Barcelona new boy also features, but no place for Arturo Vidal…
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UEFA Team of the Year 2014
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UEFA has announced the players in contention for a place in their Team of the Year, which includes a plethora of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid stars, and two from the Premier League.
Here’s how we’ve ranked the stars based on their performances this calendar year…
12) Ivan Rakitic – Barcelona
Excelled with Sevilla, and earned himself a move to Barcelona during the summer. Still not yet at an elite level, arguably.
11) Arda Turan – Atletico Madrid
A key player in Atletico’s title triumph last term, Turan is creative and hard working on either flank.
10) Marco Reus – Borussia Dortmund
Reus bagged 16 Bundesliga goals last term, but has missed much of this term with injury.
9) Xabi Alonso – Real Madrid
The classy Spaniard was good for Real Madrid last term, but has been exceptional for Bayern Munich since moving to the Germans during the summer.
8) Paul Pogba – Juventus
The barnstorming young Frenchman helped Juventus stroll to the Serie A title last year, but was arguably outshone by Arturo Vidal, who isn’t on this shortlist.
7) Koke – Atletico Madrid
The young playmaker dictated attacks exceptional for the Spanish champions mesmerically in 2013/14.
6) Luka Modric – Real Madrid
Voted La Liga’s best midfielder for 2013/14, Modric is cruelly injured right now, and won’t play again until after Christmas.
5) Angel di Maria – Manchester United
Di Maria registered more assists last season than any player in Europe, and was signed by Man United for a British record breaking £59.7m as a result.
4) Arjen Robben – Bayern Munich
Brilliant in the World Cup, Robben was a key member of Bayern’s all-conquering domestic side in 2013/14, too.
3) Yaya Toure – Manchester City
The African has started this season quietly, but it’s important to remember that he scored an outrageous 20 goals from central midfield to earn City the Premier League title last term.
2) James Rodriguez – Real Madrid
The World Cup’s top scorer with five goals, James signed for Real Madrid as a result of of his performances with Colombia, and has hit the ground running in Spain – scoring a number of breathtaking goals already.
1) Toni Kroos – Real Madrid
Kroos has had an unbelievable 2014. He won the Bundesliga with Bayern, the World Cup with Germany, and moved to Real Madrid in the summer. Like James Rodriguez, he’s settled into life in Spain smoothly, and is practically guaranteed to make the UEFA Team of the Year as a result.
