8: Paul Pogba
Club/country: Man United/France
Age: 27
2019 rank: 6
Few players divide opinion quite like Pogba. France teammate Antoine Griezmann told ESPN that Pogba is the "most underrated player in the world," but not everyone would agree. He has arguably flattered to deceive since returning to Manchester United from Juventus for €100m in 2016 -- together, they've won just one League Cup and a Europa League in four seasons -- but the underlying feeling is that he is still one of the best box-to-box midfielders on his day. He is capable of the sublime, if he can stay fit. Last season was tainted by injuries -- he was restricted to 21 appearances, scoring just one goal -- but with the arrival of
Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford and a settled XI under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the conditions are ripe for Pogba to show his best.
High point of 2020: Setting up the crucial second goal after coming off the bench in a Champions League group stage win at Paris Saint-Germain.