The UEFA Europa League, often overshadowed by its prestigious sibling, the UEFA Champions League, has come to develop a reputation as one of the most competitive and exciting tournaments in Europe.
The Europa League, often referred to as European club football second tier competition, offers an opportunity for teams that failed to qualify for the Champions League to also compete on the continental stage.
This competition provides a platform for talented players across Europe to showcase their skills and make their mark on a grand stage.
In this article, we shall explore the top candidates for the 2023/24 Europa League Player of the Season award, analyzing their performances and impacts on their various teams.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Olympique Marseille
The French striker has become an important member of the Marseille squad since making the switch after leaving Chelsea. His creativity, skill and pinpoint accuracy in front of goal have made him a constant headache for opposition defenders in the Europa League this season.
Aubameyang tops the goalscorers chart of this season’s Europa League campaign ahead of Romelu Lukaku of AS Roma and Joao Pedro of Brighton and Hove Albion with 10 goals in 11 appearances for Marseille.
The Frenchman exceeded the record set by previous holder Radamel Falcao (30) during the knockout round playoffs and will have an opportunity to increase his total in the semi-finals after Marseille eliminated Benfica.
The 34-year-old striker has racked up an impressive 13 goals involvement in 11 appearances for Olympique Marseille so far this season and the French side will be looking to their red-hot hitman for inspiration as they square up against AS Roma in the semifinals.
Romelu Lukaku – AS Roma
The giant Belgian forward on loan from Chelsea has been tearing up the Europa League in the Giallorossi colors. Lukaku’s speed, clinical finishing, and sheer physical presence on the pitch have made him a nightmare for opposition defenses.
The Roma forward has made his mark in the history of UEFA’s Europa League after scoring a crucial equalizer for the Giallorossi in the first leg of the Europa League playoffs against Feyenoord to equal Aritz Aduriz as the 3rd best Europa League goal-scorer of all time with 26 goals to his name. Only Radamel Falcao and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have more than Lukaku (30).
Lukaku has recorded 8 goal involvements in 11 appearances for the Giallorossi in the Europa League this season and the 30-year-old Belgian hitman will be looking to play a significant role as AS Roma look to go one better than they managed last season when they lost to Sevilla in the Europa League final.
Victor Boniface – Bayer Leverkusen
The Nigerian international forward has been one of the standout performers of Xabi Alonso’s unbeatable Bayer Leverkusen this season. Despite suffering an injury setback at the turn of the year, Boniface has since bounced back and has been a crucial part of Leverkusen’s success this season.
The striker’s impressive dribbling abilities, creativity, and clinical finishing have enabled him to contribute significantly to Bayer Leverkusen remaining unbeaten and progressing in the Europa League this season. The forward’s creative abilities shone through in the group stage, demonstrating that his impact extends beyond scoring.
Victor Boniface has been involved in 7 goals for Leverkusen in 7 Europa League appearances this season and the 23-year-old forward will be crucial to his team’s success in their semifinal matchup against Atalanta.
Leverkusen tickets are in very high demand ahead of their semifinal clash against Roma.
Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen
The young German international has made a significant impact for Leverkusen in the Europa League. The midfielder’s movement, clinical finishing, and work rate have been crucial in Alonso’s attacking strategies. Wirtz’s ability to find the back of the net or provide for a teammate in crucial moments has propelled Bayer Leverkusen this season.
Beyond his goal-scoring ability, Wirtz’s versatility also allows him to play across the forward line, providing Leverkusen l with tactical flexibility. His link-up play with teammates and pressing intensity have been instrumental in Bayer Leverkusen’s success in the Europa League.
The youngster scored in both legs of the knockout round play-off tie against Monaco, adding an assist in the second game. He then provided another assist when Bayer Leverkusen defeated Ferencváros 2-0 in the first leg of the round of 16. His third and final goal in the knockout stage came as a crucial late equalizer against Union SG in their quarter-final opener.
The 20-year-old has recorded an impressive 7-goal contribution in 8 Europa League appearances for Leverkusen this season and is set to play an important role as Leverkusen forge ahead in the competition.
Gianluca Mancini – AS Roma
Defenders rarely get a look in from award committees but Manci has done well in the Europa League to be mentioned in this conversation. The Italian defensive stalwart has been an inspiration at the back in Daniele De Rossi’s new-look Roma side.
The 28-year-old defender came up clutch for Roma in the quarterfinals against AC Milan – a testament to his impressive displays at the back for the capital club.
A prominent figure at the back and a regular feature in the competition right from the start. Mancini has made 10 appearances in the competition for Roma, scoring three important goals. He has also made 13 tackles while completing 89.2% of his passes.
De Rossi will be counting on him to stop Leverkusen’s prominent attack in their semifinal duel. Even if they fail to progress, Mancini has done well.
Mohammed Salah – Liverpool
The Egyptian winger was a standout performer for Liverpool in the Europa League before their shock quarter-final exit against Atalanta. The Egyptian has established himself as arguably one of the best wingers in the world at the moment.
Salah’s creativity, technicality, and vision were crucial to the Red’s charge into the quarterfinals. The winger’s dribbling abilities, blistering pace, and creativity saw him provide key assists, and score important goals for Liverpool in the group and knockout stages.
The Liverpool star man recorded 9 goal involvements in 9 appearances for the Reds, scoring important goals in the group stage and knockout rounds.
Despite his team being knocked out of the competition already, Mo Salah would be in contention for the Player of the Season award given his contributions to his team before their unexpected exit.
