mollyfamwatWe’re approaching the end of the year 2020, which means it’s time for the annual ESPN ranking of the best male players and coaches in world football! Welcome to FC 100.
This year’s fifth countdown has brought many surprises and new faces – we’ll come back to that later – as well as two teams that have risen above the rest to dominate the list. As always, our list is structured according to the top 10 for each position on the pitch and for managers, giving you a very meaningful and in-depth insight into the talent in the men’s game, from goalkeeper to striker.
The first places are dominated by two clubs: Bayern Munich – winners of the Bundesliga, DFB Cup and Champions League, and Liverpool – first championship title in 30 years. They competed for every number 1 spot except two, MIDDLE ATTACH and ADVANCE – see if you can guess who won these prizes. — … when our constituents tended to dominate the field.
It is perhaps the most diverse and refreshing FC 100 since our launch in 2016. Almost half of the list – 47 out of 100 – are either newcomers to the FC 100 or absent from the 2019 ranking, which reflects not only the challenges of the 2019-20 season against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic, but also the change in leadership and generational change on hold for the group of young superstars. Erling Haaland (Dortmund Borussia), Ahraf Hakimi (Milan) and Alfonso Davis (Munich Bavaria) all perform in the transcendental seasons, as do Leon Goretzka (Bavaria), Jack Grilish (Villa Aston) and Husem Auar (Lyon).
This kind of refreshment is exactly what we see in the game, as aging legends fade and new stars are created.
This may not seem like much, but after the closure of USMNT in 2019 for many reasons, USMNT reached the hundredth place this time: Christian Pulisik is back – after the stellar year 2020, before the wounded were injured – and Sergino Dest, who is new to the American scene since he decided to represent the Yankees at the end of last year. Dest entered on the right side of the top ten after a major campaign with Ajax, a summer transfer saga with Bayern, Munich and Barcelona and a possible move to the Spanish giants, where he was the first American to join the Classico and the first American to score a goal with the legendary club.
But enough about the preamble, that’s how we made the list.
To compile the 2020 edition of FC 100, 65 ESPN experts (from publishers to authors, from TV talent to former players) from all over the world received a list of around 250 players and managers who will make their selection.
Here’s the key: We didn’t use the same megalopolis with all the players mixed up – such vanity is inevitably to the advantage of the strikers, because everyone loves a good goal, don’t they? But it’s not fair to those who do black art from behind. Instead, we broke the best players in the world in terms of position in the 4-3-3 formation, plus the manager. Each expert consultant then contributed to the top 10 in each category, and we crossed the grades and made the final assessment with a few selected authors.
Do you agree with our bricks? Don’t you agree? And now for the fun part. FC 100: This. This. Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go, let’s go, let’s go.
NOTE : The age of all players is 20 years. November
KEEPER
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A modern goalkeeper doesn’t just stop shooting. It is also the first step in setting up attacks; whether it is a long, precise throw or a cross pass, it is the first major evolution of the position since the janitor became a thing thanks to Manuel Neuer. Agility and reflexes are a given, but self-confidence, vision and aggressiveness are also crucial.
The capsule player Elaine Teng
Club/Country: Man United/Spain
Age: 30
2019 Location: 9
Since joining the club in 2011, De Gay has had continuous ups and downs. In the past nine years, he has received a lot of criticism – some fans think he should be scrapped because of 23-year-old Dean Henderson – but De Gaye has qualified for the cleanest Premier League rosters in United history (112, with Peter Schmeichel) and finished second in the PL (411). Last season only Liverpool and Manchester City admitted fewer goals, which largely explains why the Red Devils finished third despite a poor start.
Peak in 2020: Between February and July De Gea kept nine clean sheets – the cleanest in the league – to help United from seventh to third place (and probably save Ole Gunnar Solskier’s job at the same time).
Club/Country: Milan/Slovenia
Age: 36
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Last season, Interu were a point clear of Juventus’ Series A title-winning Juventus and a place in the Europa League final. Romela Lukaku and Lautaro Martínez have received a lot of praise, but that praise should also be attributed to Khandanovic’s performance between the posts. Inter are the club with the fewest misses in the league and their cunning captain has kept 13 clean sheets. At the age of 36, his reflexes are still sharp, his presence impressive, and he is a great artist who fully maintains his dynamism.
Peak in 2020: A big rescue against Getaf’s Nemanja Maksimovic helped Inter reach the quarter finals of the European League and eventually the final.
Club/Country: Milan/Italy
Age: 21
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Think about it: Donnarumma made his Series A debut five years ago, played more than 200 games for Milan and established himself as the legendary successor to Gianluigi Buffon in Italy. And he’s 21 years old. Despite the management chaos and financial turmoil in his club, he has been a pillar of calm and consistency, maintaining at least ten clean sheets in each of his five seasons and constantly improving his accuracy. The Rossoneri began flying at that time, and the sooner they can level Donnarum – his contract expires next summer – the greater their chances of long-term success.
Peak in 2020: Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a goal in the derby of Milan (2-1), but Donnarama ensured the victory in his first match with Romel Lukaku in the return leg after testing positive for coronavirus.
Club/Country: Paris Saint-Germain/Costa Rica
Age: 33
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Navas doesn’t attract as much attention as many of his colleagues on this list, but that doesn’t make him any less valuable. At Real Madrid, his teammates called him Keylor Stops, and he kept that name after he moved to Paris. In his first season at PSG he kept five clean sheets – just one minute behind Bayern Manuel Neuer, despite playing 191 minutes less – to get his side in the Champions League final. As far as European success is concerned, few people can take responsibility: He’s played in four of the last five finals of the Champions League – and won three.
Peak in 2020: A rescue after the rescue against Atalanta in the quarterfinals of the Champions League to keep PSG’s hopes alive before Neimar and Ko organized a dramatically delayed comeback.
Club/Country: Manchester City/Brazil
Age: 27
2019 Location: 4
At best, Ederson can feel like an extra offside player who is also fantastic when the shots are stopped. The ideal goalkeeper for Pep Guardiola, based on possession, his long, scary and accurate balls cause many city attacks. The city has suffered injuries and was unusually fragile at the back, but Ederson still managed to keep 16 clean sheets last season, earning him the Premier League Golden Glove. While Liverpool tries to regain the title, the city needs a team in top form, both in attack and defence.
Peak in 2020: In October, Rahim Sterling defeated Arsenal, but Ederson took dramatic measures to prevent Pierre-Emerica Aubamean and Bucayo Sake from returning the city to normal.
Club/Country: Real Madrid/Belgium
Age: 28
2019 Location: Unclassified
Real didn’t always look like they wanted to win the league last season, but Kurtua was a giant in terms of the number of goals scored. He has admitted 20 goals in 34 league games, kept 18 clean sheets and has the highest savings percentage in La Liga. But he was known to be a little moody from time to time. In November, in the League of Nations match against Denmark, the Belgian number one admitted a return pass and went straight into the goal. If Belgium, the best placed team in the world, wins the Euro next year, Kurtua will need all its concentration.
Peak in 2020: He won his first La Liga title with Real Madrid.
Club/Country: Barcelona/Germany
Age: 28
2019 Location: 3
In September 2019, Ter Stegen escaped from the penalty area, defeated striker Getafe and played a long pass in the area to allow Luis Suarez to push the goal with ease. The assistant was a classic Ter Stegen, a self-assured keeper who keeps the ball comfortably at his feet and can turn the saved money into counter-attacks in no time. In a team full of attacking superstars, the German may not attract much attention, but he plays a key role in Ronald Coeman’s plans to bring Barcelona back to the top of La Liga.
Peak in 2020: In December 2019, in his second career, Antoine Griezmann called for help by spotting a shot at goal and scoring a goal against his opponents in Majorca.
Club/Country: Atletico Madrid/Slovenia
Age: 27
2019 Location: 2
In six seasons, Cloud has covered Atletico’s goals, with less than 30 goals per campaign. An efficient and discreet Slovenian is the perfect protector for the hardworking Diego Simeone, who is very disciplined. During a trip to Liverpool in the Champions League last season to send Athletico to the quarter-finals, he carried out nine rescue missions – more than any other guest at the tournament. There are more glamorous players in football, but few are as consistent and effective.
Peak in 2020: In Liverpool, 72% of the site and 34 shots were fired at Metro Wanda in March, but they could not get through the clouds.
Club/Country: Liverpool/Brazil
Age: 28
2019 Location: 1
The modern Alisson goalkeeper can turn the defense into a foul in no time. Quietly on his hands and feet, he played an important role in the districts of Liverpool by winning the first Premier League trophy in three decades. In January, he even made a long pass for Mohamed Salah, who scored a goal in the 2-0 victory over Manchester United. (Alisson was so happy that he went by all his teammates to celebrate with the Egyptian International). Liverpool’s long list of injuries this season, especially in the central defense, means that Alisson is more important than ever for their title hopes.
Peak in 2020: To help Liverpool end a 30-year waiting period for the Premier League title.
Club/Country: Bavaria Munich/Germany
Age: 34
2019 Location: 5
EDITOR’S NOTE: After the votes were counted, Neuer and Alisson were tied on points, but Neuer took first place as it got more votes from CF voters for first place, 19 to 18 from Alisson.
The German sweeper seemed slow in his thirties, but in the last 12 months the 34-year-old boy has returned to his true majesty. Seven years after his last victory in Bavaria in the category of three weights, Neuer, as captain of the club, won the trophies of the Bundesliga, the German Cup and the Champions League in 2020. In the Champions League final, he made several decisive saves to deny PSG, including a spectacular double against Neimar. In October he saved his 200th birthday. blank page for Bavaria, the club record. Sometimes it seems like the attackers are scared, just knowing he’s at the door.
Peak in 2020: His second Champions League title, although it was his eighth consecutive Bundesliga title, was also a great success.
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REAR RIGHT
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Sometimes the right-back was considered the least qualified player on the field, but the next generation brings courage and unpredictability. Position awareness, intersection accuracy and breaking speed separate best from the rest.
Stefan Wersfeld: capsules for players
Club/Country: Barcelona / United States
Age: 20
2019 Location: Uncategorized
It’s been an incredible year for a young defender. After just one season and 23 appearances for the first team of Ajax since making their debut in July 2019, Dest has made a meteoric advance to fame and has become the first American to sign a contract with the Barcelona giants, including Champions League winners Bayern Munich, after participating in the transfer saga. Not the worst options! The Dutch-born player is considered one of the best young American legionnaires since his performance in October 2019 and has shown in four performances for Barku that he can solve their problems on the right flank.
