Premier League Player Rankings After Week 4: Costa, Hazard & Senderos Star
Welcome to the fourth edition of our Premier League player power rankings, continuing for another season in its mission to quantify the form of England's top-tier players!
The criteria is simple: We pick the top 20 players on the basis of form and performances in league games only. After four weeks and an international break, form is really starting to take shape, making our job of picking out consistent performers a little easier.
Take a look and see if you agree with our selections, and if you feel we've missed anyone, let us know in the comments below!
Honourable Mentions / Dropping out
1 of 21
Dropping Out:
Raheem Sterling, Liverpool
Nathan Dyer, Swansea City
Fernando, Manchester City
Victor Wanyama, Southampton
Ron Vlaar, Aston Villa
Honourable Mentions:
Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal
Fernandinho, Manchester City
Ryan Bertrand, Southampton
20. Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal
2 of 21
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
It was hardly vintage Aaron Ramsey on Saturday, and the Welshman was completely outshone by teammate Jack Wilshere, but he finds a home here in recognition of his early overall form.
Despite his seemingly underwhelming showings at times, Ramsey has managed two goals an assist in just four games, per WhoScored.com, and it's perhaps only our expectations that warp our view of him.
19. Leonardo Ulloa, Leicester City
3 of 21
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
Leonardo Ulloa's expensive transfer from Brighton to Leicester raised some eyebrows this summer, but with three goals in four games already, he actually looks a snip given current pricing.
He's powerful, mobile and superb when linking play. Nigel Pearson is resting the attack on his shoulders and he's responding with goals, chances and hard work.
18. Steven Naismith, Everton
4 of 21
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
Steven Naismith has been hanging around our honourable mentions section for a few weeks following a strong start to the season, and although he didn't score this weekend, his solid performance for Everton warrants praising.
He's always worked hard and harried the opposition, but in the last 12 months has discovered real finesse in his play. It's the Roberto Martinez effect in full flow, and it's working a treat for the Scot.
17. Lee Cattermole, Sunderland
5 of 21
Last Week: 13
Differential: -4
Lee Cattermole, along with the entirety of the Sunderland XI, struggled against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday afternoon.
They were starved of possession, went down very early on the scoreboard and somehow got away with a 2-2 draw late on. Cattermole put in his customary defensive shift, totalling five tackles, per WhoScored.com, but failed to exert his influence on the game.
16. Dusan Tadic, Southampton
6 of 21
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
Dusan Tadic, to an extent, has copied Graziano Pelle's hairstyle, and in doing so appears to have extracted some of his poise and guile.
The former FC Twente playmaker is still guilty, at times, of trying too hard to force the killer ball into the path of his runners, but his production is difficult to argue with.
Off the left, he's excelling in producing chances for teammates.
15. Graziano Pelle, Southampton
7 of 21
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
Graziano Pelle was doubted solely because he arrived from the Eredivisie, and after a slow start, the Italian is now showing why Ronald Koeman was happy to pay £10 million for his services.
He ripped Newcastle United's defence to shreds on Saturday, punishing them in the air and on the ground. As he's settled he's got better and better, with an aggressive and competitive streak now shining through.
14. Cheikhou Kouyate, West Ham United
8 of 21
Last Week: 11
Differential: -3
Cheikhou Kouyate struggled to keep a lid on Hull City's attack on Monday night, with the game flowing from end-to-end and rather passing him by.
His strengths weren't on show and he drops as a result, but that's not to say he hasn't adapted superbly and impressed overall.
13. Hugo Lloris, Tottenham Hotspur
9 of 21
Last Week: 10
Differential: -3
Hugo Lloris didn't cover himself in glory this weekend, putting in a performance far-removed from the usual high standard we expect.
He conceded two goals despite his side dominating Sunderland for long stretches and failed to register a single save, per WhoScored.com.
We're allowing him one off-day.
