83. Keylor Navas

Real Madrid kept 14 clean sheets in 38 La Liga games last season, conceding just 34 times in a campaign where Keylor Navas made 34 appearances. An Achilles problem ruled the Costa Rica international out of the Copa America Centenario and pre-season, but the ex-Levante goalkeeper has been able to quickly supersede Kiko Casilla once again.

More recently, Navas has been ever-present for Costa Rica and kept three clean sheets in World Cup qualifying clashes with Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and the United States, with his razor-sharp reflexes and strong wrists earning him widespread respect between the sticks.

Quick off his line in one-on-one situations, the armspan of Navas continues to tip the odds of victory further in the favour of Real Madrid and his national side. – SH

82. Jamie Vardy

Forget about the difficult start to 2016/17 for a minute – Vardy was virtually unstoppable last season as Leicester romped to the Premier League title (and romp they did, by a barely believable 10 points), finishing the season with 24 goals and the top flight’s player of the year gong.

There weren’t many feelings at the King Power Stadium quite like the one when Vardy was bearing down on goal having left a defender in his wake. It was almost one of relief: Leicester fans simply knew he’d score.

As well as breaking Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Premier League record for goals in consecutive games – 11 over a three-month spell from late August to November – Vardy was crucial in the post-New Year run-in. There was that volley against Liverpool which cracked open a tight game; then, in the home stretch, he netted both goals in a nervy 2-0 win at Sunderland and opened the scoring against West Ham.

It was also the year in which he established himself as an England squad regular, scoring in consecutive internationals against Germany, Holland and Turkey before grabbing another at Euro 2016. Then he turned down Arsenal – one chapter that won’t be written in this rags-to-riches tale. – JB

81. Hugo Lloris

The France and Tottenham captain has had an excellent 12 months, propelling both club and country to near honours. Spurs' title tilt was built on the joint-best defensive record in the division, before France were narrowly beaten by Portugal in the final of Euro 2016.

Still, a nomination for the Ballon d’Or isn’t a bad runner-up prize for the custodian who's yet again helping to solidify his club side's backline. Just forget Tottenham's European jaunts.

Although the Champions League sojourn has been a wasted campaign for Mauricio Pochettino’s men, Lloris emerges with credit – witness his wonder saves against Bayer Leverkusen and some outrageous reactions to thwart Kamil Glik and Monaco on matchday five. The next step for the 29-year-old is leading his team to a major trophy. – GM