Peak in 2020: Startuya Clasico, he was the first American to play in the match between Barcelona and Real Madrid, and even won the Match Barke award after a 3-1 defeat.
Club/Country: Atletico Madrid/England
Age: 30
2019 Location: 8
Now in his second season in the Athleti League, Trippier is perfectly prepared for his new life away from Tottenham and the Premier League. It is an integral part of the first XI. Season of Diego Simeone and began and ended every race of the 2020-21 season. With his right arm at club level, he is versatile enough to play a more advanced role for England as a full-back for 3-4-2-1 Gareth Southgate. Although competition for full-time seats in England is fierce, Trippier’s cruising experience, speed and precision can be crucial to the Triple Lion’s bid for the Euro this summer.
Peak in 2020: Trippier’s best moment came when he returned to England. In one of the last big games played for the fans before the coronavirus ended the sport, Trippier played a key role in Athletico’s 3-2 victory over Liverpool in March, when he sent Sadio Manet and Andy Robertson in extra time before he left.
Club/Country: Leicester City/Portugal
Age: 27
2019 Location: 3
The dynamic defender started every 29 games in the Premier League with Lester before the pandemic, except one, but we are still waiting for his return. His absence due to an ACL injury was a serious test for the foxes, who missed the pace of Pereira and swung over the flank. Before that, Pereira had participated in 471 duels, more than any other defender in the top five of the European competitions. Without Pereira, Lester will be eliminated from the Champions League at the end of the 2019-20 season, proving his importance for Brendan Rogers’ plans.
Peak in 2020: Defenders rarely appear on the scoreboard, but Pereira played a great game against West Ham in January, scoring a goal and scoring a 4-1 victory.
Club/Country: Atalanta/Netherlands
Age: 26
2019 Location: Uncategorized
As a defender of Atalanta, Hateteboher was an integral part of one of the most exciting teams in Europe last season, when the Italian team came closer to the late goal of PSG to reach the Champions League semifinals. With his strength in aerial combat and complex passive play, he combines superhuman speed and positional intelligence in a difficult position. In 2017, a 26 year old girl was captured for less than a million euros by Atalanta in Groningen and has been playing for the Dutch team ever since. Chances are she will take another step forward next summer and become one of the giants of Europe.
Peak in 2020: An impressive performance with two shots in round 16. Champions League round, in the first game against Valencia. Not only was it his only match with goals in 2019-20, but his small Series A side also reached the Tour of 16 of the Champions League in Lisbon.
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1:21
Gab Marcotti appreciates Trent Alexander Arnold’s influence on Liverpool.
Club/Country: Seville/Spain
Age: 35
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Navas did not hold back his tears when Seville won the European League 2019-20 in Germany this summer. He started his longest career at the club in 2003 by winning two UEFA Cups and two Copa del Reys. Winning the UEFA Europa League at the age of 34 was considered an award for the Spanish international competition. In fact, he seems to have improved with age after leaving Manchester City in 2017 to join his youth club.
Peak in 2020: As captain of the team, Navas took part in the final against Inter Milan, where Sevilla won the match for the sixth time since 2005.
Club/Country: Manchester/England
Age: 30
2019 Location: 5
A trusted defender under Pep Guardiola, Walker may not have an attacking strength like Trent Alexander Arnold or Ahraf Hakimi, but since joining the club in 2017 he has become one of the toughest players in town. He patrols the terrain to the right of the city with great speed, physical strength and intensity. At the age of more than 30 years and with a clear hole in the direction of city command since the departure of Vincent Company, Walker was an important lieutenant in the Guardiola.
Peak in 2020: The winner makes a point… …but don’t party! — …against one of his old clubs, Sheffield United, in the 100th minute of his appearance. First League for Manchester City.
Club/Country: Real Madrid/Spain
Age: 28
2019 Location: 4
It is difficult to find someone who is more consistent on the right side in recent years. He defended himself against the threat of losing his place in the first XI. in Madrid, and he was so good that his alleged replacement, Ahraf Hakimi, returned from a borrowing game with Borussia in Dortmund to be sold to Inter Milan. Carvajal is not a brilliant right-wing defender, especially known for his work on the ball, but he is also a great supporter of Karim Benzema when he can come forward and play crosses in boxing. Carvajal was part of Real, which won the La Liga for the first time since 2016-17. Although he missed the start of the campaign due to an injury, his imminent return will strongly strengthen the team of Zinedine Zidane.
Peak in 2020: The results of last season’s two Classico games played an important role in Real’s title match.
Club/Country: Bavaria Munich/France
Age: 24
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Le Pavard is not yet a household name, although the young defender was probably the unsung hero of the Bavarian Munich triple season. He joined VFB Stuttgart in 2019 and provided stability on the right side of the pitch, allowing Joshua Kimmich to play a permanent defensive role as a midfielder. Less aggressive than some of his defenders in the Bundesliga, such as Hakimi, he scored four goals in his first season in the Allianz Arena and has scored seven in all leagues. The €35 million transfer fee for the French defender seems to be a good deal, although his unique playing style is not commendable. Oh, and Pavard is also able to relocate the centre to further expand Beyer’s innumerable possibilities.
Peak in 2020: Flick Pavard was brilliant in his first league match under Hansi and secured the support of Bavaria, who destroyed Borussia Dortmund 4-0 halfway through last season.
Club/Country: Milan/Morocco
Age: 22
2019 Location: Uncategorized
As an exciting and adventurous two-sided player, able to play brilliantly on both sides of the ball, Hakimi quickly became one of the best right-wing defenders in world football. After scoring six goals and delivering six gears for Dortmund last season and establishing an excellent relationship with English star Judon Sancho on a Bundesliga lease, Hakimi joined Inter Milan this summer and has continued to enjoy the game. As one of the fastest defenders in the game, he gives his teammates occasional headaches with his failed passes, although he always quickly makes up for his mistakes with his contribution to the attack.
Peak in 2020: Dortmund turned the group game of the Champions League against Inter Hakimi from Milan into a 2-0 draw (3-2 win).
Club/Country: Liverpool/England
Age: 22
2019 Location: 1
A Liverpool boy lives a dream in Enfield. Liverpool continued their remarkable 2018-19 UEFA Champions League and won their first title in 30 years, and Alexander-Arnold again played a crucial role in the success of the Reds. The young defender, who was originally a midfielder at the Liverpool Academy, will continue to redefine and redefine the way Aul Back can present himself in today’s game. His established figures are a constant threat and his flanks cause chaos in the penalty area. The England international is still on the rise, but muscle injuries have reduced his progress this season. Nevertheless, the future looks bright for the player who, as a child, won 77 of his club’s 101 Premier League matches.
Peak in 2020: At the end of November, Virgil van Dyke defeated Brighton 2-1, both scoring a goal. It was one of Liverpool’s most important victories on the way to their first Premier League title.
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REAR CENTRE
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A great central defender requires more than size, confidence and strength. Some of today’s great cultures have power, others are the embodiment of the power of absurdity. The best central defenders combine time and strength with elegance and restraint under pressure.
Play Capsules by Tom Hamilton
Club/Country: Paris Saint-Germain/Brazil
Age: 26
2019 Location: 8
The PSG defender is at the forefront of the Champions League 1 route to the final of the 2019-20 Champions League. His versatility means that PSG boss Thomas Tuchel sometimes uses him in midfield, but it was a stumbling block when sports director Leonardo was looking forward to meeting Markinhos in the central bay. Wherever he plays, the Brazilian has influence. He is considered the long-term successor of Thiago Silva, who left for Chelsea this summer, and is not afraid to give his opinion when asked. He was therefore the ideal candidate for the new captain of PSG and former club defender Jean-Marc Pilargie describes Markinhosa as unparalleled on the field.
Peak in 2020: It was a brilliant result in PSG’s Champions League campaign, with Atalanta and RB Leipzig scoring two key goals that helped the team reach the finals.
Club/Country: Seville/France
Age: 22
2019 Location: Uncategorized
According to the sports director of Monchi Club, one of the best young central players in the world, a brilliant season in Kunda has led to a transfer offer from Manchester. Monchi then congratulated his client on his response to the rejected application and stated that he had behaved in a professional and respectful manner. The city finally followed Nathan Ake and Ruben Diaz, but Manchester United was also interested in the man who now gives his vision on the expulsion of Rafael Varan and Daiota Upamecano from France. He moved from Bordeaux to Seville for the 2019-20 season for £22.5 million. He has since helped the club win the European Championship last season and is a key figure in their Champions League ambitions during this period.
Peak in 2020: The past season was marked by many spectacular performances, but the quarterfinal victory over the Wolves in the Europa League was exceptionally important.
Club/Country: Juventus/Netherlands
Age: 21
2019 Location: 3
On the eve of the 2019-20 election campaign, the Dutch central defender transferred a large €75 million to Juventus, following in the footsteps of his idols Alessandro Neste and Fabio Cannavaro. Initially, the coach at that time, Maurizio Sarri, planned to integrate him slowly into the team, but a long injury of Giorgio Chiellini brought the young defender into the first team. He had a difficult start, but despite the battle with shoulder injuries in 2020-21 he became an integral part of the Juventus defence. Juve’s 2-0 victory in Bologna last June was a match in which De Ligt really came to the top in Serie A. He was only born in 1999 and was catapulted to a new way of playing. He’s smart. Chiellini was talking about De Ligt. The CIES Football Observatory considers De Ligt to be the most valuable central defender in the world and estimates its current value at 105 million euros.
Peak in 2020: He skilfully summed up his action against Lyon in the 16th century. Champions League final together while he was fighting, although at the beginning of the match his head was open.
Club/Country: Manchester City/France
Age: 26
2019 Location: 4
The importance of Laport in Manchester City is perhaps best illustrated by its absence. According to widespread doctrine, the race for the Premier League title would have been much closer last season if Laport hadn’t suffered a knee injury within four months, which would have excluded him. We really missed him; he’s the best left back in the world, according to City manager Pep Guardiola at Laporte. Imagine the best teams in the world losing their best central defender. He’s fast, strong in the air. Laporte is half of an impressive partnership at the back of the city with the resignation of Ruben Diaz, and they will form the basis for a new impulse for the trophies. Laport is still waiting for his debut in the French national team, as did Didier Descham, who regrets the wealth of France, but the question is when, not if.
