Since moving to Manchester United in 2016, the Frenchman has failed to replicate the form he showed at previous club Juventus. That is by no fault of his own, however.
Former United manager Jose Mourinho failed to see eye-to-eye with Pogba, oft either playing him out of position or omitting him completely. The 26-year-old also wasn’t helped by the distinct lack of quality around him at Old Trafford.
6. Kylian Mbappe Paris Saint Germain
If you were to look at Kylian Mbappe’s trophy cabinet, you wouldn’t believe he is still only 21 years old.
A World Cup, three Ligue 1 titles, and the Coupe de France are just a few of his collective honours. Individually, he’s won the Golden Boy award, the Ligue 1 Player of the Season trophy, and Ligue 1’s top scorer prize.
5. Kevin De Bruyne Manchester City
If Kevin De Bruyne were a car, he’d be a Rolls Royce Phantom. Classy, elegant, and luxurious, but with a powerful 450 bhp engine hidden away underneath its hood. The Belgian star plays the game effortlessly, but to devastating effect.
His range of passing is second to none, and, when combined with his sublime first touch and acute awareness of what’s happening around him, it means he can dictate any game.
The 28-year-old’s ability to drift past defenders at the drop of a shoulder also evokes memories of a prime Zinedine Zidane.
4. Virgil Van Dijk Liverpool FC
“Think of the best defenders in Premier League history John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, and Nemanja Vidic. [Virgil] Van Dijk is all three players rolled into one.”
Those were the words of former Liverpool and England star Jamie Redknapp, according to Goal.
A bold statement, but one difficult to argue with given just how excellent the Dutchman has been since his move to Anfield in early 2018.
3. N’Golo Kante Chelsea FC
But that is exactly what makes him so unassumingly, but terrifyingly, brilliant. Whether it’s chasing the ball relentlessly for 90 mins, sitting in front of the back four, or playing as an attacking midfielder, the versatile 28-year-old always adds value, and a lot of it.
2. Neymar Paris Saint Germain
Neymar didn’t have a particularly memorable 2019. Injuries, suspensions, poor form, ongoing transfer rumours, and off-field problems all made for one of the worst years of his career.
A rough 12 months aside however, the Brazilian remains an extremely talented footballer, who has the ability to change a game like no other player in world football, bar Lionel Messi. Seductively skillful, a perceptive passer, and first-class finisher Neymar has it all in his arsenal.
At 27, he still has plenty of time to fulfill his potential as the world’s best which he showed during his time at Barcelona.
1. Lionel Messi FC Barcelona
Lionel Messi has already been mentioned a lot in this article, even before we’ve reached him. “Lionel Messi’s seal of approval.” “Bar Lionel Messi,” “Behind only Lionel Messi.”
Anything and everything every other player does gets instantly compared to the Argentine. Why? He is the best. At everything.