Reranking the MVP for the top Premier League clubs

In March, we attempted to tackle a mighty question: Which players at the Premier League’s top clubs are the most important?

We used a simple combination of ability and tactical factors to assess how crucial the players were to their teams and ranked the top 15 accordingly. Naturally, the best, most consistent and most present players filtered toward the top, while also allowing room for the most tactically crucial individuals to receive credit too.

Now we’ve revisited the subject, intrigued to see how things have changed. Football teams have to weather plenty of storms over the course of half a year, often changing, tweaking and recalibrating around injuries, absences and fluctuations in form. So we’ve reranked the players at England’s traditional Big Six clubs, checking in on how things have transpired since March, who has risen to the fore and increased their stock, and who, conversely, has dropped off.

To begin, here are a few notes about the methodology.

Why 15? Well, with 11 first-team players starting any given match, this should allow for those squad positions that aren’t 100% cemented. Any long-term injury absences will be noted separately and not considered for the ranking.

Who is eligible? A player must have played 200 Premier League minutes or more for their club. That’s not a particularly high bar — it’s just over 20% — and the vast majority of important players clear that threshold with ease. We want to ensure the rankings feel truly up to date on who is important to their teams.

How can you rate the players? WhoScored has an algorithm that gives an overall number out of 10, but it lends itself more to on-ball actions, while this will be more subjective. “Minutes played” is obviously a key component of how important a player is to their manager, but slight injury issues can complicate that: We will use it only as a guide.

Are stats involved? Certainly. We’ll look within the context of their position and, for example, will make a case for why a striker (goals, assists, key passes, etc.) will rank higher than a teammate.

How hard is it? Some of the decisions are glaringly obvious, but others not so much. Comparing players across different position groups is a difficult task. Within the context of a squad, though, it’s possible to get a feel for who is the most integral.

I disagree wholeheartedly with your decision to put X below Y. Will you change it? Of course people will disagree and a lot of this is subjective, but it’s only a bit of fun.

Enough of that. On with the rankings.

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ARSENAL

Things really haven’t gone to plan so far this season for Arsenal, who enter the November international break an uncomfortable nine points off the summit. Injuries have undoubtedly played a big part in their drop in form, and one injury in particular, to Martin Ødegaard, has made clear just how important he is to the functionality of this team. Elsewhere, there’s a handful of new faces in this list and some greater appreciation for one centre-back in particular.

MISSED THE CUT: An important note here is that only 14 Arsenal players have played 200 or more minutes, so we’ll be using the 15th-most used player at 15 even though he’s a little short on time. That bumps Gabriel Jesus (127 minutes) out of the rankings in tough circumstances. Also not qualifying were Raheem Sterling, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior, who have only played small roles.

15. Jorginho (-6 vs. last year)

It’s a big fall for Jorginho, who only makes the list thanks to a technicality anyway. He enjoyed some really positive spells in the XI last season, but always seems to migrate back to the bench if Thomas Partey is fit enough to play.

14. Mikel Merino (New!)

You’ll notice from here that injuries become something of a theme; Merino has struggled with them since signing in the summer, but when he has played he’s made it clear why Arsenal wanted him. He’s an excellent duel-winner, a strong all-round midfielder and can pop up with the odd goal — like the one against Liverpool.

13. Riccardo Calafiori (New!)

Calafiori has made a big early impression at Arsenal, scoring a beautiful goal against Manchester City and overlapping well from left-back until injury hit in October. He’ll return soon, and then it won’t be long until he feels like an established presence in this team.

12. Jurriën Timber (New!)

Finally, he’s fit. Finally, he can make an impact. And the early signs are Timber is going to have a really positive one at Arsenal. He has flipped seamlessly between right- and left-back this season as needed, showing he can overlap, invert and stick doggedly to opposition wingers in one-on-ones. He’s still in the category of utility player for now, but as the season wears on, he’ll make more and more headway into this XI.

11. Leandro Trossard (+3)

When everyone is fit and in form, Trossard may find himself on the bench. But in the modern game, when is everyone fit and in form at the same time? The Belgian’s versatility means he can slot in a series of different ways: on the wing, through the centre, or even as a split striker in a 4-4-2, which we’ve seen recently. His willingness to take on any challenge and accept that he is not a guaranteed starter makes him a valuable player.

10. Thomas Partey (New!)

Partey is one of four players to start all 11 Premier League games, and his versatility has helped. He has mostly played in central midfield, but three-and-a-bit games at right-back helped fix a recent mini-injury crisis. Arteta’s commitment to the Ghana international seems clear; they were ticking along well at the back end of last season with Jorginho at the base of midfield, but Partey was still sent in for the final stretch once he’d recovered from a troublesome injury.

9. Ben White (-2)

With Timber emerging, White’s key status diminishes. But we’ll see how they cope without him for a couple of months after his recent surgery. He’s started 36 and 35 games in each of the last two Premier League seasons respectively, cementing himself as a big player for Arsenal who links incredibly well down the right flank with star-boy Saka. White remains the first-choice right-back, but can now perhaps enjoy a slightly lighter workload, having played just under 11,000 minutes across the last three campaigns.

