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#3 Eden Hazard - Real Madrid
Eden Hazard is yet another Real Madrid player whose fall from grace has been quite appalling. The Belgian international was signed from Chelsea on a deal worth €115 million in the summer of 2019.
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Hazard, who did not have many injury issues during his time at Chelsea, has spent more time in the nursing room than on the pitch at Real Madrid. He was also not in the best shape when he arrived and has struggled to settle down in the Spanish capital.
In his first season at Real Madrid, Hazard scored just one goal and provided seven assists in 22 appearances across all competitions. Last season, he scored four goals and provided one assist in 21 appearances across all competitions for Real Madrid.
The 30-year-old showed a lot of quality in Belgium's run to the quarter-finals of Euro 2020. He's also got back into shape and looks like he's raring to go. This could very well be the season when Hazard finally justifies his hefty price tag in front of the Santiago Bernabeu faithful.
#2 Virgil van Dijk - Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk has been a colossus at the back for Liverpool since joining the club halfway through the 2017-18 season. He was one of their key players as the Merseysiders won the Champions League in the 2018-19 season.
Van Dijk's presence at the back provided much-needed stability at the back and Liverpool won the Premier League title in the 2019-20 season. However, they endured a dull start to their title defence in the 2020-21 season. Liverpool conceded a heavy 7-2 defeat to Aston Villa and their defence looked a bit out of sorts.
The Dutchman then tore his ACL in a game against Everton in October and that ruled him out until the end of the season. Virgil van Dijk is back now and there is no doubt that his return will once again make Liverpool title contenders.
#1 Paul Pogba - Manchester United
Paul Pogba has been regularly linked with a move away from Manchester United. But he continues to stay put at the club and has now entered the final year of his contract with the Red Devils. Pogba's inconsistency has always worried Manchester United fans but he has been a much better player under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
After returning from a hamstring injury that saw him miss 10 games in the 2020-21 season, Pogba showed United just how good a player he is. He ran the show on several occasions and played a big role in Manchester United finishing second in the Premier League table.
Pogba then had a great outing at Euro 2020 and was arguably France's best player of the tournament. He also scored a peach of a goal from 25-yards out in their Round of 16 tie against Switzerland, which they ultimately lost.
Pogba is now back at Manchester United and has started the 2021-22 season in the best manner possible. He ran the show in Manchester United's season opener against Leeds United and provided as many as four assists. Pogba has become only the eighth player in Premier League history to assist four goals in a game.
Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba make for one of the most menacing attacking midfield combinations in Europe. The early signs are extremely promising and this could very well be the season where we see the very best of the Frenchman.
