Player Focus: Six of the Best from the Champions League

With the Champions League now back in full swing and ready to restart this week WhoScored takes a look at our top rated players in the tournament thus far. The following is a rundown from six to one of those still in with a chance of reaching the quarter-finals.

6. Blaise Matuidi (PSG) - 7.81

The attacking exploits of PSG's superstars continue to grab the limelight in Paris, but the exceptional work of Blaise Matuidi cannot be overlooked. While the likes of Lavezzi, Ibrahimovic, Menez and Pastore have 10 goals between them in Europe this season, the combative midfielder has put in the graft that has allowed those ahead of him to flourish.

The France international has a goal and an assist in the competition and is one of only four PSG players to start every game in the tournament. His average of 4.1 tackles is a team high, with his overall tally of 29 enough to rank second in the entire tournament. With an excellent average of 3.6 interceptions per game and pass accuracy of 90.8% he has been one of the most solid midfielders in the Champions League to date.

5. Isco (Malaga) - 7.93

Malaga's young playmaker was crucial to the Champions League debutants’ impressive negotiation through the group stages, helping the Andalusian's become the first team to qualify for the knockout round of 16. The 20 year old netted twice in the opening group game against Zenit before picking up assists in two of the next 3 group games against Anderlecht and AC Milan.

His average of 4 successful dribbles per game is the highest average in the competition to date, while figures of 2.2 key passes and 2 shots per game both ranked second for his side. Playing in the hole behind the striker Isco is instrumental to Malaga's play, with an average of 50.4 passes per game and 86.9% pass accuracy both team highs in the tournament.

4. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - 7.95

The fact that Lionel Messi only ranks fourth according to WhoScored ratings in the Champions League thus far is testament to the outstanding talent on display. It is also worth noting that despite being below his best for much of the tournament the Argentine still has a rating of 7.95 having only netted in 3 of his 7 appearances thus far. His overall goal tally of 5 is modest by his standards and is still only bettered by two players.

An average of 4.4 shots per game sees him third in the competition to date, though his conversion rate of 16% is way down on his league record of 28%. It's clear that the majority of his European displays this season haven't been up to his supreme standards in La Liga elsewhere, completing just half as many dribbles per game (1.9 to 3.9), though creatively he has been better, with 2 key passes per game (1.4 in La Liga).

3. Fernandinho (Shakhtar Donetsk) - 7.96

While Willian attracted most of the attention to the Ukrainian's eye-catching progress to the knockout stages, eventually earning a mega money move to Anzhi in turn, one of a number of compatriot's at the club shone from deep. Fernandinho is the metronome in an impressive Shakhtar side and is a player who gets through a phenomenal amount of work without ever really looking stretched.

Though he has just 1 goal in Europe the Brazilian has been a real threat in attacking areas, averaging 2.3 shots and 1.4 key passes per game. Elsewhere the midfielder has completed more successful dribbles than any other player in the tournament (27) whilst also ranking in the top 10 for tackles (23). He is second only to Vermaelen for interceptions (28), with 5 accurate through balls also ranking second in the tournament.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) - 7.98

Although Ronaldo has managed to better Messi in the Champions League ratings thus far he is still just pipped to the crown here into second place. The Madrid forward is the tournament's joint-top scorer with 7 goals and has unsurprisingly attempted the most shots in reaching that figure (47). Unlike the Barca man his conversion rate in Europe this season, at 15%, is marginally better than his league figure (14%).

Indeed his performances in Europe have been better than those domestically in a number of areas, averaging more passes overall (40.9 to 30.9), key passes (2.4 to 1.7) and successful dribbles (2.1 to 1.6). His pass success rate in the Champions League is also markedly higher (85.3%) and the 28 year old will no doubt be key to the outcome when he returns to familiar territory at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

1. Arturo Vidal (Juventus) - 8.03

The only player left in the competition with a WhoScored rating above an 8 may surprise many but the all action performances of Juventus' Arturo Vidal have been superb. The Chilean is arguably one of Europe's most complete midfielders, epitomising the phrase box-to-box with his fantastic work rate at both ends. He has 3 goals and an assist having started all of the Italian champions' 7 games in Europe with averages of 2.9 shots and 1.7 key passes when it comes to the offensive side of his game.

Vidal is, however, perhaps better known for his defensive work and indeed a tally of 33 tackles thus far is the most in the Champions League. With 2.3 interceptions per game to boot his work in the midfield alongside Marchisio gives Pirlo the time to dictate the play and though three teammates have averaged more passes per game than Vidal's 49.1 his role in the side is vital.