espn soccer 100 2020
Bought when they needed a little sense in their XI after a limp 2012-13 season, Fernandinho has been a midfield nucleus around which the electrons of David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne spin. He has faced a lot of criticism over the past nine years -- some fans think he should be dropped for 23-year-old Dean Henderson -- but De Gea is tied for the most Premier League clean sheets in United's history (112, shared with Peter Schmeichel) and made the second-most PL appearances (411) between the posts. Club/country: Paris Saint-Germain/Costa Rica. Sandro isn't quite as dangerous going forward as you might expect, though there aren't any real weaknesses to his game. And as his recent 22-minute hat trick against Club Brugge in the Champions League demonstrated, Mbappe is firmly on track to inherit the Barcelona genius' mantle as the world's most outstanding footballer. High point of 2020: Playing an instrumental role in Bayern's three-trophy season. 100-51: Which of baseball's best players lead off our 2021 list? Go Orange. 2021 MLS schedule: The games you can't miss, Why Karim Benzema won't represent France anytime soon, Johan Cruyff's legacy, five years after his death: How he shaped Ajax, Barcelona, world soccer, Bayern's Davies opens up about how his refugee background shaped who he is today, Messi to PSG among five transfers we want to happen this summer. Having joined from relegated VfB Stuttgart in 2019, he provided the stability at right-back that allowed Joshua Kimmich to move into a permanent defensive midfield role. High point of 2020: A superb save against Getafe's Nemanja Maksimovic helped Inter through to the Europa League quarterfinal and, ultimately, the final. (He even won the Europa League semifinal with two penalty saves to redeem his Carabao controversy.). High point of 2020: Scoring twice in Dortmund's 4-0 derby win over Schalke in May. High point of 2020: Notching two assists for Virgil van Dijk in the 2-1 win against Brighton in late November, both from set pieces. Still improving and into his sixth season at Bayern, he has an experience beyond his years and a trophy cabinet to match. Alba is past his peak and looks to have been left behind by Spain at the international level, but he's still Barcelona's undisputed first-choice left-back. ... ESPN+ snags US rights to Bundesliga soccer starting in … Even a bout of COVID-19 in October couldn't slow him down. If Son isn't assisting Kane, Kane is assisting Son. Havertz has been anointed by some as a near-genius already despite being only 20 and with mere handfuls of games under his belt. With 25 goals and 18 assists in all competitions last season, Sterling played a starring role in Manchester City's unprecedented treble of domestic trophies. Well, maybe once. Gnabry is the complete package -- speedy, skilful, smart, strong -- and the ideal wide man for Hansi Flick's ferocious Bayern team. He's the special one," former Leeds captain Lucas Radebe told ESPN. High point of 2020: Winning the Europa League and securing a top-four finish in La Liga in the same season. Match. Koulibaly is one of those rare footballers who make everything look easy, and Napoli, who have underwhelmed so far this term, will do well to hang on to him much longer. He is now the darling of West Yorkshire, and this season further cemented his place in managerial greatness with his Leeds team showing zero fear and attacking the top flight with wonderful ambition. They're also the first step in building attacks; whether with a long, accurate throw or a raking cross-field pass, it's the first major evolution for the position since the "sweeper keeper" became a thing thanks to Manuel Neuer. A consistent scorer, he thrived last term with 28 goals in the league and four in the Champions League. ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes will show 28 matches from the 2020 MLS Is Back Tournament on television in USA. This kind of refreshment is exactly what we're seeing in the game as aging legends fade and new stars are made. Major League Soccer on ESPN2 debuted in 1996, the league's first season, and is guaranteed to stay on the network till at least 2022. While Lionel Messi & Co. get the plaudits, Ter Stegen is as important as anyone in Ernesto Valverde's ranks. In the meantime, he continues to set records, having passed the 100-goal mark for Los Blancos and also set a record with his 45th El Clasico appearance when Real Madrid beat Barcelona 3-1 in late October. He could be the leading scorer in 2020 across Europe's biggest leagues, he'll soon overtake the all-time men's international goal record (he's seven shy of Ali Daei's 109), and he's averaged nearly a goal game for Portugal since he turned 30. It's hard to find anyone more consistent at right-back over the past couple of years. High point of 2020: Liverpool had 72% possession and 34 shots at the Wanda Metropolitano in March, but they couldn't get past Oblak. Szczesny was always mooted as a top-class goalkeeper at Arsenal and a two-year loan at Roma, but now that he is playing every week for Juventus, those predictions are coming to pass. High point of 2020: A peak Lewandowski performance at Stamford Bridge and the Allianz Arena paved the way for Bayern to win the Champions League. His boundless reserves of energy are a perfect fit for Julen Lopetegui's exhausting, all-action brand of football. High point of 2020: Winning his first La Liga title with Real Madrid. 