Three standout players in the 2021-22 Europa League

The stage is set for the Europa League final at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium in Seville later this month.

Two unlikely contenders in the form of Glasgow Rangers and German Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt are due to battle it out to be crowned the champions of Europe’s secondary club competition on 18th May. 

Having been dubbed the best edition of the Europa League in years as sides like Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig featured in the knockout stages of the tournament, it’s a final matchup that very few would have predicted.

But both sides have upset the betting on football to book their place in the Seville, and it promises to be a thrilling final, regardless. 

So, with the final in sunny Spain firmly on the horizon, now seems like the perfect time to take stock of three players who have really stood out in this year’s edition of the Europa League.

James Tavernier – Rangers

It’s hard to pick out just one Rangers player given all this side has achieved in this year’s tournament, but you simply can’t look beyond James Tavernier.

The Gers’ captain is all but guaranteed the Europa League golden boot at this stage, leading the way with seven goals — which is certainly no mean feat considering he’s a right back.

The Rangers captain failed to find the back of the net as his side finished second to Lyon in Group A, but he has been a true inspiration in the knockout phases — scoring in the 4-2 win away to Dortmund, bagging a brace in the 2-2 draw with the Germans at Ibrox, netting again against Red Star in Belgrade, before scoring two at home to Braga and one at home to Leipzig. Incredible! 

Filip Kostić – Frankfurt

Again, it’s difficult to hone in on just one Frankfurt player as their run to the final has been equally as impressive as Rangers’. With five goals, Leeds United target Daichi Kamada deserves an honourable mention, but we have decided to turn out attention to Serbian international Filip Kostić.

Like Tavernier, the 29-year-old has been the driving force in Frankfurt dispatching of Real Betis, Barcelona and West Ham United to book their place in Seville. After racking up three assists in the groups, Kostić scored in the 2-1 victory away to Betis and he set up a crucial goal in the 1-1 draw at home. 

But it was the away leg against Barça that was perhaps his best performance to date. The Serbian scored twice and assisted Rafael Borré as Frankfurt secured an historic 3-2 victory at the Nou Camp. Rangers will need to keep him quiet in Spain. 

Christopher Nkunku – RB Leipzig

Leipzig were unable to live up to their status as Europa League favourites in the football predictions, and to make matters worse for the German side, they now look set to lose another of their promising stars — as Christopher Nkunku’s performances in the tournament have resulted in him being branded as one of the best youngsters in the game at the minute.

Leipzig dropped down to Europe’s secondary club competition after finishing third in their Champions League group, and Manchester United target Nkunku went on to bag four goals in the competition — which isn’t quite as impressive as his seven goals in the Bundesliga side’s six Champions League games.

The 24-year-old scored in the first-leg 2-2 draw against Real Sociedad in the play-off round, twice against Atalanta in the second leg of the quarter finals against the Italian outfit and just once against Rangers.

It will be interesting to see where he goes this summer.