Champions League: WhoScored.com top 10 players so far

By WhoScored.com

Image: Cristiano Ronaldo scored 11 goals in the group phase

Who was the top performer in the Champions League group phase?

Sixteen teams have booked their place in the knockout stage, including Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City.

However, there are only two Premier League players in WhoScored.com's ranking of the top 10 performers in the competition so far - with the third best player from England's top flight, Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech, way down in 27th.

Here's their countdown of the top 10 Champions League group stage performers, based on their statistic-based rankings…

10. Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) - 8.00 rating

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Image: Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann has impressed

It wasn't plain sailing for Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid for much of the group stages but Antoine Griezmann's four goals ensured they were able to top their table following a straight shootout with Benfica in Group C on Tuesday. The Frenchman also has an assist to his name from an impressive 2.5 key passes per game and has adhered to his manager's strenuous demands, averaging 1.8 tackles and 2.2 interceptions.

9. Douglas Costa (Bayern Munich) - 8.03 rating

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Image: Bayern Munich's Douglas Costa has two goals and two assists

Enjoying an excellent start to life in Bavaria, Douglas Costa's trickery has captured the imagination of the Bayern fans. The Brazilian winger scored two goals and registered two assists in the group stage, averaging 3.2 shots, 2.6 key passes and 3.6 successful dribbles per game over his five appearances.

8. Luis Suarez (Barcelona) - 8.10 rating

Image: Luis Suarez has five goals in five games for Barcelona

Luis Suarez scored five goals in five group-stage games for Barcelona as they booked their passage into the knockout phase. After scoring in last season's Champions League final, Suarez has picked up where he left off - only two players had a direct hand in more goals in the group stages, with the former Liverpool forward also registering two assists.

7. Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich) - 8.24 rating

Image: Bayern Munich's Kingsley Coman is the youngest player in the list

The youngest player in the top 10 here by a distance, 19-year old Kingsley Coman's rating is all the more impressive when considering one of his four Champions League appearances this season came as a substitute. That hasn't stopped the Frenchman from netting his first goal in the tournament, though it's a tally of four assists - a figure no-one can better thus far - that has really stood out in Bayern's table-topping campaign.

6. Willian (Chelsea) - 8.26 rating

Image: Willian has been Chelsea's standout player

By far and away Chelsea's standout performer in the Champions League this season, scoring five goals for the Blues thus far - four of which were expertly taken free-kicks - Willian ensured that Jose Mourinho's men secured their progression to the knockout stages. The Brazilian has also averaged 3.2 dribbles per game, along with 2.2 shots, securing his third man of the match award from WhoScored.com of the group stages in the Blues' crucial showdown with Porto on Wednesday.

5. Neymar (Barcelona) - 8.35 rating

Image: Barcelona's Neymar has been Barca's chief chance-creator

Neymar has taken his sensational league form into the Champions League after playing a decisive role in Barcelona's Champions League success last season, The Ballon d'Or nominee had a direct hand in five Champions League goals (two goals, three assists) in as many appearances thus far, with only three players completing more dribbles (27) and only one creating more chances (21).

4. Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) - 8.39 rating

Image: Alexis Sanchez was Arsenal's top Champions League player

It may have been a rollercoaster ride in the tournament to date for the Gunners, securing qualification after losing their opening two group matches, but Alexis Sanchez has been a bright spark throughout. The Chilean's absence in Arsenal's all-or-nothing group finale with Olympiakos looked likely to be a massive blow given no team-mate had come close to his influence in the Champions League. Only two players have had a hand in more goals (7) and Sanchez has completed the second-most dribbles in the tournament this season (32).

3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) - 8.51 rating

Image: Cristiano Ronaldo scored five times against Malmo

It may come as something of a shock to see the tournament's top scorer - with a massive 11 goals accompanied by three assists - only sitting third but it's been something of a hit and miss campaign for Ronaldo, who hasn't consistently been at his best. Disappointing displays in both meetings with PSG brought his score down, though the Real Madrid star has fired off almost twice as many shots (51) as any other player in the tournament.

2. Hulk (Zenit) - 8.79 rating

Image: Hulk helped Zenit St Petersburg into the knockout phase

The talisman for the only side able to boast a 100 per cent record in the tournament heading into this week's final group games, Zenit went on to lose in Hulk's absence at Gent but have stormed through the group stages regardless with thanks to the form of the powerhouse Brazilian. Hulk has his critics but has excelled in this season's Champions League, scoring three and assisting four of the Russian outfit's 12 goals, with only two players completing more dribbles (28) and only one player having been fouled more times (18).

1. Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich) - 9.07 rating

Image: Bayern Munich's Thiago Alcantara averages over 100 passes per game

Leading the way in the rankings so far after picking up the WhoScored.com man of the match award in three of his four group stage appearances is Thiago Alcantara. The Spaniard has been at his metronomic best for Bayern, averaging a quite remarkable 108.8 passes per game with 91.7 per cent accuracy. A tally of four assists is a joint-high for the tournament - with only two players creating more chances per game (four) - while the midfielder has also averaged 3.3 successful dribbles, three interceptions and 4.3 tackles per game, highlighting his dominant displays in the centre of the park.

Download the latest WhoScored.com free monthly round-up magazine to find out the stats and star performers from across Europe in November

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