2015 draws to a close and VAVEL UK present our first ever Top 50 Players in the World.
Voted for by both editors and writers at VAVEL UK, we have produced a refined list of the best players of this year. Today, we'll reveal the Top 50-41 best players of 2015 with Number One on January 1st, New Year's Day.
Keep following to see who has made it and who hasn't. There were some lengthy discussions over who slipped into this list.
And so, now for 50-41.
50 - Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid/Spain)
Coming in at number 50 in VAVEL UK’s top 50 footballers of 2015 is Sergio Ramos. The Real Madrid center back was directly involved in four goals in the calendar year, scoring three and assisting on one occasion. Only once this season, he’s found the back of the net, and that was in Madrid’s 3-2 loss against Sevilla in which he was subbed off after only 31 minutes. He’s once again on a side contending for the La Liga and Champions League titles. The Spaniard is currently on the FifPro World XI shortlist as one of 20 defenders trying to get into FIFA’s Team of the Year. He has already made three Champions League clean sheets this season, out of three games, as well as another three in La Liga where he has captained Real Madrid. (Words: Noel Alberto)
49 - Vincent Kompany (Manchester City/Belgium)
Manchester City's Vincent Kompany has enjoyed a mixed bag of a year, perhaps why the Belgian has been placed at number 49 in this year's VAVEL top 50 list. A shock I'm sure you'll agree as whilst the captain has battled with injuries all year to be so far down the list is almost an insult to a man who has proven to be the lynchpin in City's back four this season.
The statistics speak for themselves, without Vincent Kompany - City are an entirely different side, shipping goals every game and looking a near shambles at the back. With him the back four have no one to lead and organise, something Joe Hart has been left to do on too many times. Whilst some 'experts' will claim that he's had his crescendo in ability and is on the downhill, what he brings to the team is almost unparalleled by any other member of the squad.
A bold statement, but the difference in the side without Kompany is vast. Whilst City miss the likes of David Silva, Sergio Agüero and Yaya Touré they always find a way to get by, but Kompany not so, the stability and organisation that he brings is vital for City the back four being exploited on numerous occasions in his absence. The endless combinations of back fours only strengthens Kompany's case as an integral part of the City machine, with Martin Demichelis and Eliaquim Mangala still making very simple errors and leaving it to Nicolas Otámendi to pick up the pieces.
A lower placement in the list may be justified by the amount of injuries he's suffered this past year as well as being off the pace in a couple of games, but to be placed second to last is quizzical with Kompany being one of the most decorated captains in the Premier League in the last five years, possibly the greatest central defender in the league too.
With a favourable draw in the Champions League next year, manageable ties in the two domestic cups and a healthy position in the league, Kompany will look to overcome his injury woes and make 2016 a year to remember as he continues to improve. (Words: Oscar Norman)
48 - Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain/Brazil)
Another major European league was lifted by Thiago Silva this year. He creeps into the top 50 this year. His performances at last summer's Copa America weren't inspirational like at the 2014 World Cup and Brazil were knocked out in Quarter-Final by dark horses Paraguay.
Yet still, Thiago Silva proved his worth once more at the heart of Paris Saint-Germain's side. They have built the team off him in defence and the captain has done well in both Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League this season and last. The Brazilian has already kept four Champions League clean sheets, out of just five games, this season, as well as a further 11 in the league since August. (Words: Harry Robinson)
47 - Blaise Matuidi (Paris Saint-Germain/France)
Blaise Matuidi has continued to improve despite being 28 years old. Now the heart of the Paris Saint-Germain midfield, Matuidi's combination of great physical power and technical ability. The French champions lifted the cup as well last season.
PSG face Chelsea again in the UEFA Champions League season and March's fixture between the two saw Matuidi impress. His work rate was superb, passing accurate and tackling strong too. This season, he has done well too. With a pass success rate of over 90% and an impressive selection of stats of his aerial prowess and defensive contribution, Matuidi is vital to Paris Saint-Germain.
