Top 100 players of 2016: 20-1

Sky Sports is counting down the top 100 players of 2016, as ranked by WhoScored.com in a five-part series. But who will come out on top?

After every game, WhoScored.com gives players competing in Europe’s top five leagues a mark out of 10 based on a wide range of statistical data. Each player received an average score for 2016, and to qualify for our list, players had to have made at least 20 league appearances.

So will Lionel Messi retain his crown or can Cristiano Ronaldo clinch first place? Where do Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale place? And how do Premier League stars Philippe Coutinho, Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero compare?

In part five of our series, we continue our countdown by looking at the players ranked 20-1…

See part one of our series (100-81) here.

See part two of our series (80-61) here.

See part three of our series (60-41) here.

See part four of our series (40-21) here.

20. Nicolas Otamendi – Manchester City – 7.592 WhoScored.com rating

Otamendi was criticised in the early stages of his Manchester City career but has become a regular pick under Pep Guardiola. He’s been ranked among the top three centre-backs for interceptions this season and last.

19. Diego Costa – Chelsea – 7.6076

Chelsea’s star striker struggled in the early part of the 2015/16 campaign but found his feet in the latter stage of the season and has returned to the menace of old in 2016/17, topping the Premier League goalscoring charts for Antonio Conte’s rejuvenated side.

18. N’Golo Kante – Chelsea – 7.6257

Kante may have been an unknown 18 months ago but he played an integral part in Leicester City’s Premier League win and is now instrumental at Chelsea, breaking up opposition attacks. He was top of the charts for tackles and interceptions last season and has picked up where he left off this term.

17. Virgil van Djik – Southampton – 7.6330

Van Dijk’s reputation at Southampton continues to grow and this season he has won more aerial duels (68) than any other centre-back in the Premier League and made the most accurate long passes (78).

16. Filipe Luiz – Atletico Madrid – 7.6519

Brazilian defender Filipe Luis may have found life tough at Chelsea but has thrived since returning to Atletico Madrid, recording more tackles per game (3.9) than any other player last season.

15. Toni Kroos – Real Madrid – 7.6589

Real Madrid midfielder Kroos helped his side to an impressive 11th …

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