Top 10 breakout stars of 2017

Adrien Rabiot

Rabiot has improved immensely

Paris Saint-Germain’s year has been dominated by the giant signings of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, yet the Parc des Princes outfit have seen one of the stars from their youth academy come through and establish himself as an important member of their side.

Indeed, with the exception of Neymar, the 22-year-old can justifiably lay claim to being his team’s best performer this season.

The former Manchester City youth player has shown himself capable of playing a variety of roles in the midfield, standing in for Thiago Motta as a sentinel when the veteran Italian has been missing due to injury but excelling when asked to feature in a box-to-box role earlier this season.

He is a young man with all the attributes to further his position in the modern day game. He is physically complete, able to move well and robust in stature.

Barcelona legend Xavi has also tipped him as a player strong enough to play at Camp Nou. Speaking to Le Parisien, the former Spain star said: “He could play for Barcelona no problem and he would adapt without a problem.

“He knows how to organise the play, defend, dribble attack. He's a complete player, just as much when he has the ball as when he does not.”

High praise indeed for a young man who has excelled over the last year.