Kvaratskhelia leads Champions League wingers but Yamal dazzles

In the Champions League this season, four exceptional flank attackers – Lamine Yamal, Michael Olise, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Maarten Wijffels – have dominated discussion about who is the best. Football analyst Boudewijn Zenden, now assistant coach with the Belgian national team, highlighted their impact ahead of the Manchester City‑Paris Saint‑Germain clash, describing it as a dream fixture for dribblers.

Statistical leaders in the knockout phase

Opta data shows Kvaratskhelia was directly involved in ten goals for Paris Saint‑Germain in the knockout stage, almost twice as many as any other winger. By contrast, Yamal and Jérémy Doku, the 24‑year‑old Belgian who scored for Manchester City against Liverpool, topped the dribbling charts with averages of 9.6 and 11.0 successful dribbles per Champions League duel respectively.

Qualitative criteria from the experts

Zenden explained that he looks for unpredictability, noting Kvaratskhelia’s “two‑footedness” and his ability to delay decisions until the last moment. He added that versatility across leagues matters, citing Luis Díaz’s seamless transition from Liverpool to Bayern Munich as an example of a winger thriving in multiple competitions.

Regarding crossing technique, Zenden said Yamal “strikes the ball with the outside of his foot when speed is essential”, echoing former PSV striker Arjen Robben’s habit of widening his shooting angle to confuse defenders.

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Supporting players and broader context

Desiré Doué of Paris Saint‑Germain and Michael Olise of Bayern Munich are also noted for creating numerous chances for teammates, while Cody Gakpo remains the only Dutch player among Opta’s top‑16 wingers. Zenden recalled working with Gakpo at PSV, where he urged the striker to develop his left foot – a trait now evident in Kvaratskhelia’s play.

Maarten Wijffels, the football reporter who compiled the analysis on 13 October 2026, outlined three ways to assess the wingers before delivering his final verdict, though the article does not disclose his ranking.

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The discussion reflects a broader fascination with flank attackers who can both cut inside to score and deliver precise crosses, a duality that defines modern Champions League football.