Dimitri Payet (West Ham United/ France)
The standout player in West Ham United’s squad, Dimitri Payet had a dream 2016, but considering the top class footballers currently plying their trade in Europe, Payet’s inclusion ahead of the likes of stalwarts like Bonucci, Sanchez and Ozil does merit a few questions.
The Frenchman was absolutely sensational for West Ham this year, but in the end, they failed to qualify for the main draw of the Europa League and even France fell agonisingly short in the Euro 2016 final.
Although Payet sizzled in the opening rounds for France, his performance levels dropped in the knockout games and he failed to live up in the really big matches. Having said all that, Payet did have an excellent year personally, but there will be some players who will feel that they did more with their club and country than the mercurial Frenchman.