Fantasy Football 2024: Crucial start sit decisions for Week 5

Averaging 0.93 sacks per game, Watt is on pace to hit 100 career sacks in his 108th game, which would make him the second-fastest player in history to the milestone behind Reggie White, according to NFL Research. Kane did nothing but score and assist goals consistently with 44 goals and 12 assists in all competitions. There is no one in the world who can find the back of the net like Kane while also setting up their teammates and even with chaos surrounding him he was consistently excellent for Bayern Munich. Antoine Griezmann is back is the top after his transfer to Athletico Madrid.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool

Arsenal’s winless league run had extended into its sixth game, a tame 1-1 draw against Southampton. “You deserve more Arsenal fans”, he tweeted, the broken heart emoji reflecting the sheer devastation that the man they called ‘little chilli’ shared with the rest of the fanbase. “We don’t but you do,” was the response of many for a player whose early career was to be forged through setbacks, not just tough early seasons for his boyhood club but that penalty miss in the Euro 2020 final and all that came with it. Beyond our daily fantasy football content, be sure to check out our Daily Fantasy Football Tools.

Antonio Rudiger — Center Back, Real Madrid

The 26-year-old Lookman landed at his sixth club in three countries when he joined Atalanta in 2022. It was one of those moves that attracted limited attention — the England-born Lookman was chewed up and spit out of the Premier League and landed at a club on the rise but far from anyone’s list of top contenders for silverware. Quickly enough, those perceptions did not matter — he scored on his Serie A debut, a 2-0 win over Sampdoria and scored 15-plus goals in consecutive seasons across all competitions. He mixed that in with acclaim for Nigeria, scoring three goals en route to this year’s Africa Cup of Nations final and making the team of the tournament.

• Walker ranked in the Premier League’s top 20 for both touches and passes, posting a 90.4% passing accuracy overall and a stellar 91.6% in the attacking third, doing so while still boasting a reputation as one of Europe’s speediest right backs, even at 34 years old.
• Ex-England international Jermaine Jenas and presenter Samantha Johnson were the hosts for 2022, while Jenas was accompanied by broadcaster Reshmin Chowdhury in 2021.
• He has lost fractions of his blistering pace but his intelligence and manipulation of the football means his control over the result of games remains as strong as ever.
• With 2023 finally at an end, it’s time to look ahead to what’s in store for next year in the world of football.
• It’s going to be interesting to see where Mbappe will go next and whether it’ll be this year he moves on to another top club.
• The Brazilian international has wonderful technique and strikes the ball so cleanly, both in open play and from set pieces.

READ MORE ON THE BEST 25 PLAYERS FOR EVERY POSITION IN WORLD FOOTBALL

Right-back was never the most glamorous position, but the game’s many evolutions have seen it become a thrilling and unpredictable spot on the pitch. The best in the game will marry a strong positional awareness with blinding speed, as well as the daring to surge forward and support their teams in attack. This year’s ballot had over 50 entries from all over the globe and from all areas of ESPN FC; from writers to reporters, from editors to producers, from behind-the-scenes staff to on-air talent. Gab Marcotti, Julien Laurens, Mark Ogden and Alejandro Moreno were just some of the key voters. Our rankings are divided into four lists and give readers the closest thing to a position-by-position “depth chart” across world soccer.

What is the shortlist for The Best FIFA Football Awards 2024?

• What a waste of hours and spreadsheets it would be to present to you all that Lionel Messi is the best in the business.
• Averaging 0.93 sacks per game, Watt is on pace to hit 100 career sacks in his 108th game, which would make him the second-fastest player in history to the milestone behind Reggie White, according to NFL Research.
• One of English football’s most enduring partnerships ended when Harry Kane left Tottenham Hotspur for German giants Bayern Munich.
• When Vinicius Junior returned to full fitness and form, Bellingham became the man to bring balance to Madrid taking on a heftier midfield role.
• And, of course, make sure to check out the full breakdown and analysis of who was ranked where and why.
• He did continue to score for fun for City, though, as they won another Premier League.
• The 34-year-old bowls accurate off-spin and can be an explosive batter in the shortest format of the game.
• Justin Fields’ second half against the Colts was truly a work of fantasy art.

Though his feisty side might still shine through on occasion, Granit Xhaka, the once-hot-blooded former captain of Arsenal, was the cool head who guided Bayer Leverkusen beyond their wildest dreams last season. The player that Xabi Alonso wanted to set standards both on and off the pitch ended up breaking records, making and completing more passes while registering more touches than anyone else in a Bundesliga campaign. Soccer remains a global passion, uniting fans through riveting matches and unforgettable talent.

