40. Kieran Trippier
Years ago, England fans used to talk of an age where Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James fought for the right-back spot: they didn't envisage that Kieran Trippier would still be this good. A transformational signing on Tyneside, the defender has become arguably the most all-rounded full-back in the country – and a leader, too, dragging the Toon from relegation to the Champions League. He's had another excellent 12 months.
39. Julian Alvarez
He's no one's backup. In truth, Julian Alvarez's first season in Europe may never be bettered – a World Cup, Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup isn't a bad way to begin – and to have done so with quite so many minutes is impressive. He expected to be Haaland's B-side but the pair have jammed together, with the Argentine playing the shadow striker role to perfection for club and country. He's capable of the sublime, too.
38. James Maddison
James Maddison may be the signing of the summer. For £40m, he hasn't just revolutionised the Spurs attack, he's given hope to fans: hope that they can compete on any footing so long as they have Maddison's vision in the final third. He's forced his way into the England setup, matured into a fine midfielder and been one of the most exciting players in Europe over 2023.
37. Alejandro Balde
In an ever-inverting world, Alejandro Balde is a throwback full-back of sorts: the kind to bomb up and down in straight lines rather than adding numbers to midfield. But Balde's development has been thrilling in 2023, winning a title with Barça and establishing himself as one of the best young left-backs in world football. The only way is up (and back down to defend before going back up to attack again)
36. Eduardo Camavinga
That Eduardo Camavinga is so young yet so important to Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid isn't just testament to his versatility but his intelligence as a player. The Frenchman has played multiple roles but he's trusted to complete everything to an elite standard. He's barely scratched the surface of how good he could become.
35. Warren Zaire-Emery
It's scary how good this guy can become. Warren Zaire-Emery is playing with a maturity and an understanding of the game that some players of his age never even develop: there's a case that he could be the most important man in French football since Kylian Mbappe himself. Man of the Match performances for PSG as a teenager in title fights and under the UCL lights won't exactly pour cold water on the hype: he's had a fantastic year.
34. Lautaro Martinez
Lautaro Martinez has seen so much at the San Siro, had so many strike partners and still stands tall as one of the institution of Inter's most defining stars of a generation. He's cold in front of goal but it's the running and the intensity that make him quite so good – and in 2023, he was still one of Serie A's best forwards.
33. Pedri
Pedri already feels like a veteran of the game – and he's still just 21. Having been central to Barcelona's title win and vital to Spain's Euro 2024 qualification, he perhaps has more responsibility than any other player of his age – and he's carrying it all on his shoulders right now with performances of consistency and class.
32. Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk at his peak was a godlike goliath who towered over opponents like he was two school years older. Even at 32, he bullies strikers, and as Liverpool's captain, he's the loudest voice on the field, the most secure passer and the organiser-in-chief of one of football's greatest high lines. Van Dijk will forever go down as one of the best defenders to have ever lived, at this point.
31. Xavi Simons
In hindsight, it's crazy that there wasn't more of a rush to sign Xavi Simons over the summer. PSV's best player for swathes of last season, he's moved to Leipzig to become one of the best players in the Bundesliga, now. Still just 20, he could evolve into one of the best creative players on Earth in time.
30. Son Heung-min
Son Heung-min had been written off by some in 2023 – and he even admitted he hadn't done enough for Antonio Conte. But under Ange Postecoglou, he's been reborn. Losing Kane alongside him hasn't hampered the South Korean, who has taken on the burden of both forward roles and the captaincy. It's time to recognise him as an all-time great in English football, with this past 12 months testament to his sheer will-power.
29. Kyle Walker
One of Manchester City's greatest-ever signings by now. While the left-back spot has never been held down by anyone consistently, the right-back role has never been anyone else's: Kyle Walker has adapted to every tactical tweak to invert, underlap, act as a wing-back, a third centre-back, play on the first line of build-up and receive on the second. His versatility, at this point, is frankly underrated. He's more than just a speed merchant.
28. Robert Lewandowski
By now, Lewandowski is legendary – and while his Barcelona stint was never going to be anything revolutionary, he's fulfilled the brief: score truck-loads of goals and lead them back to the top. The Pole's 2023 has brought more silverware but it's put him in a bracket with some of the greatest-ever strikers in the sport to have played for that great club. He's very clearly slowing down – but 2023 looks to have been a fantastic last dance.
27. Leroy Sane
His most fun years may have come beating defenders on the outside under Pep Guardiola – but it's fair to say Leroy Sane has never been this influential. The winger has taken a while to return to the same kind of level he once was but the Allianz Arena is simply his back yard, now: he's enjoyed another unbelievable year of performance tearing up Bundesliga defences.
26. Ruben Dias
He doesn't feel like a Manchester City player, does he? Can only play one position, while his biggest skills lie in defending and organising rather than space-exploiting with a ball at his feet. Yet Ruben Dias is the glue that holds the Citizens together – and long may he do it for many years to come.
25. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
18 months ago, no one knew his name. Now, 'Kvaradonna' has a certified cult hero status in southern Italy and is tracked by every big club in Europe.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was the breakout star of last season, leading Napoli to a first Scudetto title in decades and taking Italian football by storm. He's powerful, precise and thrilling to watch, assuming a mantle left by the likes of Mertens and Insigne to plug the Stadio Maradona into the mains once more. The excitement lies on where he goes next.
24. Martin Odegaard
It's not been the easiest career trajectory, moving from sleepy Norway to Real Madrid at 15, enduring those headlines and expectations, going on endless loans and then facing up to Premier League expectation.
Martin Odegaard isn't just the captain of Arsenal now, he is the very image of the club: young, hungry, intense off the ball and composed in possession. He leads by example and over the past 12 months, has established himself as Mikel Arteta's very particular general: a man for all midfield roles, whether he receives deep or crashes the box. Odegaard has been exceptional since assuming the Gunners captaincy – and could still grow further.
23. Ederson
Ederson is arguably the most underappreciated player in world football, you know. No.2 goalkeeper for his country – since Alisson is No.1 – while at club level, he's perhaps the last to be waxed lyrical over, with so many flashier outfielders to list.
But the Brazilian has maintained a level of excellence that few in any position have managed over the last five years. He's arguably the best with his feet in his position, and far more commanding between the sticks than he's ever given credit for. And how many absolute howlers can you name from him, ever? He's simply world-class – and he'll go down as a modern great.
22. Bruno Guimaraes
It's fair to call Bruno Guimaraes Newcastle's equivalent to Yaya Toure. A statement centre-midfielder who added the strength to the spine of a burgeoning empire. Both had unbelievable physical prowess, too, capable of bursting box-to-box, assuming various roles depending on what the situation called for.
The Brazilian is at the heart of the Toon. He does everything, from breaking up play to progressing it forward, chipping in with goals and leading with his actions. 2023 was the year that he led his side back to the Champions League – and few could argue against him being one of the most influential footballers on Earth.
21. Alisson
Were it not for Alisson, Liverpool would not have had the season they ended up having last term. Statistically, the keeper kept so much out of his net that he was single-handedly propelling a midtable-level side towards European spots, at one point.
And his shot-stopping is on par with his on-ball brilliance. He's elite in one-v-one situations and his ability to dig his side out of a hole with a moment of unbelievable genius is perhaps unmatched by anyone else on Earth. How long is it before we have a serious conversation about him being among the Premier League greats? There have been few better.
