The world’s two best players yet again battling it out for first place…
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According to football stats aggregator WhoScored, who rate players by their overall contribution to matches, these are the 20 highest performing stars in Europe so far this season…
Naturally, some very familiar names dominate – with five Premier League stars also making the list.
20) James Rodriguez – Real Madrid – 7.72 rating
Two goals, three assists so far for the ludicrously talented Colombian.
19) Zlatan Ibrahimovic – PSG – 7.74 rating
The legendary Swede picked up an injury after five games, but he still notched five goals in that time.
18) Keisuke Honda – AC Milan – 7.75 rating
The Japanese has bagged six, despite playing in a more creative advanced midfield role.
17) Lorenzo Tonelli – Empoli – 7.77 rating
The Italian centre-half has been a rock for the Serie A minnows, and bagged two goals himself to boot.
16) Oscar – Chelsea – 7.80 rating
The Brazilian is the first of four Chelsea stars in this top 20.
15) Neymar – Barcelona – 7.83 rating
The phenomenal Brazilian has already notched eight in just five starts.
14) Mario Gotze – Bayern Munich – 7.83 rating
The German has started this season in the same vein as he left the World Cup, where he notched a winner over Argentina.
13) Ricardo Rodriguez – Wolfsburg – 7.84 rating
The left-back provides constant attacking thrust up Wolfsburg’s wing.
12) Karim Bellarabi – Bayer Leverkusen – 7.90 rating
Aged 24, Bellarabi is finally fulfilling his huge potential for the Bundesliga side.
11) Cesc Fabregas – Chelsea – 7.92 rating
The mercurial Spaniard leads the European assist charts with seven so far.
10) Alexandre Lacazette – Lyon – 7.96 rating
Eight goals so far for the ultra-quick French forward.
9) Max Kruse – Borussia Monchengladbach – 7.96 rating
Kruse holds the ball up superbly, and he’s notched five in five games as well.
8) Eden Hazard – Chelsea – 8.00 rating
The Belgian has only scored two and assisted one, but been involved in nearly all of Chelsea’s good play.
7) Paul Pogba – Juventus – 8.02 rating
There’s no better young midfielder in the world than the 21-year-old French supremo.
6) Angel di Maria – Man United – 8.05 rating
Three goals and assists apiece so far for the brilliant Argentine summer signing.
5) Carlos Tevez – Juventus – 8.14 rating
The highest ranked Serie A player, Tevez has weighed in with six goals so far.
4) Diego Costa – Chelsea – 8.29 rating
Nine goals in just seven starts for the £32m summer signing.
3) Arjen Robben – Bayern Munich – 8.52 rating
It’s surprising to see Robben rated so high when he’s only scored three times and assisted two.
2) Lionel Messi – Barcelona – 8.88 rating
Messis’s started the season gloriously, but he’s still pipped to top spot by his great rival.
1) Cristiano Ronaldo – Real Madrid – 9.08 rating
15 goals in seven starts so far for Ronaldo. At this rate, he’s set to bag over 60 La Liga goals this term!
