The five most powerful players in world football - Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Dusan Vlahovic…
- Graeme Bailey
- 24 January 2022
Player power is dominating the game, with free agents and transfer clauses helping some of the best players in the world take control of their destinies. Graeme Bailey looks at the five most powerful.
Harry Kane' struggles to leave Tottenham in the summer were well documented, with the length of his contract and the club's unwillingness to sell scuppering his dream of a move to Manchester City.
However, Kane's experience is very different to that of some of the world's other top talents who have the power very much in their own hands.
Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe is the clear heir apparent to be the world's greatest player and is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain in 2022.
PSG's Qatari chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi tried to flex his muscles last year saying: "I will be clear: Kylian will be staying in Paris. We are never going to sell him, and he will never leave for free."
Think again Nasser. The chairman can't stop him leaving or even talking to other clubs and he is doing so, although it seems only one club, in the shape of Real Madrid.
Only one man will decide Mbappe's future...Kylian Mbappe.
Erling Haaland
Mbappe might be the heir apparent to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, but Haaland won't be far behind him.
Unlike Mbappe, Haaland is not a free agent but he does have a release clause which kicks in this summer. It means he can leave for under £70million, less than half his market value.
Borussia Dortmund are not happy and want to know what Haaland's intentions are. They want meetings but they are getting nothing. Dortmund don't even have any influence as to which club the Norwegian club will go to.
Haaland recently informed Dortmund that he does not have to meet them. Ultimate player power from the Scandinavian superstar.
Paul Pogba
Manchester United already know they can't stop Paul Pogba leaving - but they are eager to know his plans.
United are keen to talk but so are Real Madrid, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.
Pogba won't be leaving this month. His future is in his hands and United know this. They also know that barring a new deal there is nothing they can do.
Franck Kessie
The Ivorian international is keeping AC Milan waiting. Out of contract in the summer, talks with the Serie A giants have not gone too well.
Milan have even talked about selling him this month to one of the teams talking to Kessie about a free transfer - namely Tottenham.
But Kessie has shown he has the power, even at the AFCON. He has told Milan he won't be moving before the summer and talks are on hold. Milan are powerless.
Dusan Vlahovic
Mbappe and Haaland are set to move in 2022 but in different circumstances.
And a player with the potential to rival the duo is Fiorentina's brilliant Serbian Dusan Vlahovic.
Out of contract in 2023, he is refusing to enter into discussions over a new deal. Fiorentina are keen to sell and they have interest, with Arsenal ready to pay over £60million.
However, Vlahovic is not talking. He doesn't want to join Arsenal and has made it clear to his club that he won't be told where to go.
Fiorentina want to cash in and realise they will likely have to abide by his decision. However, that could mean a move to Juventus, a club Fiorentina hate and one they often lose their best players to. Looks like it could happen again!
