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The calendar year 2021 has been an eventful year. Multiple events that were to be carried out in 2020 were rolled over to the current year. This includes the likes of the Olympics and the Euros. The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has played a significant role in making a jampacked schedule for the clubs and its players.
The challenges that arose from it were tricky but most clubs and players have handled it well. This continuous flow of games has really helped some players showcase their quality.
2021 has seen a drastic improvement in certain players
With the intense frequency of games, some players have managed to take advantage and have gone on to improve their game. They were not poor the year before but there has certainly been a step up to their gameplay in 2021.
On that note, let's take a look at the players who have managed to significantly improve their game this year.
#5 Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen)
Coming through the ranks at Sparta Prague, Patrik Schick started his career in the Czech Republic. He signed for Sampdoria in 2016 and a season later signed for Roma in Serie A.
Patrik Schick didn't do that well in Italy and hence joined RB Leipzig on loan for the 2019-20 season where he had an impressive spell. This earned him a move to Bayer Leverkusen the following season and he has since been with them. Last season, the Czech forward scored 13 goals and recorded two assists in 36 appearances across all competitions.
The 2021-22 season has turned out to be an amazing one for Schick. He has scored 16 goals and assisted once in just 18 appearances across all competitions.
He was also the joint top-scorer in the EURO 2020 with Cristiano Ronaldo with five goals. It has been a significant turnaround for the Czech Republic international in 2021 and it might well help him earn a move to a top club next summer.
#4 Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
Real Madrid have never shied away from heavily investing in players and Vinicius Junior is a good example of that. The Brazilian was signed by Los Blancos in 2018 and given that he was just 18 back then, Madrid took their time with him.
Since last season, Vinicus Junior has been more involved with the team and has only got better with time. With his blistering pace, terrific dribbling and goal-scoring abilities, the Brazilian forward has had a delightful year. Especially in the 2021-22 season, he has been more involved than ever with Real Madrid.
The 21-year old already has 12 goals and seven assists to his name in just 24 appearances across all competitions this season. Vinicus Junior's stellar form has been one of the reasons why Carlo Ancelotti has preferred him over the skillful Eden Hazard. This surely is a great indication of how deadly the Brazilian can become in the future.
#3 Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig)
Christopher Nkunku graduated from the youth academy at Paris Saint-Germain. Despite winning a number of trophies with the French club, he struggled to get regular game-time with them from 2015 to 2019.
As a result, Nkunku decided to leave and join RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga in the summer of 2019. Since then, he has been a regular figure at the German club. In the past year, he has grown into one of the most dynamic forwards in the league.
The Frenchman has the ability to create, draw fouls and score goals while playing as an attacking or wide midfielder. In his 25 appearances across all competitions this season, he has already scored 15 goals and recorded seven assists.
With many European clubs keeping an eye on him, it is likely that Christopher Nkunku might be playing for a different club next summer.
#2 Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
It was rumored in the 2021-22 summer transfer window that Bernardo Silva was tempted to move away from Manchester City citing game time. Fortunately, no move materialized and the Portuguese stayed at City.
Bernardo Silva has always been an integral part of the club and there were never any doubts about the talent he possessed. The Portuguese midfielder has certainly proven his value this season with some wonderful performances on the pitch. He has made some amazing runs with the ball, beating players and scoring goals for fun.
Playing in a midfield of three, Silva has shown tremendous work-rate and tenacity to win the ball back. He has been immense for Manchester City and has been their savior more often than not this season. The Portuguese has seven Premier League goals to his name in the current campaign.
#1 Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea)
Antonio Rudiger initially struggled after arriving at Chelsea in the summer of 2019. The German defender was often deemed to be rash and reckless with his approach.
Since the arrival of Thomas Tuchel in 2021, the German centre-back has looked like a very different player. Antonio Rudiger now looks more confident and solid with his approach. His reading of the game has improved drastically and so has his tackling.
Rudiger's frequent forward run with the ball has been a delight to watch and has helped Chelsea to great effect. It comes as no surprise that the German has been linked with some of the top European clubs given his stellar performances for the Blues this season. His contract with Chelsea ends in the summer. It seems likely that he will leave the Blues in January or the summer as a free agent.
