10 best footballers in La Liga this season based on ratings
The 2016/17 La Liga season has been extremely exciting and eventful so far. Not surprisingly, the list is dominated by players from the top 3 La Liga sides – Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. While the identity of the teams on this list are not much of a surprise, the players and their positions on this list will definitely rustle a few feathers.
Forwards perhaps predictably dominate this list while there are a couple of central midfielders as well while only one defender makes this list. What is most surprising perhaps is the fact that League leaders, Real Madrid have no players in the top 3. However, Zidane’s men will perhaps take solace from the fact that Real Madrid are the team with most players in the top 10.
Without much ado, let us take a look at the 10 best players in La Liga this season according to ratings:
[Note: The ranking has been done based on the average whoscored.com rating of the footballer during the course of the season, wherein only league football stats have been considered.]
#10 Asier Illaramendi (Rating 7.33) – Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad have had another impressive campaign in 2016/17. Currently sitting in 7th, La Real have an opportunity to finish as high as 5th if results go their way on the final day of the season. While the team as a whole has performed well, the star of the show is undoubtedly former Real Madrid star Asier Illaramendi.
The 27-year-old midfielder has really matured this season and his performances this season have shown time and again that he is one of the best (If not the best) defensive midfielders in world football at the moment.
A real warrior in the centre of the field for Sociedad, Illaramendi is known for his reading of the game, positioning skills and interceptions. Over the course of this season, his passing range has also increased tremendously and the Basque-born midfielder plays a vital role in both defence and attack for his side.
Illaramendi has been so good this season that his performances have earned him an impressive 6 man of the match awards so far. The Spaniard will be hoping to continue his good performances next season.