A strong finish to a match will always be the difference between one point and three for teams and this is exactly how trophies are won. Here, we run through the best-rated players from the last 15 minutes of matches in Europe’s top five leagues this season…
10. Neymar (PSG) - 6.47
He may have made only a handful of appearances this season owing to injury, but Neymar has impressed in the dying embers of games as his WhoScored rating (6.47) suggests. 0.8 key passes per game from the 75th minute onwards is a fine return for the Brazilian, who has also scored two goals and registered two assists in this period, which is excellent considering he has only featured 12 times from this point in matches.
9. Lukasz Piszczek (Borussia Dortmund) - 6.48
The first of two Borussia Dortmund players to make the grade here, Lukasz Piszczek comes in at ninth, with the experienced Pole impressing as games draw to a close. The full-back has gained a commendable WhoScored rating of 6.48, with 0.5 tackles of 0.4 interceptions per game helping to push that figure as high as it is.
8. Hatem Ben Arfa (Rennes) - 6.48
Hatem Ben Arfa has made a habit of growing into games in Ligue 1 this season, with three of his five league goals coming after the 75th minute. In addition, the Frenchman has completed 17 dribbles in the latter stages of games, one of the better returns in Europe’s top five leagues, to land a WhoScored rating of 6.48.
7. Kerem Demirbay (Hoffenheim) - 6.49
Coming in at seventh is Hoffenheim star Kerem Bemirbay, who has landed a WhoScored rating of 6.49 from the latter stages of league games this season. The Bundesliga side’s creative star excels in the dying embers of matches as he makes one key pass per game, more than any other player, from the 75th minute onwards.
6. Adama Traore (Wolves) - 6.49
Largely used as an impact sub for Wolves following his big money arrival, it’s easy to see why. Adama Traore’s greatest strength is his driving ability in possession, reinforcing a statistically calculated WhoScored.com strength of ‘dribbling’ having completed 21 dribbles late on as Wolves utilise this quality to run at tiring defences and win matches late on.
5. Willi Orban (RB Leipzig) - 6.50
A current feature in the European team of the season, Willi Orban boasts the necessary concentration and fitness levels to ensure RB Leipzig are rarely troubled as the minutes tick towards the 90. Indeed, a WhoScored rating of 6.50 is not to be scoffed at for one of Europe’s best centre-backs this season.
4. Sebastien Haller (Eintracht Frankfurt) - 6.50
Fellow Bundesliga star Sebastien Haller marginally misses out on a place in the top three despite scoring six goals and registering two assists late on in games, a fine return to say the least. The Frenchman has been hugely effective for Eintracht Frankfurt this season, with his never-say-die attitude a boost for the Bundesliga side and it’s seen him land a WhoScored rating of 6.50 from the 75th minute onwards.
3. Kylian Mbappe (PSG) - 6.51
Pipping Haller to a top three spot in PSG forward and compatriot Kylian Mbappe. The young striker has had a direct hand in a whopping 11 goals from the 75th minute onwards in Ligue 1 matches this season, netting eight, That alone makes up an impressive 34.5% of his total goals and assists in France’s top tier this term as PSG relentlessly tear opponents apart from the first minute to the last.
2. Paco Alcacer (Borussia Dortmund) - 6.53
Super-sub Paco Alcacer has scored more goals from the 75th minute onwards (9) than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues this season. The Spaniard’s goals have dried up of late, with Alcacer netting just twice since the Bundesliga’s return from the winter break, but he’s still a handy striker to call from the bench when Borussia Dortmund are pushing for a goal and it’s helped land a WhoScored rating of 6.53.
1. Eden Hazard (Chelsea) - 6.54
Topping this list with a WhoScored rating of 6.54 is Chelsea star Eden Hazard. Only Lionel Messi (6) has registered more assists than Hazard (5) from the 75th minute onwards in Europe’s top five leagues this season, while 23 key passes late on ranks top. An additional 17 successful dribbles means Hazard is good value for his fine rating so late in games.
