Inspired by the NBA’s weekly Power Rankings, in which all 30 teams are judged on current performance, overall strength, and a hint of potential rather than just the cold, hard standings, Football365 has brought the concept to the Premier League.
Over there, respected analysts and former players debate the finer details. Here on Football365, the task instead falls to one 30-year-old Scottish bloke who is unashamedly determined to find a way to put Bukayo Saka top every Tuesday.
This list blends a player’s overall ability with their present form, though what they’re delivering right now takes precedence. It’s the definitive (ish) ranking of the best 30 performers in the Premier League this season, sprinkled with a touch of footballing common sense rather than relying purely on spreadsheets and xG charts, though they do matter.
One rule: injuries mean immediate exile. That’s why there’s no Gabriel Magalhaes right now.
Let the outrage begin…
30) Richarlison (Tottenham Hotspur)
29) Marc Cucurella (Chelsea)
28) Danny Welbeck (Brighton)
27) Iliman Ndiaye (Everton)
26) Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa)
25) Bart Verbruggen (Brighton)
24) Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur)
23) Malick Thiaw (Newcastle United)
22) Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace)
21) Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City)
20) Thiago (Brentford)
Another two goals against Burnley put Thiago on 11 for the season as Brentford continue to defy expectations post-Thomas Frank. Four more goals will tie the most goals in a Premier League season by a Brazilian player.
19) Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United)
Things are looking good for Man United after smashing Wolves, with Mbeumo getting on the scoresheet in Monday’s 4-1 win at Molineux.
18) Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal)
Zubimendi has slotted in seamlessly and is gradually becoming one of Arsenal’s most important players.
17) Joao Palhinha (Tottenham Hotspur)
Jamie Carragher missed the point in his criticism of Palhinha; the Portuguese midfielder has been an outstanding signing for Spurs.
16) Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea)
It would be bold to say Fernandez is beginning to justify his £100m+ transfer fee, but he’s certainly much improved and looks like one of the Premier League’s leading central midfielders.
15) Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth)
What a season he’s having, by the way.
14) Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
You may know him as Maya Jama’s boyfriend, but we know him as one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League. He’s almost back to his very best and has been incredibly consistent this term.
13) Reece James (Chelsea)
We’re reluctant to drop ‘the I word’ around him, but it is wonderful to see James playing consistently again. He was outstanding in the draw against Arsenal.
12) Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Saka hasn’t quite got going this season, but he’s been nowhere near rubbish. He’s one of England and Arsenal’s world-class talents and when he’s fit, both of those teams have a chance against anyone.
11) Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City)
His ‘injury’ capers against Leeds United might’ve won City the game on Saturday. For that, he moved up. But he’s since moved down, not because he’s been poor, but because those above him have been brilliant.
10) Phil Foden (Manchester City)
Two crucial goals against Leeds United showed that City can win games without Erling Haaland scoring. Foden has been growing in confidence all season, but that will do him the world of good at the end of a difficult year.
9) Granit Xhaka (Sunderland)
The signing of the season. Comfortably.
8) Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool)
Liverpool’s best player this season. Maybe Liverpool’s only consistent performer this season. And not a right-back. Maybe a right-winger, though.
7) Moises Caicedo (Chelsea)
Caicedo might actually be justifying the £100m+ Chelsea spent on him. But his red card against Arsenal was silly.
6) Jeremy Doku (Manchester City)
If you invested your stocks in this guy pre-season, you’d be feeling very smug right about now. Doku has been electric for City this season.
5) Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)
Liverpool really f**ked it, didn’t they?
4) Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest)
England seem to have finally found the perfect No.6 to help unlock Declan Rice’s attacking strengths. Even when Forest lose, Anderson somehow still manages to be the best player on the park.
3) Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
The Manchester United captain has been a key player in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, moving into a deeper role to help those new expensive forwards settle in well. And that deeper role isn’t hurting his numbers. What a player.
2) Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Won the Caicedo debate by forfeit when the Ecuadorian was sent off against Arsenal on Sunday. He’s so, so close to that No.1 spot.
1) Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Haaland is the best player in the Premier League and has 15 goals in as many games in the 25/26 Premier League.
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