Thanks for all the input guys. I think I'll respond more once I've done the final edit or just let the placings speak for themselves haha.

Naturally the top 10 writeups are starting to take form more as what has been the norm rather than anything very short, so it is drawing out a little, but I will definitely be posting after tonight's Champions League qualifiers.

even though he hasn't appeared yet, lol.

but seriously, have you changed his ranking based on the match yesterday?

I'd like to think Bjorn is better than that!

⇩ Guess not!

Haha it's tempting to lie here and say no, since it wasn't and shouldn't be, anything from him that his very good ranking (current and former ones) wasn't based on already, but such spectacular reminders of his talent in full flow can't help influence the mind, so yup he did in fact pass a couple of players I'm a little bit embarrassed to say...

But rather than overrating a great performances in favorable circumstances I think he just helped remind me correcting/realizing a mistake. I think that he should be ahead of those two players right now, even if it's very close and it still mostly comes down to form.

/backingtrackingandexcuses

The rest of the list will be posted in the coming hours.

Almost there.

We start out with a couple of the best wingers in the world:


29 (+20)



Nani - Portugal - Manchester United

28 (-7)



Angel Di Maria - Argentina - Real Madrid

Winger

I think I overrated Di Maria a little bit the last time and he's seen a few players go past, though I still think he is excellent of course.

Nani is almost the opposite story then. Has he been a lot better in the last year or so, or have I severely been underrating him?

Well at least I'm pretty sure I'm not alone and there are still many people who give him very little credit as a player.

But this was in fact arguably player of the year in England last season.

He has great hunger to succeed in everything he does on the pitch. He is of course incredibly quick and agile with the ball meaning very good control and I've always liked the top effort that he puts in both when his team is in possession and when it's time to defend, even if he is still not someone you will call an elite intelligent footballer with his decision-making, he has reduced his turnovers by a good margin.

It's very close between him and Di Maria but while at least rivaling Nani's pace, I do think Di Maria is physically stronger and maybe more versatile to both with and without the ball. That's basically what it comes down to.

Di Maria is also capable defensively. I love his fantastic work-rate, winger-pace and overall skill creating for himself or others.

27 (+23)

Nuri Sahin - Turkey - Dortmund to Real Madrid

Central midfielder

First of all let me recommend Kitaristi0's article on this player for those who haven't read it: http://rationalfootball.wordpress.co...ahins-passing/

Sahin continued to be the best player in Germany last season leading Dortmund to the title and now he has joined mighty Real Madrid.

That could be too early, because even though I think he has the talent to be better than Alonso, because there is simply more creativity and playmaking in Sahin's overall game, I still think for the time being that he is merely bought to lessen Madrid's (imo great) dependency on Alonso. So that whenever Alonso is unavailable they have someone who can step in with his very own great range of passing, which the athletic Madrid team needs to be on their highest level.

But hopefully I'll be at least somewhat wrong, and we'll actually get to see Sahin and Alonso together. Even though I'm not sure how great it would work, it could be bad, it could be superb, I know it would be like some really great fantasy come true.

I just couldn't get myself to pull the trigger and put someone like Sahin (one great season under his belt and all) ahead of this guy just yet.



26 (-3)

Steven Gerrard - England - Liverpool

Midfielder

Maybe his health is actually worse than I took into account and he should have been lower.

Then there is the question of just how often he has put all that fantastic talent together in recent memory.

Still, it's all impressive enough that he keeps his ranking almost unchanged.

Great power, balance and one of the most dynamic players of the last decade. The more tempo in the game, the better for Gerrard.

When on, his range of passing is really impressive too.

Then there is his scoring ability which everyone knows about.

Defensively and when it comes to teamwork he has slipped and the days of Benitez reeling him in for some great defensive performances in Europe is now a distant memory.

Even though the great two-way work-rate is still very much intact, most value these days is attacking I think and I'm not that big a fan of his deeper midfield work where deficiencies tactically, intelligently or whatever it is, just stops him from consistently making the good decisions required.

Two more. What tempo huh. Not sure if anyone is around, let alone reading, but I must.finish.this.thing.monster!



25 (-7)

Gonzalo Higuain - Argentina - Real Madrid

Striker

Standout technician when it comes to finesse touches and finishes.

He has become a lot better the last 2-3 years but probably still isn't Mourinho's ideal striker, making Mourinho push even for Adebayor last season, and if Benzema can start putting all those impressive striker-tools of his together on a consistent basis, no doubt Higuain is under serious threat.




24 (-5)

Frank Lampard - England - Chelsea

Central midfielder

Not that I have that particular wallpaper hanging on my wall or anything or would ever consider it... but nooo I really don't like dropping Lampard who remains a favorite of mine, but he isn't the player he was in his late 20s and I'm sure a lot of people would put him even lower.

Looking at his various raw numbers though, and of course using my great eye, once that he found form after injuries, Lampard still looked very good to me, slower these days sure enough, but that was never a strength anyway and yeah the various numbers do suggest I think, a similar overall activity level both on offense and defense the last 2-3 years.

So basically, I'm not quite ready to write off one of my all time favorite two-way players, even if I'm realizing the only realistic way for him in his 30s, is down.

23 (+51)

Giuseppe Rossi - Italy - Villarreal

Forward

Widely regarded as the best player in Spain outside Real/Barca last season and yes that's ahead of even Aguero(!), who he won't quite challenge on my list though since I think there is still some difference in physical talent between the two.

But Rossi has really stepped up lately and maintained a very high level throughout the season. Even as the rest of his team was fading.

He has proven himself a lot stronger than I ever thought was possible for him, not least off-the ball, fully capable of a lot more than just being an excellent finesse second-striker. He can no doubt play alone up top or be a very good wide forward.

Skill-wise Rossi has a fantastic left-foot that can do just about anything when it comes touches and shooting.

I think the majority of people at United knew Rossi was capable of becoming the player we are seeing today but probably realised that he needed to play elsewhere to really fulfil his potential. By all accounts he was a huge favourite with the coaches and players and you could tell it was a difficult decision in the end to let him go but it had to be done I guess. Sad that it didn't happen with us but really happy to see him playing some great football and scoring lots of goals.

Wow manhandling even Robert Huth wwe style. Strong guy this one



22 (+5)

Yaya Tore - Ivory Coast - Manchester City

NOT defensive midfielder

Powerhouse midfielder usually used in attacking midfield by Mancini.

His forward runs are a pleasure to watch as his body in motion swats opposing players away like they were flies.

A serious threat when coming forward and a solid midfield presence overall with controlled passing and a work-rate (that better not be slipping or rank will follow suit).

21 (+19)

Samir Nasri - France - Arsenal to Manchester City?

Attacking midfielder

Always been a very skilled player and last season finally put that convincing difference-making period together of great performances, that I needed to boost his ranking.

Can he keep it up then?

All of the sudden it looks like Arsenal fans will have to hope for the opposite. What a turn of events.



20 (-9)

David Villa - Spain - Barcelona

Forward

Maybe he is slipping a little bit but this is still one of the best strikers in the world, who overall provided quality as a left-forward for Barcelona.

Villa has quickness and skills. Dribbling and shooting. Very good balance.

He is hard working and has benefited throughout his career from being dangerous both when cutting inside from the left and also being a weapon inside the box as well, where he'll expertly control passes to create chances very quickly.