Peak in 2020: I just saw him back in action after a long layoff. Laport is so important to the city that the Guardiola was forced to warn of her return in January, because it is considered the only answer to the solution of all its defence problems.
Club/Country: Real Madrid/France
Age: 27
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Another French international on the list, Varanet, is half of Real Madrid’s great partnership with Sergio Ramos, although the 27-year-old has survived the mixed year 2020. He was indispensable in Real’s watertight rearguard on the road to the championship, as the Blancos missed just six games in 11 races after a restart, and his friends and teammates Varan and French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris didn’t worry. First of all, he was a great champion, Lloris said. He’s got a lot of experience. He’s the leader of our team. His teammate, Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard, was also impressed: During my career I have met fantastic defenders such as John Terry and Vincent Company. I think [Varana], although still young, is already one of the best middle backs of all time. Despite problems with his form – he is still fourth in the five European air defense championships he has won this season – he is still taking the lead, taking responsibility and looking for improvement.
Peak in 2020: With 32 league games Real won their first La Liga title in 2016-17.
Club/Country: RB Leipzig/France
Age: 22
2019 Location: Uncategorized
After another strong season, the young Frenchman is associated with almost all European giants, with Manchester United and Bavarian giants Munich reportedly at the top. As for the future, I’m not sure [if Upamecano will stay] because he’s very talented, Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann told ESPN. Many clubs will want to buy it – maybe he’ll really leave the club next season. Although he is only 22 years old, Apamecano plays with authority from behind, not being afraid to take the ball on the defensive, but being positively aware of what you need to know when choosing a safer option. With Kunde, Kurt Zuma and Eimerick Laport he is one of the brilliant defenders of French boss Didier Deschamp.
Peak in 2020: The season in which RB Leipzig reached the semi-finals of the Champions League was the best quarterfinal victory against Atletico Madrid.
Club/Country: Naples / Senegal
Age: 29
2019 Location: 2
No transfer window will pass without a handful of European giants linked to the defender of Naples. The last team to go after a Senegalese international of 6.5 meters this summer was PSG, but Napoli was determined to reject all bids that did not justify their price tag of 75 million euros. I had no doubt that he was one of the greatest champions in the world in his role, said Napoli boss Gennaro Gattuso Coulibali in September. He is now captain of his national team and former Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reyna has called him the best central defender he has ever played with. Kulibali’s future remains uncertain as several teams are constantly linked to him – Liverpool could return for him amid a defensive injury crisis, but for now he’s indispensable to Napoli.
Peak in 2020: Despite the fact that Napoli again finished second in the Juventus championship, Culibali Italy distinguished itself in the Coppa final, as their team beat the champions in the league on penalty kicks.
Club/Country: Bavaria Munich/Austria
Age: 28
2019 Seat: 2 (from left to right)
What can you say about one of the most versatile defenders in the modern game? Alaba started last season on the left flank under former coach Niko Kovacs and finished as a triple center-back. The contract with the Austrian player expired at the end of the season, and Bayern Munich is happily preparing for its release – presumably Liverpool is interested. The Bavarian director Hansi Flick says Alaba is in charge of the defence, while in August the Bavarian general director Karl-Heinz Rummenigge put Alaba’s influence in the spotlight on Franz Beckenbauer’s transformative qualities. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a leader of the defense, someone who really takes the lead, sets the tone and just acts like the head of the defense unit – he has, said Rummenigge.
Peak in 2020: Alaba has had many great moments, but the past 12 months we will remember as those who stormed into the Bundesliga, the DFB-Cup and the Champions League in Bayern Munich.
Club/Country: Real Madrid/Spain
Age: 34
2019 Location: 5
The mascot of Real Madrid is always a polarizing figure, but likes it or hates it as a great player. His real teammate Tony Croos calls him the absolute captain and the best you can get. Despite his age, Ramos will still go in most directions and will be the best free agent if he decides not to extend his stay at Real Madrid after this season. Meanwhile, he continues to set records after celebrating his 100th birthday in Los Blancos, and he also set records on his 45th birthday. Participation in El Clasico set a record when Real Madrid beat Barcelona 3-1 at the end of October. Ramos remains indispensable for Spain, and on an international level, Luis Enrique has described him as a unique defender on another level. He recently set a record there with his 177th international performance for Spain against Germany, the best international performance of men in Europe.
Peak in 2020: The fans of Los Blancos will remember their most important penalty shoot-out in Real’s 1-0 victory over Getafa and Athletic Bilbao last July, as the two sides continued to fight for the 2019-20 La Liga title.
Club/Country: Liverpool/Netherlands
Age: 29
2019 Location: 1
Proof of Van Dyke’s commitment is that the mood around Liverpool changed when he suffered a season-long injury against Everton in October. Gigi Viinaldum said the team had had sleepless nights and Jürgen Klopp admitted that Van Dijk was irreplaceable. Virgil van Dyke will be missed by teams all over the world, Klopp said shortly after his injury. It’s the best in the world. Prior to the injury, the Dutch international had missed just one Premier League game for Liverpool after signing a £75 million contract with Southampton in January 2018.
Peak in 2020: Play every minute (and score five goals) in the 2019-20 season of the Liverpool Premier League – the first championship of the club in 30 years. Do you want us to say more?
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LEFT REAR
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The defenders in the top left corner block the opponents’ wings as easily as when their team is in possession of the ball. Some don’t even stand on the field with their left foot and use their positional awareness to float over the field and possibly be another midfielder or midfielder.
Nowadays no position touches the ball more than a full back, so the best of it is simply indispensable.
Player capsules by Alex Kirkland
Club/Country: Real Madrid/France
Age: 25
2019 Location: 7
This year, Mendi has emerged as the undisputed left back of Real Madrid after coach Zinedine Zidane asked him to sign the contract in the summer of 2019. In important matches, against Barcelona in La Liga or Manchester City in the Champions League, it is Mundy – and not Marcelo – who nods his head. Mundy may not have the appeal in the eyes of his teammate, but he offers a defensive force that has helped the team keep a clean slate after a blockade. He’s not scared either.
Peak in 2020: So far, the only goal in the club’s history has been a noisy final near Granada, when Real won the La Liga title.
Club/Country: Real Madrid/Brazil
Age: 32
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Marcelo’s reputation and history – and his victory in the Real Madrid title – see him on that list, despite having had a bad year by his own standards. In 2019-20, 32-year-old Real Madrid started less than half of the matches, and more and more mistakes were made in the defense, making him an irregular obstacle during his very successful club career. Since the return of Zinedine Zidane for his second term, Madrid has lost nine league games in 2019 and Marcelo has started them all. Nobody doubts his talent and personal qualities, and few players like to see him play in his time.
Peak in 2020: Won the title of fifth division champion in 14 years as a player of Real Madrid.
Club/Country: Chelsea/England
Age: 23
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Chilwell played a key role in Lester City’s impressive 2019-20 campaign, and his transfer to Chelsea in August – after the saga of a tie-breaking transfer in which Lester demanded a world record before accepting just £50m – cemented his status as the best young player in English football. Without wasting time at Stamford Bridge, Chilwell scored a goal and contributed to his Premier League debut. Coach Frank Lampard says he’s fantastic and praises Chilwell’s ability to be as high up on the field as you like.
Peak in 2020: A glorious success in the nineties. minute against Watford in Lester’s first match in June, which was somewhat ruined by Watford, who equalized three minutes later.
Club/Country: Milan/France
Age: 23
2019 Location: Uncategorized
It was a year of new discoveries for the young Frenchman, when he finally began to resemble the powerful and gigantic fullback he had hoped to be when he graduated from the Atletico Academy in Madrid with his older brother Lucas. Hernández managed to hire in 2016-17 in Alava, he watched Real Madrid from the heart in 2017-18 and was undoubtedly the average Real Sociedad in 2018-19. In Milan, however, he was a revelation. Hernandez scored six goals in Serie A last season, with Opta describing him as Italy’s best left back.
Peak in 2020: The crunchy volleyball ended in January with a 3-2 victory over Udinese.
Club/Country: Tottenham/Spain
Age: 23
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Probably the best fullback of last season in La Liga, Regulon, was a vague and constant movement on the left flank of Seville club Jules Lopetega when he reached the finish line of the fourth division and won the European League. Remarkably, however, Real Madrid decided to cash it in by selling it to Tottenham as part of this impressive loan. It’s true Real has a ransom clause, but why wait a few seasons? Regulon is good enough to start working at Real Madrid right away. Meanwhile, he has become an integral part of the team of Jose Mourinho Spur, which has a real chance of winning the Premier League.
Peak in 2020: Victory in the Europa League in the last match before Seville.
Club/Country: Borussia Dortmund/Portugal
Age: 26
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Guerreiro is not attracted to the headlines of the other players on the list – or to some of his top teammates in Dortmund – but he has tacitly reached the best season of his career in 2019-20. Coach Lucien Favre’s tactical transition to a 3-4-3 line-up has been very helpful and has allowed Guerreiro to play the role of flanking satellite where it is most suited, while minimizing the flaws that keep him as a clean flanking satellite or flanker. As a well-organised player he scored an impressive eight goals for Dortmund in the Bundesliga, which earned him second place. At the age of 26, she is approaching her peak and, despite interesting news from Barcelona and the PSG, has decided to sign a new agreement in October 2019.
Peak in 2020: In the Dortmund derby he scored 4-0 twice and beat Schalke in May.
Club/Country: Juventus/Brazil
Age: 29
2019 Location: 4
Because we are on the list for the fourth time in a row, we can assume that Sandro represents the order. He is in his sixth season with Juventus and soon, at the age of 30, he remains one of the most reliable players in world football. (Juventus was so keen to draw him in 2015 that he published a brilliant story about his innumerable qualities on the team’s website). Sandro is not as dangerous as one would think, although there are no real weaknesses in his game. The great Brazilian Roberto Carlos declared in 2015 that Sandro was his true successor, and there is little to contradict his assessment.
Peak in 2020: Sassuolo scored Juventus’ third goal in the 3-3 tie against the roller coaster, putting Juventus out of reach of a potential victory.
Club/Country: Barcelona / Spain
Age: 31
2019 Location: 3
Alba has already surpassed his peak and seems to have been left behind by Spain on the international stage, but he remains the undisputed left behind of Barcelona. His ties with Lionel Messi – once one of the most productive strikers of football – remain dangerous, although less frequent. Alba has set itself three goals this season under the new coach Ronald Cooman. His defensive shortcomings are known and are unlikely to change at this stage. Barcelona tried to prepare for life after Alba – the Spanish international in March, who turns 32 – but Lucas Dignet and Junior Firpo couldn’t replace him at the Camp Nou.
