27. Eden Hazard

Hazard's performances last season hurt no one more than himself, which led to the Belgian declaring in the summer: “I don’t want to leave Chelsea after a bad season.”

His form for his country during the Euros served as a warning that the winger was on the way back to his best. The start of the season drew rare sightings of brilliance, but it was when Antonio Conte changed to a 3-4-3 that Hazard really excelled.

Conte’s tactical change released him of his defensive duties, allowing Hazard to focus on doing what he does best. His tricky feet and balance can make him seem like the second coming of Cristiano Ronaldo; if he maintains his current form, there’s no reason why he can’t match the Portuguese’s incredible achievements. – BC

26. Ivan Rakitic

An often overlooked cog in the Barcelona machine, Rakitic may take a backseat when it comes to the headlines – those are left to MSN – but he's undoubtedly a chief conductor in the team. The Croatian's energy has been vital to the Catalans' stream of success, with Rakitic providing stamina and hard work in the engine room.

He contributes defensively, while in attack he pushes the team on and makes sure the ball reaches the special trio ahead of him. Make no mistake, Xavi can’t be replaced by any player, but it’s testament to Rakitic that he’s been a staple of Luis Enrique’s side.

Along with Luka Modric, Rakitic is also an inspirational figure for his national team and impressed as part of an exciting team at Euro 2016. The midfielder's leadership and status were evident during the tournament, emphasising his progress since moving to Barca from Sevilla two years ago. – DC