guardiola. He was carefully groomed to become a first-team regular by his manager, who refused to let him out on loan, and he is showing what he has learned at the Etihad Campus.

The skilful midfielder is one of Guardiola’s most trusted players at the tender age of 21 as he can operate across the front three, including as a false nine. “There are players that play in one position and there are players who play football, when you play football it means you can play any position, you understand the game,” Guardiola said of Foden.

Arguably the most talented English player for a generation, who gives the impression he is still playing with his mates in the park with his exuberance and desire to perform what tricks he can to bamboozle the opposition. Will Unwin

If one player could embody the fresh wave of energy and optimism that allowed Italy to rebound from a missed World Cup qualification in 2018 to become European champions in 2021 perhaps it is Barella, who had never lost in 31 appearances for the national team before they succumbed to Spain in October’s Nations League semi-final.

He had already helped Inter to end an 11-year Scudetto drought this summer and was named as Serie A’s midfielder of the season. As Antonio Conte put it: “He can run as much [in one game] as most players can in two.” Nicky Bandini

A new entrant, the midfielder was an easy choice as Chelsea’s player of the year last season. Thomas Tuchel could rely on him to turn up in the big games. Mount scored key goals during Chelsea’s run in the Champions League – his solo effort against Porto was a gem – and provided the assist for Kai Havertz’s winner in the final.

Technically gifted and tactically intelligent, he has also established himself as a starter for England and helped Gareth Southgate’s side reach the final of Euro 2020. “He’s very competitive and serious about the goals he wants to reach,” Tuchel says. Jacob Steinberg

At 32, there is little evidence of regression in Müller’s game. If anything he’s peaking, and has had a great 2021 despite Bayern failing to retain their Champions League crown. He celebrated a deserved return to the Germany team and contributed by helping them become the first European nation to qualify for the World Cup finals and is well on course to reach 20 assists (he managed a mere 18 in the Bundesliga last term).

Like his teammate Robert Lewandowski, Müller is actually improving in his 30s and his unique, intelligent game shows every sign of ageing well. Andy Brassell

The 27-year-old’s placing seems an oddity. How can a man who was England’s star act at Euro 2020 not be of top-20 status? One reason might be that Sterling lost his regular place last season when Pep Guardiola dropped him for a win over Southampton in mid-March. Sterling has now re-established himself at City and has found his scoring touch once again. Jamie Jackson

The future only ever seems to look brighter for a centre-forward who scored his first hat-trick in January, won his first major piece of silverware – a Serie A title – in May and then lifted the Copa América with Argentina in July.

He scored three goals at that tournament and, better yet, dovetailed effectively with Leo Messi, something that too many predecessors in the Albiceleste attack have struggled to do.

It was no surprise to learn that Messi had tried to lure Martínez to Barcelona before he knew that his own time at that club was coming to an end. Nicky Bandini

Asked recently to explain how he had improved so much from the player who first arrived at the Bernabéu, Vinícius Júnior said simply: “I was 18.” It was an effective response and a handy reminder to all of us, and yet the question made sense too and it is hard to recall a player whose transformation has been so dramatic.

At times he was laughed at, the theme of a million memes as he missed chances; now he may well be the best player in La Liga, electric and decisive and calm in front of goal. Sid Lowe

Now 33, and no longer an automatic first choice for Mauricio Pochettino, or indeed for his country, Di María nevertheless continues to be a key figure for both. Even as Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi and Neymar take the spotlight in the French capital, his timely displays turn matches with regularity, exemplified by his goal and assist in a comeback win over Lille in October.

Able to play comfortably on either flank, Di María is versatile, both tactically and positionally, as well as full of class and vision with the ball at his feet. All of which has made him an integral part of every iteration of PSG since his arrival, something that has continued unabated despite the arrivals of more talented teammates. Eric Devin

After Atlético Madrid somehow found a way through against Porto recently, Diego Simeone started to say that “that’s why you have the best goalkeeper in the wor …” Interrupted, the phrase didn’t quite get completed, but it still stood out because after many years of performances of the highest level – he has been on this list every year since 2016 – and, having won the league, this season Oblak had started to look a bit, well, normal.

And he really isn’t. Sid Lowe

The Liverpool defender has been in superb form for Jürgen Klopp’s title challengers this season with the world-class quality of his deliveries from right-back continuing to shape matches. After all the fuss over how many right-backs Gareth Southgate should take to the European Championships, the 23-year-old was highly unfortunate to miss England’s campaign with a thigh injury sustained on the eve of the tournament.

He also had to deal with constant disruption to Liverpool’s defensive line last season, playing alongside a different centre-back pairing seemingly every week, but he remains one of the most decisive full-backs in the game. Andy Hunter

Pep Guardiola began 2021 in need of a goalscorer and found one in the unlikely shape of Gündogan, who scored 11 goals as Manchester City left their title rivals behind. The 30-year-old midfielder’s reinvention surprised many, but not Guardiola.