8. Gabriel Martinelli (-2)

Martinelli offers something unique in the context of Arsenal’s attack: Blazing straight-line speed and the ability to stretch defences to their limit. He’d probably be the first to admit he hasn’t scored enough goals recently — 11 in all competitions since the beginning of last season — and his game lacks an element of consistency. But his pace causes problems.

7. Kai Havertz (+1)

This time last year, Havertz’s midfield performances and, by extension, his £65m move to Arsenal, was firmly under the microscope. He was the clear front-runner for the flop of the season, with nothing going his way. But fast-forward 12 months and things look much better. Indeed, his permanent migration to striker has coincided neatly with some superb attacking performances from the Gunners. The Germany international doesn’t score at the rate of an elite striker (five goals in 15 games in the Premier League and Champions League this season), but he does plenty to make up for it. His link play is superb, his pressing is excellent, he wins plenty of duels and second balls, and can occupy defenders.

6. David Raya (+4)

With each edition of these rankings, Raya has gained importance at Arsenal. First he was a new signing battling Aaron Ramsdale for the No. 1 spot; now he has claimed it and established himself as a top goalkeeper, winning the Premier League Golden Glove award for 2023-24. He’s so good that Arsenal let Ramsdale leave and signed Beto on loan from Bournemouth as a backup. So Raya has gone from good, to important, to crucial in roughly 15 months.

5. Declan Rice (-2)

Rice drops a couple of spots through no fault of his own and embodies the vision Arteta has for this Arsenal side better than most: He’s imperiously strong, ridiculously durable and fit, and plays a critical role in the central areas by winning the ball and making interceptions consistently. He plays with intensity and commitment, leading his colleagues and setting the tone for performances. His prowess from set pieces is an added bonus that the Gunners now lean on heavily, and his sweeping deliveries from corners and free kicks prove a constant threat.

4 Gabriel Magalhães (+1)

Arteta does not tinker with his centre-back pairing unless he absolutely has to … and that’s for an excellent reason. One half of it, Gabriel, is a physical specimen, capable of playing game after game to a high standard and with incredible intensity. His added value comes from his prowess attacking set pieces; he’s the primary target of every Arsenal corner and he has scored five in the Premier League this calendar year.

3. William Saliba (+1)

The other half of the pairing is Saliba, whose incredibly smooth game has gone from strength to strength over the last few seasons. It’s no coincidence that Arsenal’s difficult recent run of performances and results began with his red card and subsequent loss at AFC Bournemouth. The France international is extremely consistent, a neat passer and his recovery defending is top notch. Centre-backs like him don’t tend to be seen on the stats sheet, but that’s OK; watch him take command of situations time and time again — and see what happens when he’s not there — to assess his real value to the team.

2. Bukayo Saka (=)

No player in the Premier League has created more shooting opportunities than Saka (57), who has once again been one of the best players in the division this season. For the first time in his career his assists (7) vastly outweigh his goals (3), which is likely a byproduct of Ødegaard’s injury, forcing him to take on a more creative brief in the Norwegian’s absence. In fact, there’s been plenty of disruption around Saka this season, with an injury to right-back White also severing that trusted connection on the flank, but he’s risen above it all and been stellar.

1. Martin Ødegaard (=)

Opinion over who Arsenal’s true best player is remains divided, but perhaps the last two months have reinforced an answer. Ødegaard’s injury-enforced absence has had a dire effect on this team, accused of being far too defensive. Arteta has no natural alternative to the Norwegian’s central creativity (Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira both departed in the summer), so has changed formation to 4-4-2 and approached things a different way.

It’s no surprise that Arsenal miss him so badly: Last season he topped the Premier League for shot-creating actions (220) and passes into the penalty box; he was second only to Ballon d’Or winner Rodri for progressive passes (344); and he’s the captain, a thoughtful and helpful leader who lifts others. Now he’s fit again, and should be fully firing after this international break, perhaps Arsenal’s season can get back on track.

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CHELSEA

It’s all change again for Chelsea, who are onto their fifth manager of the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital era. Each one brings a different stamp to the squad and that can be seen through the previous editions of these rankings, as players rise and fall like the tide. There are seven players in this ranking who did not feature in March and tons of movement among the retained cast. New boss Enzo Maresca has been bold and brave in his selection decisions.

MISSED THE CUT: Like with Arsenal, Chelsea only have 14 players who have played 200+ league minutes, so one player gets a lucky bump to fill in 15th place. There are eight players who have all played 200+ Europa Conference League minutes but have barely featured in domestic play, underlining Maresca’s commitment to essentially cutting his squad in half. Those players are: Filip Jörgensen, Axel Disasi, Benoît Badiashile, Renato Veiga, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Christopher Nkunku, João Félix and Mykhailo Mudryk.

15. Tosin Adarabioyo (New!)

A lucky recipient of a spot in the rankings, although the 173 league minutes he’s banked means the centre-back wasn’t far off. Adarabioyo has been solid when called upon, be it on a weekend or a week day.

14. Jadon Sancho (New!)

Lost among the furore over Sancho’s exit from Man United was the fact that Chelsea will pick up him up in a very good deal, just £25m, when his loan expires. The England winger has started well in a blue shirt, looking sharp and succinct in his movements on the left flank. Three assists in just 309 minutes is great going and he’s already linking with his teammates well.

