Bukayo Saka has emerged as the best winger in 2023 ESPN’s ranking list of top football players in the world (FC100).
Below are the 2023 top ten best wingers in the world based on the FC100 ranking led by Bukayo Saka:
1. Bukayo Saka Arsenal/England
Bukayo Saka played a significant role in Arsenal’s successful run at the top of the Premier League for five months.
And it is important to note that the Gunners’ loss of the lead to Manchester City in the final weeks of the season cannot be attributed to Saka.
Performances in individual competitions such as the Champions League and World Cup are crucial factors taken into account in the FC100 ranking list.
Players who have participated in a larger number of games should be ranked higher than those who have only excelled in short tournament formats.
Consequently, the Gunners’ exceptional winger, Saka stood out among his peers in this category.
Saka concluded his campaign by achieving his first international hat trick against North Macedonia.
Not only has he become one of Arsenal’s most crucial players, but he has also emerged as a central figure which the club can build the team around.
2. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia Napoli/Georgia.
Kvaratskhelia significantly improved his performance in the overall competition and achieved higher scores.
After being released from the physically demanding Russian first division, where he played for Rubin Kazan for almost three seasons, he made a remarkable impact upon his arrival at Napoli.
During his debut season in Serie A, he showcased remarkable performance statistics.
He topped the league in assists with a total of 10, while also leading in passes made in the attacking third with an impressive count of 603.
Additionally, he secured second place in big chances created with 14, and touches in the opponent’s box with 198.
Furthermore, he ranked sixth in open-play shots on target with 25, eighth in goals scored with 12, and 14th in progressive play.
He ranked second in terms of ball recoveries made in the attacking third, with a total of 38.
He does not only created opportunities for himself, but also for others. His influence on Napoli was evident and significant, leading them to their first title in 33 years.
3. Jack Grealish Manchester City/England.
Last season, the Birmingham playmaker made significant progress for City in both areas.
He became Pep Guardiola’s preferred choice on the left wing, which is no small achievement.
Additionally, he made valuable contributions in attack, scoring five goals and providing seven assists in the league.
Furthermore, his skill and presence on the field caused opponents to be thrown off balance and forced out of their positions.
City achieved the remarkable feat of winning the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup last season.
They accomplished this by effectively utilizing Grealish’s wide prowess and his ability to gain the ball and dribble around the opposition’s penalty area.
4. Ousmane Dembele Barcelona/France
The 26-year-old Frenchman has incorporated discipline and consistency into his strength routine.
There was never any doubt about his skills as a creative and elusive winger.
The fact that he has consistently demonstrated his talents multiple times during the campaign justifies his inclusion and positioning in this ranking.
5. Gabriel Martinelli Arsenal/Brazil.
The Brazil international, who is 22 years old, possesses an abundance of talent, remarkable speed, and exceptional ability when it comes to scoring goals.
In the Premier League, he emerged as Arsenal’s leading goal scorer with 15 goals and contributed five assists in 34 starts.
This marked a significant improvement compared to the previous season, where he had recorded six goals and six assists in 21 starts.
6. Riyad Mahrez Manchester City/Algeria.
He ended the year with a total of 15 goals in all competitions, which was the second highest among Manchester City players, only behind Haaland. He was on par with Foden and Julian Alvarez in terms of goals scored.
7. Kingsley Coman Bayern Munich/France.
The French national team winger is an exceptional player in Bayern’s squad.
Coman’s impressive performance saw him scored seven out of his eight league goals for Bayern during the crucial second half of the season.
This year, Bayern’s squad seemed somewhat fragmented, but there is a strong possibility that Coman will play a crucial role in fixing it.
8. Rodrygo Real Madrid/Brazil
Rodrygo had a solid return of nine league goals last season, and he also scored five times in the Champions League, which included a brace against Chelsea.
If Real Madrid fail to secure Kylian Mbappe’s signature this summer, the upcoming 2023-24 season will no doubt presents a golden opportunity for Rodrygo to establish himself as the primary center-forward and he will shine in that role.
9. Phil Foden Manchester City/England
Although it may not have been the season Foden had anticipated, he managed to score an impressive 15 goals in 48 games.
Furthermore, he concluded the campaign on a high note by securing a treble with Manchester City.
10. Moussa Diaby Bayer Leverkusen/France
He possesses exceptional positioning, remarkable speed, and impressive finishing skills, as evidenced by his 31 goals scored from firing shots worth 26.5 xG.
In the past two seasons, Diaby has participated in a total of 90 matches across various competitions.
During this time, he has managed to score 31 goals and provide 24 assists, showcasing his impressive attacking abilities.
Additionally, Diaby has created a total of 147 chances, further highlighting his contribution to the team’s offensive play.
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