Chelsea: Power Ranking the Top 5 Players Through the EPL Season So Far

Chelsea couldn't have started the 2012/13 English Premier League season better.

They're scoring goals, they're playing well, but most importantly, they're picking up victories every single week and currently sit undefeated on top of the table.

As dominating as the European Champions have been however, the wins simply aren't manufacturing themselves—the Blues are having to play quality football and the players are having to play well individually to achieve results.

So who have been Chelsea's best players so far this season? Read on to find the top five for the Blues so far in the Premier League this year.

Note: All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com

5. Frank Lampard

He might have only played one full game and five minutes in the Premier League so far this year, but Frank Lampard has to be considered one of the Blues' best. 

Against Reading, Lampard was a menace in attack and a threat every single time that the Blues went forward, and not just because he netted a simple penalty.

The vision and experience that the 34-year-old brings to Stamford Bridge every season is a huge addition to the Blues' midfield and if Lampard can combine with the players around him like he has done so far this season, Chelsea will stand a great chance of competing for the Premier League title.

4. Ashley Cole

Ashley Cole hasn't lit the world on fire through the first three games this season—he has simply got his job done defensively, like always, and has been solid throughout. Which at one level, is all he really needs to do for the Blues at the moment.

The England international ranks in the top two on the team for tackles, interceptions and assists and is completing his passes at a staggering 94 percent so far this season. He is the defensive stalwart that Chelsea needs, and has been their best defender through the first three weeks.

3. John Obi Mikel

I don't think that Mikel gets the love he deserves. I have been pleasantly surprised with how the Nigerian international has started this season, despite the fact that he, like Cole, hasn't set the world on fire with his performances to date.

He hasn't been connecting to the attack like some might want, but as a defensive midfielder, that's completely fine by me. The match against Newcastle United showed that Mikel is more than capable of playing that holding role and assisting the defense—cutting off the Magpies' passing lanes and flow of attack very effectively.

The 25-year-old hasn't been giving the ball away without pressure as he has been known to do in the past, currently competing his passes at an excellent 93 percent completion rate while making more passes per game than any other Blues midfielder.

Throw in the fact he's ranked top two in tackles and top three in interceptions and Mikel is a necessary inclusion in any discussion about Chelsea's best players so far.

2. Fernando Torres

To say that El Nino is back might be a tad premature, but there is little doubt that the arrival of Eden Hazard has sparked the Spanish international back into form so far this year.

Torres has two goals so far this year and the second highest average match rating to match his stellar performances. He is pressing defenders and causing trouble in the box, but most importantly, he looks to have purpose and direction back in his game—something that had seemingly abandoned the 28-year-old at times last year.

His finishing could still improve as he has blown some very makable chances so far this year, but few Blues fans will be complaining with the performances from Fernando Torres to date.

1. Eden Hazard

But the best player so far this year at Chelsea is Eden Hazard, and it isn't even close at all.

The Belgian has been simply everywhere in attack for the Blues—creating chances, terrorizing defenses and making those around him play very, very well.

The direction that the 21-year-old has brought so far to the European champions resembles a player that has been at the club for six or seven years, not someone who is making just their first few appearances in the Premier League.

I'm not giving him assists for getting fouled in the box—that's just ridiculous—but Hazard is clearly creating more chances that any other Blues player, and that can only mean good things for the remainder of the English Premier League season.

Who have been the best Chelsea players so far this season?

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