Midfielders
Central Midfield: Paul Pogba
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Essentially the heart of the team and the ones who can turn a game on its head. And while Europe boasts of some of the world's most talented midfielders, the ones – two, in fact, – who make it to this list are only 23 and 25 years of age.
On the right-hand side of the centre of the field, we have Manchester United's Paul Pogba. The world's most expensive player may be subject to a lot of stick over the past few months for his performances but his stats tell a whole different story and that's all we're worried about.
With 8 goals and 4 assists in all competitions, Pogba is not short of terrifying defences. He also takes an average of 3.2 shots per game – with most of them coming from distance. Pogba averages 72.9 passes per game with a successful completion rate of 85.4%.
Central Midfield: Thiago Alcantara
Pogba’s partner in the middle of the park is the only Bundesliga player to make this team, Bayern Munich's Thiago Alcantara. The 25-year-old has 5 goals and 5 assists in all competitions, and averages 3.4 key interceptions and 2.5 tackles per game.
For someone who came through the ranks of FC Barcelona, Thiago's defensive contributions outshine his natural ability to look and pass forward. With an average of 87.2 passes per game and a successful pass completion rate of 91.2%, he's amongst the best passers in the game currently.
Wingers
Right wing: Lionel Messi
Starting from the right, we have the ever-mercurial little Argentine, Lionel Messi. The 29-year-old, often aptly described as the god of football, has taken to his new role under Luis Enrique like a duck to water.
Playing on the right to supplement Luis Suarez's centre-forward-ing talent, Messi has been sensational as usual. With 37 goals and 6 assists in all competitions, it's no wonder people travel halfway across the globe just to witness him play. He is a god.
4.7 shots, 3.2 dribbles and 2.2 key passes per game mean he's in top form this season constantly tormenting defences and making every other footballer look bang average.
Left wing: Neymar
On the opposite of the field is his close partner-in-crime, Neymar. The Brazilian has been – according to the stats – the most effective player in all of Europe. With 10 goals and 14 assists in all competitions, Neymar is constantly improving as a player for the Catalans.
His passing is improving, too. The Brazilian makes 46.2 passes per game out of which 2.9 of those are clear goal-scoring chances for his teammates to tuck away. Neymar also loves dribbling and averages an incredible 5.2 key dribbles per game which is amongst the highest in all of Europe.