“I said he can play as a false nine and people laughed,” the City manager said. Guardiola must surely rue his decision to move Gündogan back into a holding role for the muddled Champions League final defeat to Chelsea. Likewise Jogi Löw, who dropped him for Germany’s chastening Euro 2020 defeat by England at Wembley. Always dependable, Gündogan is now close to indispensable. Niall McVeigh

One of the world’s premier goalkeepers has slipped 21 places down the list in 2021, paying for some of the defensive disarray in front of him for club and country in the past year.

Bayern conceded an uncharacteristically high 44 goals in 34 games on the way to the Bundesliga title, but it would have been many more without Neuer’s interventions.

He was frequently stranded during the Euros too, and will be expected to charge off his line plenty with Hansi Flick in charge of the national team. There is no further debate, however, over his position for Bayern or Germany. Andy Brassell

“Paris has given me everything,” the Italian proclaimed in October – but it’s his own contribution to the club that is beyond measure. Having missed much of the year through Covid-19 and injury, his importance as an enabler for PSG’s panoply of attacking talent was all the more evident in his absences this year.

But it was on the international stage that Verratti finally gained his due recognition this year, where he was instrumental to Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph. Standout performances against Belgium and England saw him deploy his range of passing and line-breaking to full effect, as the midfield made the difference for the Azzurri. A well-deserved return to this list. Raphaël Jucobin

The wing-back formed a key part of Antonio Conte’s all-conquering Internazionale team in their relentless march towards the Serie A title in the second half of the season. As PSG’s only summer signing to come with a transfer fee, Hakimi hit the ground running in his first handful of appearances for the club, dominating the right-hand corridor and providing arguably the team’s main attacking outlet at a time when the bigger names were yet to settle in or return from international commitments.

The Moroccan’s form has somewhat dropped off lately, but his presence remains a game-changer for a team that were lacking in his position. Raphaël Jucobin

It has been a tough period for the most celebrated player in Asia and the only one from the region to make the list. Son has lived through the José Mourinho meltdown at Tottenham, the uneasy transition to Ryan Mason and the failed appointment of Nuno Espírito Santo, with his numbers under them during the calendar year saying everything – 12 goals in all competitions.

The hope is that things will pick up under Antonio Conte for a player synonymous with pace, direct threat and insatiable hunger. Son has helped South Korea to take sure-footed strides towards automatic qualification for the World Cup. David Hytner

Ah, Luka, don’t ever go. At the start of last season it looked like he might, like time had finally caught up with him, like Madrid’s midfield was about to be renewed, and that was reflected in this list: he was 71st.

But then he returned to the heart of everything good and this season he has been superb. Up 31 places – and he could be even further up than that. Aged 36, he’s still better than the rest. Just don’t say the word rest to him. “I feel happier when I’m playing,” he says. Sid Lowe

The continuing development of Gnabry at 26 is a delight. Spotted and brought in with the aim of helping to fill the Robben-Ribéry gap, he has succeeded by being himself, not only using his pace and dribbling to surge past players from either flank but in being a deadly finisher whose goal output is only going to increase.

This was also the year in which he reached 20 goals for Germany; it took him only 30 games, making him the sixth-fastest player to reach the mark for the senior team. Gnabry is almost certain to be a central piece for club and country for the next decade. Andy Brassell

Davies was one of the shooting stars of last season’s list, with a levelling out perhaps a natural follow-up to such a dazzling trajectory on Bayern’s triumphant 2020 Champions League campaign.

Still learning as a full-time left-back having arrived in Germany as a winger, potentially to succeed Franck Ribéry or even Arjen Robben, he suffered from a few injuries and then had to deal with the departure of his on-pitch mentor, David Alaba.

Yet he has emerged in the last part of 2021 as a real leader for Bayern’s defence at only 21, which reminds us just how bright his future is. Andy Brassell

There is an obvious explanation for why the defender who was widely regarded as the best in the world in 2020 has fallen 33 places to his lowest position since first entering our list in 2018 – he didn’t play football until August.

Van Dijk missed nine months in total, the Euros included, with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament that dealt a fundamental blow to Liverpool’s Premier League title defence.

The Netherlands captain admits he will need time to recapture his peak form after such a serious injury but his return instantly improved Klopp’s team and he remains crucial to their prospects. Andy Hunter

Without his long-time partner Thiago Silva, who joined Chelsea at the start of last season, Marquinhos has been given space to flourish. Gone were the rare but frustrating mistakes that used to punctuate his game as the fiercely determined, unerringly consistent, bullishly proactive centre-back made a claim to be world football’s premier defender in 2021.

