Ranking the 5 best players in December 2021

#3 Gerard Moreno (Villarreal)

Villarreal CF v Rayo Vallecano - La Liga Santander

Spanish striker Gerard Moreno wasn't in great form in the early stages of the 2021-22 season. That was quite disappointing because Moreno had just had the best campaign of his career in 2020-21.

But the Villarreal marksman kicked into top gear in December. In fact, he looked absolutely unstoppable in his last three matches in La Liga. Moreno delivered an industrious performance against Atalanta and grabbed a crucial assist as the Yellow Submarine won the game 3-2.

He scored a very important goal and turned in a man-of-the-match showing against Rayo Vallecano. But his best performances were yet to come. He just couldn't be handled or kept at bay as Villarreal took on Real Sociedad.

Moreno played a hand in all three of Villarreal's goals in a 3-1 win. He bagged a brace and provided the assist for another. Moreno added two more to his goal tally in Villarreal's final game in December against Deportivo Alaves, which ended in a 5-2 win for Unai Emery's men.

#2 Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter Milan)

FC Internazionale v Cagliari Calcio - Serie A

After half of the 2021-22 season, it looks like Inter Milan are well on course to retain their Serie A title. They sit four points clear at the top of the table. The Nerazzurri were authoritative and thoroughly dominant in the month of December.

Save for a 2-0 loss against Real Madrid in the Champions League, which was inconsequential, Inter Milan did not concede a single goal in their five league games in December.

Hakan Calhanoglu was their creator-in-chief and the Turkish international showed us why he is one of the most elite attacking midfielders on the planet. The 27-year-old turned in a scintillating performance as Inter Milan beat Roma 3-0. He scored a goal and provided an assist in that game.

Calhanoglu scored two goals and provided four assists in total in six appearances in the month of December.

#1 Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City)

Aston Villa v Manchester City - Premier League

When Riyad Mahrez is playing at the top of his game, he is simply one of the most exciting players to watch. The Algerian international is very easy on the eye and it's a treat to watch him glide past defenders and make things happen for City in the final third.

Mahrez has been unstoppable in the month of December. He started last month with a rather underwhelming outing in a 3-1 win against Watford. But since then, Mahrez has been the Premier League leaders' best player.

He scored five goals and provided three assists in the remaining five games that City played in December. Mahrez terrorized Leeds United, Newcastle United and Leicester City as Manchester City established their dominance.

Check out Riyad Mahrez's net worth in 2021, his car collection, and the charity work he does.