13. Reece James (New!)

The captain is back in the Chelsea XI and these rankings. The club will undoubtedly exercise caution with his physical load and fitness, but clocking two full 90 minutes ahead of the international break was a hugely positive sign. James is an extremely intelligent, positionally versatile footballer who could well prove to be a big weapon for Maresca at right-back, as long as his body holds up.

12. Robert Sánchez (New!)

After a tumultuous 2023-24 campaign for Chelsea’s goalkeepers, Maresca set the record straight quickly: Sánchez will play in the league; Jörgensen will play in the cups. That clear division of responsibility boosted Sánchez, who started the campaign well, although his form has tailed off since. He gave away a penalty against Bournemouth (then saved it), committed two errors that led to goals against Brighton, then gave away another penalty against Manchester United. So it doesn’t feel unrealistic that Jörgensen may step in for him in the league at some stage this season.

11. Pedro Neto (New!)

Neto is a very different option to Sancho on the left; he’s fast, direct and unpredictable, as opposed to Sancho’s more precise style. It gives Maresca two excellent options and the flexibility to plan for specific opponents. Despite playing several hundred minutes fewer than many of his teammates, Neto ranks joint-second for shot-creating actions (27). His goal against Arsenal was stunning and was a great example of what you can expect when he plays.

10. Enzo Fernández (-6)

The declining importance of Fernández in this team began in April, when treatment for pubalgia took him out of the XI and suddenly Chelsea began playing much better. Since then there’s been a change of manager, but no change of fortune for the Argentina international, who is clearly stuck behind Romeo Lavia and Moisés Caicedo as the first-choice midfield pairing. It is a very odd situation for a £106m, World Cup-winning footballer to be in.

9. Marc Cucurella (+5)

Cucurella does a great job of doing whatever his manager asks of him. Over the last 12 months that’s proved a wide brief, but he’s been solid regardless. He can play as an orthodox full-back, a bit higher up, or tuck into midfield and operate centrally. He does everything with a great intensity and commitment, making life tough for whoever faces him.

8. Wesley Fofana (New!)

It’s great to see Fofana back playing football after a year-long struggle with injury. It’s clear Maresca rates him highly too, as he made him the first-choice right-sided centre-back quickly. Early this season you could see there was a little rust to shake off, as Fofana picked up bookings in five straight games, resulting in a suspension as early as gameweek eight. But he has steadily perked up and put in a commanding showing against Arsenal last weekend.

7. Malo Gusto (+1)

Amid Chelsea’s £1 billion-plus spending, the £30m Gusto has proven to be one of the most astute deals. He is ostensibly the backup right-back, but due to James’ injury issues he has played thousands of minutes and impressed with both his creativity (seven assists in the league since joining) and technical ability. Given how neat he is on the ball, plus his history of playing in central midfield at youth level for Lyon, it’s no surprise he’s taken to Maresca’s possession-based system easily.

6. Roméo Lavia (New!)

Lavia played a paltry 32 minutes of Premier League football in his debut season for Chelsea, almost immediately suffering a season-long injury after signing from Southampton. So with 341 minutes under his belt already in 2024-25, things are looking much better. It’s clear that Lavia is Maresca’s pick to partner Caicedo, with his physicality helping to bring balance to the midfield. If he can stay fit, it could be a big season for him.

5. Noni Madueke (New!)

Madueke has built on a strong end to last season by taking a firm grip on the right-wing spot and has started 10 Premier League games already, meaning he’s just three off matching his tally from 2023-24. No Chelsea player has completed more take-ons (16), while he also leads the team in progressive carries (53) and dribbles into the penalty box (23). He’s become an important part of how the Blues break down deep-lying defences.

4. Levi Colwill (+5)

The only outfield player to play every Premier League minute (990), Colwill can be an immovable object in defence. What’s important is that every one of those minutes has come at centre-back, giving him a positional continuity he lacked last season. He will have learned a lot while playing left-back, but this is his chance to develop into a top-tier centre-back.

3. Nicolas Jackson (+2)

In the space of a little over a year, Jackson has gone from a promising-but-erratic forward to a top Premier League striker who leads the line brilliantly for Chelsea. He has six goals from 11 games, while he has forged a strong connection with both Cole Palmer and Caicedo so they can pick out his runs. The fact that Chelsea have seemingly paused their search for a proven No. 9 is proof that more people are noticing what Jackson brings to the table.

2. Moisés Caicedo (+1)

After an error-strewn start to his Chelsea career, Caicedo has overcome the pressure of his £115m price tag and has been turning in brilliant performances all year. He leads all Premier League players in tackles and interceptions combined (56), and on Chelsea’s squad he’s second only to Palmer in several progressive passing metrics. Caicedo has impressed in some big games already this season; like his seven-interception effort against Newcastle United, his complete performance against West Ham, and when he scored a golazo against Manchester United.

1. Cole Palmer (=)

Palmer remains top of the tree and stands out as Chelsea’s star man and difference-maker. Last season he scored 22 goals and registered 11 assists in the Premier League, netted multiple hat tricks and even scored in the Euro 2024 final for England. This season has just been more of the same: with seven goals and five assists from 11 appearances, with a hat trick of goals (against Brighton) and a hat trick of assists (against Wolves) already in the bank.

He continues to find ways to make an impact despite the heavy attention now being paid to him — often in the form of man-marking, or lots of fouls.

