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After months of high-intensity battles, the champions of Europe’s top five leagues have all been decided: Barcelona won LaLiga, Juventus lifted their eighth consecutive Serie A title, Paris Saint-Germain dominated the Ligue 1, Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund to the Bundesliga and Manchester City won their second consecutive Premier League trophy.
With the end of club football, however, come transfer speculation and discussions regarding the players who have put in the most impressive displays all season. Many have even begun debates around who should win the prestigious Ballon d’Or.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been favourites to clinch the award for a decade, with the talismanic duo winning a staggering five awards each in this period.
While Ronaldo's chances of winning a record sixth Ballon d'Or this year have slimmed down significantly, Messi has a good chance of getting there again. The Barcelona captain, however, has stiff competition from players of Europe's other elite leagues.
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A number of Premier League players have put on some eye-catching performances this season, which could improve their rankings in the Ballon d'Or race this year. However, it is to be noted that no player from the English top flight has won the prestigious award in over a decade.
Could this be the year? Only time will tell.
Here, we take a look at five Premier League players who have a chance at finishing in the Ballon d'Or top three this year:
#5 Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
In the last few years, Chelsea forward Eden Hazard has emerged as one of the best players in England. He has consistently appeared to be on the cusp of greatness despite his initial inconsistencies.
This season, the Belgium international has been in scintillating form for the Blues, having netted 19 goals for the club in all competitions. 16 of those goals came in the Premier League and together with his 15 assists, the 28-year-old has contributed to 31 goals in the English top flight this season.
Chelsea finished their domestic season in third place. But while their trophy-less campaign might reduce Hazard's chances of finishing on the podium, a victory over Arsenal in the Europa League final could help him better the odds.
#4 Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
While Liverpool ended their campaign a single point away from the Premier League title, Sadio Mane ended his with a Premier League Golden Boot. Mane shared the accolade with teammate Mohamed Salah and Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Senegal international has enjoyed his best ever season in terms of goal-scoring, having netted 26 goals in 49 appearances for the Reds. His assist record in the league (1) may not be as impressive as his goal-scoring abilities, but he remains an influential figure in Jurgen Klopp's attacking trio.
For his contribution to Liverpool's incredible campaign, Mane was named in the PFA Team of the Year and was also nominated for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award.
Decisive performances in the Champions League final and the African Cup of Nations this summer could greatly influence Mane's rankings in the Ballon d’Or.
#3 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah ended his campaign with his second consecutive Premier League Golden Boot, having won the award in his debut season with the Reds last year.
The Egypt international was initially pegged to be a 'one-season wonder' and struggled in front of goal in the opening weeks of the season. However, Salah soon found his form and quickly made up for his initial deficits by scoring 26 goals and tallying 10 assists in 51 appearances for Liverpool.
The forward has evidently played a key role in the Reds' title challenge this season, wreaking havoc in defences across England alongside fellow Golden Boot winner Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
Like Mane, Salah could increase his chances at finishing in the top three by putting in a scintillating performance and perhaps increasing his goal tally in the Champions League final at Madrid.
#2 Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
Raheem Sterling has emerged as one of the best players of the Premier League this season, swooping many individual awards for his exploits with domestic champions Manchester City.
The England international has netted 25 goals in 51 games for City, surpassing his previous tally of 23 goals in 46 games last season.
The forward's unprecedented evolution this campaign has earned him the PFA Young Player of the Year award as well as the FWA Footballer of the Year award. He was also named in the PFA Team of the Year alongside the likes of Bernardo Silva and Sergio Aguero.
Manchester City recently made history by becoming the first club ever to complete a domestic treble after adding the FA Cup to their Premier League and the League Cup wins this season. And Sterling had a big role to play in that.
Despite the club's Champions League disappointment, their historic domestic treble and Sterling's consistency in goal contribution in the last two campaigns make him one of the strong Premier League favourites to finish in the Ballon d'Or top three.
#1 Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Stand-out Premier League defender Virgil van Dijk joins his attacking teammates Mo Salah and Sadio Mane in the Ballon d'Or favourites list.
The Dutchman emerged as the most impressive signing in the English top flight as he commanded the centre of defence to help the Reds maintain one of the best defensive records in the league. To put things into perspective, no player has been able to dribble past the centre-back since March 2018.
The former Southampton man has been lauded for his performances all season and he even went on to win the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and the Premier League Player of the Season awards. The former feat made him the first defender to win the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award since Chelsea legend John Terry in 2005.
Van Dijk is believed to be one of the main favourites to win the Ballon d'Or. Should Liverpool win the Champions League, his chances at yet another individual trophy would be even higher.
