The annual GOAL50 award for 2051 has been announced, and Chelsea’s influence on world football is clearer than ever. The Blues not only produced the outright winner in Paul Malcolm, but also placed an astonishing fifteen players in the top 50, underlining the depth of their current squad and the club’s dominance across competitions.
Malcolm, 32, topped the ranking after another outstanding season in which his leadership and consistency defined Chelsea’s campaign. His teammate Logan Granger, at 29, finished second, giving the Stamford Bridge side a historic one-two finish. Chelsea’s Zain Whatmough (5th), Zoubir Rebiaï (7th), Joby Holwell (8th), and Luther Banton (11th) also made the top tier, reflecting a side balanced across positions with world-class quality.
The breadth of Chelsea’s representation is unprecedented. From goalkeeper Joby Holwell to creative forces like Edon Chafer (13th) and Facundo Quiroga (14th), and defensive rocks such as McKauley Civzelis (16th), the club’s presence across all roles was recognised. Even players outside the immediate spotlight, including Scott Crichton (22nd), José Franco (31st), Kieran O’Sullivan (32nd) and Emanuele Sala (47th), were rewarded for their impact.
Elsewhere, the list showcased global talent. FC Bayern’s M. Brun (3rd) and Vardan Asatryan (9th), Real Madrid’s C. Pritchard (4th) and P. Mutiu (15th), as well as FC Nantes star F. Longhi (6th) all reinforced Europe’s traditional giants. Yet the strong showings from players based in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr highlighted the growing pull of non-European leagues in attracting elite players.
Manchester United’s contingent included Daniel Ruff (29th) and veteran Alexey Frolov (43rd), the latter still recognised among the world’s best despite debate over his legacy following that record-breaking transfer more than a decade ago. Their inclusion, however, paled in comparison to Chelsea’s sweeping dominance, which has become a recurring theme in the modern game.
Ultimately, GOAL50 2051 confirmed Chelsea’s grip on global footballing talent. With the world’s best player in Paul Malcolm, and an unprecedented share of the list, the award paints a clear picture: Stamford Bridge is the current epicentre of elite football, and the challenge for their rivals is not just to catch up—but to break through a dominance that now stretches from domestic to international acclaim.