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LIVERPOOL

The post-Jurgen Klopp era was supposed to be tough, right? Arne Slot has made mincemeat of that suggestion, leading his team to the Premier League’s summit after 11 games, despite minimal transfer activity over the summer. Slot hasn’t changed much, but what he has changed has proved masterful. That’s reflected in these rankings.

MISSED THE CUT: Darwin Núñez is the big one; the striker is yet to find a role in Slot’s team and is not relied upon, so doesn’t make the ranking. You won’t see Conor Bradley, Jarell Quansah or Joe Gomez here either, who haven’t managed to crack the XI.

15. Kostas Tsimikas (New!)

Tsimikas has been a reliable squad player and a perfectly capable left-back. He’s been happy to filter in and out of the team based on injuries and play his part when needed. A manager’s dream.

14. Andrew Robertson (=)

With Robertson ranked just higher than Tsimikas, it hammers home how interchangeable the two left-backs feel in 2024. You’d expect Robertson to get the nod for a key game, hence he comes out ahead. But there’s not much in it.

13. Caoimhín Kelleher (New!)

Liverpool are the only team in this list with a backup goalkeeper ranking among their top 15, which is a product of how injury-prone first-choice Alisson is. Whereas other teams can afford to take risks on the quality of their reserve, the Reds have no choice but to make sure they’re well catered for when Alisson — who Transfermarkt credit with 12 separate injury absences since joining Liverpool in 2018 — inevitably goes down. Kelleher is a good modern goalkeeper who can do the basics well but also prop up the tactical system too, ensuring the drop-off isn’t huge.

12. Cody Gakpo (New!)

Somewhat predictably, Gakpo is enjoying the opening stages of Slot’s management. He’s found renewed importance in the team, starting three of the four Champions League games and impacting off the bench decisively in the Premier League. Luis Díaz is still the first-choice left winger, but Gakpo is starting to eat into his playing time bit by bit.

11. Curtis Jones (-1)

There’s no doubt that Liverpool look a very strong team when Jones is in the XI, but his biggest enemy is his own fitness, which has a nasty habit of disrupting his momentum and form at the worst times. Eleventh feels harsh on a player who, when on the pitch, is such a positive force. But until he can stay fit enough to dominate over a long period of time it’s difficult to view him as a key player.

10. Dominik Szoboszlai (-1)

This time last year, Szoboszlai was running rampant in Liverpool’s midfield and the team looked like it was built in his image. But he has slowed down considerably over the course of 2024 (with injuries playing their part), leaving him vying with Jones for the right to complete Slot’s midfield three.

9. Luis Díaz (-3)

Díaz has been incredibly productive for Liverpool this season, scoring eight goals and providing two assists in the Premier League and Champions League. It may seem strange, then, to see him fall down this ranking. The drop is representative of two things: First, the increased importance of several players in the spine of Slot’s team; and second, the fact Gakpo is playing well and proving to be a stellar alternative option. That reduces the Colombia international’s importance to the team, even if he is scoring consistently.

8. Diogo Jota (+5)

Jota has emerged as the first-choice striker for Liverpool during Slot’s early tenure, with injury only really allowing others to get a look in. He’s contributed two goals and two assists from seven Premier League starts, adding energy and clever running to the forward line.

7. Alisson Becker (-2)

Alisson is undoubtedly one of the world’s best goalkeepers, continually excelling in every facet of the game and particularly in one-vs.-one situations. But injuries have totted up, meaning he can’t play as central a role as an elite goalkeeper usually would, and the Reds have needed to keep a strong deputy in Kelleher. Naturally, this reduces Alisson’s tactical importance to the team (as brilliant as he is, he is not pivotal), so he holds a lower spot in the rankings.

6. Alexis Mac Allister (-3)

It might seem odd to see Mac Allister also drop in the ranking, given he remains an excellent player and an automatic starter. Really, he’s just the victim of the shifting tides of the team, as other players — and one midfielder in particular — take centre stage in the early days of Slot. The Argentina international hasn’t been at his absolute best this season, but has still moved the ball cleanly and swiftly while impacting on the defensive side of the game: Only Trent Alexander-Arnold (24) has won more tackles than Mac Allister (19) and he plays a smart tactical game, dropping in to cover spaces that others leave.

5. Ibrahima Konaté (+2)

Konaté’s campaign is another example of how quickly things can shift in football. He was on the bench for Slot’s first game in charge, away to Ipswich Town, but came on at half-time to replace the struggling Quansah and hasn’t looked back since, delivering some incredible performances in the heart of the defence. His athleticism and aggression enable him to cover huge spaces — he’s a big part of why Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah have freedom to do what they do — and his 80% tackle success rate is by far the best of any regular starter.

4 Ryan Gravenberch (New!)

Gravenberch’s fortunes have altered dramatically thanks to a pivotal moment in the summer: the failed transfer pursuit of Real Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi, who would have played the exact role he is occupying. The midfielder has played every Premier League and Champions League minute, a simple stat that underlines his newfound importance to the team. For context, he only managed 1,719 in all competitions across the entirety of last season and only started 12 Premier League games; he’s at 1,350 already this term. Gravenberch has also played the most progressive passes (87) of any Liverpool player in the league and ranks second for combined tackles and interceptions (63). He’s quickly become a heartbeat for this team.

