The Premier League have not had a player in the Ballon d’Or reckoning since Cristiano Ronaldo’s time at Manchester United, with the current holder of the accolade coming second in 2009 and winning it as a Red Devil in 2008.
With the now Real Madrid man having improved even further since leaving Old Trafford and Lionel Messi’s rivalry with him pushing both of their standards to almost unmatchable levels, it remains to be seen when another player will next be considered for the award.
The Clasico pairing are odds-on to recommence their dual this year to be crowned the world’s best player, but who, if anyone, from English football can be considered as a contender for the usual three-man shortlist?
With the year only a third of the way through there is time for star performers to lift their hands in a bid to be included; here are the Premier League’s best chances of a representative…
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Eden Hazard
The Chelsea winger is widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s best and has proved as much this season as the Blues head towards the title.
Hazard scored the only goal of the game in the West London side’s imperative victory over Manchester United last weekend, while he has shown exemplary skill, speed and accuracy over recent months.
Thirteen league goals this season have the Belgium international seemingly ready to improve on last season’s tally of 14 also.
However, to put this in perspective, Ronaldo has netted 39 goals in La Liga this season – three times as many as Hazard.
For the Blues star to be in the reckoning, continued improvement in the early days of next season will be necessary, but the signs are there that Hazard can be one of the world’s best in forthcoming years.
Alexis Sanchez
Barcelona’s decision to sell Sanchez to Arsenal last summer was greeted with contrasting opinions amongst the Camp Nou club’s fans, with the Chile international showing he was more than good enough to star for the Blaugrana.
Since moving to the Gunners, the former Udinese prodigy has added penetration, dynamism and goals to the north London club’s attack and is up for this season’s PFA Player of the Year award as a result.
Given that the South American has had to adapt to a new club, language, league and environment, there are hopes from the Arsenal supporters that the 26-year-old will be even better next season.
Sanchez will be a key member of Copa America hosts Chile’s team at this summer’s tournament and victory for Jorge Sampaoli’s men on home soil would be quite the statement for the nation’s talisman.
Diego Costa
In Atletico Madrid’s incredible La Liga triumph last term and progression to the Champions League final, burly striker Costa was the side’s undoubted talisman.
His goalscoring start to life at Chelsea suggested that the Brazilian-born Spain international has all the attributes to be considered one of the world game’s best number nines.
Although his form in front of goal has tailed off in recent months and injuries have taken their toll, Costa at his best must be considered.
The fact that Chelsea have not replicated their domestic dominance on the continent this season will certainly hurt his individual chances, but a rip-roaring start to next season similar to the one he showed in 2014-15 could have the tempestuous forward in contention.
However, in reality, the Premier League’s best will have to fight it out for third place at best, as Messi and Ronaldo are much superior to the rest of the world game currently.