1? The government reversed its decision within a day. We knew Salah had the talent, but it took his move to Liverpool to really connect the dots and bring out his best. Just look at the 3-0 semifinal win over RB Leipzig that put them through to their first Champions League final. His stock, however, remains high, and it won't be long until Pochettino is back in the dugout of a top, top club. High point of 2020: Has played every minute for Barcelona in La Liga this season. The Merseyside club took home more than a few top honors, followed by Premier League defending champions Manchester City and, oh yeah, this Average Joe who plies his trade in Barcelona. From 1996 to 2006, the weekly soccer match on ESPN2 was called MLS Soccer Saturday, but in the new contract, that was replaced by MLS Primetime Thursday. Sorte de algumas equipes que a regra não estava em vigor na temporada 2020. Juve's 2-0 win at Bologna in June was the match in which De Ligt really announced himself in Serie A. He adds welcome thrust to United's attacking play down the flanks and has every chance of cementing a place among the best. So instead, we broke down the world's best players by position in a 4-3-3 formation, plus manager. It's about seeing the whole field -- and exploiting it. "I had no doubts, he is one of the strongest champions in the world in his role," Napoli boss Gennaro Gattuso said in September of Koulibaly. He tore apart Juventus and Manchester City in an advanced midfield role, setting up four of Lyon's five goals against the two European giants as they set up a final four meeting with eventual winners Bayern. He also has taken his tally of free-kick goals past 50, cementing his reputation -- on top of everything else -- as the finest set-piece specialist of his era. His form early this season has dipped, with some speculation linking that swoon with a failed summer move to Manchester United, but there's no reason to think it's more than a temporary blip. Without Pereira, Leicester dropped out of the Champions League spots at the end of the 2019-20 season, proof of his importance to Brendan Rodgers' plans. Together, he and Leeds spent £96m in the summer to prepare for the season, but he's still kept the spine of the team that got Leeds into the Premier League. Nevertheless, the way his adventurous young team laid waste to the continent's superpowers -- eliminating Real Madrid and Juventus in the knockout stages -- established him as one of Europe's top coaches. ESPN will broadcast 22 games live, including the opening game and Final, in addition to all matches scheduled for 9am ET. The knee injury that struck Sane in August came at a cruel time for the former Schalke winger: he finally had won a place in Germany's first XI and was being strongly linked with a big-money move to Bayern Munich. There are few better strikers of a ball than Alexander-Arnold, whose crossing and set pieces pose a huge threat. Free unlimited Jcpenney Coupons 2020 2021 Nba Schedules Espn360 Soccer with listing websites included hot deals, promo codes, discount codes, free shipping He also is more than capable of creating play from deep positions. Is. There's a popular school of thought that if Laporte hadn't suffered a knee injury that ruled him out for four months, the Premier League title race would have been far closer last season. The efficient, reserved Slovenian is the perfect keeper for Diego Simeone's hardworking, disciplined side. It was some vote of confidence from Manchester United when they paid £45 million this summer for the 20-year-old, who had played a relatively paltry 46 games for Crystal Palace. Taking place in late-May, this tournament offers your team great competition at the incredible ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, where you're treated like a champion and can celebrate like one, too—and it's in the middle of all the Walt Disney World Resort® magic. He's started the new season in wonderful form and in October, he became the first player since Steven Gerrard to score 100 goals for the Reds. But the Frenchman faces a challenge to impose himself at Camp Nou. The thick wall of granite that has formed the basis of Real's multiple Champions League-winning sides over the past 10 years, Casemiro is theoretically the midfield destroyer that facilitates the more artistic work of Luka Modric or Toni Kroos, but he is much more than that. He has embraced the culture both of Atletico and his new home country to become an instant hit at Wanda Metropolitano -- even if Diego Costa insists on calling