Peak in 2020: Anyway, it’s not Barca of Bavaria’s defeat at 2 to 8.
Club/Country: Bavaria Munich/Canada
Age: 20
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Davis’ rise to the rank of world player was an exciting spectacle. With his help, Bayern destroyed Barcelona 8-2 in the Champions League, dodged Lionel Messi, left Arturo Vidal on the ground and hit Nelson Semedo, who then scored the ball for Joshua Kimmich. Was there a more memorable installation in 2020? I was almost ashamed of the joy I felt after the goal, because it was 99% of his goal, Kimmich said afterwards, and it was hard to go against that.
Peak in 2020: This help was of course offered, although the victory over the European tee against Bavaria was also something very special.
Club/Country: Liverpool/Scotland
Age: 26
2019 Location: 1
This year’s victory, which ended Liverpool’s 30-year wait, was the culmination of a great journey for Robertson. During his three years with Enfield he went from Premier League Avenue to – to put it simply – the best left-wing defender in the world. It’s almost wrong to call him a left back when you consider how productive he is in attack after scoring 23 passes of defense in the last two seasons in the Premier League. When it comes to creating chances, grabbing trays and working tirelessly with the ball, it’s a cut above the rest. He’s got his 100th. The club’s Premier League performances have multiplied, and the £10 million Liverpool spent on Robertson from Hull City in 2017 increasingly resembles one of the best transfer deals in the club’s history.
Peak in 2020: Liverpool won the championship. You may have heard of it.
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CENTRAL MIDFIELDER
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The key to playing in midfield is a good sense of rhythm: you need to know when to speed up the transition and when to slow down. The shapes are multiple: a stiff pliers, a box making machine and an agile player. It’s about seeing the whole field… …and use it.
Player capsules by Sam Marsden
Club/Country: Paris Saint-Germain/Italy
Age: 28
2019 Location: 9
In the context of the coronavirus pandemic, it was a pivotal year for most players, but especially for Verratti. The French league decided in March to shorten the 2019-20 season, and when PSG finally resumed the competition in the French Cup and Champions League final in the summer, Verratti was injured. He appeared again in the semifinal of the club, defeated Leipzig and then played Bayern in the final for 25 minutes. But while staying fit remains a challenge, Thomas Touchel’s absence only underlines its importance. PSG is the opposite team with master heretic Verratti in midfield, who also plays an important role in the rejuvenation of the Italian national team under Roberto Mancini.
Peak in 2020: Realization of a Home Tee with the PSG.
Club/Country: Real Madrid/Croatia
Age: 35
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Modrik may have interrupted his playing career, but he still plays in one of the most demanding midfielders and fan clubs. The skills and vision of the Croatian midfielder on the game have always been his strong points. He unconsciously led Croatia to the World Cup final of 2018 and in that same year he won the Ballon d’Or – the first player without the names Messi and Ronaldo who has won it since 2007. That’s why Zinedine Zidane always has confidence in his ability to deliver on his promises at the highest level.
Peak in 2020: He scored his first goal for El Classico last season when Real took the title at the expense of his rivals.
Club/Country: Barcelona / Netherlands
Age: 23
2019 Location: 2
The Dutch midfielder was the figurehead of European football when he joined Ajax in Barca in 2019 for 70 million euros, but his first season in Spain showed him that not everything is beautiful in football. Remarkably as the deepest of Ajax midfielders, he played a more offensive role, first under Ernesto Valverde and then under Quique Cetion in Spain. Despite the fact that De Jong has moved on and had to adapt to a new country and a new language, he has shown a glimmer of his talent and there are signs of improvement in the club’s second season. Under his third coach at the Camp Nou – his compatriot Ronald Coeman – he seems to feel more comfortable in a double round (two low midfielders in defense and sharing creative responsibility) and Barca hopes to dominate midfield in the next decade.
Peak in 2020: This season he has played every minute of every La Liga match with Barcelona.
Club/Country: Liverpool/Brazil
Age: 27
2019 Location: 6
In the first season, the Brazilian won the Champions League against Liverpool, the second – against Liverpool, and the third – against the Premier League. That’s not bad, is it? For Jurgen Klopp, who stands at the base of the midfield, he has become a great character who also offers a touch of class. He was incredible in his 3-1 victory over Manchester City in November 2019, opening the scoring. Its universal nature is also becoming increasingly important. He started his career as a full-back for Real Madrid and Monaco, but felt no less comfortable in the central defense of the Reds after a serious injury to Virgil van Dyck.
Peak in 2020: He played 28 games for Liverpool’s first Premier League victory.
Club/Country: Liverpool/England
Age: 30
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Liverpool also has more glamorous players, but last season England’s Henderson was praised for the triumph of his team in the Premier League. For his performance on the pitch, for his influence as a club captain and for his work with the #playerstogether initiative during the coronavirus blockade, he finally gets the respect his career demands. Henderson is not a top-flight hitter who relies on the Reds’ midfield, but his hard work, clumsy playing style and passionate captain remain the key to the Reds’ success. He’s never been a player that appeals to the imagination in Liverpool – or anywhere else – but there’s a reason why his name is the one that puts Jürgen Klopp on the team list.
Peak in 2020: Does anyone have a Premier League title?
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Julien Lawrence is full of praise for N’Golo Kante, who finished fifth in ESPN FC 100.
Club/Country: Chelsea/France
Age: 29
2019 Location: 1
Eden Hazard once said that Kante is so good that he plays as two men in midfield, and who can dispute that? Underestimated and always ready to honour more talented teammates, the Kanté is the ideal hub for the club and the country. Although injuries and job changes for then Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri have reduced his effectiveness, there are signs that Frank Lampard is reconsidering his best form. Back at the base of midfield with a star attack in front of him, his tireless work to return the ball and distribute it can be as important as the goals and passes of Kai Havertz, Hakim Zieh and Timo Werner.
Peak in 2020: Helped Chelsea to second place in the English Cup, despite missing most of the season due to injuries and fears about KOVID-19 In addition, the club organized 150 appearances, despite PSG’s transfer interests.
Club/Country: Real Madrid/Brazil
Age: 28
2019 Location: 5
Classifying Casemiro as a midfield destroyer is doing a Brazilian international a favor. He offers Madrid much more than just a defense for the last four, and one could even say that he has become their main player. If he doesn’t play, Madrid fights. He missed three league games last season and Madrid only won one. Madrid lost four in Valencia in November while she was away with the coronavirus. He also developed the ability to score important goals: Last season he defeated Sevilla 2-1 twice and also won the Española game 1-0 when Madrid closed the top of the league. He was also absent from Borussia Monchengladbach in October, when Zinedine Zidane returned from behind to play a 2-2 tie in the Champions League. The other goal was scored by Karim Benzema, but guess who scored it? Casemiro.
Peak in 2020: After having played 35 games with the coronavirus during the La Liga season on his way to the league title, he came second after joining the club in 2013.
Club/Country: Real Madrid/Germany
Age: 30
2019 Location: Uncategorized
This is the seventh season with Madrid and remains as important as ever for Zinedine Zidane. Take ZZ himself, who likes to watch the German midfielder in training. I like to watch Tony’s train, Zidane. I like being part of his training. These are exceptional sessions. That’s not what I’m saying. That’s right. I’ve never seen him lose a bullet. Well, maybe only once. His game is always elegant and efficient. He never has a bad day. Even Pep Guardiola, who led Croos in Munich, Bavaria, admired his former boss in the documentary 2020 : Players who hide when something goes wrong scream the most. Tony, on the other hand, is the bravest of all in the toughest times. Cros had already won La Liga before last season, but his sequence in the ten-man race of Madrid for the title – Casemiro said earlier this year that the games of Real Madrid always went at the pace of Cros – when football resumed in June, left the Blanco’s three years waiting for the Spanish Championship.
Peak in 2020: After 35 games played and some important clues on the road to the name Real La Liga, the first since 2016-17.
Club/Country: Liverpool/Spain
Age: 29
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Thiago turned his head this summer when he signed for Liverpool, but it wasn’t the change that shocked people, but the fact that other elite teams across Europe hadn’t started fighting for the signature. Despite a number of complex injuries during his career, Thiago’s skills and creativity have never diminished. He missed a Bundesliga match last season, despite his influence on Hansi Flick in Bavaria’s turnaround, and returned in time for the knockout phase of the Champions League to prove his authority in the league. At best, he’s a playmaker of incomparable depth, perfect for unlocking the busy defense with a smart pass or a hip twist – something the Leberpools often have to deal with. He makes it so easy and was the best player on the field in the Lisbon final – he made 85 passes, more than any other player (Kimmic made 78) when Bayern defeated PSG and won the Treble.
Peak in 2020: He finished his last season in Bavaria in tribal style (House/European Championship) and especially his first Champions League medal since his victory in Barcelona 2010/11.
Club/Country: Bavaria Munich/Germany
Age: 25
2019 Seat: 2 (from right to left)
Kimmich is the coach’s dream. Last season he effortlessly moved from the position of right defender to defensive midfielder. He has even taken a central defensive position from time to time, although coach Hansi Flick prefers him in midfield, especially after the sale to Thiago Liverpool. In the good old days he was on the good side when Benjamin Pavard came back from an injury and took over the role of main organiser of the Bavarian race for the glory of the Champions League in the summer. He scored a goal and scored four goals for his team in the quarterfinals, including helping the winner of the final in favour of Kingsley Coman. He is only 25 years old, he is Bjarne’s present and future.
Peak in 2020: He played an important role in Bavaria’s first Champions League victory since 2012-13, last season with club Juppe Henkes.
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OFFENSIVE MIDFIELDER
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The best offensive midfielders have a sense of villainy that can crack a solid defensive net with the help of improvisation or magic. The greats use their free roles to entertain, create and convert.
Player capsules by Sam Marsden
Club/Country: Aston-Villa / England
Age: 25
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Expectations are high for Grealish, as they made their Premier League debut in 2014 at the age of 18 at Villa Aston. But it’s only in the last 12 months that it really started. He is a more mature and productive player on the field and, after helping Villa on the last day of last season, he has started a new season in top form for both the club and the country. As a successful midfielder with the ball at his feet and the ability to make space, it’s not hard to see why he became associated with both Manchester United and Manchester City in 2020.
