2021's best XI

An analysis into the best 11 of 2021

By Luke Duden

Goalkeeper - Gianluigi Donnarumma

Simply a level above the competition throughout his last 6 months as AC Milan goalkeeper, the 22-year-old Italian giant has since traveled to the French capital to play for Paris Saint-Germain.

His accolades in the calendar year include the Yashin trophy and the EURO 2021 Player of the Tournament, becoming the first goalkeeper to officially win the award in the process.

To say any goalkeeper came close to the Italian's achievements would be a massive disservice to all he has accomplished at his young age.

An honorable mention may go out to Eduoard Mendy however, who may have grasped a spot in the trophy if not for PSG's dominant new number one.

Full back - Reece James

Any fan of English football will have often pondered over the last two years who has more quality, Reece James or Trent Alexander-Arnold

The last year will have no doubt swung things in the favour of Chelsea's Reece James, who has already contributed to 11 goals this season from a right back position (assisting six and bagging five himself).

In a year that saw the 23-year-old win the Champions League and help England to the final of EURO 2021, his electric start to this years campaign earns him a place in this team.

Centre back - Antonio Rudiger

The key component in Chelsea's central three in defence, Rudiger has outshone the experienced pairing of Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago silva.

No spring chicken himself at 28, his season has seen him named in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season on Chelsea's triumphant European conquest.

After confirming he wanted to leave the club the previous summer due to lack of game time, the German is now one of the first names on Thomas Tuchel's teamsheet.

Centre back - Ruben Dias

Finishing 26th in the Ballon d'Or rankings, second amongst centre backs behind Giorgio Chiellini, the £62m man signed in Summer 2020 has proved worth every penny.

To put it simply; Dias became the anchor that Manchester City's back line was desperate for after the departure of Vincent Kompany.

In one of the most impressive seasons of any centre back in recent memory the 24-year-old won Premier League Player of the Year, helping Manchester City reclaim the league in the process.

Full back - Joao Cancelo

Starting his Manchester City career as a right back, the Portuguese has operated his 'phantom full back' style at left back on more occasions recently.

With 16 appearances this season on the left compared to seven on his 'preferred' right hand side, the two footed, flair filled full back can fill both sides of the defence more than capably.

The 27 year old has almost looked like prime Neymar in the last twelve months, contributing to ten goals and being a key component of the City defence at the other end.

His performances have helped Manchester City to the Premier League trophy and the Champions League final.

Midfield - N'golo Kante

Without a doubt one of the most consistent performers over the last few years. N'golo Kante: Mr Reliable, has earned his spot in this team.

Nobody has risen to the big occasion better than the 5'8" Frenchman. He was awarded Man of the Match in the first leg of the Blues semi-final in the Champions league. Then again, in the second leg.

Not to be outdone (by himself) Kante then went on to win the award again in the final in a mesmering display of dominance that only Kante is capable of.

Midfield - Declan Rice

Certainly a more controversial pick than Kante, Declan Rice has certainly had a year to be remembered.

Despite a lot of media praise and attention being shone in the direction of Jorginho, Rice has been going about his business outperforming the third ranked Ballon d'Or midfielder in almost every metric.

The 22-year-old Englishman has shown why he has been so highly sought after in his whole career, and his value to David Moyes' West Ham side is astronomical.

Rice played in all seven of England's EURO 2020 matches, and has recently scored on his European debut for West Ham.

Midfield- Kevin De Bruyne

The safe choice for a reason, not an incredible year by De Bruyne's lofty standards, but still an insanely successful year from the Belgian.

Voted as the winner of the PFA award for the second consecutive season, the 30-year-old was among the most creative players in the world as he helped Manchester City to the Premier League and Carabao Cup.

An injury put a halt to the dynamo's EURO 2021 hopes, but an array of memorable moments saw him finish 8th in this years Ballon d'Or.

Forward - Lionel Messi

Winning player of the tournament and the golden boot as he made certain of attaining his first piece of international silverware, the Copa America.

Messi's greatest achievement this year was almost even greater than this incredible feat of Argentinian magic.

He almost dragged a Barcelona side that could be described as liki laka-lustre, a far cry from the glorious football instilled by Pep Guardiola, to a seemingly impossible La Liga title.

With 41 goals and 17 assists, coupled with the Copa America victory and a Copa Del Rey, Messi just edged out his closest rival in the race for the Ballon d'Or.

Forward - Robert Lewandowski

The Polish megastar could be no lower than second in any sane person's player of the year rankings, that is exactly where the Bayern Munich goal-scoring monster ended up in the Ballon d'Or.

64 goals (64!) and 10 assists for the man who many believe was in prime position to win the award in the previous outing, before it was controversially cancelled.

Of the 64 goals, 41 came in the Bundesliga breaking Gerd Mullers record for the most goals in a single Bundesliga campaign.

Lewandowski's long list of accolades for the year includes: Bundesliga, Club World Cup, Dfl Supercup, European Golden Shoe, Bundesliga Player of the Season among many more individual awards.

He was also awarded with a 'Order of the Rebirth of Poland' award for his outstanding achievements in sport.

Forward - Kylian Mbappe

With a great goal and assist record, multiple trophies to his name to separate him from players such as Salah, the French starlet may be the most underrated player of the year.

Wirh 45 goals and 22 assists Mbappe trumps Ballon d'Or winner (and now teammate Messi) in both categories.

With a trophy haul including the Coupe de France and Trophee des Champions, it was the Nations League final where Kylian showed what he was capable of in a dazzling Man of the Match performance to win his country the trophy.

The beginning of the year saw Mbappe shine in the Champions League against Barcelona and Bayern Munich saw him as early favourite for the Ballon d'Or, however a disappointing Euro's including a crucial penalty miss may have cost him his first major individual honour.

Thanks for reading!

Thank you for reading my team, I hope you learned something you may not have known before!

If you want to hear more of my opinions on the team of the year nominees, check out this podcast I made with with a friend, and fellow student, Hugh Hutton (Twitter: @Hutton_Media).

If you want to let me know what changes you would make to the team, or give any feedback on the podcast, I can be found on Twitter @LukeDudenUoS.

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