With the 'Big Five' leagues having reached their midway points, GOAL picks out the top performers from the 2021-22 campaign to date…
Real Madrid.GK: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
Thibaut Courtois has had a flawless first half of the season, playing a starring role in Real Madrid's dominance of La Liga.
Unlike all of his main rivals for our No.1 shirt, the Belgium international hasn't made a single error leading to a goal in 2021-22, which is hugely impressive, given he's been kept far busier than goalkeepers such as Edouard Mendy, Ederson and Alisson.
Indeed, Courtois has already made a whopping 71 saves and boasts a save percentage of 78.41.
In short, the 29-year-old, who has kept 11 clean sheets in 25 games played, is very much back to his brilliant best.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesRB: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Trent Alexander-Arnold had his issues earlier this year, meaning his inclusion in England's Euro 2020 squad was in doubt even before he was ruled out by injury.
This season, though, the Liverpool right-back is arguably performing as well as he's ever done.
Alexander-Arnold has created more chances (58) and racked up more assists (10) than any other defender in Europe, while he's also scored two stunning goals: a sublime free-kick at West Ham, and a thunderbolt from outside the area against Newcastle.
As former Manchester United ace Gary Neville recently pointed out, it's like Liverpool have Steven Gerrard, Kevin De Bruyne or David Beckham at right-back!
Getty ImagesCB: Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
The undisputed leader of the meanest defence in world football right now, Manchester City's Ruben Dias continues to make everything look so remarkably easy.
The Portuguese just doesn't make mistakes. He hasn't made a single error leading to even a shot on his own goal this season, while his distribution is nearly always immaculate.
Indeed, Dias ranks fifth among centre-backs for successful passes (1527) across Europe's 'Big Five' leagues, while his overall pass success rate is 93.11 per cent.
A near-constant in a City team that is regularly rotated, the 24-year-old was voted Premier League Player of the Season in 2020-21. With City top of the table again, having conceded just nine goals in 18 games, don't be surprised if Dias prevails again in 2022.
Getty ImagesCB: Nico Schlotterbeck (Freiburg)
No side has conceded fewer goals in the Bundesliga this season than Frieburg (16) and Nico Schlotterbeck has been key in that regard.
After a hugely successful loan spell at Union Berlin last season, the versatile centre-back, who can also play in midfield, helped Germany win the Under-21 European Championship during the summer before being named in the senior squad in September by new boss Hansi Flick.
The left-footer has continued to go from strength to strength, proving a rock at the back for third-placed Freiburg while contributing two goals at the other end of the field.
Unsurprisingly, the 22-year-old is already being linked with a future move to Bayern Munich.