With the domestic campaign over and attention now turning to cup finals across the continent, we at WhoScored.com take a closer look at the European team of the season using our unique rating system.
Keylor Navas - Real Madrid (Rating 7.12)
When a dodgy fax machine prevented Real Madrid from landing number one summer target David De Gea, the Spanish giants needn’t have been too concerned. Keylor Navas was forced to settle for a spot on the bench in Iker Casillas’ final campaign in Spain, but was given the chance to stake his claim for a regular starting berth. Naturally, the club will have been disappointed at missing out on De Gea - and they could very well move for the Manchester United goalkeeper this summer - but Navas was as solid a performer as they come between the Los Blancos sticks.
The Costa Rican gained a better WhoScored rating (7.12) than any other goalkeeper in Europe’s top five leagues this season, with a 76.6% save success rate - the third best of those to make 15 or more La Liga appearances - contributing to that return. Indeed, as Real Madrid conceded just 34 league goals this term - the third fewest in La Liga - Navas played an essential role behind the defence, saving more penalties (3) than any other goalkeeper in Spain’s top tier. Real Madrid may have been unable to push the De Gea deal over the finish line, but in Navas; they already possess one of the top goalkeepers in Europe.
Serge Aurier - PSG (7.75)
It’s been a turbulent season for Ivorian Serge Aurier for PSG. Much was expected of the versatile defender following his arrival from Toulouse and while the performances on the pitch were of the standard expected, off field issues proved to be a detriment, restricting him to just 21 league starts this term. Nevertheless, while his time on the pitch was limited, Aurier impressed when deployed at right-back for this Ligue 1 conquering PSG side.
Four tackles and 3.4 interceptions per game were both among the best returns in France’s top tier this term and not only limited opponents’ attacks on the PSG goal, but allowed for the French champions to swiftly instigate offensive moves down their right. 1.2 dribbles and 0.6 key passes per game were both commendable returns for the right-back, who gained a WhoScored rating of 7.75, the third best in Ligue 1 this season.
Thiago Silva - PSG (7.65)
The second of three PSG players in WhoScored’s European team of the season, Thiago Silva has proven once more to be a solid performer at the heart of the French side’s defence. Laurent Blanc’s captain on the pitch, the Brazilian saw PSG concede just 17 goals from his 29 league starts as the Parisian outfit swept aside all those before them to re-establish their dominance in France.
However, it wasn’t just Thiago Silva’s defensive qualities that stood him in fine stead, but rather his ability to play the ball out that won him plaudits once again. The experienced centre-back boasted the best pass success rate (94.6%), misplacing just 120 of his 2420 attempted passes. Given PSG averaged the second highest possession (63.4%) in Europe’s top five leagues this season, a player of Thiago Silva’s quality ensured they were able to put pressure on teams from the off in their successful quest for domestic dominance.
Virgil van Dijk - Southampton (7.56)
Following the departure of Toby Alderweireld after a successful loan stint on the south coast, Southampton fans fretted at the exit of the Belgian defender. They needn’t have worried themselves too much, particularly after what has proven to be a hugely successful debut campaign in the Premier League for Virgil van Dijk. A summer signing from Scottish giants Celtic, the unassuming Van Dijk was a revelation under compatriot Ronald Koeman at St. Mary’s.
A WhoScored rating of 7.56 was among the best in the Premier League and saw him comfortably secure a spot in the European team of the season. Alongside Saints captain Jose Fonte, Van Dijk has been outstanding for Southampton, endearing himself to supporters in a successful debut campaign. 163 aerial duels won and seven WhoScored man of the match awards were both the third best in England’s top tier, while 7.6 clearances per game ranked among the top 10 in the division and played a vital role in Saints’ top-six finish. At just 24 years of age, the future is certainly bright for Van Dijk.
Filipe Luis - Atletico Madrid (7.60)
After re-joining Atletico Madrid on the back of an underwhelming season with Chelsea, Filipe Luis comfortably slotted back into Diego Simeone’s side, with the Brazilian full-back well versed in the demands of the passionate Argentine. Atletico may have fallen at the final hurdle in the pursuit of the La Liga title, but with a Champions League final coming up, the Spanish giants have plenty to look forward to this month.
Luis will hope to end a notable return to Madrid on a high note having gained a WhoScored rating of 7.60 from his 32 league starts this season. The 30-year-old made more tackles (126) than any other player in La Liga this campaign as he re-established himself as one of the finest left-backs in Spain. With Chelsea somewhat struggling, they’ll be ruing the decision to opt against giving Luis the playing time he so clearly warranted, but their loss is evidently Atletico’s gain.
Lionel Messi - Barcelona (8.46)
After missing a chunk of the season due to injury, Lionel Messi returned to the Barcelona starting XI with aplomb earlier in the season, ultimately ending the campaign with 26 goals and 16 league assists. The Argentine was once again at his team-destroying best as he, Luis Suarez and Neymar - the famed MSN - swept aside all those before them to secure La Liga glory.
