Best wide-players in world football.
20) Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
With an electric burst of pace to frighten any defence in the world, Arsenal winger Theo Walcott could even be higher on this list if not for his recent injury troubles. Once criticised for lacking a footballing brain, the England international has really stepped up in the last couple of seasons and looks a key player for club and country now with good stats in goals and assists.
19) Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli)
A highly promising young talent, Napoli winger Lorenzo Insigne is arguably already up there with the best wide-players in Europe after his starring displays for the Serie A giants. The superbly talented 23-year-old managed eight goals from the flanks last season and will only get better with time.
18) Dries Mertens (Napoli)
Another superb attacking midfield player on Napoli’s books, Dries Mertens has been superb since moving to the Italian top flight from Eredivisie side PSV. The skillful and quick Belgian international has a great eye for goal, notching up an impressive record of 58 strikes in all competitions in the last three seasons.
17) Arda Turan (Atletico Madrid)
A key player for Atletico Madrid in their shock La Liga title win and run to the Champions League final last season, Arda Turan’s fine form in the Spanish top flight has seen him become one of the most highly regarded attacking players in Europe, and a move to a bigger club could soon be on the horizon as Manchester United show a strong interest in signing him this summer.
16) Jesus Navas (Manchester City)
Long regarded as a top winger for his fine performances in La Liga with Sevilla, Jesus Navas was seen as something of an underachiever before finally making the move to a bigger club when he signed for Manchester City last summer. The Spaniard now has a Premier League and Capital One Cup under his belt after a strong first season in English football, during which he scored six goals and provided 13 assists in all competitions.
15) Andre Schurrle (Chelsea)
A player yet to reach his very best form with Chelsea, Andre Schurrle became regarded as one of Europe’s best young talents whilst with his previous club Bayer Leverkusen. A pacey winger with an eye for goal, the German international was in fine form for his national side as they won the World Cup this summer, setting up Mario Goetze’s extra-time winner with a great run and cross down the left-hand side. Capable on either flank, Schurrle will surely continue to develop into one of the best wingers in the world.
14) Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris Saint-Germain)
A great player back in his Napoli days, Ezequiel Lavezzi has arguably not hit top form since his big-money move to Paris Saint-Germain, though his statistics for goals and assists still make him one of the top attacking players in the game, and his ability has been recognised by big names such as Chelsea and Liverpool, who have all shown an interest in signing him this summer.
13) Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)
Undoubtedly one of the best young wingers in the world right now, Liverpool wonderkid Raheem Sterling was in superb form for the Reds last season as they same so close to claiming the Premier League title. Still only 19 years old, the England international scored ten goals for Brendan Rodgers’ side and caused opposition defenders nightmares with his great pace and intelligence on the ball. Sterling then shone for Roy Hodgson’s side at the World Cup, despite poor results for the national team overall.
12) Jose Callejon (Napoli)
Always a reliable goalscorer during his time with Real Madrid, Jose Callejon hit the best tally of his career last season as he enjoyed a superb debut campaign for his new club Napoli. The Spaniard scored 20 times in all competitions, and provided a further six assists to establish himself as one of the most dangerous wide-players in the game at the moment.
11) Pedro (Barcelona)
With a record of 87 goals in the last five seasons, Barcelona star Pedro is another great goalscoring winger, becoming the man for the big occasion for Barca with some crucial goals at the right moment, including the opener in the club’s 3-1 Champions League final win over Manchester United back in 2011. The 27-year-old has also done remarkably well to remain a regular despite the presence of so many other world class stars at the Nou Camp in recent years.
10) Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
A superb rising star, Antoine Griezmann caught the attention of a whole host of big clubs around Europe this summer with his displays for Real Sociedad last season. Now a big-money signing for Atletico Madrid, the French international should continue his remarkable progress and develop into one of the best attacking players in the game, with an eye for goal from out wide comparible to Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.
9) Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich)
A player who has contributed so much to Bayern Munich’s recent success, Franck Ribery earned great recognition last season with a nomination for the Ballon d’Or, which he unsurprisingly didn’t quite manage to pip Cristiano Ronaldo to. Still, the Frenchman is truly world class and one of the best wide-men in the world at the moment, and a big loss from this summer’s World Cup through injury.
8) Juan Cuadrado (Fiorentina)
The subject of so much transfer speculation this summer, Fiorentina winger Juan Cuadrado is undoubtedly one of the most exciting attacking talents in the game at the moment, with a superb individual campaign in Serie A last season. The pacey and skillful dribbler then shone on the biggest stage of all in the World Cup with Colombia this summer, establishing himself as a player who really could play for any top side in Europe. Manchester United, Chelsea and Barcelona appear to be the main contenders to sign him before the end of the transfer window, and it will certainly be exciting to see where he ends up next.
7) James Rodriguez (Real Madrid)
A versatile attacking midfield player, but one well capable of doing a good job out wide after his fine performances for AS Monaco last season. The 23-year-old then took up more of a central role for Colombia as he stole the show at this summer’s World Cup, scoring six goals to finish as top scorer. Now a £63m signing for Real Madrid, Rodriguez should occupy one of the wide roles in the side and continue his journey to becoming truly world class.
6) Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
One of the most exciting imports into the Premier League this summer, big things are expected of Arsenal’s new signing Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean had his best season for Barcelona last season, scoring an impressive 21 goals from out wide, including a memorable stunner in El Clasico against Real Madrid. The former Udinese man may end up playing upfront for the Gunners, but is certainly one of the top wingers in the game, regardless.
5) Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich)
One of the finest wingers of his generation, Arjen Robben is not the most likeable character in the game for his diving andf playacting, but there’s no doubt he is a world class talent when he runs with the ball. The Dutchman has been instrumental for Bayern Munich in their recent success, and also shone for the Netherlands with some breathtaking displays at this summer’s World Cup, including a wonderful solo run and finish in a shock 5-1 thrashing of holders Spain.
4) Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Chelsea’s flair player, Eden Hazard is fast becoming one of the best players in the world for his sheer attacking talent. The Belgian attacker often cuts in from the left-hand side onto his favoured right foot, but is also capable of playing as an out-and-out winger with his pace and crossing ability. With his improving goals record as well, Hazard has shown signs of becoming the next Cristiano Ronaldo.
3) Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid)
A player who Real Madrid inexplicably don’t want to keep, Angel Di Maria was absolutely superb for the club last season as he weighed in with 11 goals andf 26 assists to help them claim glory in the Champions League and Copa del Rey. Now a big-money target for Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, Di Maria will make a great signing for whoever gets him next, even if Madrid should work harder to find a place for him in their side.
2) Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)
After lighting up the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur, Gareth Bale has continued to show himself to be one of the best wingers in the game with his performances at Real Madrid. The Spanish giants clearly saw enough in him to make him the most expensive footballer of all time in an £85m move, and he has lived up to expectations with some superb individual displays of dribbling and goalscoring at explosive pace. Once considered something of a laughing stock and failed left-back, it is quite incredible to see the strides Bale has made since moving further forward.
1) Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Arguably not quite a winger anymore given his freedom to roam for both Real Madrid and Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo is still probably the best player in the world when it comesd to all-round wing play. The former Manchester United man looked like a tricky customer when he started as a youngster, and he still possesses some great skill in the wide areas, even if he is now more focused on end product and goalscoring, with his phenomenal record at finding the back of the net more than backing that up.
SEE MORE: England v India live cricket stream
SEE MORE: Best strikers in the world
Di Maria Man Utd