Peak in 2020: In Villa’s extraordinary 7-2 victory over Liverpool in October, Graylish scored twice and scored three times.
Club/Country: Lyon/France
Age: 22
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Lyon, which reached the semi-finals of the Champions League last season, was full of talent, but the jewel in the crown of Ligue 1 was undoubtedly Auar. He helped Juventus and Manchester City stand out from midfield with four out of five goals from Lyon against two European giants and set up a final meeting with the eventual Bavarian winners. Auar is a fast and cunning creator and has endured the switch from summer to the Premier League, although it is only a matter of time before his skills improve at the big club and reach the big stage.
Peak in 2020: Lyon reached the Champions League final with a series of wins in 90 minutes.
Club/Country: Maine United/France
Age: 27
2019 Location: 6
Only a few actors share the same opinion as Pogba. French teammate Antoine Griezman told ESPN that Pogba is the most underestimated player in the world, but not everyone will agree. He’s probably flattered by the disappointment he’s experienced since returning from Juventus to Manchester United in 2016 for 100 million euros – together they’ve only won one league cup and one Europa League in four seasons – but the fundamental feeling is that he remains one of the best midfielders of his time. He’s capable of the sublime if he can stay in shape. Last season was marked by injuries – he was limited to 21 appearances and scored only one goal – but with the arrival of Bruno Fernandez at Old Trafford and his move to the XI under Ole Gunnar Solskier, the conditions were ripe for the Pogba to show his best performance.
Peak in 2020: The second decisive goal after coming off the bench in the group stage of the Champions League in Saint-Germain de Paris.
Club/Country: Manchester City/Portugal
Age: 26
2019 Location: 1
Silva was unable to continue his remarkable 2018-19 season last season, but thanks to his form he remains one of Europe’s most creative midfielders. Nevertheless, he managed to score six and seven goals, with Man City taking second place in the Premier League in 2019-20. He didn’t even get off the bench when City were crushed by Lyon in the Champions League quarter-finals in August when the tournament resumed. His goal for this season is to regain his place in the city of XI by regaining the form that coach Pep Guardiola directed: Now it’s Bernardo and 10 other players.
Peak in 2020: Manchester United’s goal and help in the Caribbean Cup semifinal will set the city on its way to winning its only trophy of the 2019-20 season.
Club/Country: Chelsea/Germany
Age: 21
2019 Location: 8
Chelsea was not the dominant player in midfield for years, but with the signature of Havertz, 10th place is now in the hands of the team. Guaranteed space for many years. Havertz hasn’t matured in years: Last season, at the age of 20, he helped Bayer Leverkusen climb to fifth place in the Bundesliga with 12 goals. He also scored a goal in four of the five matches of the European League when Leverkusen reached the Tour of 16, where he lost to Inter-Milan, who finished second. Many expect him to become one of the best players in the world, and he is already a regular customer of Chelsea’s Frank Lampard, who upon arrival in England met his new signature with humility and calm confidence.
Peak in 2020: Leverkusen led all eight finals of the Europa League, but Barnsley’s hat-trick in the Europa League Cup was a pleasant moment in his early career at Chelsea.
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Gab Marcotti responded to the fact that Kevin De Bruin was voted best offensive midfielder in 100 ESPN FC.
Club/Country: Bavaria Munich/Germany
Age: 25
2019 Location: Uncategorized
The physical transformation of Góreki after signing a contract with the Bavarian side Schalke reflects the return of the German club to the top of European football. In the past, a thin midfielder looked more like a bodybuilder than a football star, and he put a lot of power into it. This extra mass has helped him to stay healthy and Bjarne benefits from his resilience: He became an integral part of the dominant Bavarian season, winning the hat-trick with eight goals and 11 assists. On my opening day in Bavaria, I said I wanted to take responsibility for the team, Goretsky said this summer, and now I’m going more that way. Maybe I push a little harder because I’m physically stronger. And that’s a development I’m happy about. Aggressive, not reckless and tenacious, without scoring yellow and red cards, Horetzka, in the words of former Leipzig club coach Ralph Rangnik, is the best boxer in the world.
Peak in 2020: Played a major role in the Bavarian triangular season.
Club/Country: Atalanta/Argentina
Age: 32
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Gomez is one of Atalanta’s great successes. After receiving only £4 million from the Kharkiv metallo in 2014, he is now considered one of the best midfielders in the world. He even remembered the Argentine national team at the age of 32, three years after winning his fourth cap. He is probably the leader of this group of indecent actors who, under the leadership of Gian Piero Gasperini, have become European powers. His record of seven goals and 16 assists in Italian aerobatics refutes his true influence: He is the guide of his team (the team that scored the most goals in Italian aerobatics last season), and in his uniform he was named Series A midfielder of the year.
As Captain Atalanta, Gomez also played an important role in the recovery of Bergamo. The Atalanta region of Lombardy was already badly affected by the VIDOC-19 in March and has already recorded more than 16,000 deaths as a result of the pandemic. Atalanta have become a symbol of hope for this part of Italy, and their quarter-final Champions League quarter-final savings are as good for the region as they are for the players. During the confinement, Gomez used his social media platform to share life tips, such as reusing plastic bottles, or suggest plans for indoor training.
Peak in 2020: Return to the Argentine national team after many years without a challenge.
Club/Country: Manchester United/Portugal
Age: 26
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Fernandez has been so good for a down payment of 55 million euros since signing the contract with Manchester United that he seems to have been with them for years. Last season he scored eight goals in 14 Premier League-appearances and another seven. He confirmed that he can do the same in England as in Portugal, where he scored 20 Premier League goals in 2018-19. Fernandez did the same at the beginning of the season, with goals and performances against Brighton and Everton. He hasn’t been to Old Trafford in a year, but he’s already the United mascot.
Peak in 2020: The return of Man United to the Champions League and third place in the 2019-20 season facilitated.
Club/Country: Bavaria Munich/Germany
Age: 31
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Last year Mueller with his unique sense of humour not only became one of the best players in the world, but also one of the most spectacular. Mueller was so good at the beginning of 2010 that his name was Raumdoiter (spaceman), but last season he was full of emotions. He began the 2019-20 season in exile under former Bavarian boss Niko Kovacs and was about to leave the country, but when Hansi Flick took over, he put Mueller at the centre of his strikes and Mueller delivered the goods. He ended the last campaign with a record 21 Bundesliga assistants and helped Bavaria to a wonderful hat-trick – with his two goals in the 8-2 victory over Barcelona. Their form has led to many calls to send Joachim Lowe back to Germany, but Lowe still finds it difficult to ignore them.
Mueller was also a lot of fun for us off the field. His social media coverage is surprisingly personal, and his impression of Road Runner in describing Alfonso Davis’ pace was brilliant. And now he has proposed a second word in the vocabulary of football, with Levan-Goalsky now with his own position, although he is not sure of the definition of his style. I’m always moving. But I’m much more than a space flirt. I’m also very good with the ball. But of course, my greatest strength is walking at the right time.
Peak in 2020: Played a decisive role in Bavaria’s triumphant season.
Club/Country: Manchester City/Belgium
Age: 29
2019 Location: 2
Last season Manchester City missed the title in Liverpool by 18 points, but the work of De Bruynes has not gone unnoticed. In 35 Premier League-appearances, he scored 20 goals for his teammates, a record for the number of assists in a season played by the great Thierry Henry van Arsenal. He also scored 13 goals for Pep Guardiola, who finished the season in second place. De Bruyn will no longer want to be in second place, which means that his driving skills and creativity will play a key role in Battle City to regain the Merseyside title.
Peak in 2020: Playing with the Premier League record for assistants in one season.
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WING
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Wingers still plays a role in modern times. Their speed and endurance on the flanks give their teams a different angle; their ability to cut and shoot on the ground gives them an extra degree of strength.
Player capsules by Alex Kirkland
Club/Country: Real Madrid/Brazil
Age: 20
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Vinicius always feels more like a bunch of rough attributes – speed, cunning – than a well-trained player. He is frustrated as often as he feels the sensation of sometimes being shared by his own Real teammates, as evidenced by the fact that Karim Benzema Vinysius shot another player while the Brazilian was watching him in October. But if the Real One needs a gate or another dimension during an attack, they turn to Vinysius. In half the cases even he doesn’t seem to know how to proceed, but maybe that’s the point. In the current game, which is so often characterized by strict tactical discipline, its unpredictability can be invaluable.
Peak in 2020: The first goal of FC Barcelona in the Clásico of March – the match that gave the starting shot for the title game for Real Madrid.
Club/Country: Real Madrid/Belgium
Age: 29
2019 Location: 3
Khazard described 2019-20 as the worst season of my career and it’s hard to go against that. When he arrived in Real Madrid he was not in uniform, but a broken ankle in November, followed by another in February, meant that Hazard did not really play a major role in winning the title. Due to the late completion of the election campaign, he was able to recover at least in time to appear inconspicuously late. Serious questions were asked about the wisdom of Madrid, which in 2019 would have invested so much – up to 160 million euros – in Hazard, especially if it had been available for free a year later. Although no one doubts his world-class talent, and we can still see that a player who was once the best player in the Premier League repeats that form in the Real Madrid T-shirt.
Peak in 2020: The overwhelming long-term goal against Weschi in October 2020 showed that the best thing can happen around the corner.
Club/Country: Seville/Argentina
Age: 26
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Seville’s transfer guru Monchi rarely makes mistakes, but the 15 million euro deal signed by the Ocampos of Marseille is probably one of the best acquisitions in history. The Argentinean looked like a solid professional at the time, although as a youngster at River Plate he had fallen short with overwhelming performances in Ligue 1 and Serie A. In Seville he became the best finger and one of the most effective players in any position in La Liga. The unlimited energy reserves are ideal for the demanding football brand Julen Lopetegui. One game summed up his season: Okampos not only scored an 1-0 goal against Eybar in Seville in July, but he also scored when goalkeeper Thomas Vaclik was injured, and even made a decisive jump in the save in the ninth minute of injury time.
Peak in 2020: It’s tempting to talk about winning the European League, but let’s be honest: The brilliant madness of Okampos’ understudy, born in ’99. A few minutes before the real goalkeeper Eibar Dimitrovitch (yes, indeed) stops, it’s hard to beat him.