Ruben Dias — Center Back, Manchester City

• His performances for Real Madrid have cemented him as one of the most exciting talents to watch.
• From wing to wing and everything in between, the attacking third is where your high-skill, high-quality talent is often found.
• He figures to have a solid role with the Brazil national team at Copa America, and if it weren’t for him, Barca’s season probably would have been worse than it already was.
• With a long career behind him, it’s hard to deny the level of this English player.
• The location for The Best FIFA Football Awards 2024 has not been announced yet.
• The posterboy of MLS players transitioning to – and thriving in – Europe, Davies has gone from a 15-year-old winger who was coming into his own to becoming one of the best left backs in the world with Bayern Munich.
• The 2024 college football season is flying by and we’re somehow just a few weeks away from the halfway mark, which means I’m hard at work in curating what a midseason ranking of the top 151 players looks like.

On the pitch, Benzema might prove more successful – not only is the French striker three years younger than Ronaldo, his club Al-Ittihad are the current champions of Saudi Arabia. Indeed Al-Ittihad are widely considered the most successful team in Saudi history. The defensive midfielder has been linked with, of course, Chelsea, while Barcelona view the Brazilian wonderkid as a potential long-term successor to the recently departed Sergio Busquets.

The 10 best players of Euro 2024 – ranked

At 38 years old, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel for Neuer but he impressively remains a valuable asset for both Bayern Munich and Germany, even as both storied teams hit a period of uncertainty. He gets the ball up the field and then he makes big contributions in the penalty area too. No one in all the Bundesliga logged as many touches in the box as Frimpong while his expected goals per shot was more that of a poacher than a winger. There are only so many sides where this sort of player profile can excel but Xabi Alonso built a system that turned the 23-year-old into a superstar, albeit the sort where potential suitors need to consider system fit very carefully. To go out on a high is probably the ideal scenario for most athletes, but Toni Kroos will almost certainly accomplish that, regardless of how Germany do in the Euros.

READ THE LATEST NEWS FROM 90MIN’S TALKING TRANSFERS TEAM

• Don’t overreact to one bad weekAvoid overreacting to one bad week of performance by a player.
• Akter is one wicket shy of 100 in T20 internationals with an average of only 16.
• Curious to see the Vols off the idle week and an emotional win at Oklahoma where the offense put up season lows.
• The dependable spinner could turn this World Cup into a breakthrough international tournament for herself and her country, who are making their T20 World Cup debut.
• Moose Muhammad III, WR, Texas A&M (No. 148)I thought Muhammad had a Jimbo Fisher issue, but it turns out there’s likely more to it.
• Despite being out of action since then, Erling Haaland remains the Premier League’s joint-top goalscorer alongside Mohamed Salah.

The Dutch international has been holding a makeshift back four together in recent weeks as Liverpool have moved clear at the top. Virgil van Dijk took over as captain following Jordan Henderson’s controversial exit for Saudi Arabia and has been a real leader, utterly dominant at the heart of the league’s best defence, with just 18 goals conceded. Unai Emery has completely transformed Aston Villa since taking over in November 2022 and no player epitomises that better than Ollie Watkins.

Bruno Guimaraes — Midfield, Newcastle United

The attacking midfielder has shone in Austria, also producing two goals and an assist in the Champions League this term. A player who was already idolised by Football Manager players across the globe, Bardghji truly announced himself to the world with a dramatic late winner against Man Utd in the Champions League this season. The Copenhagen winger slammed his volley into the ground and beyond Andre Onana, securing a famous 4-3 victory for the Danes. A left-sided midfielder capable of playing as a left-back, Barco appears to be yet another Argentinian gem. The 19-year-old’s stock has risen over the past year as he continues to blossom in Boca Juniors’ first team, even featuring in the most recent Copa Libertadores final against Fluminense.

Ranking the NFL’s best players at every position for 2024

Davies has exceeded every expectation set for him and then some, yet he can still go even further being only 23. With his pace, Davies can keep up with the best wingers in the world while also delivering chances into attacking areas and still is able to flip back to being a full time attacker when on international duty for Canada. Vinícius Júnior, the electrifying Brazilian winger, has quickly become a fan favorite with his incredible speed, mesmerizing dribbling, and knack for crucial goals. His performances for Real Madrid have cemented him as one of the most exciting talents to watch. Jude Bellingham, the young Englishman, has taken the world by storm with his mature midfield play, versatility, and commanding presence, earning rave reviews for both Borussia Dortmund and the England national team. Kylian Mbappé, a French phenomenon, continues to astonish with his blend of pace, skill, and clinical finishing, making him a standout player for both Paris Saint-Germain and his country.

