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International football is back. This has given managers a good chance to sort out certain issues and get ready for the grueling schedule that comes with club football.
Certain top teams have flourished at the highest level this season. Led by world-class players, these outfits have done well so far, although the season is long and will surely be full of surprises.
However, there are certain players who have laid down the marker with their incredible performances so far this season. Here, we look at the 10 most valuable players in the world as of November 2021.
#10 Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona) | £81 million
Frenkie de Jong was one of the best players in the world during his time with Ajax. He is yet to fully display his qualities in a dysfunctional Barcelona side.
De Jong emerged as a world-class talent during the 2018-19 season with Ajax. The Netherlands international was praised for his intelligence, technical prowess and his ability to dribble in tight spaces. De Jong ultimately joined Barcelona in 2019 for £77.4 million in a high-profile move.
While he has shown glimpses of his clear talent, de Jong is yet to produce the form that earned him the big-money move in the first place. The 24-year old should benefit from the arrival of Xavi Hernandez as manager.
So far, De Jong has made 106 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona, scoring nine goals and providing 14 assists.
#9 Jadon Sancho (Manchester United) | £81 million
It is hard not to feel sorry for Jadon Sancho right now. Chased by Manchester United for two years, one has to assume that the club had an idea of what Sancho's strengths were.
The Englishman emerged as one of the best young forwards in the world during his stint with Borussia Dortmund. Sancho's performances for the Bundesliga giants earned him a £76.5 million move to Manchester United this summer. So far, he has struggled to get going, and it is hard to blame the England international.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been heavily criticized this season and his use of Sancho has been debated numerous times. Solskjaer is clearly still figuring out where the 21-year old fits in amid turbulent times for the club on the pitch.
This in itself is extremely surprising to witness, given the money Manchester United spent on the player and the prolonged transfer saga.
#8 Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain) | £90 million
Neymar has not enjoyed a good start to the new season. The superstar has looked jaded and slow for Paris Saint-Germain so far.
Neymar is one of the very best footballers in the world. A prodigious talent during his Santos days, the Brazil international has carved an excellent career at the highest level.
He is also the world's most expensive footballer; Paris Saint-Germain paid Barcelona nearly £200 million for his services in 2017. It was a transfer that completely transformed the transfer market in modern football.
Neymar has done well for Paris Saint-Germain, although questions can be raised as to whether he has been worth the investment. The 29-year old has made 127 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 90 goals and providing 55 assists.
Neymar played a pivotal role as PSG reached the final of the Champions League in 2020.
Also Read: 5 highest-paid right-backs in the world right now
#7 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) | £90 million
Arguably the best player in the Premier League, Kevin De Bruyne has already entered the pantheon of Premier League greats.
De Bruyne is a sensational footballer who has helped Manchester City become one of the best teams in Europe. The Belgium international is highly creative, technically gifted and is capable of creating something out of nothing.
Eyebrows were raised when Manchester City splurged £68.4 million to acquire him from Wolfsburg in 2015. It can now be said with assurance that he was well worth the money.
The 30-year old has won three Premier League titles with Manchester City and has also won the PFA Players' Player of the Year twice. Overall, de Bruyne has made 276 appearances in all competitions for Manchester City, scoring 70 goals and providing 108 assists.
#6 Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea) | £90 million
Romelu Lukaku has developed into a world-class striker over the years. After a subpar stint with Manchester United, not many would have expected that to happen.
Lukaku has always been a prolific goalscorer, having scored goals at a good rate at every club he has represented. However, in the past, he has often been criticized for lacking technical qualities, and for predominantly scoring against the weaker sides in the league.
At Inter Milan, Lukaku changed that perception, leading the club to the 2020-21 Serie A title with some world-class performances. The 28-year old was then signed by Chelsea for a club-record fee of £103.5 million this summer. Lukaku has looked good for Chelsea so far, scoring four goals in all competitions but is currently out injured.
#5 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) | £90 million
Mohamed Salah is the best player in world football right now. Only Karim Benzema and Robert Lewandowski can make an argument against that statement.
Salah has made 11 Premier League appearances this season, scoring 10 goals and providing six assists. These numbers look incredible on paper, but given that Salah has been world-class for some time now, not many are surprised by his efficiency.
The Egypt international looks unplayable at times this season and has regularly been toying with opposition defenses thanks to his quick feet and pace.
The 29-year old is a superstar of the game and will surely go down as a modern Liverpool great. Salah's current Liverpool contract expires in 2023, and fans are hoping the forward will sign a new deal quickly. He will certainly not be short of suitors if he decides to leave Liverpool.
#4 Jack Grealish (Manchester City) | £90 million
It was not surprising to see Manchester City sign Jack Grealish for nearly £106 million this summer from Aston Villa. The club had persistently been linked with him for some time before the move.
Grealish is one of the best talents in the Premier League. The 26-year old is a skilled technician of the game and can make mayhem with his creativity and dribbling ability. Capable of operating in midfield and further forward, Grealish is in many ways the perfect Pep Guardiola player.
The England international has made nine Premier League appearances this season, scoring one goal and providing two assists. Grealish is yet to fully acclimatize to the high demands of Guardiola's style, but has already produced some good performances for his new club.
Also Read: 5 players who deserve more opportunities at Chelsea
#3 Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) | £108 million
Harry Kane has endured an abysmal start to the new Premier League season. He has scored only one goal in the league so far.
Kane is regarded by many as the best striker in the world. A complete forward capable of both creating chances and finishing them, the England international has not fully displayed his qualities this season. Kane was extremely interested in a move to Manchester City this summer and one can only wonder how much the failed transfer has affected his performances.
The arrival of Antonio Conte as manager should be seen as a big positive. Kane has been vocal about wanting to win trophies and the 28-year old should surely view Conte's appointment as a step in the right direction.
#2 Erling Braut Haaland (Borussia Dortmund) | £135 million
Erling Braut Haaland has emerged as one of the stars of the game in recent years. The striker is being coveted by some of the biggest clubs in football.
Haaland has been a revelation at Borussia Dortmund. The Bundesliga giants signed the 21-year old from Red Bull Salzburg in 2020 for £18 million. The striker has made 69 appearances in all competitions for the Germans since his arrival, scoring 70 goals and providing 19 assists.
The Norway international was linked with a move away from Borussia Dortmund this summer, with Chelsea seen as a potential destination. But the move failed to materialize and he ended up staying in Germany.
However, Haaland is unlikely to be a Borussia Dortmund player next season. Manchester United, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona are all said to be targeting his acquisition in the summer of 2022.
#1 Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain) | £144 million
Alongside Erling Braut Haaland, Kylian Mbappe is seen as the heir to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's throne.
Mbappe has already established himself as one of the best in world football. The France international is renowned for his pace, dribbling and finishing ability, and is a star for both club and country. In 187 appearances across competitions for PSG, Mbappe has scored 139 goals and provided 72 assists.
Like Haaland, Mbappe is unlikely to remain with his current club next season. The 22-year old's contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires next summer, and Real Madrid look set to be his next destination. Mbappe is extremely keen to move to Los Blancos and the move is likely to materialize soon.
Also Read: 5 greatest one-club men in football right now