Club/Country: Bavaria Munich/France
Age: 24
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Like the final defeat of Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League in 2020, the poetry was brutal. After spending more than a billion euros to get the trophy they dreamed of above all else, Coman robbed them of their main target – one of their own discarded youth products. The team joined the MTP at the age of 10 and became the youngest addition at the age of 16, before deciding to pursue its career elsewhere. In his sixth season in Bavaria he has continued to improve and has more than enough experience and a cupboard for matches.
Peak in 2020: He faces the winner of the Champions League final against his former club.
Club/Country: Chelsea/United States
Age: 22
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Pulishich’s first season in England ended angry and he seemed angry when he limped due to a hamstring injury in the Chelsea Cup finals against Arsenal, but that shouldn’t hide what happened earlier. Pulisic did enough at Wembley that day – and for the entire 2019-20 season – to suggest that all the excitement surrounding the American star is absolutely justified. Nine goals in 25 Premier League games is an impressive record for a large number of players and more than twice as many as he has ever scored in a single season at Dortmund Borussia. This shows that under coach Frank Lampard, despite these injury problems, he is making good progress.
Peak in 2020: The last goal in the fifth minute of the English Cup.
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Gab Marcotti believes Sadio Manet’s skills are one of the reasons why he finished first in the ESPN FC 100.
Club/Country: Paris Saint-Germain/Argentina
Age: 32
2019 Location: 7
Neimar and Cilian Mbappe attracted a lot of attention, but Die Maria was just as important for the success of the Paris Saint-Germain. Look at the 3-0 semi-final victory at the RB of Leipzig, which reached the first final of the Champions League. With one gate, two corridors and five keyboards it was almost flawless. No wonder Coach Thomas Tuchel likes him. Di Maria has been incredibly consistent in her time at PSG and at 32 she is more beautiful than ever. Don’t be surprised if Parisians want to renew their contract, which expires next summer.
Peak in 2020: Masterclass performance in the Champions League semifinal against Leipzig.
Club/Country: Borussia Dortmund/England
Age: 20
2019 Location: 4
Sancho’s year has been nothing short of exceptional. Seventeen Bundesliga goals – just behind Robert Lewandowski and Timo Werner – and 16 assists is the number of each player, not to mention a child with 84 games under his belt. What’s scary is that this is just the beginning. His uniform fell off at the beginning of the season this year, with some speculation linking the swoon to a poor show in Manchester United in the summer, but there is no reason to believe that this is more than a temporary increase. Sancho’s exciting and mutually beneficial collaboration with Erling Haaland will certainly blossom again.
Peak in 2020: Last season he became the first player in the highest division of Europe to score double-digit goals and assists.
Club/Country: Bavaria Munich/Germany
Age: 25
2019 Location: Uncategorized
It is almost incomprehensible that one day he neglected to hire West-Brom and fought to break the starting number XI for the Arsenal. Gnabry is a complete package – fast, smart, competent, strong – and the perfect wide man for Bavaria’s wild team, Hansi Flick. It’s an absolute nightmare for any defender – just ask Barcelona after their back line was torn down in the infamous 8-2 humiliation in Lisbon in August. Even in a team full of elite players that night, the Gnabrs stood out for their goal and their first half assistance. Schalke’s 8-0 hattrick in Bavaria shows there’s still a lot to do.
Peak in 2020: His brilliant performance against Barcelona in the Champions League.
Club/Country: Manchester/England
Age: 25
2019 Location: 1
The 2019-20 season has been the best for Sterling when it comes to scoring goals. In the Premier League alone he scored 20 points, more than his teammates Sergio Aghero or Gabriel Jesus. After all, it’s a bad season for City – runners-up in the league and defeated by Lyon in the Champions League quarter-finals – but Sterling’s reputation as a player continues to grow, as does his ability to time his typical City attacks. The next steps: finally helping the city in Europe and in England to perform at Euro 2020.
Peak in 2020: Hattrick versus Brighton in the Premier League in July, proving that he is more than just a winger and a provider.
Club/Country: Liverpool/Senegal
Age: 28
2019 Location: 2
Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp is so impressive that it’s easy to underestimate the parts of the team. This applies especially to an attack in which Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Manet unite in trio so organically that we probably don’t understand what a good man Manet is. Is it more fun to watch one of the players? Or a headache? Or a more complete package? He has so many strengths in his game – rhythm, touch, speed, accuracy – that it is difficult to bring them all out. Former Liverpool legend Jamie Carrager says that Manet pushed John Barnes to become Liverpool’s best left winger.
Peak in 2020: Liverpool’s four-minute victory, with a 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge in September, showed all his qualities.
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TRANSFER
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It seems that the best players in the game have positions that are as difficult to determine as their individual talents. They are a powerful mix of attacking midfielders, centers of gravity and center-forward, but they also have the intelligence and speed of mind to know where they’re going.
The capsule player Elaine Teng
Club/Country: Atalanta/Clovenia
Age: 32
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Josip Ilicic played the best football of his life before KOVID-19 met the Italian Bergamo. In the 2018-19 season he scored 12 goals in 31 games, allowing Atalanta to reach the Champions League for the first time in their history and maintain that form for the next season. He scored four goals in Valencia to lead the Italians to the quarter-finals, sometimes ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo in Serie A. In July he suddenly went on leave and then became depressed after signing a contract with KOVID-19. This season he is slowly coming back into the game, but his star performance before the pandemic has earned him a place on that list.
Peak in 2020: Four goals for Valencia in the Champions League in the 16th minute.
Club/Country: Manchester United Kingdom
Age: 23
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Rashford scored 17 goals and eight assists last season to keep Manchester United in the top four, but his biggest victories are far from over at Old Trafford. In June, after learning that the British government had decided not to offer free summer school meals to low-income children, a 23-year-old boy wrote an open letter to Parliament asking for a change of tack. The government reversed its decision within a day. Rashford has continued his campaign, working with the UK’s largest food companies to reduce poverty and open a children’s book club, and he is still in excellent shape as a point of contact for the Manchester United attack.
Peak in 2020: An elegant hat-trick against RB Leipzig in the group stage of the Champions League (5-0) on 28. October.
Club/Country: Juventus/Argentina
Age: 27
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Dyball wasn’t the dominant striker, a lot of people think he should be. At Juventus, Cristiano Ronaldo did his best to settle under Andrea Pirlo and was linked to the move from Turin. Still, last season the 27-year-old was named Serie A MVP, helped Juva win his ninth consecutive title and is undoubtedly one of the most talented offensive players in the world. Maybe coming out of Ronaldo’s great shadow is just what he needs.
Peak in 2020: He wins his fifth Series A title with Juventus.
Club/Country: Tottenham/South Korea
Age: 28
2019 Headquarters: 5 (Wings)
If there is one player in Tottenham Hotspur who thrives under Jose Mourinho, it is the son. Since Director Mercurial took office a year ago, his son and partner Harry Kane have been steadfast. If the son doesn’t help Kane, Kane helps the son. In the second week of the season, the South Korean international scored four goals in Southampton, all scored by the Englishman. But if necessary, he can do it alone: He can testify to his mysterious Pushkase nomination for Burnley’s goal in December, when he picked up the ball at the edge of the backfield and ran across the length of the field, dodging six tackles and rounding them all up before quietly letting the ball go home. This exciting form has led him to negotiate an extension to his contract, and the Spurs are expected to offer him around £200,000 a week ($266,000). Beyond the field, the worldwide standstill caused by the KOWID 19 pandemic meant that Song finally managed to end his military service in South Korea – and deserved to be rewarded for it.
Peak in 2020: The best start to his son’s season earned him the Premier League Player of the Month award in October, the first such award for a Tottenham Hotspur player since 2018.
Club/Country: Arsenal/Subscription
Age: 31
2019 Location: 7
Proof of Aubameyang’s importance to the Arsenal is the fact that its preservation in North London was seen as the key to Michael Arteta’s rehabilitation. The club captain had an excellent season in 2019-20, scoring a penalty and beating Chelsea in the final of the English Cup (although his later fall of the trophy may be even more memorable). Thanks to his versatility, speed and excellent performance, he will once again lead Arsenal to the top four. Fortunately for Gunners fans, he signed a new three-year contract in September.
Peak in 2020: Defeat Chelsea and win the English Cup as Arsenal Captain.
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Julien Lawrence believes that Kilian Mbappe will be a player of the next generation when Messi and Ronaldo retire.
Club/Country: Liverpool/Egypt
Age: 28
2019 Location: 4
Salah is such a superstar for the Premier League champions that it’s hard to imagine Jose Mourinho thinking he wasn’t good enough for Chelsea. With his frantic pace, skilful touch and deadly nose on goal, Salah is the most productive and famous member of Liverpool’s famous Three Fronts, alongside Sadio Manet and Roberto Firmino. He started the new season in good shape and became the first player since Stephen Gerrard scored 100 goals for the Reds in October.
Peak in 2020: Salah scored some impressive goals to end Liverpool’s 30-year drought for the title, including a bold second leg against Watford in December.
Club/Country: Paris Saint-Germain/Brazil
Age: 28
2019 Location: 8
After a mysterious year in which he almost returned to Barcelona, his injuries were serious and controversial, Neimar was simply referred to Paris with his characteristic boastfulness and silky softness. When the fans booed him for the first time in September 2019 in Dukes Park, he reacted with a winning and exciting bike. His goals and assistants, including Borussia Dortmund’s jump to the top in the 16th round, were very successful. Round, played an important role in PSG’s participation in the Champions League final, which came closest to the dream of European glory.
Peak in 2020: For the first time with PSG in the Champions League final. If only Bayern Munich hadn’t interfered…
Club/Country: Juventus/Portugal
Age: 35
2019 Location: 2
The archives keep falling over Ronaldo. In 2020, he could become one of the top scorers in the major European competitions, he will soon break the world record for men’s singles goals (he was seven times more shy than 109-year-old Ali Daei), and he has been one of the top scorers on average since the age of 30. Even the fight with Kovid-19 in October couldn’t slow him down. In his third season with Juventus, Ronaldo has won the national championship and wants to give the Italian giants, who are desperate to hand over the European trophy, a chance to make history.
Peak in 2020: Successfully defends the Juventus title in Series A.
Club/Country: Paris Saint-Germain/France
Age: 21
2019 Location: 3
It’s hard to believe that Mbappe is still so young. He has already won the world championship, was four times French champion and top scorer in Ligue 1 for the last two seasons. While Neumar struggled with injuries, Mbappe took over and made the MTP his. As a complete attacker, he can play in the middle or on the flank and defender of bamboo thanks to his speed, strength, skill and excellent overview of the game. Now that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both approaching the end of their careers, you shouldn’t be surprised to see Mbappe soon at the top of the list.
