A look at the ten best players in Europe’s top five leagues this season based on WhoScored.com statistics, with some surprise results and only two Premier League stars among them…
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10) Naldo (Wolfsburg)
A superb defender and a key player for Wolfsburg in this superb season, Brazilian centre-back Naldo comes in 10th place with an overall rating of 7.81, making 2.4 tackles and 3.8 interceptions per game.
9) Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon)
A lethal young striker enjoying a terrific season for Lyon in Ligue 1, Alexandre Lacazette will surely be snapped up by a big club before long if he carries on like this. The Frenchman, 23, has 23 goals and five assists this season and has seven man-of-the-match awards to his name with an overall rating of 7.83.
8) Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
Arsenal’s marquee summer signing, Alexis Sanchez has not disappointed since joining from Barcelona, scoring 13 goals and setting up a further seven in the Premier League, earning an average rating of 7.84.
7) Neymar (Barcelona)
A player finally starting to look at home in this Barcelona team, Brazilian sensation Neymar has had a great campaign and has a rating of 7.89 after 17 goals and four assists in La Liga.
6) Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich)
A rating perhaps boosted by not playing that many games overall, Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has five goals and seven assists in just fifteen Bundesliga appearances, amassing a rating of 7.93.
5) Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
A stand-out performer for Chelsea this season, Eden Hazard has continued his rise as one of the best in the world with 11 goals and six assists in the league, helping the Blues to challenge for the title, earning an overall rating of 8.02.
4) Kevin De Bruyne (Wolfsburg)
A revelation this season and in ahead of his old Chelsea team-mate Hazard, Wolfsburg star Kevin De Bruyne has been immense this term and has an incredible nine goals and 16 assists and a rating of 8.03. Did Chelsea sell the wrong Belgian?
3) Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Down in third despite 31 goals and 11 assists for Real Madrid in La Liga, Cristiano Ronaldo has of course had an excellent season, but may be suffering slightly from a recent dip, with a rating of 8.39.
2) Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich)
Moving ahead of Ronaldo into second, Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben has had another successful campaign and seems to improve all the time, notching up 17 goals and seven assists and a rating of 8.48.
1) Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
He’s still the boss. Barcelona star Lionel Messi has had a fantastic recent run to fire him top of the best performers in Europe this season. The Argentine has 32 goals and 15 assists, and his stats look generally excellent as he adapts to a new role in this Barca side, making on average 60 passes per game, more than anyone else in the top ten.