him "Rooney.". ESPN FC 100 is back, and our annual ranking of the best men's players and managers in the world right now made something abundantly clear: Liverpool rule. Having won the Champions League and then the Premier League, Klopp's place is assured in the pantheon of Liverpool greats. Many expect him to become one of the best players in the world, and he's already a regular under Frank Lampard at Chelsea, who was "overwhelmed" with his new signing's humility and quiet confidence upon arrival in England. At least the campaign's delayed conclusion allowed him to recover in time to make some unremarkable late appearances. The dynamic defender started all but one of Leicester's 29 Premier League matches before the pandemic, but we're still waiting to see him back in action. A prime example of their partnership. That's why he has caught the eye playing for Sporting and also why he could be fully entering the upper echelons of the game very soon. This year's title win, ending Liverpool's 30-year wait, was the culmination of a remarkable journey for Robertson. His long-term body of outstanding work, as well as the fact he is still putting in all-action displays at the age of 36, makes him an example to emulate at the right-back position. Firmino's creativity and unpredictability have made him Jurgen Klopp's go-to "difference-maker" up front. A force in aerial duels and his side's intricate passing game, he pairs a superhuman work rate with positional intelligence in a demanding position. At his best, Ederson can feel like an extra outfield player who also happens to be fantastic at stopping shots. He's already a World Cup winner, a four-time French champion and has been the leading scorer in Ligue 1 for the past two seasons. High point of 2020: Getting to the Champions League final for the first time with PSG. Another of Brazil's Copa America heroes, his place among this year's Ballon d'Or nominees is richly deserved. The chief beneficiary of Neymar's absence, the impish Gremio wide man known as "The Little Onion" ("Cebolinha") played his way into Tite's side with some dazzling group-stage displays and ended up with the tournament's Golden Boot. "He is the best in the world." A scintillating prospect when in full flow, the â¬25 million Leicester paid for him in 2018 now seems a bargain. Agility and reflexes are a given but confidence, vision and assertive play are vital too. Play Fantasy Football for free on ESPN! He's also the first step in building attacks; whether with a long, accurate throw or a raking crossfield pass, it's the first major evolution for the position since the "sweeper-keeper" became a thing thanks to Manuel Neuer. Atalanta's Lombardy region was hit hard by COVID-19 back in March, recording over 16,000 deaths because of the pandemic. A flop at Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla, Immobile has been irresistible since returning home to Italy, where he led Lazio back to the Champions League last term. De Bruyne won't want to come second again, meaning his motor and creativity will be pivotal to City wrestling the title back from Merseyside. ... ESPN play, ESPN 2, ESPN Play, ESPN 2, ESPN Play, ESPN 2, ESPN Play, ESPN Play, ESPN Play, ESPN 2 Andino. Play ESPN's English Soccer Pick'em for FREE and make your picks. In the space of a year, Felix has gone from a promising teenager on the fringes of the Benfica first team to the world's third-most expensive footballer and the sport's most talked-about young player. In Bundesliga, he has been on target in 30 of the 37 matches since then. He has felt overworked at times this season due to injuries in Barcelona's defence, but his form has kept his team on track in the Champions League, preventing a shock against Sparta Prague and repelling a spot kick at Borussia Dortmund. The top leagues, tournaments, and players from around the world are on ESPN+. ESPN FC 100: Liverpool, Man City dominate our ranking of world's best soccer players, U.S. men's national team report card: Grading Pulisic, McKennie, Musah & Co. nearing end of season, Dortmund set Haaland fee at â¬180m; TikTok torment at Barcelona, Henry to quit social media; highlights racism, Premier League launches studies into heading, FIFA could sanction Mexico over anti-gay chant, Dest, Lletget lead USMNT in win over Jamaica, Lazio doctors banned over COVID test violations, Zlatan marks Sweden return with assist in win, Retiring player scores, proposed to in celebration, LIVE Transfer Talk: Juve want Rabiot, Ramsey exits to make room for Pogba, Erling Haaland for just $125,000? High point of 2020: Completing a domestic Treble with PSG. Can you name the Top 100 NBA Players of the 2020-2021 season according to ESPN? Julien Laurens is full of praise for N'Golo Kante, who finishes just 5th in ESPN's FC 100. High point of 2020: His sole hat trick of the season came in his vintage performance at Aston Villa during a short sprint in mid-January. He sits on his specially made bucket like a coiled viper, but often stays relatively