3. Trent Alexander-Arnold (+1)

Alexander-Arnold is quietly putting together a very good season. We say quietly because most of the conversation surrounds his future — with his contract expiring in the summer and Real Madrid interested. There’s been an interesting change to his performances too. He has just one assist in the Premier League, but his xA (Expected Assists) figure stands at 2.5, the 15th-highest in the division. That suggests some rogue finishing from others has cost him, and it’s clear when you watch Liverpool that his passing range and creativity is opening teams up.

He has also improved defensively this term. No Liverpool player has made more tackles (38) in the league and he’s looked really aggressive in the challenge, handling some very good opponents with relative ease — a recent example being Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface.

2. Mohamed Salah (=)

Another Liverpool player whose contract expires in the summer, Salah’s future has been much discussed. But in the meantime he is simply doing what he always does: score goals and make the difference. The forward has been a wrecking ball under Slot, registering 14 goals and assists from 11 league games, plus five goals and assists from four Champions League games. These are ludicrous numbers; this is his eighth campaign in England and still no one really has any idea how to stop him.

If Liverpool were truly feeling torn on whether to extend his contract, this should be all the evidence they need.

1. Virgil van Dijk (=)

To no one’s surprise, Van Dijk has been imperious throughout the course of 2024 — be it under Klopp’s guidance or Slot’s. He is the bedrock of this Liverpool team, one of only two players to play every single minute (990) of the Premier League campaign, as his consistency and durability continues to reign supreme even at 33.

Van Dijk has it all. Dominant in the air, he reads opponents’ minds and snuffs out attacks with ease, while he also has the speed and positional sense to recover if needed. He also hits one of the best switch passes in the business and remains top of this ranking.

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MANCHESTER UNITED

The timing of this ranking is perfect for Manchester United, as they’ve just appointed new manager Rúben Amorim in an attempt to turn their fortunes around. Therefore, this gives us an important timestamp of the team just before he takes over. How different will it look in six months? Probably very different. Again.

MISSED THE CUT: The 200-minute cutoff rules out Mason Mount, Antony and Victor Lindelöf — although they’ve barely impacted United’s season and do not merit a place anyway. The 36-year-old Jonny Evans is eligible but doesn’t earn a spot. Luke Shaw — ranked third in the last edition — hasn’t played at all so doesn’t feature. Defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte is the most interesting omission; he showed real signs of life against Leicester City but we need to see much more and now he will be reunited with his manager from Sporting CP, perhaps that’s imminent.

15 Amad (New!)

With 482 Premier League minutes under his belt, Amad has already eclipsed his best-ever tally for United. This is his true breakout season. There’s even a case to be made that the winger has deserved to play even more, as others in front of him in the pecking order have struggled for form. He keeps the ball well, can dribble with the best of them, and has a good eye for goal.

14. Harry Maguire (-1)

Maguire has hung on for dear life at times at United, having to prove his worth over and over. That has led to a bit-part role for the £80m central defender over the years, but when he does get onto the pitch he is able to make an impact.

13. Joshua Zirkzee (New!)

Zirkzee’s impact has been exactly as advertised and the analysis is refreshingly simple: He’s worked hard, linked play well, but hasn’t scored enough goals (one in Premier League.) His goal-scoring record in Europe’s top five leagues (43 from 174 games) suggests this will continue to be the case, meaning he may struggle to push on from a squad-player role. Time will tell.

12. Christian Eriksen (New!)

Like Maguire, it has felt as though Eriksen’s time at United has threatened to come to an end multiple times. But he’s still playing and making a positive impact. He is the best passer in the midfield, and as long as that remains the case, there will always be minutes for him.

11. Casemiro (-1)

The bad games still come more frequently than the good ones, but the Brazil midfielder has rebounded slightly from the nadir he hit early in 2024. His combination of aerial ability and knack for a goal keep him in the picture.

10. Matthijs de Ligt (New!)

De Ligt has proven a good summer signing, and he brings tried and tested qualities to the table: Physicality, excellent penalty-box defending (no United player has won more aerial duels (17)) and calmness on the ball. He carries a low-ish ranking because, while he’s a probable starter, he’s not yet marked himself out as essential.

9. Marcus Rashford (-7)

It has been some time since we’ve seen the best of Rashford — 18 months, in fact. When he signed a new deal in the summer of 2023, off the back of a brilliant 17-goal Premier League campaign in 2022-23, he had people talking. But he hasn’t made good on that show of faith. The appointment of Amorim represents a fresh start that he badly needs, as while his quality is obviously still there, he didn’t show it last season and he hasn’t this season either.

8. Rasmus Højlund (-2)

Højlund drops down the ranking for two key reasons: First, injuries have once again disrupted his ability to stay in form (he’s made five starts, taken five shots, and scored one goal in the league); and second, United have more options up front now, making him less integral to the functionality of the side. Given his physicality and finishing skill, Højlund should be a huge factor, but we’re not seeing that from the 21-year-old.

7. Noussair Mazraoui (New!)

The standout signing from the summer (so far), Mazraoui has been excellent. He’s played mostly right-back, a bit at left-back, and had that odd game as the No. 10 against Fenerbahçe, taking on whatever is asked of him. He’s also been busy defensively, making the most tackles for United and also in the league (39), and has stood strong in duels. Plus, he’s used the ball well and continually makes good decisions in key areas.