Peak in 2020: His 93-minute assist for Eric Maxim Chupo-Moting in a late return leg against Atalanta in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Club/Country: Barcelona/Argentina
Age: 33
2019 Location: 1
This is the first year of Massey’s long career in which off-field theater has overshadowed its field performances. When he expressed his displeasure about Barcelona this summer, the whole world was waiting for him to come to Manchester. He decided to stay because he didn’t want to sue the club that had been his home since childhood. Messi is still unhappy and Barcelona is still shaking, but anyone who believes that the 33-year-old is about to decline should see his recent performance against Real Betis. He came out 1-1 in the second half and changed everything. His beautiful puppet caught Antoine Griezman, his punishment was undisciplined and his 82-minute goal as left back cost him years.
Peak in 2020: It is hard to say that the year that Barcelona lost to the Real Madrid League and was humiliated by Bayern Munich (8-2) could finally have released his anger in Barcelona and shown journalists around the world what Aurofax is all about.
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STORMERS
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Around the penalty area, the striker is king. The classic number 9 (an easy to eradicate breed) scores points against everyone, anytime and anywhere. While all the big strikers have this ruthless determination to seize every opportunity to score a goal, the really big players are as good at grouping as they are at finishing.
Stefan Wersfeld: capsules for players
Club/Country: Walker from Wolverhampton/Mexico
Age: 29
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Jimenez is much more than an air target for wolves, he is an attacker who likes to give the ball from a lower position. It represents the goal – the attacker who receives the ball at the attacking points and remains in possession while his team-mates run towards the goal, and the first touch can cause a dangerous situation on the wing. His 27 goals and 10 assists in all competitions last semester were the best results of his career. No wonder he’s connected to Juventus and Manchester United.
Peak in 2020: At the beginning of the season, when the Wolves left the game to take their place in the Europa League, Jimenez hit Diogo Jota’s ball with a pair of scissors. A striking example of their partnership.
Club/Country: Liverpool/Brazil
Age: 29
2019 Location: 5 (forward)
He’s a striker who doesn’t score as many goals as some on the list, but Firmino has written his name in the history books of Liverpool and contributed to the first LFK championship in 30 years. His role is difficult to define; he is not the real number 9, but rather fluid, always in the movement of the leading men, which creates confusion for the opponents and opportunities for the other participants in the total attack of the Reds – Sadio Mane and Mohammed Salah – to score points. Firmino’s creativity and unpredictability have made him an excellent specialist for Jurgen Klopp.
Peak in 2020: The three jagged passes in the exciting Champions League beat RB Salzburg 4-3, although they were damaged by the heroism of Erling Haaland on an unforgettable night in Enfield.
Club/Country: Chelsea/Germany
Age: 24
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Werner could have left RB Leipzig in 2019. Instead, he stayed with the club, included a resignation clause in his new contract and finished his game under Julian Nagelsman before landing a summer job in Chelsea. As a regular striker, he has successfully scored 28 league games and four Champions League goals in the past six months. With 23 of the 28 goals scored in open play in the Bundesliga and 21 in the penalty area, he is not only a threat to the counterattack, but also a player who can instinctively enter the penalty area to complete his moves. Also in the Premier League they are on the role with four goals and three assists in nine games.
Peak in 2020: After scoring three hattricks in the last Bundesliga season, Werner’s most impressive game ended in an 8-0 victory over Mainz, in which he scored three goals and made three assists.
Club/Country: Lazio/Italy
Age: 30
2019 Location: Uncategorized
After a failure in Dortmund and Seville, Immobile has been irresistible since his return to Italy, where he brought Lazio back to the Champions League last year. In his first match in the highest European league since 2015, Immobile scored a goal for the former BVB club. Throughout his Serie A career, he has been an excellent finisher, finishing all 2019-20 years and scoring 36 goals in 37 league games, and he’s not only fertile on the road, as his composure has shown from the start. Last semester he took 14 out of 15 penalty shots in all competitions.
Peak in 2020: Victory of the productive Robert Lewandowski in the Golden Shoe, which was awarded to the best European striker of all time.
Club/Country: Manchester City/Argentina
Age: 32
2019 Location: 1
The importance of Aguero for the city of Manchester has never diminished over the years, although the number of injured has increased. After Aguero jumped out of the goal at the beginning of the 2019-20 season and scored eight goals in six Premier League games, his season was overshadowed by injuries and a lack of uniform when the city’s season was over. Since his 1-0 victory over Sheffield United on the 21st. January against a number of knee injuries on the 21st. He went aimless in the Premier League on January 1, but that suggests that if he is in good shape, he will always have Pep Guardiola at the top: If he’s playing at his level, we have no doubt he’s a player who should stay until he decides he’s unique. It’s important for us, for our fans and for everyone else.
Peak in 2020: His only hat-trick of the season was his vintage performance at Aston Villa in a short sprint in mid-January.
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According to Gab Marcotti, there are too many leading brokers to justify the inclusion of Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the ESPN 100 list.
Club/Country: Milan/Belgium
Age: 27
2019 Location: Uncategorized
A player who had previously been removed from the list of discs by Manchester United because the switch to Series A at Inter was hot. He can bend the ball like Arjen Robben, he is cold as ice in one place, he is strong in the air, he can shoot from outside the penalty area and is present around the 6-yard box for easier goals. After scoring only 15 goals for United in the 2018-19 season, he scored 34 goals in 51 games in his first season in Italy. Add nine goals in eight games for Belgium since September 2019 and you have proof that Lukaku’s rebirth is in full swing. I told Antonio Conte about my attacker back in October, I always said it was a rough diamond I wanted to work with in the past. … You can see how he gets the ball, how he moves. Everything’s improved.
Peak in 2020: The scoring line in 11 consecutive matches in the Europa League – a new record – as Inter took second place in the league.
Club/Country: Tottenham/England
Age: 27
2019 Location: 2
The captain of England was in great shape this year. Kane’s last term – his first under Jose Mourinho – was the 2020-21 season in the dual dimension of goals and help – more a goal than a background. His injury prior to his suspension from the Premier League meant that Spurs lost critical points to Liverpool, Watford, Chelsea and Wolverhampton in the race for the top four and Champions League qualification. That’s the essence Kane gives to the tracks, whether it’s the final blow or the beginning. Also in 2020, the Tottenham Company made 150 cruises, making Mourinho – no one to praise him – said that Kane is a fantastic man who represents the spirit of the team in many ways.
Peak in 2020: In his 5-2 victory in Southampton on the 20th. In September he scored a goal and made four assists for Son Heung Min.
Club/Country: Real Madrid/France
Age: 32
2019 Location: 4
Undervalued as a striker, Benzema has continued his good form since Cristiano Ronaldo for Juventus. Often malicious for his inefficiency in the shadow of Ronaldo, a thriving veteran storm center with an additional responsibility. His star studded right leg remains one of the best in the game and not only scores a clean sheet, but also gives his teammates a good image. With more than 250 goals in the league for Real, of which he added 21 to the La Liga last semester, allowing Real to win their first league title since 2017, Benzeme ranks third in the general classification. For the first time in his career, he also scored 20 or more goals in back office seasons.
Peak in 2020: About 11 years after the first net match against Xeres on the 20th. September 2009 Benzema reached the 4. October 2009: the cult 250. Madrid goal against Levante. Earlier, in 2020, he embezzled 242 goals from Ferenc Puškas and finished in fifth place with Real for the first time.
Club/Country: Borussia Dortmund/Norway
Age: 20
2019 Location: Uncategorized
The strangest thing is that Khalanda is still figuring it out, but he’s already among the best strikers in the world. The Norwegian international is not only a player who knows how to exploit his size, but also one of the fastest strikers. Most of his goals (and the celebrations that followed) are worth remembering, especially those where he passes with bulldozers in front of the whole team as he runs from his own pit to the other side to smooth the counter-attack, which is usually set up by Judon Sancho. Perhaps what fascinates him most is his seemingly limitless self-confidence. Last winter he decided to leave FC Salzburg for Dortmund Borussia to gain more experience at a higher level and for a club known for developing players for the European super clubs. He then scored a hat-trick in his debut in the Bundesliga, the second player in BVB history, and ended a shortened season with 16 goals in all leagues. From the age of 17 and in this season the sky is the limit.
Peak in 2020: Two shots at 16. In the first round of the Champions League, in the first match against Paris St Germain. If Dortmund were to be eliminated, his goals deserved the last sound of the Westfalen stadium before the fans were silenced by the pandemic.
Club/Country: Bavaria Munich/Poland
Age: 32
2019 Location: 3
It’s hard to keep track of Lewandowski’s files. Since the beginning of the 2019-20 season, the Bavarian striker has scored 68 goals in Munich and delivered another 15 in just 58 appearances for the club. In the Bundesliga he has since put a shot in the bull’s-eye in 30 out of 37 matches. Now in his 11th year. season in Germany and seventh in Bayern Munich, Lewandowski finally managed to win the Champions League Cup this summer. At the mini tournament in Lisbon, Lewandowski worked hard for his team, chasing midfield and navigating to the wings to make room in the pits. With 32 years to go, Lewandowski has a few more seasons ahead of him as he chases Gerd Muller’s record of 40 goals in one Bundesliga season.
Peak in 2020: Lewandowski’s performance at Stamford Bridge and the Allianz Arena helped Bavaria to win the Champions League. The Polish star contributed all seven Bavarian goals in the 7-1 victory over Chelsea.
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LEADER
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Football can be a real mess, but leaders can see the big picture and won’t panic if plan A doesn’t work. After all, they have plans B, C and D. The best coaches can relieve their big egos, the big talented teams, of emotional ups and downs, while keeping everyone happy, harmonious and fully involved.
Tom Hamilton’s management capsules.
10: Carlo Ancelotti
Club: Everton
Age: 61
2019 Location: 7
Ancelotti took over Everton in January. In December 2019, the club was in a regression zone, but Ancelotti sent them to eighth place and then started a well-planned summer entertainment program, hiring Allan, Abdulai Dukur, James Rodriguez and Ben Godfrey. Everton started the season in good shape, won the first four races and is now in seventh place. Ancelotti’s greatest asset has always been to bring diplomacy and discipline to the teams, and Everton has found both: Their awful record in defending sets – they had missed 24 of the sets, the highest flight, prior to his arrival last season – has been corrected and now the Italian aspires to Everton to play soccer in the Champions League. He has already won three Champions League titles, a Premier League, FA Cup, Bundesliga, Series A and the Ligue 1 title, but he has added the Manager of the Month for September to his collection. When I found out he was going, I thought: Oh, my God, Jürgen Klopp said about Ancelotti when he got his job in Everton. I didn’t like it, but he’s here, and he’s doing great.
