Arsenal ace misses out despite amazing dribbling performance last night…
SEE ALSO: PES 2014 best players: the 20 highest ranked players on Pro Evolution Soccer 2014.
After it emerged that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain completed an astonishing 10 successful dribbles in for Arsenal against Bayern Munich last night, we checked out which ten stars average the most every Champions League outing.
The young Englishman doesn’t even make the list!
(Stats courtesy of WhoScored)
10) Jefferson Farfan – Schalke – 3.2 dribbles per game
There are few players in world football quicker than the Peruvian, who provides the German side with width and directness down either flank. Despite this, there probably isn’t much he’ll be able to do to turn around his side’s 6-1 mauling at the hands of Real Madrid during the first leg of the last 16.
9) Andre Schurrle – Chelsea – 3.2 dribbles per game
The first of two Chelsea wide-men on the list, Schurrle has struggled for game time during most of the Champions League campaign, but has been awarded five appearances out of seven in Europe. He hasn’t managed to reward his manager with a goal or assist yet though.
8) Franck Ribery – Bayern Munich – 3.3 dribbles per game
Recently voted the world’s third best player, Ribery starts on the left for Bayern, and is more than capable of beating a man himself or sliding the wealth of attacking talent that surrounds him through on goal.
7) Lionel Messi – Barcelona – 3.5 dribbles per game
The Argentine genius has ball control like no other player on the planet. Occasionally this season he’s been criticised for looking bored in matches, but he’s still bagged seven in his four Champions League starts.
6) Arjen Robben – Bayern Munich – 3.7 dribbles per game
No surprise to see the Dutchman on this list. Robben’s brilliantly direct style means he nearly always tries to take on the left-back, before slipping the ball to his overlapping fullback, or passing it into midfield. This week though he’s been hugely criticised for his dives against Arsenal in the last 16.
5) Neymar – Barcelona – 4.1 dribbles per game
Neymar’s exceptional ball control enables him to beat a player on the inside and the outside. He’s also rapid, meaning on his day, there a few defenders in world football who can cope with the Brazilian prodigy.
4) Hulk – Zenit St. Petersburg – 4.1 dribbles per game
As well as being extraordinarily powerful, Hulk can run with the ball at his feet as well. He usually starts from the right, where he can then cut in and shoot on his ferocious left boot.
3) Gianelli Imbula – Marseille – 4.4 dribbles per game
The only central midfielder on the list, Imbula likes to drive Marseille forward through the centre of the park. His impressive form though wasn’t enough to see the Ligue 1 side qualify from the group stages.
2) Alex Sandro – FC Porto – dribbles per game
Linked with Manchester United in the past, the 23-year-old Brazilian has been capped by his country six times, and has excelled for Porto this term. He constantly provides an energetic option up the left flank, and is the only defender in the top 10.
1) Eden Hazard – Chelsea – 4.8 dribbles per game
No player in Europe’s elite competition has completed more dribbles than the magnificent Belgian this term. Hazard is quick, skilful, and brave, so has all the attributes needed to be an affective dribbler. there are few more frightening sights for defenders in Europe than Hazard running towards them at full speed.
