10 footballers who are undroppable for their teams

#7 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | Arsenal

Aubameyang scored twice in last season's FA Cup final to win Arsenal the trophy

For Arsenal, who are just finding their feet under Mikel Arteta, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a god-send. He is not exactly a unique player in terms of his position, or what he offers to a side tactically.

But for a side that is just coming to terms with a few years of mediocrity and now a new manager, Aubameyang's goals are so crucial. The Gabonese now plays on the left-wing under Arteta, leaving his role as a central striker.

That has worked wonder for Arsenal, with their captain cutting in from the flank, and posing even more of a threat, while also allowing them to accommodate either Alexandre Lacazette or Eddie Nketiah through the middle.

Both in the semifinal and final of the FA Cup against Manchester City and Chelsea respectively, Aubameyang was destructive for Arsenal, with his out-to-in runs from the left. It allowed Arsenal the liberty to play long balls over the top, knowing that Aubameyang's pace would catch up with most of those, and relieved the pressure off their defenders.

That was crucial for the Arsenal rearguard, which was lacking in confidence for most of the season. The ball in between the right-back and the right-sided centre-back is now a crucial weapon that they deploy to get the best out of Aubameyang.

---

#6 Mateo Kovacic | Chelsea

Kovacic is now an undisputed starter in midfield for Frank Lampard

In a side that can almost score goals on demand, Mateo Kovacic is the one tasked with providing Frank Lampard's Chelsea with some sort of balance in the centre of the park.

Kovacic's tactical awareness and his engine are crucial factors to him now becoming undroppable for Lampard, as Chelsea head into the new season trying to correct a defensive record that saw them concede 54 times in 38 league games last season.

Chelsea's system is dependent on quick transitions and that is where Kovacic is the most crucial to the side, as the shuttle in midfield. His ball-carrying abilities are a definite plus for this Chelsea side.

Kovacic had the highest successful dribble percentage in the last season in the Premier League, with 86%. In transitions, that is a massive weapon for Lampard, as Kovacic is able to beat the first line of the opposition's press rather comfortably.

When the new season begins, Kovacic will be able to come out of that press to feed the likes of Christian Pulisic and Timo Werner, who will use their pace to make runs in behind the opposition's rearguard, and that is going to be a considerably dangerous ploy, especially in the bigger games, when teams will look to take the game to Chelsea.

---

#5 Bruno Fernandes | Manchester United

Bruno Fernandes single-handedly turned around Manchester United's season in the 2019-20

Bruno Fernandes's impact since joining Manchester United in January cannot be understated. The Red Devils had just lost consecutive games to Liverpool and Burnley, and the entire mood around the club was desolate.

But Fernandes has managed to come in, and make an immediate impact, with his ability to play immaculate through balls, and just his composed ball retention in midfield.

Both Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford have hugely benefited from Fernandes's presence in midfield, with the two frontmen not having to come too deep to receive the balls anymore.

With Fernandes in the side, Martial and Rashford can now make runs in behind and stretch opposition defences with their pace, while also being a brilliant goal-scoring outlet for United.

Fernandes played a vital role in helping Manchester United secure a top-four finish and in their Europa League semifinal run, scoring 12 goals and providing a further eight assists in 22 matches.

---

#4 Karim Benzema | Real Madrid

Karim Benzema has scored 57 goals in the last two seasons for Real Madrid

Post the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema really has taken on the mantle of being the main man at Real Madrd.

Benzema has really increased his end-product since Ronaldo left Real Madrid for Juventus. The Frenchman has scored a brilliant 57 goals and racked up 22 assists over the last two seasons.

He was always an outstanding link-up player, even when Ronaldo was at Real. It was what enabled Real to get the best out of the Portuguese superstar when he was in Madrid.

Post Ronaldo's departure, with Gareth Bale's minutes on the field becoming even more scant, Benzema has had to play with the inexperience of the likes of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes around him.

He was the most consistent attacker for Real in La Liga in the 2019-20 season, as they regained the title from Barcelona, with only Lionel Messi scoring more goals than him.