Injury Issues for Liverpool: No Sympathy from Hislop
Shaka Hislop and Craig Burley reacted to comments from Arne Slot regarding his squad choices after Liverpool’s departure from the Carabao Cup.
As I constructed my list of the top 50 players prior to the start of the Premier League season, the landscape appeared quite stable. Liverpool and Arsenal were predicted to compete for the championship, while Manchester City could join the fray depending on Rodri’s health. Chelsea, on the other hand, seemed distanced from this top tier, projected to secure the fourth position comfortably.
These four teams were seen as the best based on their rosters. However, how do we account for the current standings?
After nine matches, Arsenal is sitting at the top, but following them are Bournemouth, Tottenham, and Sunderland. Yes, you read that right! Bournemouth and Spurs are included in the top four, while Manchester City currently resides in fifth place, Liverpool is seventh, and the Club World Cup champions Chelsea are down in ninth, yet to face either Arsenal or City this season.
This season has brought unexpected changes, but it’s too early to confirm a total shift in power dynamics. Arsenal’s squad has been performing remarkably, and City’s striker, Erling Haaland, is also excelling. However, the situation becomes murky beyond them. Evaluating the current effectiveness of Liverpool players as well as Bournemouth is challenging. Would you prefer Antoine Semenyo or Florian Wirtz right now?
To explore these questions, stay tuned for the latest installment of ESPN’s Premier League Top 50.
Understanding the Rankings System
The rankings reflect both my assessment of who the best players are (those who would significantly contribute to victories if they played every minute) and those providing the most value (the players actively helping their teams win). This method prevents a list dominated by players from a handful of clubs.
In crafting this latest list, I sought a balance between pre-season evaluations and performances witnessed in the first nine weeks. It’s tough to believe Liverpool’s players suddenly became ineffective, leading to many familiar names remaining on the list, albeit at lower positions than before. Conversely, the opposite holds true for Arsenal, as nearly every player is enjoying an upswing.
The goal is to adjust based on early performances while not entirely overhauling one’s perception after just a handful of games. This ranking favors players whose contributions are measurable, even if many actions on the pitch remain unquantifiable.
Moreover, players suffering from long-term injuries are excluded from the current rankings. Now, let’s dive into the list!
50. Reece James, Full Back, Chelsea
49. Tyler Adams, Midfielder, Bournemouth
Adams has logged 97% of the minutes for the second-ranked team in the Premier League, which is likely no coincidence.
Bournemouth, although expected to slow down, fields a competitive team despite having lost 75% of their defense and possibly their top forward over the summer. Adams’ consistent play from last season is pivotal, as his anticipation and ball-winning abilities complement the team’s chaotic style effectively.
48. Matheus Cunha, Forward, Manchester United
47. Marcos Senesi, Center Back, Bournemouth
46. Sandro Tonali, Midfielder, Newcastle
45. Morgan Rogers, Attacking Midfielder, Aston Villa
44. Michael Kayode, Fullback, Brentford
Kayode’s long throw-ins may be the most dangerous attacking weapon in the Premier League. According to Stats Perform’s expected possession value model, he excels when the ball is in his hands.
43. Daniel Muñoz, Full Back, Crystal Palace
42. Iliman Ndiaye, Winger, Everton
41. Estêvão, Winger, Chelsea
40. Micky van de Ven, Center Back, Tottenham
39. Yankuba Minteh, Winger, Brighton
38. Jack Grealish, Winger, Everton
This season has certainly thrown some surprises our way, as indicated in the latest charts.
37. Eberechi Eze, Attacking Midfielder, Arsenal
36. Jordan Pickford, Goalkeeper, Everton
35. David Raya, Goalkeeper, Arsenal
34. Alexis Mac Allister, Midfielder, Liverpool
33. Guglielmo Vicario, Goalkeeper, Tottenham
Vicario has consistently allowed fewer goals than expected, demonstrating exceptional positional play. As long as he remains fit, he stands as one of the league’s top shot-stoppers.
32. Rúben Dias, Center Back, Manchester City
31. Adam Wharton, Midfielder, Crystal Palace
30. Jérémie Doku, Winger, Manchester City
Initially, there were doubts about Doku’s contributions at Manchester City, but he has improved significantly this season, contributing much more to play creation compared to his first two seasons in the league.
29. Cody Gakpo, Forward, Liverpool
28. Ismaïla Sarr, Forward, Crystal Palace
27. Dango Ouattara, Forward, Brentford
26. Jan Paul van Hecke, Center Back, Brighton
25. Jean-Philippe Mateta, Forward, Crystal Palace
Mateta’s recent match against Bournemouth showcased his striking ability, generating an impressive 2.88 expected goals.
24. Bryan Mbeumo, Forward, Manchester United
23. Marc Guéhi, Center Back, Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace has five players in the top tier of performance, highlighting their strong xG differential, positioned behind only Arsenal and City.
22. Jurriën Timber, Full Back, Arsenal
This might be considered too low for Timber, who has transformed significantly this season, contributing greatly in possession as well as defense.
21. Elliot Anderson, Midfielder, Nottingham Forest
Anderson has made his mark this season with outstanding statistics in both tackles and progressive passes.
20. Enzo Fernández, Midfielder, Chelsea
19. Ibrahima Konaté, Center Back, Liverpool
18. Florian Wirtz, Attacking Midfielder, Liverpool
17. Martín Zubimendi, Midfielder, Arsenal
16. Antoine Semenyo, Winger, Bournemouth
15. Ryan Gravenberch, Midfielder, Liverpool
14. Rodri, Midfielder, Manchester City
13. Alexander Isak, Forward, Liverpool
12. Mohamed Salah, Winger, Liverpool
Ranking Salah alongside Isak and Rodri proved challenging, as all three are not performing at the levels expected, but each has a history of elite contributions.
11. Josko Gvardiol, Center Back, Manchester City
10. Bruno Fernandes, Midfielder, Manchester United
Fernandes continues to demonstrate his exceptional passing ability, leading the league in progressive passes and maintaining impressive defensive contributions.
9. Virgil van Dijk, Center Back, Liverpool
Although Van Dijk’s current form does not reflect his top-tier performance from last season, he remains a significant aerial presence.
8. Dominik Szoboszlai, Midfielder, Liverpool
Szoboszlai has emerged as Liverpool’s standout performer, demonstrating impressive numbers in distance covered and involvement on the pitch.
7. Bruno Guimarães, Midfielder, Newcastle
Guimarães is a significant presence in the midfield, skillfully balancing risk and reward in his passing.
6. Moisés Caicedo, Midfielder, Chelsea
Caicedo has evolved into a key player for Chelsea, showcasing his pass completion and shooting skills from outside the penalty area.
5. William Saliba, Center Back, Arsenal
Saliba stands out as one of the finest defenders in the world today.
4. Bukayo Saka, Forward, Arsenal
While Saka’s early season statistics are subpar compared to past performances, his defensive contributions remain significant.
3. Declan Rice, Midfielder, Arsenal
Rice excels in various aspects of the game, making him a top candidate for the best all-around midfielder in the sport.
2. Gabriel Magalhães, Center Back, Arsenal
Gabriel has strengthened his reliability as a defender and plays a crucial role in set-piece situations.
1. Erling Haaland, Forward, Manchester City
Despite a slow start to the season, Haaland’s scoring prowess remains unmatched in the Premier League.
n
