Top 5 players left in UEL and UECL
We are approaching the business end of the European football calendar. Since Bayern Munich has been eliminated from the Champions League, my interest has slightly diverted towards the other two competitions. The Europa League sees RB Leipzig face Rangers FC while West Ham United takes on Eintracht Frankfurt. Frankfurt is the only one out of this lot to have won the tournament before, that too back in 79–80 when it used to be called the UEFA Cup. A European victory would be remarkable for any of these clubs, especially with the added incentive of a place in the Champions League next season.
We also have the newly formed Europa Conference League this time. Critics were divided on the quality of teams in this competition but the presence of iconic clubs like AS Roma and Olympique de Marseille in the semis has set the stage for a grand finish. Interestingly, there are as many clubs to have won the European Cup/ Champions League left in Conference League (Marseille and Feyenoord) as there are in the Champions League itself (Real Madrid and Liverpool).
Keeping this in mind, I tried to figure out the five best players left in these two leagues combined and ranked them based on their form this season. Here we go…
5. Dimitri Payet (Olympique de Marseille)
After failing to finish in the top 4 last season, Marseille has made significant progress under Jorge Sampaoli in 21–22. It is sitting second in Ligue 1 and faces Feyenoord in the UECL semi-final. A big credit for the success goes to Dimitri Payet. The 35-year-old attacker is having a career-best season in terms of goal-scoring, having hit 16 and assisted another 9 in all competitions. This includes an absolute wonder strike against PAOK in the first leg of the UECL quarter-final. Payet has formed a strong partnership with Polish striker Arkadiusz Milik and Turkish winger Cengiz Under, helping them with his ball progression and chance creation. Despite his age, a France call-up should not be out of the question if Payet continues to perform like this.
4. Filip Kostic (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Thanks to Frankfurt’s surprise win over Barcelona, fans across the world got a peek into the powerhouse that is Filip Kostic. The Serbian wing-back is a rare mix of strength, agility, and creativity, making him one of the best at his role. Add to this his knack for scoring important goals, like his brace against Barcelona in the return leg. Whenever Frankfurt find themselves on the backfoot, they look towards Kostic for a solution. Apart from his technique, it's his tenacity that makes him an opponent’s nightmare. Kostic already has 21 goal contributions to his name this season, which is why teams like Inter Milan are in active pursuit of his services.
3. Lorenzo Pellegrini (AS Roma)
Pellegrini had been a promising talent for a few years, but he has reached new heights under Jose Mourinho this season. Often operating as a modern-day No 10, the midfielder has become the focal point of AS Roma. Alongside being technically gifted, Pelligrini plays with a flair and energy that is very captivating to watch. The playmaker is adept at creating and finishing chances and offers additional damage through his freekicks. He also possesses the ability to find the net from distance. Pellegrini’s prowess gave Tammy Abraham the time to settle in and now they form a terrific partnership. Roma are hoping to end their years of title drought by winning the newly formed Conference League and Pellegrini might just be the man who could lead them to it.
2. Declan Rice (West Ham United)
10 years back, it would have been very hard for a West Ham fan to believe that their team would beat Seville and Lyon to play in a European semi-final. But players like Declan Rice have turned this dream into a reality. The defensive midfielder is really good at reading the game. As a result, not only does he effectively screens the space in front of his defense but also helps the team in launching counter-attacks. He is strong in possession and can dribble and pass with ease. The physicality that he brings to the game is also immense. It’s easy to understand why teams are ready to spend a hefty amount to sign him. On a personal note, I became a fan of his the day I heard him sing ‘(R)ICE (R)ICE BABY’ on Twitter Spaces.
- Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig)
Opening matchday of UCL 21–22, RB Leipzig gets decimated by Manchester City 6–3. But there is a small silver lining, Christopher Nkunku scored a hattrick against arguably the strongest team in Europe. A star was born that day, one who hasn’t looked back since. While Jesse Marsch had a turbulent time as Leipzig’s manager, his idea of playing Nkunku upfront, almost as a striker, paid dividends. Suddenly you have a player who is excellent at receiving the ball at dangerous places and running with it towards the goal. His link-up play with other Leipzig attackers has been brilliant as has been his finishing. As per Transfermarkt, Nkunku already has 50 goal contributions for his club this season. This includes 17 goals and 12 assists in the Bundesliga itself. More than anything else, It’s Nkunku’s form that makes Leipzig the favorite to win the Europa League.