Karim Benzema — Striker, Al-Ittihad

There are few better in Serie A than the Italy international, who played a key role in Inter’s run to the Champions League final in 2023. Beyond our fantasy football content, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. The Brazilian international has wonderful technique and strikes the ball so cleanly, both in open play and from set pieces. All six of Douglas Luiz’s league goals, including a brace against West Ham United, have come at Villa Park in the best season of his career so far. The best footballers in the world have made 2023 an incredible football year. These players are at the absolute top level and hard to compare to each other.

NEXT OLYMPIC GAMES

The following summer he was gone, flown off to Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. After concreting himself in Premier League history with first Leicester City, and then Manchester City, Mahrez jumped ship to Saudi Arabia, where he joined Al-Ittihad. Some of you might have expected Mbappe to be a little higher up this list but no, the Frenchman is on a meagre £300k per week at Real Madrid. Footballer wages are higher than they’ve ever been right now, with the sport watched around the world, TV rights skyrocketing, and the Saudi Pro League throwing cash at the sport with reckless abandon.

He did continue to score for fun for City, though, as they won another Premier League. Kylian Mbappe struggled at Euro 2024, as did Harry Kane, so this may count against them. But both enjoted sensational domestic seasons for PSG and Bayern Munich, respectively.

• To really understand how special he is, just look at what his most recent coach has said.
• The last of three Aston Villa players to make our top 20, John McGinn is the driving force at the heart of Unai Emery’s side, who have become surprise title challengers.
• So far this season, the Jets run defense ranks 21st in EPA, while their pass defense ranks fifth.
• There was really nothing to debate when it came to the question who is the greatest footballer on the planet.
• These days, shot-stoppers are expected to start the attacking moves often by playing out from the back as well as shutting them down.
• When he started to show all promise at Valencia a decade ago (how is he already 30 years old?), he looked destined for superstardom.
• The content on this site is for entertainment purposes only and CBS Sports makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.

The last of three Aston Villa players to make our top 20, John McGinn is the driving force at the heart of Unai Emery’s side, who have become surprise title challengers. The Scotland international has a winning mentality, unbelievable stamina and no shortage of quality on the ball. He’s unfortunately steeled https://st-bet.net/mobile/ to dealing with such setbacks, having already recovered from two ACL injuries in his career, but he finished the season on a high, scoring the opener in a title-clinching 5-0 win over Werder Bremen in mid-April. His mark of 21 goals and 10 assists in 33 games contributed to their record-breaking season.

Kelce reached new heights of popularity in 2023, but that kind of recognition among his peers has been a constant in the Top 100. The Chiefs’ star is the highest-ranked tight end for the fourth consecutive year despite falling 16 yards short of his eighth straight 1,000-yard season in 2023 (93 receptions, 984 yards, five touchdowns in 15 games). A sure-handed model of consistency, Kelce was a force to be reckoned with during Kansas City’s successful run at back-to-back Super Bowls, catching 32 balls for 355 yards and three touchdowns.

Marc ter Stegen — Goalkeeper, Barcelona

By his own high standards, last season was a disappointing one for Son Heung-min, who was suffering with a hernia problem for several months. No longer inhibited by fitness issues, he’s spearheading a Tottenham team that’s been reinvigorated by the appointment of Ange Postecoglou. The departures of Hugo Lloris and Harry Kane have given him even more responsibility as captain, figurehead and chief goal threat.

The Indian vice-captain is the second highest run-getter in T20 internationals with 56 half-centuries to her name. The 28-year-old from Mumbai led her Bengaluru franchise to their maiden Women’s Premier League title earlier this year and will look to help India do the same in T20 World Cup. Al Jazeera picks the 10 players to watch out for at the ninth edition of the tournament. From Smriti Mandhana to Abtaha Maqsood, Al Jazeera picks the 10 players who could light up the tournament in the UAE.

That means an exclusive list has been unveiled, detailing the 100 best young male footballers in the world right now. Nominees for the Golden Boy must be under the age of 21 and play in the top flight of a European nation’s football divisions, so those putting in the work in second and third tiers are unfortunately ineligible for consideration. Rafael van der Vaart was the inaugural Golden Boy winner back in 2003, being given the award while on the books at Ajax and soon after moving to the Bundesliga with Hamburg, followed by the dream transfer to Real Madrid.