Now captain, he is arguably PSG’s most important player, holding together a shaky, gung-ho backline with the erratic Presnel Kimpembe alongside him and the flying wing-backs Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi on the flanks. At 27, his best years could still be ahead. Adam White

 

It is possibly unfair that the Portuguese midfielder is in a relatively lowly position on this list as voting took place just before he became one of the Premier League’s most in-form players, resulting in Pep Guardiola lauding him as the best in England.

It looked like Silva’s time at City was coming to an end over the summer after he struggled to cement a place in the team last season but he has made the most of opportunities made available to him this time around, scoring seven goals in the opening 16 league games of the campaign, including a beautiful first-time volley against Aston Villa, to make him a focal point for strikerless City. Will Unwin

“People talk about goals and assists but I was looking for stats on ball recoveries the other day,” De Paul said in June. “I’m on almost treble the first year: it was 150, it’s over 400 now. What I didn’t have then, now I do. So now you think: ‘OK, what’s next? What’s missing?’”

Not much as it turns out, and that very sentiment is why the Atlético midfielder, signed from Udinese, is proving so good – the relentlessness of the improvement, the willingness to subsume himself to the collective cause. He was also immense at the Copa América. Sid Lowe

The 22-year-old is surprisingly low on the list given that he scored Chelsea’s winner in the Champions League final. He is a player who remains difficult to read.

There have been flashes of obvious class this year, moments when Havertz has looked like a future Ballon d’Or winner, and the forward could not be blamed for Germany going out of the Euros in the last 16.

Yet there have also been long spells of nothingness from the £72m man. Inconsistency is a problem and there also doubts over Havertz’s best position. Is he a striker or a No10? A wide player? Chelsea need to find out. Jacob Steinberg

The German centre-back is one of the most-sought after defenders in world football as his Chelsea contract runs down. Under Frank Lampard he struggled to get into the Chelsea team at times – hence why he is a new entry on the list – but Thomas Tuchel has ensured his compatriot is a key component in his back three, helping them to win the Champions League last season.

“If you have him as the aggressive leader on the pitch you can’t have him not involved if there are teammates to defend on the pitch,” Tuchel said. Will Unwin

The summer move to Barcelona was an indication of how bright his light shone at Lyon and he has settled reasonably well at a Camp Nou in disarray. Depay was expected to play alongside Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann but has quickly become the focal point of the attack in a transitioning team.

The Dutchman ended last season with 29 goals for club and country. Despite the problems in Catalonia, Depay enjoyed a respectable start, scoring eight in his first 15 La Liga matches but none in Europe as Barcelona were dumped out of the Champions League. Will Unwin

Chelsea’s captain is deservedly back on the list after six years away. Versatile and dependable, Azpilicueta has been excellent since Chelsea’s switch to a back three. The 32-year-old had struggled as a right-back, but he flourished as a right-sided centre-back when Thomas Tuchel’s side won the Champions League.

“It is a pure pleasure to be his coach,” says Tuchel, who does not want to lose the defender when his contract expires at the end of the season. Azpilicueta remains one of Chelsea’s leaders and he is still going strong at international level. He helped Spain reach the semi-finals of the Euros and the final of the Nations League. Jacob Steinberg

“To tell you the truth, I don’t really like people talking about me and I don’t like seeing myself in the papers,” Gerard Moreno says, which might say more than it should.

Not many talk about him, especially not him, but they should. A No 9, a No 8, a No 7, and a No 10 in one player, he was rightly voted the Europa League’s player of the season for 2020-21 – it really couldn’t have been anyone else – and was arguably the finest footballer in Spain last season. Sid Lowe

With goalkeeprs, it is not just what they do but how they do it. Martínez makes improbable saves all the time but his personality is what makes him extra special for club and country. His leadership skills helped to tighten the defence at Villa, with whom, in his first season, he equalled a club record for the number of clean sheets kept in a Premier League campaign.

Then he went to the Copa América and inspired Argentina to victory, memorably making three saves in the penalty shootout win over Colombia in the semi-final after sledging the takers. “Martínez is fundamental,” said none other than Lionel Messi in September. “When opponents come at him, he always has an answer.” Paul Doyle

Down seven in our rankings, which may be because of a lack of visibility in a season in which Real Madrid did not win anything and Belgium made a quarter-final exit from the Euros. Because it’s not about the standards he has set week after week.