Peak in 2020: Maybe it was his persuasion that persuaded James Rodriguez to join the Premier League. So far, the Colombian International is in a state of turmoil.
9: Zinedine Zidane
Club/Country: Real Madrid
Age: 48
2019 Location: Uncategorized
The French maestro returned to Real Madrid in March 2019 and ended the fragmented 2019-20 season with the La Liga title, his Los Blancos breaking some of the Spanish records in aerobatics along the way. It was a real team effort: Real can boast the best defense in three decades, as well as the majority of individual goalkeepers – 21 players found the field during the season. Tony Croos welcomes Zidane as the best coach anyone could wish for, but it’s his masculine leadership that really sets him apart. Although he has never seen Gareth Bale face to face, he manages to keep all the stars on the same wavelength. Kroos says he meets every player at eye level, gets everyone on board and keeps control of everything that happens around Real. Although Really have had a shaky start to the 2020-21 campaign, Zidane is still, as Sergio Ramos, the captain of the ship, said.
Peak in 2020: Recapture of the title at the Bernabeu after years of uselessness and disappointment.
8: Julen Lopetegi
Club/Country: Seville
Age: 54
2019 Location: Uncategorized
The Spanish manager helped deepen Seville’s love affair with the European League and won the tournament last season with a 3-2 overall win at Inter Milan. For Lopetega, it was the first great honour in an eventful career when he led Spain to the 2018 FIFA World Cup, only to lose his job before it began, after having agreed to become director of Real Madrid. He stayed only four and a half months in the Spanish capital before being fired, but he confirmed his undeniable skills with Seville by winning the European League and sending them to the Champions League this season.
You must be able to control and overcome difficult moments. It’s a great feeling of happiness, said Lopetegi shortly after winning the Europa League Cup. It was his own moment of salvation, and the aftermath of the 1-1 draw with Barcelona in October testifies to how far Lopetegui has come in the short time since his occupation of Seville in June 2019. When Jules Kunde’s protector was thinking about the Camp Noe draw, he told me I was a little disappointed. Now it’s the Seville team that expects to be in the League.
Peak in 2020: Victory in the Europa League and the top four places in La Liga in the same season.
7: Diego Simeone
Club/Country: Atlético de Madrid
Age: 50
2019 Location: 5
Despite the fact that the 2019-20 season ended in boredom instead of bragging, the signs of this mandate are extremely encouraging. João Felix is now at the heart of Atletico’s attack (and perhaps the most exciting player in La Liga), while Simeone continues his tactical development towards a more exciting brand of football. One of his triumphs last year was the transformation of Marcos Llorent from midfield owner to second striker, and his best result of the past 12 months was a brilliant performance.
Atletico eliminated the defending Champions League champions in Enfield in March thanks to a 3-2 victory over Liverpool by Jurgen Klopp, creating scenes a la Mourinho when Simeone jumped over the sidelines to celebrate with his players. His campaign would have ended in the quarterfinals against RB Leipzig, but it was a real triumph for Simeona. Now older, but still ruthless, Luis Suarez leads the way – thanks to a personal invitation to make a deal – and despite the inferiority of Real Madrid and Barcelona, Atletico remains a contender for the annual title, which in itself is a remarkable achievement. They might even be the favorites this season.
Peak in 2020: Liverpool’s defeat at Enfield last March was a masterpiece of intelligent counter-attack.
6 : Marcelo Biels
Club/Country: Leeds United
Age: 65
2019 Location: Uncategorized
The man who described Mauricio Honorisio Leeds United as a genius and a special leader is back in the Premier League for the first time since 2004. He is now a West Yorkshire favourite and has further strengthened his place in the top flight with his team in Leeds this season. The team is fearless and tackles aerobatics with great ambition. Biels is probably the most exciting coach in world football: Pep Guardiola, nicknamed El Loco, talks about Biels, nobody can imitate him, which makes him special, and it’s very entertaining to watch Biels during a match. He sits like a rolled viper on a custom-made bucket, but often remains relatively calm, keeping a close eye on each hit ball and planning his next move.
With Leeds, he spent £96 million in the summer preparing for the preseason, but he still has the support of the team that brought Leeds into the Premier League. The biggest compliment he can get is the way he is respected and honoured in the coaching community; even past and present players venerate him. He’s God. There’s something special about him, told former Leeds captain Lucas Radebe to ESPN.
Peak in 2020: Leeds is back in the Premier League for the first time in 16 years with a 10-point lead on West Brom’s second largest club.
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Gab Marcotti explains how Jürgen Klopp beat Hansi Flick to become one of FC’s top 100 managers.
5: Julian Nagelsmann
Club/Country: RB Leipzig
Age: 33
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Any list of candidates for the post of one of the European superpowers will inevitably bear the name of Nagelsman. He is one of the most enthusiastic young managers in world football and has not tarnished his reputation when he led the Bundesliga to the semi-finals of the Champions League last season. Nagelsmann has a brilliant reputation in this sport: He is loved by his players, he has the incredible ability to make a team bigger than the sum of its parts, and he is tactically brilliant.
In an interview with ESPN, he stated that he wasn’t worried about training, but that he had different systems that he used alternately as the game progressed. Athletico Madrid learned the lesson the hard way in the quarter-finals of last season’s Champions League, when Leipzig, hoping to make progress, made Diego Simeone’s side angry. Nagelsman’s contract ended this season and Manchester United is known as fans. I think he could do Real Madrid, said former Leipzig manager Ralph Rangnik. I think it’s quite possible that he could go to a better or even bigger club [than Leipzig] if he wanted to.
Peak in 2020: RB Leipzig reached the semi-finals of the Champions League even without Timo Werner, who was in the final of the league after moving to Chelsea.
4: Gian Pierrot Gasperini
Club/Country: Atalanta
Age: 62
2019 Location: Uncategorized
Gasperini and Atalanta are an ideal combination of ideology, tactics and application. The tactics of Gasperini, one of the most exciting teams in world football, are based on the proverb Sun Tzu: Defense makes you invincible, but if you want to win, you have to attack. His Atalanta team is now synonymous with Gasperini’s 3-4-1-2 system, but their knowledge is the result of hard training and a relentless quest for improvement – Gasperini is constantly striving to improve his team.
Last season they were the top scorers in Serie A with a remarkable 98 goals (17 for Inter, next on the list), making Papa Gomez (known as Serie A midfielder) and Josip Ilic among the best players in the world. When you have reached adulthood to understand that hard work leads to results, you no longer feel tired, said Mr. Gasperini. Not only does he lead the team, but last year he also gave hope to the Bergamo region, part of Italy hard hit by COVID-19, and that remains their fuel if they finish in the top four of Series A in five seasons.
Peak in 2020: He came within two goals from Paris Saint-Germain to beat Atalanta in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
3: Pep Guardiola
Club/Country: Manchester City
Age: 49
2019 Location: 2
For many, he is the best coach in the world. Guardiola is always tense, always busy and brilliantly dressed, and is looking forward to another title this season in Manchester City. Liverpool’s 18 points from last season would have hurt the Guardiola, as would their continued inability to win in Europe: Lyon was eliminated from the quarter-finals last season after the city had shown the brilliant performance of Real Madrid in the previous round. Yet both Jürgen Klopp and Zinedine Zidane consider the Guardiola to be the best coach in the world, while Juventus boss Andrea Pirlo describes the Guardiola philosophy as his model.
I know the club’s standards and if I don’t meet them I probably don’t deserve [to stay], so I have to win to renew my contract, Guardiola said earlier in the season about my future with the club. Fortunately for City, he has extended his contract, good news for the long-term goals of the club and bad news for the teams that stand in the way.
Peak in 2020: Capturing the last 16 Champions League wins against Real Madrid.
2: Hansi Flick
Club/Country: Bavaria Munich
Age: 55
2019 Location: Uncategorized
When Flick temporarily took control of Bavaria Munich in November 2019, the club – judging by the high standards – was confused. They just lost 5-1 to Enterprise in Frankfurt and finished fourth in the Bundesliga. By August of the following year, Flick Bayern Munich had led to 32 victories in 35 matches and a magnificent triple trophy, when his team won the Champions League, the Bundesliga and the DFB Cup before anyone else. It also breathed new life into the careers of Thomas Muller and Hiëronymus Boateng, who seemed to fall into disfavour on their way from Bavaria.
Bavaria Flick starts the first half of the season with a good rhythm in the Bundesliga and can look back on a nice run in the group stage of the Champions League. Flick is now Joachim Lowe’s successor as Germany’s manager, while his players say he has brought new fun to Bayern Munich. She has not gone unnoticed by her contemporaries: In eight months it will be difficult to write more history! Juergen Klopp talked about Flick’s performance.
Peak in 2020: He has breathed new life into the Bavarian giants in the national/European triple pack this season in his first head coach role since 2005.
1: Jürgen Klopp
Club/Country: Liverpool
Age: 53
2019 Location: 1
Klopp’s legacy in Liverpool is strong enough, but some of his points are buried in a time capsule on the club’s new training field to consolidate further in Mercyside. After winning the Champions League and then the Premier League, Klopp confidently takes his place in the pantheon of the great Liverpool. When Klopp and his team from Liverpool found themselves in an empty Copa and raised the Premier League Cup into the fireworks-lit sky, it meant the end of a 30-year wait for the title. They broke a remarkable record of 99 points in the Premier League last term, and Klopp ended the season as manager.
That term turned out to be a bit of a rocker: Liverpool has suffered a monumental series of traumatic setbacks – including the loss of the world’s best defender, Virgil of Dyke, this season – but Klopp will still find a way for Liverpool to retain the title later in the season. She is very popular in Liverpool and any club in the world would use her services. He even got the praise of the great Sir Alex Ferguson. Their identity is reflected throughout the club, said Sir Alex Kloppu when he was named LMA Manager of the Year. It was a beautiful show. I forgive you for waking me up at 3:30 in the morning to tell me you won the competition.
Peak in 2020: Enfield won the championship for the first time in 30 years.
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