While teams like Barcelona and Leicester (whoa!) are running away with the title this season, deservedly, individual players have stood out in those performances ensuring their team have the best platform to ensure all three points are in the bag.
Lionel Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo have done the usual this season by putting in spectacular performances for their teams this season. The Swede already clinched the French title with Paris Saint-Germain and played a massive role in the team to do.
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Likewise, top defenders and midfielders feature on this list for them contribution in making sure they intercept, disrupt, pass and create chances for their forwards. Stalwarts like Thiago Silva – another PSG title-winner this season – has been one of the most consistent ones all season.
Getting straight to it, here's the best XI in Europe purely based on their stats: (taken from whoscored.com)
Goalkeeper
Having almost secured a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu, Keylor Navas has been through a lot this year even admitting to crying on deadline day on the transfer window. The Costa Rican has been the best goalkeeper in Europe this season averaging a brilliant 4.8 shared per game with 2.5 games in all his 34 games coming from inside the penalty box.
The best stat from Keylor Navas' time between the sticks at Real Madrid is that he's saved three penalty shots this season – more than anyone else in the Spanish League. Add to that his save success rate of 75.7% and you have yourself no other candidate who could do a better job.
While Arsenal's Petr Cech, Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer and Manchester United's David de Gea may often steal the headlines when it comes to being excellent keepers, Kaylor Navas' contribution to Real Madrid is one of the key reasons why they're still in the title race alongside Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Back Four
Starting from the right, we have Paris Saint-Germain's now-excluded full-back, Serge Aurier. The Ivorian has been suspended by the team for recording a video that shows him insult and abuse his manager along with a bunch of his teammates but his contribution on the field must not be forgotten for he's been a beast for the Parisian side.
In the 27 games he played for Paris Saint-Germain, Aurier averaged a total of 3.5 interceptions per game and put in a minimum of 4 successful tackles to steal the ball from the opponents. Add to this his 3 goals and 3 assists and it's no surprise he's on this list even through his eccentricity off it.
In the centre of the field, Southampton's Virgil Van Dijk makes the list as a surprise addition. The 24-year-old has been superb for the Saints this season in the Premier League making an average of 2.9 interceptions per game nipping attacks in the bud. When things progress a little more, he's been able to put in an average of 2 tackles per game – many of them last-ditch – to ensure his clean sheet is intact. The Dutchman has also scored 3 goals and has received only 2 yellow cards in 41 appearances thus cementing his place in this XI.
His partner? None other than Thiago Silva. The Brazilian has been the leader of Paris Saint-Germain leading them to yet another Ligue 1 title. Silva averages 4.8 clearances in his games meaning he knows where to place himself while teams try to go past the defence. Add to this his 94.4% successful passing and it goes to show that he's still one of the best in the business well ahead of many other centre-backs.
Thiago Silva's compatriot Filipe Luis is the last of the back four on the list. The Atletico Madrid man has had another successful season for the club even after his return from English club, Chelsea. Luis' biggest strength is in his tackles averaging an amazing 3.8 tackles per game. He also boasts of an 83.4% successful passing rate which for a full-back is exceptional.
Midfield (attack and defence)
Starting from the left, we have one of the two best players in the world in Lionel Messi. The Barcelona man – even with missing two months of action late last year – has been simply superb. The elephant in the room is the number of goals; Messi has scored 32 goals in 33 appearances for club and country. A successful pass percentage of 82.2% also stands out as an amazing achievement for the little Argentine.
In the left-sided defensive midfield role, we have Tottenham Hotspur's Mousa Dembele. The Belgian has put in an average of 3.4 tackles per game making him one of the most astute defensive midfielders in the game. Add to that his successful pass percentage of 90.1% and the 4 goals he scored, it's no wonder the North Londoners are fighting for the Premiership title.
Alongside Dembele is another phenomenon in Paul Pogba. With an average of 2.1 tackles per game and 1.4 interceptions per game, Pogba is undoubtedly one for the future given he's only 23. The Frenchman has also scored 7 goals – many of them blinders – and has provided 9 assists for his teammates. His inclusion on this list is no surprise whatsoever.
The right winger/attacking midfielder is Barcelona's Neymar. Much like his teammate, Messi, Neymar has been in brilliant form all season shining even without the Argentine for a chunk of the season. While he's scored only 24 goals for the Catalan club, he's also provided 14 assists. Neymar has also averaged 4.6 dribbles per game which is one of the highest in Europe.
Forwards
First up in the two forwards is Swedish legend, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Big man has been in fine form this season – almost his best season for a club ever – guiding Paris Saint-Germain to the Ligue 1 title with 8 games to spare. The former Barcelona, Juventus, many other clubs, man has scored 36 goals in 39 appearances!
Zlatan is 34 and this is where strikers usually begin feeling the effects of their age affect their performance but the Swede seems to be getting better and better making him one of the best, if not the best out-and-out striker in the world. He's also contributed 14 assists for his teammates and takes an average of 4.5 shots per game.
His partner in leading the attack is none other than Barcelona ace Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan has been nothing less than spectacular for the Catalans scoring 37 goals in 37 appearances. He's also contributed 15 assists and averages 3.7 shots per game.
With a 71.7% successful pass percentage – which is decent for someone who is perceived as a finisher – Suarez has set up his partners-in-crime, Neymar and Messi very often this season with delightful lobs and through balls.
That concludes the final XI and this is what it looks like on paper.