Every game now, it seems, includes at least one stunning save. “There’s not enough appreciation of Courtois,” says the Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón. “There are lots of stars at Madrid, like Benzema, Modric and Kroos, but they would not win without Courtois.” Sid Lowe

It felt entirely unfair when, on 1 December, Kjær damaged ligaments in his left knee during Milan’s match against Genoa. Even before then, no one had experienced a year like the Denmark captain. In June he became a household name, gaining hero status for his role in saving Christian Eriksen’s life during the Euro 2020 game against Finland; just as remarkable, in a different way, was the strength with which he then led them to the semi-finals and on to a barnstorming World Cup qualification.

His exploits earned him 18th place in the Ballon d’Or rankings and a host of awards. Kjær is a newcomer to this list at the age of 32, having been a highly-regarded but perhaps underrated player throughout his career, and had been pivotal to Milan’s title challenge before his injury. Nick Ames

After a sensational 2020 at centre-back Alaba slowed up ever so slightly in 2021, clutching for stability as Bayern struggled defensively – while also managing a public war of words between his family/entourage and the German champions as contract talks broke down.

Once again the 29-year-old held Austria together at Euro 2020 during an often chaotic but ultimately rewarding campaign and has settled well at Real Madrid, with his smooth adaptation to life in La Liga garlanded by a glorious first goal for the club in the Clásico win at Camp Nou in October. Andy Brassell

“It’s not easy. Every day I wake up, I have pain everywhere,” Ibrahimovic told the Guardian’s Donald McRae in an interview in November but that’s OK, he added later, because “I don’t have problems suffering. For me, to suffer is like breakfast.”

Say what you will about the Swede but his presence on this list at the age of 40 – three years older than anyone else, goalkeepers included – is nothing short of remarkable.

Was hampered by injuries in 2021 and missed the Euros after returning to international duty for Sweden but still managed 15 goals in 19 Serie A games in 2020-21 and has seven in 10 this season at the time of writing as he chases an improbable fifth Serie A title, a decade after his last. Marcus Christenson

This winter’s must-have striker, at least if you are a big hitter whose finances have survived Covid-19, is a 21-year-old Serb who appears to have it all. Vlahovic joined Fiorentina from Partizan Belgrade in 2018 and, since last December, has hardly stopped scoring.

At the time of writing he had found the net 43 times for club and country in 12 months, with seven in his past five games, earning him a first appearance in our list. It means he tops the Serie A charts and La Viola face a seemingly impossible task in keeping him.

The 6ft 3in Vlahovic, who is blessed with strength, speed and subtlety, has rejected the biggest contract offer in their history and could leave for free in 2023. Fiorentina may have to cash in and will start the bidding at around £70m. Nick Ames

The veteran centre-back left Paris Saint-Germain after their 2020 Champions League final heartache, only to quickly be reunited with Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea. Silva played a key role as the Blues swept to Champions League glory, helping player and coach make amends.

There were disappointments in 2021 for Silva, who went off injured in Porto and captained Brazil to Copa América final defeat. “From the first day I met him in Paris, he was a fantastic professional and an outstanding captain,” Tuchel says of his defensive lieutenant, who is keen to coach after retirement but set to play on for Chelsea for next season at least. Niall McVeigh

West Ham’s talisman has arguably been the best midfielder in the Premier League this season. The 22-year-old has played a key role in David Moyes’s side pushing for Champions League qualification and keeps lifting his game to new heights. Rice, who helped West Ham qualify for the Europa League last season, is more than a ball-winner.

His passing is increasingly incisive, he is a powerful dribbler and has become more of a goal threat. It is no wonder that so many top sides want to sign Rice, who was also instrumental in England reaching the final of Euro 2020. Jacob Steinberg

The Algerian has dropped 50 places from his 2016 high of 10 but he is still performing at his best for Manchester City. He favours playing from the right, regularly cutting in for a shot.

Mahrez was instrumental in the knockout stages as City progressed to the Champions League final, scoring three goals in the two semi-final legs against Paris Saint-Germain, following it up this season with a mesmeric performance in the group stage at the Etihad against the same opposition as he outshone Lionel Messi et al. Will Unwin

Dropping two places in the Top 100 reflects a peculiar year for Grealish. His sparkling talent is undeniable and his long-heralded move away from Aston Villa came to pass, for a British record fee, but he spent the year at an in-between-stage of his career: injury made him miss most of Villa’s 2020-21 season run-in; he was in and out of the England side that fell at the final hurdle at Euro 2020; and he has done well but not quite thrived at Manchester City, admitting that his adaptation has been tougher than he expected.

A decent year, then, but not as good as 2022 should be for him. Paul Doyle

Like so many others in an Italy shirt, Insigne showed the best of himself at Euro 2020. His trademark “tir a gir” (curling shot) against Belgium was voted as the second-best goal of the tournament, becoming the subject of countless online memes and even a viral music hit. At club level the picture has been more mixed. Despite recording his highest-ever Serie A goals tally in 2020-21, Insigne started the year with a missed penalty in the Supercoppa defeat to Juventus and looks set to end it in a contract stand-off with his boyhood club. Nicky Bandini

Solving Manchester City’s left-back issue has troubled Pep Guardiola for some time but the Portuguese has acquitted himself in impressive fashion on the opposite side to his natural position. He is able to go down the line and create chances, while also being adept at moving into midfield to instigate attacks.

