Ranking the 10 most exciting wingers in the world
Even if the traditional role of a winger has evolved, there are few things more exhilarating than those carefree menaces carving seemingly impossible routes through hordes of hapless defenders, lifting bums from seats and bringing smiles to faces. Where once the remit was to stay as wide as possible in a chalk-on-yer-boots 4-4-2, today's fantastic flyers are predominantly primed as part of a front three, tasked with hitting the byeline or cutting in on their stronger foot for a direct route to goal. "Lots of them are quick, lots of them can beat players, but it is the ones who know when to make that final pass who are extra special," says Pat Nevin, former Scotland winger and BBC Radio 5 Live pundit.
Indeed, this week we are ranking the 10 most exciting wide players in the world right now - those in top form, churning out goals, assists and dynamic dribbles. You'd be forgiven for not having heard of Yan Diomande a few months ago. Now the teenager is splashed across every transfer bulletin, is being linked with Europe's top clubs and makes this list at number 10.
The Ivory Coast international already has a remarkable journey. Born in Abidjan, Diomande uprooted on his own to Florida aged 15 on a student visa to further his football development, using Duolingo to help learn English. He had trials with MLS clubs and Rangers in Scotland, among others, but instead joined Leganes in January last year.
Diomande tragically lost his younger sister before arriving in Spain and dedicated his first professional goal to her. Twelve months since his senior debut, the 19-year-old now finds himself at RB Leipzig and thriving in the Bundesliga, scoring 10 times and registering seven assists while clocking the third-fastest speed in the division. Bought for under £20m last summer, his value - according to Transfermarkt - has rocketed to £65m in eight months.
Now at RB Leipzig, Yan Diomande only made his senior debut for Leganes against Real Madrid last March This isn't a list exclusively for wonderkids, but at nine is a 20-year-old who has been handed the number 10 jersey once sported by Alessandro del Piero, Roberto Baggio and Michel Platini and tasked with leading Juventus back to those former glories. Germany-born Turkey international Kenan Yildiz, plucked from Bayern Munich's ranks aged 17, has more goals or assists than any of his team-mates this term. Among them are some belting strikes from a youngster who also features as a playmaker - although half his 40 appearances have come in a wide position - and boasts the technique worthy of those famous Turin alumni.