Nkunku, Rice leads UEFA Europa League 2021-22 Team of the Season

The continental showpiece was full of sensational performances.

The 2021-22 edition of the UEFA Europa League came to an end with Eintracht Frankfurt winning the tournament. In the process, it became the first German club ever to win the trophy since the rebranding. As always, the competition across the group stages and the knockout stage was intense. There were several teams that could have won the tournament because of their closeness on paper.

Eventually, Rangers from Scottish Premiership and Eintracht Frankfurt from the German Bundesliga made it to the final. The fixture itself went to a penalty shootout that saw Oliver Glasner’s men emerge victoriously. Plenty of individuals managed to deliver exceptional performances.

Players from the two finalists and also from the teams that did not make it into the final were highly impressive. Looking back at the memorable tournament, here is Khel Now’s Team UEFA Europa League 2021-22 Team of the Season:

GK - Kevin Trapp

Kevin Trapp was sensational for Eintracht Frankfurt in their journey to the final and in the final itself. The German custodian kept two clean sheets but his most important contribution came in the final. He kept the team in the fixture with a crucial save in the 117th minute and then saved Aaron Ramsey’s penalty in the shootout. He also made 36 saves overall, the second-best in the tournament.

RB - James Tavernier

James Tavernier emerged as one of the best full-backs in Europe in the past season. The defender finished as the top scorer in the UEL with seven goals. He also made two assists for Rangers FC and converted his penalty in the shootout. He also won 60% of his aerial duels and had 2.2 clearances per game.

CB - Connor Goldson

Rangers FC had a calming presence of Connor Goldson in their defence. The centre-back was crucial in the team’s European campaign with 101 ball recoveries, the most in the competition. He also made 78 clearances which were the highest for any player. 

CB - Tuta

Eintracht Frankfurt’s defence was one of their strong points in their course to becoming champions. The German Bundesliga team had Tuta leading their three-man defence. Playing in the centre of the three centre-backs, the 22-year-old made his mark with 75 ball recoveries, the third-best in the tournament. 

LB - Evan Ndicka

Evan Ndicka showed great versatility by playing as a wider defender in the defensive line of Frankfurt. The defender was a consistent performer for the outfit in both UEL and the German Bundesliga. He made 81 ball recoveries (second-most) and had 37 clearances. The 22-year-old also completed 80% of his dribbles and makes the Team of the Season.

CDM - Declan Rice

Declan Rice could not guide West Ham to the final of the competition but he was an outstanding performer nonetheless. The defensive midfielder is linked with a move to multiple elite clubs in England due to his performances. He also scored three goals for the Hammers in the European campaign. Apart from that, Rice had 62 ball recoveries in merely 10 outings. 

CAM - Christopher Nkunku

Christopher Nkunku was the German Bundesliga Player of the Season 2021-22. Unsurprisingly, he features in the Khel Now’s UEFA Europa League TOTS as well. RB Leipzig was in a strong position to enter the final but a second leg debacle saw them knocked out by Rangers FC. Regardless, Nkunku’s four goals in merely six appearances helped the side reach the semis, at the very least.

CAM - Daichi Kamada

Daichi Kamada was consistently good for Eintracht Frankfurt on their road to UEL triumph. The midfielder scored five goals (fourth-highest) and also converted his penalty in the crucial shootout. The 25-year-old had an assist and a 63% successful dribble rate. He is one of the most promising Asian players at the moment that are playing in Europe. 

LW - Filip Kostic

Filip Kostic was in excellent form throughout the UEL campaign for Eintracht Frankfurt. The winger made the most assists (6) during the term and also assisted the equaliser in the final. Furthermore, Kostic scored the penalty in the final shootout. The 29-year-old took 33 attempts on goal which was also the highest for any player in the tournament.

RW - Jarrod Bowen

West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen had a very successful season across all competitions. In the UEL, the winger scored three goals for the Premier League outfit. His goals in either leg against title contenders Olympique Lyonnais in the quarter-final were key in helping the side reach the semis.

ST -  Rafael Borre

Rafael Borre was fabulous and helped Eintracht Frankfurt lift the UEL title. He kept his best performance for the final where the striker scored the equaliser and then scored the deciding penalty to make his team the champions. He also scored the winner against West Ham in the second leg to help the team reach the final. The 26-year-old finished the campaign with four goals and two assists. 

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