Jamal Musiala
The wonder kid, as so many in football consider him, has been absolutely outstanding and a pure honor to watch over the past few seasons. In 2024 he may have produced some of his best work though, leaving teams in awe as he dribbled past three, four, and five guys to create chances either for himself or his teammates. His tallies on the scoresheet aren't eye-popping in any way, but the level of elegance and ability he shows when you watch this young man grace the football pitch make you wonder if he will be the best in the world in a short span of time.
The price tag of $140 million that rests on his head may even be too small of a number because this kid could already be the most incredible midfielder of his generation. Although Rodri is a surefire pick, and Cole Palmer will most definitely make it in because he gets all the plaudits for the numbers he generates for Chelsea, I feel like Musiala could get the vote as well. This kid has a cult following--rightfully so, I believe--and he could generate enough decisions in his favor to pop into the third vacancy. For every true football lover's sake, I hope he does make it.