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Wide players have always played a crucial part in attacking setups since time immemorial. Players who rely on their pace and trickery to stretch opposing defences and create space for their teammates are invaluable assets to their sides.
In the current generation of talented superstars, wide forwards are in massive demand after the emergence of many such terrifying goalscoring wingers. The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Leo Messi, and Neymar stood apart from their contemporaries in this regard.
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The Portuguese and Argentine, in particular, have redefined the expectations from wide players, having scored an eye-watering number of goals for seasons together from the wings.
Players such as Sadio Mane and Mo Salah, who dovetail on Liverpool's flanks to devastating effect and wreak havoc week in week out, are two other exemplary examples of this trend.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal is another example of a player being effective from the flanks. Although the Gabonese is a centre-forward by trade, he has produced a string of sublime performances from the left-wing for the Gunners, scoring a staggering 22 league goals last year. Manchester City's Raheem Sterling also breached the 20-goal barrier from the same position.
On that note, here, we take a look at the most valuable right-wingers in world football at the moment.
#10 Rodrygo Goes | Real Madrid | €45m
Contract until: 2025 Summer
Real Madrid wonderkid Rodrygo Goes kicks off the list in tenth place after an impressive season at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Brazilian is viewed as an asset for the present as well as the future in the Spanish capital and is undoubtedly one of the most talented young players not just in LaLiga Santander, but in Europe at the moment.
The 19-year-old scored a hat-trick against Galatasaray in Los Blancos' 6-0 win against them, during which Rodrygo became the youngest-ever player to score a perfect hat-trick (left-foot, right-foot, header) in the competition. He also became Real Madrid's second-youngest hat-trick scorer in Europe after club legend Raul. The Brazilian has what it takes to succeed at the Bernabeu alongside his compatriot and fellow wonderkid Vinicius Jr.
#9 Riyad Mahrez | Manchester City | €48m
Contract until: 2023 Summer
Manchester City's wing wizard Riyad Mahrez comes in as the next most valuable right-winger on this list after a superb individual season with the former champions. The Algerian international didn't have too much of a role to play in his debut season at the Etihad. However, in 2019/20, Mahrez was called upon to start 21 games and came off the bench a further 12 times, resulting in 20 goals and assists in the league.
The former Leicester City superstar is widely regarded as one of the most aesthetically pleasing attackers in the Premier League, and he combines his silky technique with commendable end product. The 29-year-old, particularly in the wake of Leroy Sane's departure, will undoubtedly have an important role to play in the upcoming season as City look to reclaim their English crown.
#8 Federico Chiesa | Fiorentina | €48m
Contract until: 2022 Summer
A reported target for several different European clubs in recent seasons, Fiorentina ace Federico Chiesa is regarded as one of the most talented young Italians to have broken through in the last few years. The 22-year-old has been an essential player for Viola, and has been a subject of interest for clubs such as Juventus, Manchester United, and others.
In his 31 starts for Fiorentina over the 2019/20 campaign, Chiesa racked up ten goals and six assists for Giuseppe Iachini's men. His impressive performances have earned him a call-up from Roberto Mancini's Italian side for the UEFA Nations League. Despite Viola's struggles over the last few seasons, Chiesa remains a shining ray of hope for the Italians who hope to improve on their tenth-placed finish in Serie A.
Also read: 5 Currently active players with most assists in Europe
#7 Lucas Ocampos | Sevilla | €50m t
Contract until: 2024 Summer
One of the most impressive attackers in LaLiga Santander last year, Sevilla's Lucas Ocampos stood out as the club's talismanic figure throughout their successful campaign. The Argentine, formerly of Marseille, ended the season as the highest scorer for Julen Lopetegui's men with 14 LaLiga goals and showed great versatility by playing all across the front line.
Despite scoring just one goal in Sevilla's UEFA Europa League campaign, Ocampos was an important player for them as he scored the only goal in the quarter-finals against Wolves. Overall, it was a memorable debut campaign for the 26-year-old, and he is set to play an important role for Lopetegui and co in the 2020/21 season.
#6 Ousmane Dembele | Barcelona | €56m
Contract until: 2022 Summer
Ousmane Dembele's move to Barcelona remains one of the most disappointing high-profile transfers in the recent past. The Catalans purchased the Frenchman for a fee in excess of €100m following Neymar's world-record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain. However, due to recurring injury issues, Dembele has missed over 500 days of action amounting to 80 competitive games since his move from Borussia Dortmund.
