Three Premier League-based French players dominated Goal 50 voting in the middle of the park, but it was the Algerian who prevailed after a stunning year

GOAL 50

Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez has crowned his meteoric rise by being named the best midfielder of the year in the Goal 50 rankings.

Mahrez was pivotal in the Foxes' incredible Premier League triumph in 2015-16.

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And voters believe his achievements merit his standing as the highest-ranked player in his position - and seventh overall - a distinction to go alongside his PFA Players' Player of the Year award in England.

Mahrez is followed in the voting by a fellow champion, N'Golo Kante (13th overall), who left Leicester for Chelsea after starring in the race for the title.

West Ham United's Dimitri Payet (14th) completes an all-France, all-Premier League podium, with the trio followed by the world's most expensive player, Paul Pogba (15th), and Bayern Munich's Arturo Vidal (17th).