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#3 Fikayo Tomori - AC Milan
AC Milan centre-back Fikayo Tomori has been one of the breakthrough performers in Serie A this season. The former Chelsea player is a strong, front-footed defender who loves to use physical strength to outmuscle the opposition.
Tomori’s also capable of playing as a full-back and has already demonstrated his versatility by playing as a right-back a couple of times for Milan. The 24-year-old is often the first defender to rush off his line and challenge the ball carrier, which tends to leave the defense vulnerable.
However, thanks to his pace, the Englishman atones for his sins quicker than most.
If he keeps this up, the likes of John Stones and Harry Maguire will have a new threat to deal with in the national team.
#2 Kieran Trippier - Atletico Madrid
The England national team is full of high-profile full-backs right now. Trent Alexander-Arnold has locked down the right-back role thanks to his exceptional work with Liverpool. However, the youngster’s brilliance should be no reason to overlook the solidity Kieran Trippier brings to the table.
Trippier first made a name for himself during his stay at Burnley. His pace and decision-making made many top English clubs take notice, and Tottenham Hotspur were the first to pounce in 2015.
Over the next four years, Trippier put in multiple man-of-the-match performances, scoring twice and making 24 assists along the way.
Atletico Madrid signed the Englishman in 2019 as their first-choice right-back. Trippier has looked even more composed in Diego Simeone’s system and played a key role in Atletico’s La Liga triumph in the 2020-21 campaign.
#1 Jude Bellingham - Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund starlet Jude Bellingham is one of the best young players in Europe right now. The Englishman has the perfect combination of poise and explosiveness, which is rare for a player his age.
Aged 16 years and 34 days, Bellingham became the youngest ever player to play for Championship side Birmingham. His work on the ball was soon spotted by some of the elite scouts in Europe and a bidding war ensued.
Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund won the race for the teenager and brought him to Signal Iduna Park in 2020.
Then-manager Lucien Favre lauded Bellingham for his presence in the middle, versatility and knack for shuffling between the lines.
Dortmund coach Marco Rose has used him as a central midfielder this season and has made the role his own. Bellingham has made 24 appearances for Dortmund in 2021-22, bagging three goals and nine assists.