6. Alejandro Garnacho (+2)

Garnacho has received some criticism for poor end product (before the Leicester City win, he was underperforming his xG by 1.5) and some questionable decision-making on the ball, but he’s a hugely important outlet. He tops all United players for progressive carries (49) and progressive receptions (101), indicating that he’s a force with the ball at his feet and a consistent target for passes in the final third. But how will a traditional winger fit into Amorim’s system?

5. Lisandro Martínez (-1)

Martínez’s importance has been gauged most accurately when he’s not there. In his absence, United look more vulnerable, and use the ball less effectively. He’s been fit and available this season, making the second-most progressive passes (58) and the most interceptions (22) of any United player in the Premier League from a combination of centre-back and left-back.

4. Diogo Dalot (+3)

Dalot has played the most Premier League minutes of any United outfielder (956), having clocked over 3,000 last season on the way to the Player’s Player of the Year award. He’s blossomed into a multi-faceted full-back who can defend and attack, play on the left or the right, and blend his physical skills with a neat technical side.

3. Kobbie Mainoo (+6)

It’s hard to escape the feeling that Mainoo represents a one-man midfield for United at times. The collective groan you heard when he sustained an injury in early October was recognition of how important he is.

A great all-rounder, he made Erik ten Hag’s bad tactical system look semi-functional at times. He flits all over the pitch looking for the ball, filling in gaps and trying to push play onwards. He loves to skip around and through challenges, and has the second-best successful take-on rate (73.7%) of any United player in the Premier League.

2. André Onana (+3)

Onana’s early Man Utd struggles are long gone. These days, when United’s issues are discussed, his name doesn’t even enter the conversation. The goalkeeper has been less busy this season compared to last because United are conceding significantly fewer shots per game, but he has still stood out when called upon. Onana has conceded 3.7 fewer goals than statistically expected in the Premier League, which is the joint-best record in the division.

1. Bruno Fernandes (=)

No one would call 2024 a vintage year for Fernandes, but he is still United’s most important player and and most decisive attacker. He leads his teammates in many categories, including assists (3), Expected-Assisted Goals (3.0), key passes (22), passes into the final third (56), passes into the penalty area (16), progressive passes (84) … it goes on. Clearly, he’s the one who makes this team function.

On the flip side, though, he’s also the Premier League’s joint-biggest offender in terms of xG underperformance; which is at -2.0. That’s something for Amorim to puzzle out in the weeks to come, but it doesn’t change the value of Fernandes to this team.

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MANCHESTER CITY

Of all the rankings, this one might be the wildest. It’s a timestamp of the City team without Rodri, the No. 1 choice in both of the last two editions, with a few other major drops influencing things too. City may not have done much transfer business over the summer (they only signed two senior players), but that hasn’t stopped what feels like a massive squad upheaval.

MISSED THE CUT: Jack Grealish can be considered No. 16, and had it not been for injury he would likely feature in this list. Matheus Nunes, playing largely in Grealish’s position, also misses out, which feels a touch harsh on the form he’s shown. While defender Nathan Aké is well short of the 200 minutes required.

15. Ilkay Gündogan (New!)

Gündogan was rightly celebrated as an opportunistic coup in the summer, when he re-signed from Barcelona, but unfortunately his performances haven’t met the bar expected. Part of this will undoubtedly be the fact he’s probably played more than planned, as a result of injuries to others, and at 34 he’s had trouble taking on such an intense workload.

14. Kyle Walker (-5)

Walker is having a really tough season. He’s dealt with some injury issues and he’s the first of a handful of England players on this list who have clearly struggled with the knock-on effect of playing late into the summer at Euro 2024. At this moment in time, he’s out of form and not an automatic pick for the XI.

13. Jérémy Doku (-1)

Doku had a ridiculously impressive first season at City, offering a constant, dazzling, dribbling threat with 11 assists and seven goals. He hasn’t fully pushed on, though — injuries have played their part — so he remains fairly low in this ranking.

12. Kevin De Bruyne (-9)

De Bruyne was probably the hardest player to rank of anyone, for any club, on this list.

He’s only managed four Premier League starts — and even that number may feel surprisingly high when you read it — as fitness issues have prevented him from having a major impact. That’s been the story of his last 18 months, and in many ways it feels as though City have simply learned to play without him. On his day, the 33-year-old is a matchwinner, but how often is it now his day? As fantastic as he can be, he no longer warrants a high ranking.

11. Savinho (New!)

A diminutive, fast, left-footed winger dancing down the right flank, wearing No. 26? Did City re-sign Riyad Mahrez? That Savinho has looked so akin to Mahrez at times this season is a great compliment and Guardiola has been effusive in his praise. He’s a fearless dribbler who has already enchanted the hearts and minds of City’s fans.

10. Rico Lewis (New!)

Football is all about taking your opportunity when it appears, and Lewis has done exactly that. With City reeling from injuries and absences, the 19-year-old has stepped into the void and played some sensational football, showcasing his incredible array of skills. Playing a combination of right-back, left-back and central midfield, he’s taking on a big role in stitching City’s midfield together. He hasn’t been perfect, but he has been a shining light for Guardiola to point to.