Paris Saint-Germain look set for an early title win again, and so Matuidi's honours list will keep growing next year. (Words: Harry Robinson)
46 - Luka Modric (Real Madrid/Croatia)
Coming in at number 46 in VAVEL UK’s top 50 footballers of 2015 is Luka Modric. The Croatian midfielder for Real Madrid is the second Los Blancos player on the list after Sergio Ramos. He’s tallied four assists in all competitions this calendar year. Modric has also found the back of the net once, and that came in Madrid’s thrilling 4-3 win in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk. Like Ramos, he’s also on the FifPro World XI shortlist. As a midfielder, he’s currently competing against 14 players who are trying to earn an honor of getting named into the Team of the Year. Modric has, as ever, gone unnoticed at times in the star-studded Madrid side, but he keeps them ticking. (Words: Noel Alberto)
45 - Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich/Netherlands)
Despite an injury-hit 2015, Arjen Robben has proved why he is still rated as one of Europe's deadliest wingers. With 12 goals over the calendar year, the Dutchman added a further Bundesliga title to his trophy cabinet as Pep Guardiola's side continue to dominate the Teutonic State. He also contributed six assists. Also redeployed as a central striker by the Spaniard, and laterally by the Dutch national side, Robben capped off the year whilst captaining his country and scoring twice in a 3-2 win against Wales. Almost a formality now, Robben's jink on to his left foot remains impervious and displays why in 2015 he is still known, at the age of 31, as the "Flying Dutchman". (Words: Alex Howell)
44 - Raphael Varane (Real Madrid/France)
At number 44 in VAVEL UK’s top 50 footballers of 2015 is Raphael Varane. 2015 saw the French center back finally make his breakthrough into the Los Blancos squad, taking Portuguese center back Pepe’s starting role, partnering with Sergio Ramos, another VAVEL top 50 footballer, in the heart of the Madrid defence. The Frenchman has yet to find the back of the net in 2015 in a competitive game. However, he has netted once for France and Madrid in a friendly and a preseason tournament respectively. Varane is looking to be named into the Team of the Year this coming January. He has been linked with an exit in previous years but seems to be concentrated on making that Real Madrid centre-back spot his own, of which he certainly has the capability to do. (Words: Noel Alberto)
43 - Chris Smalling (Manchester United/England)
Chris Smalling has had a rapid rise to the top of the English game. Having joined from Fulham in 2011, his impact was minimal and looked out of place at Manchester United. Now he leads the biggest club in the world from the back. His anticipation has massively improved and as such he can now use his genuine ability to better effect. In 2014, he was sent off against Manchester City, and that was the turning point for better things. Although United are currently struggling, the importance of Smalling is shown in that he has missed just one game this season. Injuries are no longer getting the benefit of him, and now he is establishing himself as one of the best in the league and England's first choice centre-back. (Words: Harry Robinson)
42 - Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Another superb year at the heart of a very successful Juventus defence. Leonardo Bonucci has been the central man in the Old Lady's three-man defence under Max Allegri, steering them to a league and cup double. He couldn't inspire a UEFA Champions League victory over Barcelona and couldn't as no one has managed to, stop the trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.
He was vital in getting there, keeping six clean sheets in last season's tournament, and did stop Real Madrid's stunning attack in the semi-final, against all the odds. He's already kept ten clean sheets this season. Juventus haven't had the greatest of starts to a season in 2015/16, but Bonucci remains an integral part of the side, continuing his brilliant partnership with Giorgio Chiellini, number 17 on this list. (Words: Harry Robinson)
41 - Grzegorz Krychowiak (Sevilla/Poland)
Just one shy of forty on our countdown is Polish midfielder defensive Grzegorz Krychowiak. At 25 years of age, the Pole is fast becoming one of the most underrated players in European football. Establishing himself at Bordeaux, where he was named fans player of the season, a two-year spell at Reims has installed a humbleness to his game. Krychowiak, 25, has since moved to Sevilla. Playing no small part in Los Rojiblancos winning last season’s Europe League – scoring an equaliser in their 3-2 victory over Dynamo Kyiv – Krychowiak has become the engine in the La Liga side’s set-up. With only two goals in 46 appearances, the Pole’s stats belie his true worth. Krychowiak is not just a defensive stronghold and possesses superior aerial technique at offensive set-pieces. Often linked to Arsenal as their oft-needed, vital defensive operator, Krychowiak remains on the Iberian Peninsula. If he does seek pastures new, it will likely be to a club of greater stature. (Words: Neil Leverett)
Compiled by Harry Robinson.