He can also be found making runs behind the opposition defence, as highlighted by his goal at Club Brugge. His wondrous goals and crossing seem to make people forget that he is part of one of the most resilient defences in Europe. Will Unwin

Goretzka continues to be at the heart of everything Bayern Munich do. Dropping 24 places from last year’s standing is perhaps a reflection of his team’s loss of their Champions League title, and the injury that ruled the midfielder out of the second leg of the extremely tight quarter-final loss to Paris Saint-Germain was perhaps its deciding factor, underlining his importance.

Goretzka also struggled for fitness at the Euros, though his equaliser against Hungary and his defiant message to travelling right-wing ultras immediately afterwards was one of the tournament’s most beautiful moments. He has already been vital for Julian Nagelsmann this season. Andy Brassell

This is the lowest position Kroos has occupied, perhaps because of international retirement and club emptyhandedness, and it’s also surely lower than it would have been had the vote taken place a month later. He has been superb since returning from injury in the autumn.

Still carrying his own private patch of grass, in Barney Ronay’s memorable description, still as unhurried and accurate, Carlo Ancelotti admits that often he doesn’t bother telling Kroos, Modric and Casemiro what to do – because they know perfectly well, thank you. “They have a quality that’s hard to explain,” he said. Sid Lowe

This was the year when Immobile took over the captain’s armband at Lazio and moved ahead of Silvio Piola to become the club’s all-time leading scorer, as well as winning Euro 2020 with Italy. He netted twice at that tournament, yet his failure to do so in the knockout rounds still added fuel to the fire of those who believe he lacks something at the highest level.

Roberto Mancini is under pressure to consider different options for the World Cup qualifying play-off, but we would not bet against a man who has made this list for five years straight. Nicky Bandini

The Liverpool goalkeeper’s on-field struggles last season – with an injury-plagued defence in front of him and individual errors proving costly – paled into insignificance when his 57-year-old father drowned in February. Alisson, unable to return to Brazil at the time, missed one game before retaking his place in Jürgen Klopp’s team and produced one of the stories of the season with a vital, emotional 95th-minute headed winner at West Brom.

The first competitive goal scored by a Liverpool goalkeeper in the club’s 129-year history maintained their unlikely but ultimately successful pursuit of Champions League qualification. With a settled defensive unit back in place, Alisson has been a telling influence again this season. Andy Hunter

Not long after Carlo Ancelotti returned to Real Madrid this summer, he had a knock on his office door. Stepping in was Casemiro, who wanted to tell the coach that the last time he had been there he had taken too long to put him in the team. Ancelotti’s response?

To tell him he was right. And it won’t happen again. Casemiro is too important for that, never left out of the Real Madrid side unless injured or suspended. Often unseen but indispensable. Sid Lowe

The one-time the thus-far on-message Ralf Rangnick has offered an unwanted reveal was when he was thrown a poser on why Paul Pogba consistently shines for France but not his club. A pause was followed by a staccato “I don’t know why”.

This is the enigma of the Frenchman since rejoining Manchester United in 2016. He can be quite brilliant: there were game-winning goals at Burnley and Fulham in the space of eight days in January. But he scored only one other goal in the Premier League last season. The bottom line is Pogba continues to be what he has been in a half-decade at United: too unreliable. Jamie Jackson

An unstoppable force down the right-hand side for Chelsea, the wing-back has become the club’s most dangerous attacking threat in recent times. As the forwards struggle to find consistency, James has outshone them with an array of goals and assists, scoring and creating four in his opening 12 league appearances of the 2021-22 season.

“His touch is velvet, he makes the right pass, takes the right decisions,” the former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has said. “And when he gets in front of goal it is like your top, top strikers’ level of composure and technique.” Will Unwin

Marcos Llorente has a dog called Anfield, after the stadium where they discovered that he could play further forward. He could be some all-American high school hero with his perfect teeth, impeccable hair and absurd physique.

Dashing up and down the right wing and everywhere else too, seemingly incapable of getting tired, he was the outstanding midfielder in Spain as Atlético won the league, getting into double figures for goals and assists. It’s just a pity for him that his athleticism and versatility make it so easy for managers to play him somewhere else. Sid Lowe

Of all the remarkable things about Bellingham, the fact he is only 18 and a half makes the jaw drop furthest. For a close second, witness the solo goal he scored for Borussia Dortmund against Arminia Bielefeld after slaloming past three defenders; he is capable of flourishes like that but can dictate a game in less threatening areas too, patrolling the midfield with rare composure, strength and dynamism.

