The 20 best players in the Europa League this season.
The Champions League may be where it’s at, but make no mistake, there are some supremely talented players in the Europa League too. This week saw the return of the competition alongside it’s bigger brother, and as such, we are bringing you a rundown of the twenty best superstars on display in the competition this year.
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20. Virgil Van Dijk – Celtic
The Dutch defender has been one of the few consistencies at Celtic this season, but his good form may earn him a move away from Glasgow after Arsenal were rumoured to be interested over the summer.
19. Giovani Dos Santos – Villarreal
The former Barca youth product has done well to rebuild his career since an unhappy spell at white Heart Lane, and he will be instrumental in unlocking opposition defences over the course of the tournament.
18. Hugo Lloris – Tottenham Hotspur
The France international is undoubtedly the finest goalkeeper in the competition this year, and his presence will make an interesting looking Tottenham side even more difficult to get past.
17. Thorgan Hazard – Borussia Monchengladbach (on loan from Chelsea)
The young Belgian impressed whilst on loan with Zulte Waregem last term, but has now sought to take the step up to the Bundesliga in a bid to prove his worth. The Europa League will serve as another platform for him to showcase his considerable talent.
16. Demba Ba – Besiktas
The Senegalese hit man will be looking to rebuild his career following a stop-start time with Chelsea. Should he rediscover his goalscoring touch he would be a potential frontrunner for the golden boot.
15. Leighton Baines – Everton
Playing in European competition could help the defender improve his game for the England national team. His crossing and threat from set pieces will come in handy against some tough opposition, but will he have the legs to go all the way?
14. Divock Origi – Lille (On loan from Liverpool)
The young Belgian gave the world a glimpse of what he can do at the World Cup, and it was apparently enough to convince Liverpool to spring for his signature. With one more year left with Lille, he will be hoping to make a positive impact to bring some silverware back to northern France.
13. Nemanja Vidic – Inter Milan
The veteran stopper may be past his best, but he is still a fierce competitor that will make the Italian giants even tougher to break down. Bringing leadership as well as muscle, his command of the back line could be vital to how far the club goes.
12. Mario Gomez – Fiorentina
German international Gomez may not be where he thought he would in his career, but a good season in Florence could see him thrust back into the limelight and, more importantly, back into the Champions League.
11. Jordy Clasie – Feyenoord
Clasie has seen himself become one of the hottest commodities in European football this summer with a number of sides all chasing his signature. The tournament will be a big chance for him to impress and cement his place in the Dutch national side, too.
10. Mauro Icardi – Inter Milan
The Argentine striker will guarantee goals for Inter, and despite his unpopularity off the pitch he still brings more to the club than he takes away.
9. Ricardo Rodriguez – Wolfsburg
Rodriguez showed at the World Cup this summer exactly why he’s been so highly-rated in Germany, and his runs down the flanks will cause many an opposition defender to have nightmares. Capable of scoring as well, his contribution could be vital.
8. Juan Cuadrado – Fiorentina
Another star from the World Cup just gone, the Colombian knows that he is in demand and a series of strong performances will be enough to give any number of clubs just cause to crack open the chequebook in the new year.
7. Mathieu Valbuena – Dinamo Moscow
Many were shocked when the France international joined Dinamo over the summer, but they must be in dreamland. In Valbuena the Russians have a dangerous creative threat and his goals will come in crucial as they look to progress.
6. Marek Hamsik – Napoli
The Slovakian is one of the finest midfield string pullers in the game right now, but there is a feeling that his time with the San Paolo outfit could be at an end, though time will surely tell on that one.
5. Gerard Deulofeu – Sevilla (on loan from Barcelona)
He spent last term on loan with Everton where he impressed greatly, despite being disrupted by injury. However, this term he is with the defending champions where his creativity will come in handy following another summer of heavy outgoings.
4. Christian Eriksen – Tottenham Hotspur
The Dane showed that he is not over-awed by the Premier League with a fine first season in English football, but his influence will be expected to spread with a series of good showings in the Europa League this time around.
3. Romelu Lukaku – Everton
After two seasons out on loan, fans will finally be able to see what Luakaku can do once he is settled. The Belgian will be Everton’s greatest weapon in Europe, though playing every game may be a tall order.
2. Memphis Depay – PSV Eindhoven
Depay is another young star with a bright future ahead of him, and though he was linked with a move to the Premier League this summer he remained loyal to the Dutch giants.
1. Gonzalo Higuain – Napoli
The Argentine international is arguably the greatest striker in the tournament this year, and he will be looked upon by all involved as the main contender for the Golden Boot. He will want to return to the Champions League, whether it be with Napoli or someone else, though it is with the Italians that he has his best chance.