Top 10 Magicians in the English Premier League

The great Brazilian footballer, Pele, recently remarked that it wasn't possible to compare players such as Ronaldo, Neymar and Messi because their styles were so different.

With all due respect, I beg to differ.

Can you compare the guitar players Steve Vai and Joe Satriani?

The performance of music is largely determined by how it makes you feel–comparing two footballers requires a different criteria.

And this is where statistics comes into play, for all the right reasons.

We could spend days arguing about the best footballer in the English Premier League based on how we feel, but one look at the EA Sports Player Performance Index can tell you a lot as to why certain players deserve to be at the top.  And who can be regarded as:

A magician with the ball.

So here is a list of the top-10 EPL players most likely to stay on top all season...

No. 10: Rafael Van Der Vaart

Currently playing for the Tottenham Hotspurs after a transfer from Real Madrid, it seems as if this player is right at home.

Yes, his stay with the Los Blancos has been a forgettable one and will probably remain that way–considering his performance as a midfielder.

What won't be so forgettable is that his contributions as a part of his current team have helped throw the Premier League wide open for the first time in several years–they don't call him the "Dutch Master" for no reason!

No. 9: Gareth Bale

The £150-million Tottenham man.

That's what they call Gareth Bale, the PFA Players' Player of the Year of the 2010-11 season.

Of course, this price tag was slapped on as soon as cash-rich Manchester City went looking to lure this respected winger away.

At 22, having achieved so much already, there's no doubt that it won't be long before Bale moves on to greener pastures.

But not before he finishes his four-year contract with Tottenham Hotspur. 

No. 8: Demba Ba

To say the least, Demba Ba is living the dream.

Consider his current run with Newcastle United and the flurry of goals that has put him up there with the very best in the EPL.

But it doesn't end there–not only has his 16 scores put him on the map but he's not obligated to stay with the Magpies as the summer transfer window comes to a close, according to the Daily Mail.

And you can be sure that there are a list of clubs waiting to snap him up for his services.

No. 7: Luís Nani

Luís Nani, who was in the news for escaping that vicious tackle by Vincent Kompany by putting his skills in capoeira to good use, has been a more-than-successful midfielder for Manchester United in recent years.

And with Manchester City being funded by Sheikh Mansour, one of the richest men in the world, there's no doubt that his skills will be needed more than ever–despite an injury that threatens to keep him out for at least two months.

No. 6: Sergio Aguero

Sergio Aguero has been spearheading the Manchester City attack for sometime now, and thanks to his efforts, they are on top of the table in the 2011-12 season.

He's also known for being married to the youngest daughter of the legendary Maradona.

In the fashion of his father-in-law, he has racked up a large number of goals with Manchester City–especially this season.

(On a personal note, Aguero and I share a deep admiration for Michael Owen and fervently wish that he gets to that ever-elusive 49-goal record for the England team held by Sir Bobby Charlton. Go go go...)

No. 5: John Terry

As the permanent captain of the England team, thanks to Rio Ferdinand's long-term injury, it's no surprise that he's been the most successful captain of FC Chelsea as well.

If that's not enough, he's been awarded the UEFA Club Defender of the Year award on numerous occasions–and holds the fort as firmly as ever.

Case closed.

No. 4: David Silva

David Silva is not an unknown.

Not by a long shot.

With the performances that he has been turning out off late, some of his colleagues at Manchester City are of the opinion that he's well on his way to be considered to be this season's PFA Player of the Year.

And being a part of the Spanish-World Cup-winning side speaks volumes for the results that he's been achieving as a part of Manchester City.

No. 3: Emmanuel Adebayor

Harry Redknapp must be delighted with his team's performance in the Premier League.

While Bale might be considered priceless, Adebayor joined the team as a loan from Manchester City–and has made the most of it.

While some folks think that he should pick up the pace, he's still earned a place in this list for the flurry of goals that he has scored since joining Tottenham Hotspur.

No. 2: Robin Van Persie

Van's the man.

Thanks to Arsenal's current dearth of strikers he has been left most of the work.

A quiet summer transfer season means that there is even more for Van Persie to do. Despite the disastrous start, there's no doubt that he will be firing on all cylinders until the end of the season.

No. 1: Wayne Rooney

What can be said of Wayne Rooney that hasn't been said already?

He's the youngest goalscorer for England and was the PFA Player of the Year in the 2009-10 season.

He's also the third-highest paid player in club football, and considering his stats, there should be no doubt why.

If that's not enough, he's the Mersersiders highest goalscorer ever since the beginning of the Premier League.

So what's one more achievement in being named my best player and football magician of the EPL?