Bellingham has the entire package and should become a mainstay in England’s midfield – and this ranking, in which he makes a first appearance – over the next decade or more.

He was named the Bundesliga’s newcomer of the season for 2020-21, also becoming both the youngest Englishman to play at a major tournament and the youngest-ever player at a European Championship, aged 17 years and 349 days, during Euro 2020. Nick Ames

The maurading full-back was a sensation at the Euros, his tireless running on the left-hand side helping Italy to a superb start to the tournament. Sadly for him, and Italy, he ruptured his achilles late in the quarter-final against Belgium and has not played since.

Italy were less powerful without him, Emerson Palmieri not offering the same thrust going forward, but still went on to win the title. The Italy players dedicated their semi-final win over Spain to their stricken teammate, chanting his name after the nervy victory but it was merely the latest injury blow for the 28-year-old who had already torn his ACL and missed out on a move to Inter after a failed medical.

The talent has always been there and one can only hope that he gets back to his best in 2022. Marcus Christenson

“The level Kyle has shown with us these four years has been fantastic,” says Pep Guardiola. “He’s another person who has his life calm and in order – he’s such an important player for us.”

It does seem things are becoming more tranquil for Walker as he distinguishes himself as City’s and England’s most consistent defender, although he is still prone to the odd mistake and rush of blood to the head. Few can match him for pace, and Walker’s reading of the game means he is a yard ahead of opponents before they start running. Will Unwin

The Manchester City stopper believes a goalkeeper’s fate is “to be a hero and villain at the same time” – a fitting maxim for a player with comic-book qualities. Ederson’s long-range interceptions, anticipation and precise long passing are as crucial to Pep Guardiola’s gameplan as his instinctive shot-stopping.

The Brazilian retained the Premier League’s Golden Glove with 19 clean sheets – and got an assist too. Undoubtedly a hero at the Etihad, Ederson has also gained ground in his long battle with Alisson to be his country’s No 1, replacing his rival midway through their Copa América campaign and starting the final. Niall McVeigh

Antoine Griezmann is very good at football. At times during his difficult spell at Barcelona it felt necessary to make that basic point. That’s seen here in the fact that he is only 76th – and that’s up 14 on last year. Diego Simeone knew, even if others did not, and brought Griezmann home.

Maybe at Atlético he can go back to being a footballer a good 60-plus places higher in this list. Although it’s not easy to find him a place in a reworked team that don’t play as they did back when he was first at the club, there are signs that they’re getting there. Sid Lowe

His first entry into the Top 100 comes just as his club form has wobbled for the first time in a decade. But some autumnal blips cannot detract from his excellence during most of a year in which he helped Leicester to win the FA Cup for the first time – his one-handed save from Kai Havertz being one of the highlights of that match – and was then one of the chief influences as Denmark regrouped after the traumatic departure of Christian Eriksen to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2020. Paul Doyle

An argument can be made that Shaw was as vital for England as Raheem Sterling at Euro 2020, the left-back creating three goals and scoring in the final against Italy. This followed a superb domestic campaign. This term he has been off the boil, the broken ribs suffered at the Euros disrupting his pre-season.

But Shaw is a class act who had to overcome a horrific double leg fracture and José Mourinho’s carping regarding his ability when United manager. Expect the defender to return to his best soon. Jamie Jackson

If Schick’s career ended tomorrow he would be remembered for the staggering goal, looped in from only a couple of yards inside the opposition half, that put the Czech Republic 2-0 up against Scotland at Euro 2020. It was among the moments of the summer and spoke of a strapping centre-forward coming into his prime.

Schick’s five goals in the tournament made him joint-top scorer alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and helped earn him a deserved first appearance in this list. He never quite hit it off at Roma after bursting onto the scene with Sampdoria but has made his mark in Germany, becoming a matchwinner for Bayer Leverkusen after a solid year at RB Leipzig.

At the time of writing only Robert Lewandowski has outscored Schick so far in this Bundesliga season and, at 25, he has become one of the most complete strikers around. Nick Ames

Having dropped 32 places on our list in 2020, Firmino slides downwards a further 37 this year, which is a pretty fair reflection of how things are going for the Brazilian. He remains a clever, hard-working and talented player but, aged 30, is clearly no longer the force of old.

There have been few goals and assists in 2021 and his place as a regular starter in Liverpool front three is coming under ever increasing threat from Diogo Jota.