calm, meticulously watching every ball being kicked and planning his next move. World-Class Soccer Coverage. Bielsa is arguably the most fascinating coach in world football: nicknamed "El Loco," Pep Guardiola says of Bielsa, "nobody can imitate him and that makes him special," and that watching Bielsa during a game is entertainment enough. Despite being moved around and having to adapt to a new country and a new language, De Jong showed glimpses of his talent, and there are signs of improvement in his second season at the club. "The exit that hurt us the most was Lucas, a boy from the academy," he said after Hernandez left Atletico Madrid for Bayern Munich on July 1. Find the best projected stats of the 2021 MLB season and build the best Fantasy Baseball team. And that's a development I'm pleased with." Although he will turn 33 in January, he remains one of the hardiest and wiliest penalty-box predators in the game. The extra bulk has helped keep him healthy, and Bayern benefit from his resilience: He was integral in Bayern's dominant Treble-winning season, weighing in with eight goals and 11 assists. 5 Missouri and No. ESPN also obtained rights to all national team matches in UEFA competitions from 2018-22, including 2022 World Cup qualifiers and 2020 European Championship qualifiers and the … High point of 2020: Becoming the first player in Europe's top leagues to hit double figures for goals and assists last season. But of course, my great strength is making runs with the right timing.". How Erik ten Hag must curse Lucas Moura. High point of 2020: Bringing a league title to Anfield for the first time in 30 years. Some of the modern greats are cultured in possession, others are the epitome of no-nonsense force. But when Real Madrid need a goal or a different dimension in attack, they turn to Vinicius. Cancel Anytime. A midfielder who excels with the ball at his feet and who knows how to create space, it's not hard to understand why he's been linked to both Manchester United and Manchester City in 2020. The best central defenders combine timing and power with elegance and poise under pressure. It was his own moment of redemption, and the aftermath of their 1-1 draw against Barcelona in October is proof of how far Lopetegui has taken Sevilla in a short time after taking over in June 2019. Having spent over a billion euros to get within touching distance of the trophy they crave above all others, they were denied by a headed goal from Coman -- one of their own, discarded youth products. 2018 Rank: Not ranked. His absence due to an ACL injury has been a major challenge for the Foxes, who have missed Pereira's pace and poise on the flank. He's an absolute nightmare for any defender -- just ask Barcelona, after their backline was torn apart in an infamous 8-2 humiliation in Lisbon in August. And he has now offered a second word into the football lexicon, with "Lewan-goal-ski" now alongside his very own position, even though he's not sure whether the definition fits his style. Dutch hopes will rest heavily on him at Euro 2020. He is arguably the frontman for this band of unfashionable players who have turned into European powerhouses under Gian Piero Gasperini. But keep him they did, and he hasn't lost his mojo in the wake of the exits of Matthijs De Ligt and Frenkie De Jong to Juventus and Barcelona, respectively. Having begun his senior career at the club in 2003, winning two UEFA Cups and two Copa del Reys, clinching the Europa League at age 34 was seen as just reward for the Spain international. Silva was not able to live up to his excellent 2018-19 campaign last season, but when on form, he remains one of Europe's most creative midfielders. Conference: Bracketology » Hollinger Stats: Become an Insider to access ESPN.com's complete Men's College Basketball coverage, plus exclusive player grades, rankings and expert analysis. Some of the modern greats are cultured in possession; others are the epitome of no-nonsense force. Jurgen Klopp said of Flick's accomplishments. At Sevilla, he has developed into the best winger, and one of the most effective players in any position, in La Liga. Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund), Achraf Hakimi (Inter Milan) and Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich) all pop up after transcendent seasons, as do Leon Goretzka (Bayern), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa) and Houssem Aouar (Lyon). 2020-21 Hollinger American Athletic Basketball Player Statistics . The perfect keeper for Pep Guardiola's brand of possession-based football, his scarily accurate long balls start many a City attack. He was out of shape on his arrival at Real Madrid, and an ankle fracture in November followed by another in February meant Hazard was essentially an irrelevance in their title win. However, he didn't even make it off the bench as City were stunned by Lyon in the Champions League quarterfinal when the tournament resumed in August. ESPN Fantasy Soccer promo; ESPN Fantasy Football.