Manchester United targets among best rated players dropping down to Europa League
Now the first batch of last-16 Champions League ties are done and dusted, it's time to turn our attention to the Europa League knockout stage.
Shocks were few and far between in the group stage, albeit Lazio and Gladbach crashing out before the knockout phase raised eyebrows. The likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Roma and Sevilla all progressed to the next round and have been joined by eight teams dropping down from the Champions League.
European heavyweights Ajax and Inter will pose the greatest threat to those that were already in the Europa League, while Salzburg and Benfica will also have an eye on sucess in this competition. But which players that have made the same switch should we keep an eye on? Here we reveal the top 10 WhoScored rated players that have dropped down from the Champions League group stage to the last-32 of the Europa League.
10. Konstantinos Tsimikas (Olympiacos) - 7.22 rating
Olympiacos fell at the group stage hurdle but certainly gave a decent account of themselves. They drew with Tottenham, gave them a nervy contest in the return fixture and also ran Bayern Munich close at home. Daniel Podence earned a move to Wolves off the back of their campaign, while Konstantinos Tsimikas was another standout performer for the Greek side. A return of 2.3 dribbles per game was bettered by just one defender in the groups.
9. Gabriel Pires (Benfica) - 7.26 rating
Benfica were just a point outside of the top two in Group G and will rue losing their first two matches. Gabriel Pires has really struggled for regular minutes in the league this season but started five of their six group games in the Champions League. Of players that made at least three starts in the group stage, the 26-year-old ranked in the top five for the most tackles and interceptions combined per game (6.4). Pires didn't just break down attacks but he also managed 1.6 shots per game, 1.4 key passes per game and completed as many dribbles per game.
8. Romelu Lukaku (Inter) - 7.34 rating
Romelu Lukaku played a direct hand in four goals in five appearances in his maiden Champions League campaign for Inter (two goals, two assists). Lukaku managed more assists than in his two years in the competition for former club Manchester United (one assist in 17 appearances). Inter were unfortunate to end up finishing third in a group containing Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund.
7. Donny van de Beek (Ajax) - 7.34 rating
Donny van de Beek is the first of four Ajax players in the top 10 following their elimination from Group H. Last season's semi-finalists finished third with 10 points, one back from both Valencia and Chelsea. The Dutch side will be disappointed not to have made the next round but did well not to lose any of their key players last month. Donny van de Beek was one of those linked with a January move away and the highly rated 22-year-old scored twice and registered one assist in five group games.
6. Lautaro Martinez (Inter) - 7.36 rating
This may prove Lautaro Martinez's last season at Inter, with Barcelona and Manchester United reportedly keen on his signature. Martinez has been in inspired form for Inter this season and has struck up a particularly notable partnership with Lukaku. Martinez scored five goals in six games in the group stage, with three of those coming in matches against Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona. In fact, only three players scored more goals in the group stage than the Argentina international.
5. Pizzi (Benfica) - 7.38 rating
Pizzi has been a great servant to Benfica over the years but has often struggled when it comes to European club competition. That changed this season, as the 30-year-old played a direct hand in five goals in six games (three goals, two assists). In fact, Pizzi failed to score in 35 previous appearances in European club competition prior to this season and had only two assists in that time.
4. Quincy Promes (Ajax) - 7.42 rating
Quincy Promes is another player who has enjoyed a change of fortunes in Europe this season. Previous to this campaign, Promes had managed just three goals and three assists in 12 outings in European competition but rattled in four goals in his first five appearances in the Champions League for new club Ajax this term. Promes has endured an injury-hit few months for Ajax and the Dutch side will be desperate to have the 28-year-old back to full fitness.
3. Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax) - 7.57 rating
Ajax are bracing themselves for an exodus of their top players this summer and Nicolas Tagliafico is one of those in line for a high profile move. The 27-year-old has been a terrific player for Ajax since his arrival in January 2018 and that proved no different during their Champions League run earlier this season. The left-back scored once and provided one assist, both coming in a 3-0 win over Lille, and completed the most tackles (27) in the group stage.
2. Hwang Hee-Chan (Salzburg) - 7.69 rating
Salzburg were unable to convince Erling Haaland to stick around after his formidable Champions League group stage campaign and at once point last month it seemed the Austrian side would also lose Hwang Hee-Chan, with Wolves and Brighton circling. Hee-Chan concluded his first ever Champions League campaign with three goals and as many assists in six games. Not only that, but the 26-year-old was one of only 10 players to garner a perfect WhoScored 10 rating in a Champions League group stage match.
1. Hakim Ziyech (Ajax) - 7.74 rating
Chelsea fans will pay close attention to Ajax's progress in the Europa League after agreeing a deal to sign Hakim Ziyech at the end of the season. Ziyech has long been considered a star in the Netherlands and has been playing his best football in Europe's top club competition for the last 18 months. Ziyech played a direct hand in six goals in as many games during Ajax's Champions League group stage campaign earlier in the season and picked up the WhoScored Man of the Match award on two occasions. He impressively averaged 3.2 shots per game, 2.5 key passes per game. 2.2 dribbles per game and 2.3 tackles per game.