Having racked up just 35 starts in three seasons at the club and a fading hope of carving out his legacy at the Nou Camp, time is certainly running out for the talented France international. With several clubs including Manchester United linked with a move for Dembele, it remains to be seen whether he has a future at Barcelona.
#5 Bernardo Silva | Manchester City | €80m
Contract until: 2025 Summer
One among a host of game-changers available at Pep Guardiola's disposal, Bernardo Silva comes in as the fifth-highest valued right winger in Europe. Although he isn't an out-and-out right-sided forward, the Portuguese has played a majority of his career in this position, which is why he is classified as one. Bernardo was simply magical in the 2018/19 campaign and helped Manchester City win the Premier League despite star man Kevin De Bruyne's prolonged absence.
The Portuguese, however, did not have as much of a telling impact in the 2019/20 campaign due to the return and form of De Bruyne, the emergence of Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez's sublime goal/assist return, and others. Nonetheless, the reported Barcelona target remains one of the most important players for Guardiola's Cityzens.
#4 Serge Gnabry | Bayern Munich | €90m
Contract until: 2023 Summer
One of the most exciting wide forwards in the sport at the moment, Serge Gnabry is a man who is in absolutely breathtaking form. The German, who finished as the third-highest scorer in the recently concluded UCL campaign, is undoubtedly one of the most devastating players in the Bundesliga and in Europe. Fresh off his treble heroics with the Bavarians, Gnabry has announced and established himself at the highest level of the game.
Bayern Munich's new number seven had an outstanding 2019/20 campaign across all fronts, which saw him register 21 goals and 12 assists in the league and UCL. At just 25 years of age, he could potentially find a few more gears before hitting his prime and lead Bayern and Die Mannschaft to further glory.
Also read: 10 Highest rated players on EA Sports FIFA 21
#3 Lionel Messi | Barcelona | €112m
Contract until: 2022 Summer
Perhaps the player who requires the least amount of introduction on this list, Barcelona captain Leo Messi remains arguably the best player in the world. The Argentine has been at the very centre of Barcelona's immense success since 2009 — an era that is widely regarded as the Blaugrana's most illustrious period. The six-time Ballon d'Or winner became the first-ever LaLiga player to register over 20 goals and assists in the same league campaign last year.
Messi was openly seeking a move away from the Nou Camp as he expressed in an explosive interview regarding the complex transfer saga. The move, which was reportedly to Guardiola's Manchester City, fell through after LaLiga insisted Messi's €700m release clause was active and needed to be paid if he was to leave. With the 33-year-old set to remain at the club for another year at the least, he would hope to guide his boyhood club to the UCL once again — a trophy that has eluded them for over half a decade.
#2 Jadon Sancho | Borussia Dortmund | €117m
Contract until: 2023 Summer
One of the most significant protagonists of the ongoing transfer window, Jadon Sancho is a player who is likely to be on the move this summer. The Englishman, formerly of the famed Manchester City youth setup, was an absolute revelation for German club Borussia Dortmund. The Bundesliga club purchased him for a reported £8m fee and are now set to set to reap the rewards of their faith in the youngster.
Sancho, who is well-documented as Manchester United's priority target in the transfer window, has been in spectacular form over the last two seasons. The 20-year-old set up a staggering 16 goals along with scoring 17 himself in just 25 Bundesliga starts for Dortmund last season, making it one of the most accomplished individual campaigns in Germany. The England international is reportedly set to cost Manchester United a sum of €120m, smashing the current British record fee held by Paul Pogba.
#1 Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | €120m
Contract until: Summer 2023
Few players have seen a rise as monumental as that of Mo Salah's over the last few years. The Egyptian endured a torrid time in his first Premier League spell with Chelsea, after which he rediscovered his form in Italy with AS Roma. After returning to England with Liverpool, Salah quickly became one of the most impressive players in the league and is now arguably the best player in the English top-flight.
The 27-year-old is one of the most prolific forwards in the world, let alone the Premier League. Salah has won a league title, a UCL title, a Club World Cup, and a host of individual honours in what has been an incredible second spell in England. The Egypt international is undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking players on the planet and is officially the most valuable right-sided attacker in Europe at the moment.
Also read: 5 Transfers which changed football