In Firmino’s defence, he has been hampered by injury more than once in 2021 and up until his most recent, a hamstring strain sustained in early November, there were still some genuine standout moments, most notably a hat-trick and assist in the 5-0 victory over Watford. Sachin Nakrani

Antonio Conte defined Brozovic as “the darling of the [Inter] team” that won the Scudetto for the first time since 2010. Even in a side that prided themselves on hard graft, the Croatian pushed himself further than the rest – covering more distance per game than any other player in Serie A last season.

Yet Brozovic is much more than a domestique peddling away anonymously so that teammates can shine. His vision and incisive passing were fundamental to Inter’s fast-break approach under Conte, and remain so now that Simone Inzaghi is adapting the Nerazzurri to a more possession-focused approach. Nicky Bandini

“Facts speak louder than words,” Luis Enrique said last month. “And Sergio Busquets is one of the best midfielders in the history of football, at least for me.” Many people would agree about the history part; what fewer agreed with was whether that was still applicable.

And yet, in contrast to the past couple of seasons at Barcelona, Spain’s performances suggested that with a functioning system around him, allowed to play on the front foot rather than overrun by athletes in the other team, maybe Busquets could still be Busquets. Some days, anyway. Sid Lowe

Linked with a move to Internazionale this summer, Zapata confessed to being tempted but ultimately believed that staying at Atalanta was “the best thing for me, my career and my family”. He has certainly thrived since arriving in Bergamo three years ago, piling up the goals so consistently that in November he became the first Colombian to reach 100 in the Italian top flight.

His recent form has been some of his best ever at club level, though he has struggled to replicate it for the national team – starting six games without finding the net at this year’s Copa América. Nicky Bandini

Drops 47 places in the year in which his club team won La Liga. Which may not immediately make sense but while there were glimpses of his undoubted quality, and while he had started the season – in 2020 – as possibly the outstanding player in Spain, there were injuries and it didn’t last that long.

Ultimately his contribution was not that of a central figure. Young and with a wide margin for improvement, particularly under a system that suits him, but still feels like a footballer who may not be in the right place. Sid Lowe

Lille’s glorious Ligue 1 title win could not have been achieved without the now 36-year-old Turkish striker. His leadership, aggression and ability to produce match-winning displays at crucial moments proved decisive as Lille won their first title in a decade.

Despite missing 13 games at the start of the year, Yilmaz’s second-half display that overturned a 2-0 deficit at their title rivals Lyon in April was arguably the season’s defining moment. However, the second half of 2021 has been frustrating for Yilmaz after leading a hugely disappointing Turkey side at Euro 2020 to group-stage elimination and a frustrating, often clumsy, but no less persistent start to the new campaign as Lille struggle in mid-table. Adam White

Scored the winner in the Copa del Rey final; went to the Euros with Spain, scoring the penalty to take them to the semi-final at Wembley; won an Olympic silver medal; scored in the Nations League final; and helped Real Sociedad to the top of the league.

Although an injury followed and they are no longer leaders, it’s been a superb year for Oyarzabal, if perhaps lacking that step up to universal recognition. He graduated from Deusto University at 22 and was Real Sociedad captain by 24 having already played 250 games. Sid Lowe

It was quite a year for Diaz, who ended the Copa América as joint top scorer (with Lionel Messi) in the middle of a breakthrough year with Porto, adding goals to his dazzling wing play. This was the year that he established himself as a nailed-on starter, Porto’s best player and probably their next big-money export, with interest in him coming from all over Europe.

His heroics weren’t quite enough to take Porto to the Champions League last 16 from a super competitive group, but goals in both matches against Milan caught the eye and underlined his ability to turn the biggest games. Andy Brassell

Deployed as an inverted winger at Wolves, Jota’s off-the-ball intensity first caught Jürgen Klopp’s eye in an otherwise forgettable 2019 FA Cup game. Signed to bolster Liverpool’s attacking options in September 2020, Jota is flourishing into a first-class finisher this season with eight Premier League goals by the start of December, overtaking Roberto Firmino as the preferred central point in Klopp’s attacking trident.

“People say [his] goals are easy but they are not, because you have to read the situation,” says Klopp of his new-found poacher. The 25-year-old was left out of key games as Portugal tumbled into the World Cup play-offs, and has surely earned the chance to play a bigger role for his national side. Niall McVeigh

Tadic’s career will, mishap permitting, hit another high point late in 2022 when he represents Serbia at the World Cup aged 34. He scored one of the goals that took them there on a dramatic night in Lisbon last month, crowning another year that has served the bewitchingly talented playmaker well.

The silky-footed creator behind an Ajax side that has swept aside all-comers in the Champions League group stage, he is one of the survivors from their run to the last four in 2018-19 and has thrived just as well in their revamped XI since then.

