5 of this season’s most impressive left footed attacking players excluding Lionel Messi

The left-footed attacker who glides past opponents like they are not there, dribbles like it is no big deal and scores breathtaking goals is a sight beloved by millions of football fans.

Over the two decades, fans have been dazzled by the skills and talents of great left-footed attacking players like Arjen Robben, Gareth Bale, David Silva, Raul Gonzalez and other star players too numerous to mention.

The undisputed king of the left footers has been without a shadow of doubt, the incomparable Argentine; Lionel Messi.

As is his usual style, the “Atomic Flea” has again been super impressive in the 2017-2018 season with dazzling goals, fantastic assists, incredible dribbling and all-round displays that has left fans in awe.

He has not been the only one though; this season, the left-footed wonders have stood up to be counted and they number in the hundreds.

Here is a look at 5 of the very best left-footed attackers that have been headliners this season:

#5 Leon Bailey (Bayer Leverkusen)

The dazzling wizard has been one of the Bundesliga's best youngsters this season

Such has been Bailey’s level of performances this season that in footballing circles, it is no longer seen as a matter of if but when he makes the step up to a bigger club.

Following his mid-season move from Belgian club KRC Genk in January 2017 which was for a very decent sum of €20m, he took his time settling in as he failed to find the net in the 8 matches he played in the Bundesliga last season.

After a proper pre-season and integration into the Werkself team, Bailey has shown his true colours this season and has exploded.

Alongside fellow prodigious talents like Julian Brandt, Kai Harthez, Jonathan Tah, Benjamin Heinrichs and others, Bailey’s form and abilities have seen Bayer 04 recover in style from last season’s disappointing performances.

Constantly switching flanks with Brandt, his speed, dribbling, and eye for goals and assists have “wow-ed” the German public and scouts from the big clubs as well.

With 11 goals and 5 assists so far this season, Bailey has been one of the stars in a very impressive season for youngsters in the Bundesliga

The young man certainly has a good head on his shoulders and will be looking to finish the season strongly by helping his team qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

#4 Leroy Sané (Manchester City)

Sané's brilliance down the left flank has destroyed many a right back this season

Following his struggles in his debut season in English football following his £37m move to the Etihad Stadium from Schalke 04, some ignorant pundits in the British media were quick to write off the youngster forgetting his age and talent.

This season, Sané has quieted all doubts and silenced all critics with a string of majestic performances as he has been a big part of the Cityzens’ brilliance.

Such has been the level at which Sané has operated this season that it will amount to daylight robbery if he is not voted the best young player in the Premier League come the end of the season.

His brilliant gliding runs down the left flank plus his scorching speed and strength have been one of the best sights of the season and many a right fullback (who can forget how he destroyed Kieran Trippier ) have found themselves being substituted before the game ends due to being wrung out by the stallion-like displays of the German winger.

His stats of 11 goals and 12 assists put him in an elite category of players including the imperious Messi who have delivered double-digit figures in both goals and assists.

#3 Paulo Dybala (Juventus)

Dybala has been the jewel in Juve's crown

La Joya has been uber-productive for the Bianconeri this season and the result of the 2nd leg of the Champions League clash against Tottenham Hotspur may very well rest on his shoulders.

He was sorely missed in the first leg and manager Max Allegri and the entire team have done little to hide their delight that he may be fit for the tie.

Their joy at his return is easy to explain; Dybala has been the standout player for La Vecchia Signora this season and it is not impossible to imagine that the gap between Juve and Napoli at the top of the Serie A table may have been wider were it not to be for him.

He had been exceptional in league football this season before his injury (not so much in the Champions League) and in the eyes of many pundits, he is one of the clear candidates for the Best Player Award come the end of the season.

His set piece taking ability has become exponentially better while he is more involved in the buildup this season and has taken to the Messi role in the team with gusto.

#2 Nabil Fekir (Olympique Lyonnais)

Fekir has been a man on a mission this season

The heart and soul of an impressive but erratic Les Gones team, Fekir has been near unplayable in Ligue 1 this season and were it not to be for Neymar’s genius, he would be the standout candidate to win the Player of the Year award.

Creative, clinical, committed and an absolute joy to watch, Capitaine Fantastique has led by example in both league and European matches as despite losing key players like Alexandre Lacazette, Corentin Tolisso & Maxime Gonlalons, Lyon are still firmly in the hunt for a UEFA Champions League spot and are almost safely through to the round of 16 in this season’s Europa League.

With the desire to play the Europa League final in front of its passionate home fans (the final comes up at the Stade Groupama on May 16th), Fekir has led from the front in Europe with 3 goals in 7 games.

In the league, he has proved to be crucial as his injury-time goals have secured big wins for the side against rivals PSG & AS Monaco. In total, he has plundered 16 goals in league football this season.

Where he will play next season is not sure as a host of big sides are said to be after his signature but one thing is for sure, the 2017-2018 season has been the season where he has shown his true abilities after missing most of the 2015-2016 & part of the 2016-2017 seasons as a result of a torn knee ligament injury.

#1 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

The Pharaoh has been the king of Anfield

Such has been the magnificence of the “Pharaoh” that his name is firmly in the hat for the Player of the Year gong and only Kevin De Bruyne’s brilliance in an equally brilliant Manchester City team can stop the Egyptian from taking home the award.

Playing from the right side of Liverpool’s attack, Salah has fit into the team like a glove and his confidence can be seen in the way he now takes on players, his intelligent runs, brilliant link up with his teammates and most importantly, his improved goal scoring.

He looks a long way off the shy, uncertain youngster who first came to England as a Chelsea player from Swiss side FC Basel. He is now stronger, more intelligent and more confident in his abilities and Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool are the biggest beneficiaries of this.

His stats for the season have been mind-blowing as he has plundered 29 goals and made 8 assists already.

His link-up play with Roberto Firmino has been fantastic to behold while his cheeky goal against FC Porto in the Champions League tells the story of a player in the form of his life.