FIFA Player of the Year power rankings: Can Chelsea star win it?

Chelsea's Italian midfielder Jorginho reacts at the final whistle during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge in London on August 14, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Dortmund’s Norwegian forward Erling Braut Haaland (L) celebrates with Dortmund’s English midfielder Jude Bellingham after the German first division Bundesliga football match FC Schalke 04 vs Borussia Dortmund in Gelsenkirchen, western Germany, on February 20, 2021. – Dortmund won the match 4-0. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images) /

5. Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)

Erling Haaland is one of Europe’s hottest prospects at the moment. When he first burst onto the scene with RB Salzburg, everyone was amazed by his goal-scoring abilities. However, not being from one of the top five leagues, there was always a hint of doubt whether he would be able to emulate the same form in an elite club. Manchester United was interested in him, however, Haaland decided to take his career forward one step at a time—as opposed to making a huge leap. He chose to go to Dortmund instead and he has been fantastic for BVB ever since.

In his debut season with the club, he managed to score 13 goals in only 15 matches, and he only went on to improve that in the next season. The 2020/21 season was his first full campaign with the German side and he was tremendous. He scored 41 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions and he also managed to notch 12 assists in all contests. This went a long way in showing that he is not a selfish striker, who knows when to pass the ball, as well. His pace and awareness are outstanding and his clinical finishes allow him to score a massive number of goals every season.

The UEFA Forward of the Year—along with Kylian Mbappe—is one of the two biggest young talents in Europe right now, and both of them have been putting out stellar performances. However, the reason why Haaland has managed to creep into the No. 5 spot is the fact that he has had a fantastic start to the current season, as well. He has already managed to score eight goals in six appearances across all competitions so far, and if he keeps this up, he could be on his way to break last season’s goal tally. His brilliant performance last season, along with the amazing start this season, sees him land in the No. 5 spot on this list.

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