It was no surprise to see him make the Eredivisie team of the year after a league and cup double; a re-entry to this list having come 27th two years ago, Tadic shows no sign of rust despite the onset of footballing old age. Nick Ames

Olmo’s career path has been atypical, but he is finally attracting the praise his quality deserves after a strong Euro 2020 with Spain.

The 23-year-old is illustrative of the team Luis Enrique has created: creative, intuitive and zesty, though maybe more selfishness would help his numbers step up to meet the impression he creates on the eye. After an excellent sophomore season at Leipzig, fatigue brought on from following up the Euros with the Olympics explains a slower start this term.

One suspects he will take the next step up at some point in 2022. Andy Brassell

 

It has been a coming-of-age year for Álvarez at River Plate, in which he has transformed himself from a promising youngster to the best player in the division. Given the opportunity to lead the line for Marcelo Gallardo’s freewheeling side, Álvarez was top scorer as River won their first league title in seven years and endeared himself to the Millonario faithful with a spectacular double against their rivals Boca Juniors and a memorable hat-trick versus San Lorenzo.

Intelligent, mobile and fearless, he was described by Gonzalo Higuaín as a “complete No 9” and was also the youngest member of Argentina’s Copa América winning squad. Tom Robinson

After a tough first 18 months adapting to the helter-skelter world of Premier League football, the Spanish midfielder is finally proving himself as the heir to Fernandinho’s throne. He is focusing on what he can do, rather than what he cannot, which caused him problems in the early part of his City career.

He is the calm wall in front of the defence, ensuring the centre-backs do not get overexposed and provides the consistency Pep Guardiola demands of a player in his role. In addition to his defensive and passing capabilities, Rodri has a rocket of a shot, as Everton found out to their cost in November. Will Unwin

Haller’s season and a half at West Ham was not an unmitigated disaster but he hardly set the Premier League alight. What a contrast to his year with Ajax, where he arrived in January for a club record fee of £18.8m and immediately blazed a trail.

He had scored 31 goals for them at the time of writing, including 20 in 21 appearances this season, helping them to the title and then getting his teeth into the Champions League. A four-goal haul at Sporting was followed by six more strikes in a breathtaking group stage from Eric ten Hag’s ingeniously remodelled side.

He matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of scoring in all six games and became the competition’s hottest centre-forward, fulfilling the potential he showed at Utrecht and Eintracht Frankfurt. A debut in our top 100 is thoroughly deserved and the Hammers may regret the one that got away. Nick Ames

After a series of stunning displays in the Champions League last season, helping to power Paris Saint-Germain to the semi-finals, one would have thought that Navas might deserve a higher place in these rankings. The current campaign, however, has been less than impressive for the Costa Rican.

Perhaps unsettled by the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma, or just showing his age, having recently turned 35, Navas has committed a few uncharacteristic gaffes, including getting sent off against Nantes in the league. That said, he has also turned in some incredible performances, keeping PSG in matches against Club Brugge and Montpellier, while his native Costa Rica retain a slim chance of a place in next year’s World Cup thanks to his heroics. Eric Devin

An entire nation wept for Saka when, on a tumultuous night at Wembley, he missed decisively from the spot in the Euro 2020 final. He was subjected to some shocking racist abuse afterwards and one of many things that stands out about the 20-year-old, on and off the pitch, is a preternatural level of maturity.

None of the idiots who directed hate at Saka would have any answer to his performances for Arsenal, where he operates on the right flank with a consistent blend of flair and intelligence.

A slightly slower start to this season was mitigated by a derby goal against Tottenham; his summer misfortune masked the fact that, although a late call-up, he had a fine European Championship. He has scored four times for his country since early June. Nick Ames

It was quite the summer for wing-backs from Atalanta. While Robin Gosens excelled on the left flank for Germany, Mæhle did exactly the same in a Denmark shirt and propelled himself into our top 100. Mæhle was one of the tone-setters in a side that performed heroics in reaching the semi-finals after the horror of Christian Eriksen’s collapse; his right-footedness gives him the element of surprise when bounding forward and that willingness to attack has been profitable for the national team.

Seven goals for Denmark in the calendar year included strikes against Russia and Wales at Euro 2020, along with a winner against Austria that secured World Cup qualification. He has impressed in Serie A too and it is some leap for a 24-year-old who only joined the Italian side from Genk at the end of 2020. Nick Ames

Jürgen Klopp rates Fabinho as “the best No 6 in the world” and was loth to play him at centre-back when injuries left Liverpool with little alternative last season.

His and his team’s performances during that spell – and the fact he featured for only five minutes in the knockout stages of Brazil’s ultimately unsuccessful Copa America campaign – no doubt explain why he has dropped 46 places in this year’s Top 100.

But his performances this season, when he and his team have been back at full-strength, explain why Klopp and others rate him so highly. Paul Doyle