9. John Stones (-5)

It feels like Stones’ season hasn’t got started and that he’s played more football for England than Man City. There’s a distinct chance that Stones is the answer to the Rodri-sized hole in City’s midfield, having played so effectively pushing up into that space during the treble-winning 2022-23 season. But Guardiola hasn’t tried it … or hasn’t been able to. In fact, with just 241 minutes under his belt, Stones hasn’t been used much at all.

8. Éderson (=)

While City’s season feels in flux, one thing that remains the same is the man between the sticks. The statistics paint a very clear picture of Ederson’s style: Only Robert Sánchez of Chelsea (26) has swept up more balls outside the box than the Brazilian (23), while he tops the league for the average distance from goal his interventions take place (18.7m). Simply put, he’s active, aggressive and impactful off his line. Stefan Ortega provides great backup and fits Guardiola’s style extremely well too, so Ederson is again held back slightly from truly key status in this ranking, but there’s no doubt he’s an important part of the team.

7. Manuel Akanji (+4)

Much is made of Guardiola’s willingness to rotate his defenders, but Akanji is largely immune to that threat — he’s only failed to start five league games he was fit for this calendar year, highlighting how much he’s appreciated. His ability to play centrally or wide helps, with his standout skill being his one-vs.-one defending and recovery ability. City have also tried him in a midfield role.

6. Bernardo Silva (+1)

It’s been far from a vintage season for Bernardo, but he’s still worked incredibly hard to influence games. He tops the team for key passes (23) and ranks third for attempted take-ons (26), proving his commitment to getting things going for a team often without Rodri, Phil Foden and any number of injured wingers. His consistency, reliability and work rate ensure he still holds a high ranking.

5. Rúben Dias (+1)

Dias has always been a difficult player to quantify, as he’s the type of centre-back who tends to set the tone, lead the line and provide those intangible qualities that the very best defenders do. As a result, he’s the kind of player whose influence can be measured when they’re not there — and it’s no coincidence that he’s been injured for three of City’s four recent losses.

4. Mateo Kovacic (+9)

Kovacic suddenly became a key man when Rodri tore his ACL. Recent results, and some sub-par performances, suggest the Croatia international is only doing a reasonable job standing in, but things would look a whole lot worse if he wasn’t around. Kovacic has been busy defensively (City’s joint-top tackler with 14), has moved with the ball well (he is first for carries into the final third with 37) and has played some beautiful passes, like the one to set up Erling Haaland against Brighton.

Kovacic is not Rodri; he never will be. But he’s a very good player who is now one of the first names on the teamsheet due to his newly-heightened tactical importance.

3. Josko Gvardiol (New!)

It has been a remarkable rise for Gvardiol; the biggest of any player, at any club, on this list. He dropped out of the top 15 in March’s ranking as his form had tailed off and Aké was playing ahead of him. Now, he is an established player who adds value in defence and attack. How many left-backs can you think of who could score the goal he did against Wolves? That’s one of three Premier League goals for him this season and, when you add in the fact he’s the top interceptor (15) and joint-top tackler (14) in this team, his all-round value becomes clear.

2. Phil Foden (+3)

Last season’s PFA Player of the Year has not had the 2024-25 campaign he would have wanted, so it may surprise you to see him moving up these rankings. But the fact he’s been unavailable, or not fit enough, is a big part of why City have struggled. He only managed to complete his first significant 90 minutes on Oct. 26 and has one assist and no goals in the Premier League. But don’t be surprised if, when he finds form, City suddenly look a lot closer to their usual, ominous selves.

1. Erling Haaland (+1)

Considering everything established throughout this list — City’s vulnerability in transition, the age of their squad, and the injury to Rodri — it leaves only one conclusion for the No. 1 spot: Haaland is more important than ever.

If City can no longer reliably shut teams down defensively, or starve them of the ball for so long they simply expire, then making the most of their chances and scoring multiple goals per game is now paramount. Lucky for them, they have the world’s best striker leading the line. Haaland already has 15 goals, running at a rate of over a goal per game in the Premier League, and some of his strikes — such as the airborne effort against Sparta Prague in the Champions League — have been tremendous.

Last year, City had Julián Álvarez to step in if Haaland were to get hurt, but he was allowed to transfer away in the summer with no true replacement signed. So what is Plan B if the Norway international is absent? Whatever the answer, it won’t come close to his levels of goal-scoring prowess and, considering the increased importance of that, it only further underlines Haaland’s case to be No. 1.

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TOTTENHAM

We didn’t expect this ranking to be as lively as it is. After all, Spurs stuck with manager Ange Postecoglou and didn’t make many big first-team signings, so on the face of things it felt like little had changed. But, as you’ll see, that sentiment could not have been more wrong.

MISSED THE CUT: Several players who get their minutes in the Europa League (Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray, Ben Davies, Mikey Moore) don’t hit the Premier League cut-off of 200. Striker Richarlison doesn’t qualify at all, he’s barely played, while new forward Wilson Odobert misses out too.

15. Timo Werner (New!)

Werner comes in at No. 15 by default, as his 266 Premier League minutes qualifies him for the list. He’s back at Spurs on loan and his role is to provide depth — and perhaps ensure the burden on Odobert isn’t too great, too soon.