The Steelers have played four strong run defenses to start the season and their running backs have been shut down in the process. This week they get a much easier run defense on Sunday night against the Cowboys. Injuries to star defensive players Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence hurt, but even with them healthy, the Cowboys have been weak against the run. The Cowboys rank 28th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to running backs, as well as 31st in run defense EPA. Federico Dimarco’s breakout performances at left-back for Inter saw the Italian giants quickly ditch previous signing Robin Gosens.His searing pace has become crucial for Simone Inzaghi and his sweet left foot is a proven threat in the attacking third.

Although Ruben Dias hasn’t quite been at his imperious best this season, he remains  the lynchpin of one of the Premier League’s meanest defences. Pep Guardiola infamously loves to rotate his team but, when available, the powerful Portuguese centre-back is almost certain to start. Those early struggles in the Premier League, after arriving from Liverpool for a big fee, have been forgotten amid a superb resurgence. Dominic Solanke has led the line with presence and purpose for Bournemouth, scoring an impressive 12 goals. Gvardiol’s unique skill set positions Croatia nicely to play the role of spoiler at Euro 2024. The 23-year-old impressed in an attacking midfield position for City and should Gareth Southgate play him in the same position instead of out wide, Foden could be the Three Lions’ dangerman.

Operating as an inverted full-back, he receives the ball more in central positions, bringing his superb range of passing to the fore. As always, there are lots of intriguing subplots and star players to keep an eye on across the division as we enter the home stretch, with individual honours also at stake. At FourFourTwo, we set about compiling a list of the 20 best players in the Premier League based on their performances so far this season. The 25-year-old, who will wear the captain’s armband at the Euros, heads into the tournament on the back of a terrific final season with Paris Saint-Germain, scoring a whopping 44 goals in all competitions.

Cooper’s 37 targets rank sixth in the league and you can’t get a much better matchup. Questions were raised over Ben Chilwell’s viability as a £50m full-back when Chelsea signed him from Leicester in 2020. After a bumpy start, Seaton has played well in each of the last three games and is CU’s highest rated pass blocker among the regular starters on the line, according to Pro Football Focus.

Back in the summer of 2021, he became the highest-paid player in the history of the English Premier League when he signed a two-year deal with his old club Manchester United. With three goals in 12 games for Israel, Gloukh has claimed that Barcelona tried to sign him while he was still with Maccabi Tel Aviv. Yet another youngster plucked from the Benfica academy of excellence, Neves is the latest starlet making waves in Lisbon. The 19-year-old central midfielder has already managed three caps for Portugal, impressing in a deep-lying role.

Belgium will hope De Bruyne is fit and firing for the Euros, where they could benefit from his experience in a new-look squad that is hoping to improve on the team’s quarterfinal appearances at Euro 2016 and Euro 2020. If host Euro 2024 nation Germany is to have any chance of winning the trophy on home soil, Wirtz will need to be at his impactful best in order for them to succeed. Other formers include the likes of Wayne Rooney, Cesc Fabregas, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, but also names such as Mario Balotelli, Anderson and Alexandre Pato, whose career was heavily disrupted by injuries. Outrageously talented young ballers from Manchester United, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and others are all battling it out to be crowned the 2024 Golden Boy. Before the merge, The Best FIFA Football Awards was known as FIFA World Player of the Year. Ex-England international Jermaine Jenas and presenter Samantha Johnson were the hosts for 2022, while Jenas was accompanied by broadcaster Reshmin Chowdhury in 2021.

The 49ers are getting after the quarterback this year and aren’t bringing extra help to get there. It’s a perfect situation to keep Murray under wraps as both a runner and passer. So far, the 49ers rank 11th in pass defense EPA and are third at pressuring quarterbacks.

“I hate playing as a number nine,” has been Rodrygo’s constant plea to Carlo Ancelotti, his manager, and the media, but on the pitch you can hardly tell. Unexpectedly helping Aston Villa to a Champions League push, manager Unai Emery’s high-risk high-reward tactics have left Martinez as a key last line of defence, and his one-on-one mastery is among the best in the world. Previously projected to be a future Ballon d’Or winner at Manchester City, Sane appeared to have run out of tricks, but manager Thomas Tuchel has revitalised him. Bayern Munich finally did exactly that last season in response to Manuel Neuer’s skiing accident, and while things didn’t quite work out for a shambolic Bayern side, Inter are now reaping the benefits. Considered the best of the rest for much of his career, many goalkeeping experts were continually baffled that no one tried to poach Sommer from Borussia Monchengladbach earlier.