As one would expect, the numbers behind Messi’s rating of 8.46 - the best in Europe’s top five leagues - speak for themselves. The 28-year-old ranked first for clear-cut chances created (37), accurate through balls (34) and WhoScored man of the match awards (13) in Spain’s top tier this term, while podiuming for successful dribbles (117), shots (158) and successful final third passes (792), not to mention 77 key passes, the joint-fourth best in La Liga this season. Messi ends the season as a title winner and with it WhoScored’s best rated player of the campaign once more.
Mousa Dembele - Tottenham (7.69)
Mousa Dembele has enjoyed a fine return to form having seemingly been set for the White Hart Lane exit door last summer. The Belgian was on the losing side just the once in the Premier League this season, that coming in the opening day 1-0 defeat to Manchester United where he started on the right flank. Spurs’ season may have ended in disappointment having failed to win their last four league games, sacrificing second place to heated rivals Arsenal in the process, but Dembele was at the heart of every offensive move in Mauricio Pochettino’s XI, with his absence in the final matches of the season proving costly.
Indeed, of the 402 players to attempted 50 or more dribbles, Dembele gained the best success rate (92.2%) on the continent. Of the 90 dribbles the Belgium international attempted, he was unsuccessful with just seven. Defensively he also excelled, averaging 3.6 tackles per league match, the fourth best return in England’s top tier, to help earn a WhoScored rating of 7.69. Spurs may have fallen apart at the seams, in part owing to Dembele’s suspension - he earned himself a six-game ban as a result of an altercation with Diego Costa in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea - but he’s proven how vital he is for Pochettino’s side.
Paul Pogba - Juventus (7.81)
Juventus may have started the campaign poorly, but blasted their way back to top spot to win the Scudetto with games to spare. At the heart of that was the French sensation Paul Pogba, who once more excelled in Max Allegri’s XI. The Old Lady eventually eased her way to Serie A's summit once again with the 23-year-old one of the key cogs in the middle of the park.
No player registered more assists than Pogba (12) in Italy’s top tier this term, with that figure the Frenchman’s best in a campaign and more than the last three Serie A seasons combined (10). As one might expect, Pogba carried real drive and purpose from midfield, completing 2.9 dribbles per game, the third best in Italy, while his eight WhoScored man of the match awards were second only to Gonzalo Higuain (9). Nevertheless, there is no denying Pogba’s place in the team with his WhoScored rating (7.81) the best in Serie A this season.
Neymar - Barcelona (8.44)
While the Brazilian began to fade as the season came to a head, in part owing to fatigue, Neymar was again a wonderful performer as part of Barcelona’s scalpel-sharp attacking trident. In Messi’s absence earlier in the season, Neymar stepped up to the mantle with consummate ease as Barcelona netted more league goals (112) than any other team in Spain’s top tier this term.
Their domestic domination was in part down to Neymar’s stunning form on the left of Barcelona’s attack, with the 24-year-old completing more dribbles (143), playing more key passes (102) and being fouled more times (130) - in turn winning Barcelona eight penalties, also the most - than any other player in La Liga as opponents tried and failed to stop the Brazil international. He was directly involved in 40 goals (26 goals, 16 assists) in the league to ensure Barcelona ended the campaign top of the Primera Division for the 24th time.
Luis Suarez - Barcelona (8.01)
The focal point in the Barcelona attack, Luis Suarez was simply irrepressible at times over the course of the campaign. The Uruguay international ended the season in stunning fashion having been directly involved in a whopping 18 goals (14 goals, 4 assists) in the final five league games of the season to maintain the slim one point gap between themselves and Real Madrid at the top of the table.
A hugely impressive 40-goal haul saw Suarez end the season as the top scorer in Europe’s top five leagues, 35 of which were clear-cut goalscoring opportunities. It wasn’t just his goalscoring ability that won him the plaudits either, with no player registering more assists (16) than he in La Liga this season. Suarez may not be every fans’ favourite player, but there is no denying his natural talent, which was clear for all to see in another extraordinary campaign for the Uruguay international.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic - PSG (8.30)
A 38-goal haul - the second best return in Europe’s top five leagues - was hardly the worst way for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to sign off his final campaign with PSG. At 34 years of age, the Swede’s career is beginning to wind down, but he’s proven to seemingly get better with age as the French giants romped their way to Le Championnat. Ibrahimovic was again the focal point in the ruthless attack for Laurent Blanc’s side.
An average rating of 8.30 was far and away the best in Ligue 1 this season, with the charismatic frontman netting the most clear-cut chances (27), having the most shots (155), the most attempts on target (81) and winning the most WhoScored man of the match awards (14) in France’s top division. If this seasons’ performances are anything to go by, PSG will undeniably miss their star striker upon his departure for pastures new this summer.
Who would make your European Team of the Season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