14. Radu Dragusin (New!)

Dragusin is the clear backup centre-back, although he still gets plenty of opportunities to play. Spurs have midweek European commitments to juggle and one of their first-choice defenders, Micky van de Ven, has a rather unreliable hamstring.

13. Yves Bissouma (-4)

This time last year Bissouma was a key man and a star performer for Spurs, but suspensions, injuries, international duty and the return of Rodrigo Bentancur all combined to disrupt his rhythm. Now, he’s far from a guaranteed starter.

12. Rodrigo Bentancur (=)

Bentancur is the first-choice pick for the No. 6 role in Postecoglou’s midfield. His snappy tackling and calm recycling of the ball helps keep things ticking over. That said, Bissouma offers similar qualities and Postecoglou has several different midfield trios he can construct, so Bentancur doesn’t warrant a higher ranking.

11. Pape Matar Sarr (-6)

Sarr flew up into the top five in March thanks to some fantastic, energetic, emergent performances. This time, though, he flies back down, as his place in the team is no longer automatic. He still has a positive impact on proceedings, but others have become more vital. Indeed, this run of central midfielders in the ranking shows you how many options Postecoglou has, and therefore how interchangeable they can be.

10. Destiny Udogie (-2)

Early last season, Udogie set a high standard, but a post-Christmas dip, then an injury, has led to a muted 2024-25 campaign, leaving some fans frustrated with his lack of progress. The left-back remains of top-10 importance to the team as there really is no competition for his spot — Ben Davies cannot perform the role Postecoglou asks of Udogie — but he moves down a little due to the rise of others.

9. Brennan Johnson (New!)

Over the course of 2024, Johnson has gone from bit-part player to assured starter. He’s played the fifth-most minutes of any Spurs player in the Premier League this season (866) and grasped the right wing role as his own, netting four goals. He’s an important out-ball for Postecoglou’s system, receiving 99 progressive passes this season. For context, captain Son Heung-Min is the only one to receive more (107) and that’s a big compliment to how the squad views Johnson.

8. James Maddison (-7)

Maddison has found himself in an odd spot with Postecoglou, as confidence in him has appeared to be lacking. All was well for the first eight games — in which Maddison provided four goal contributions — but he was withdrawn at half-time against West Ham, with the manager confirming post-game that he wanted “more running power” in central midfield. The England international has found himself on the bench in two of the following three league games and playing more often in the Europa League — which is a curious place for the squad’s most creative player.

7. Guglielmo Vicario (-1)

Vicario has been a real success since signing in the summer of 2023, revolutionising the role of Tottenham’s goalkeeper. He’s modern, happy to sweep up and distribute, and makes some fine reaction saves reminiscent of his predecessor, Hugo Lloris. The one question mark is how he handles physicality. Teams figured out they could bully him at set pieces last season and it’s still happening, evidenced by Morgan Rogers’ goal for Aston Villa a few weeks ago. If Vicario can start standing up to that side of the game, there won’t be much left to improve.

6. Pedro Porro (+1)

Porro’s role in this team is about as busy as it gets. He’s played the most switch passes (7) and the second-most progressive passes (66), heavily involving himself in buildup sequences as Spurs move the ball forward. Further up, he’s played the joint-most passes into the penalty area (24), takes a fair share of the set pieces — oh, and he’s second for tackles (25) and interceptions (15) too. It’s a lot to take on himself and he does it brilliantly.

5. Son Heung-Min (-2)

The captain has struggled with injuries this season, limiting him to just the 10th-most minutes played in the Premier League (664), but he’s made those minutes count. Son has notched three goals and three assists, a tally which includes an incredible cross to launch Spurs’ comeback demolition of Aston Villa. It does feel, at 32, that some of the intensity in his game has dipped, but he’s still a vital figure and an excellent player in the context of this squad.

4. Dominic Solanke (New!)

Spurs took a big risk to spend £65m on the transfer of Solanke from Bournemouth, but the signs are that he’ll prove worth the outlay in the end. He already has four goals in the Premier League from nine starts, but even more impressive is the way he has linked with the midfield and led the line by pressing and harrying when not in possession.

Tottenham’s PPDA (passes allowed per defensive action) is just 6.82, according to Understat. The lower this number is, the more active and effective a team is in disrupting opponents’ play; Spurs’ is the lowest in the league, which cannot happen without excellent pressing from the striker. This may seem like a high ranking for Solanke, but there is no backup option for a player who has already made quite the impact.

3. Cristian Romero (+1)

With so many moving parts to Spurs’ defensive line, perhaps the most ordinary element of it — Romero’s bullish, hard-nosed defending — gets unfairly forgotten about. The Argentina international has won the most tackles (22), the most aerial duels (27), made the most clearances (32), and the joint-third-most interceptions (13) of any Tottenham player. He’s also joint-fifth on the team for progressive passes (42), showcasing his ability to feed the ball between the lines. When he doesn’t play, it feels like connections within the team are severed.

2. Dejan Kulusevski (+8)

In our previous rankings, Kulusevski ranked ninth, then 10th. On both occasions we admitted that felt too low, but simply could not find a way to place him any higher. Well, times have changed. Kulusevski now feels indispensable to the way Postecoglou asks his team to play and he has been unleashed in a No. 8 role that allows him to flex his physicality as well as his creative instincts.