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 or Jeremy Doku right now.
Let the outrage begin…
30) Iliman Ndiaye (Everton)
29) Bart Verbruggen (Brighton)
28) Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa)
27) Marc Cucurella (Chelsea)
26) Boubacar Kamara (Aston Villa)
25) Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur)
24) Malick Thiaw (Newcastle United)
23) Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace)
22) Omar Alderete (Sunderland)
21) Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United)
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) Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal)
Zubimendi has slotted in seamlessly and is gradually becoming one of Arsenal’s most important players.
18) Joao Palhinha (Tottenham Hotspur)
Jamie Carragher missed the point in his criticism of Palhinha; the Portuguese midfielder has been an outstanding signing for Spurs.
17) 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.
16) Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City)
O’Reilly is currently top of Thomas Tuchel’s left-back pecking order and rightly so. He’s been fantastic for City.
15) Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
Rogers is also making a superb case to be a starter for England at next summer’s World Cup.
14) Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth)
What a season he’s having, by the way.
13) 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.
12) 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.
11) 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.
10) Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City)
His ‘injury’ capers against Leeds United might’ve won City the game. 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.
9) Moises Caicedo (Chelsea)
Caicedo might actually be justifying the £100m+ Chelsea spent on him. But his red card against Arsenal was silly.
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) Granit Xhaka (Sunderland)
The signing of the season. Comfortably.
6) Phil Foden (Manchester City)
Foden has been growing in confidence all season and now officially looks back to his best.
5) Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)
Liverpool really f**ked it not signing this fella, 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) Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Won the Caicedo debate by forfeit when the Ecuadorian was sent off against Arsenal.
2) 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. And what a free-kick against Bournemouth.
1) Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Haaland is the best player in the Premier League and has 17 goals in 16 games in the 25/26 Premier League.
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