12. Eric Dier, Tottenham Hotspur
10 of 21
Last Week: 9
Differential: -3
Eric Dier continues to fall after a rather remarkable opening salvo for Tottenham Hotspur.
The gloss on his two goals in the opening two games have severely worn off, as he struggled against Liverpool and failed to dramatically improve against Sunderland.
Right-back isn't his position so it's not all his fault, but he has to move downward.
11. Aly Cissokho, Aston Villa
11 of 21
Last Week: 16
Differential: +5
Aly Cissokho returned to Anfield as an opposing player this weekend, kept a clean sheet and traveled home with three points.
He was a much-maligned figure with Liverpool last season, never truly fitting in to Brendan Rodgers' technical style of play, but the last thing the home crowd expected was an accomplished, physical performance from the former loanee.
10. Alan Hutton, Aston Villa
12 of 21
Last Week: 19
Differential: +9
Throughout preseason Alan Hutton emerged as a viable contender for the No. 1 right-back spot under Paul Lambert, but his great performances were taken with a pinch of salt.
It's difficult to gauge performances in friendlies and Aston Villa fans were convinced he'd turn out terrible when it came to the real deal, but have been pleasantly surprised by the Scot's all-action, defensively conscious displays.
9. Nemanja Matic, Chelsea
13 of 21
Last Week: 15
Differential: +6
Nemanja Matic was solid, but not spectacular, against Swansea City this weekend. He wasn't at his domineering best but made no glaring errors, qualifying for a solid 6/10 score.
What surprised was that he struggled to dictate the tempo of the game early on, surrendering the keys to midfield to Ki Sung-Yueng, but eventually he recovered and put in a usual shift.
8. Philippe Senderos, Aston Villa
14 of 21
Last Week: 14
Differential: +6
Philippe Senderos may have bent the rules just a little in his dealing with Mario Balotelli, but the Swiss international was quick to play down the significance of his clear habit of kicking the Italian:
"It's things that happen on the pitch," Senderos told the Birmingham Mail.
"We're running towards each other, against each other, but there's no harm in going like this. I'm trying to do my job. Everyone is running towards each other, kicking each other. It's give and take."
Overall, another excellent performance from the man doomed to failure upon signing for Aston Villa.
7. Branislav Ivanovic, Chelsea
15 of 21
Last Week: 5
Differential: -2
Branislav Ivanovic didn't cover himself in glory against Swansea City, but did enough to get the job done from right-back.
His fast start to the season has locked Filipe Luis out of the team but, in this fourth gameweek, he dropped a little and will automatically fall under the microscope—in our rankings and in the Chelsea selection decisions.
6. Gylfi Sigurdsson, Swansea City
16 of 21
Last Week: 3
Differential: -3
Gylfi Sigurdsson disappointed a little in Swansea City's loss to Chelsea on Saturday, but perhaps that's because we've come to expect so much of him recently.
The Swans as a collective could have been 3-0 up early on at Stamford Bridge but that wasn't via the Icelander's usually creative feet. The game, in the end, passed him by a little.
5. Fraser Forster, Southampton
17 of 21
Last Week: 6
Differential: +1
Fraser Forster's fine start to his Southampton career continued on Saturday as he kept another clean sheet.
He stood up tall when required early on to rebuff the initial Newcastle United retort, saving from Moussa Sissoko at point-blank range.
The Englishman has proven himself superb in one vs. ones, in the air and in shot-stopping.
4. Eden Hazard, Chelsea
18 of 21
Last Week: 7
Differential: +3
Eden Hazard was irresistible once again as Chelsea recorded their fourth-straight victory in the Premier League.
He didn't trouble the scoresheet or assist sheet, but he's going about his business in a slightly more under-the-radar fashion in comparison to the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa.
"Remy scores on his debut. But Eden Hazard is dribbling who he wants... More than 8 won today. #cfc
— Kristof Terreur (@HLNinEngeland) September 13, 2014"
He's unstoppable with the ball at his feet.
3. Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea
19 of 21
Last Week: 2
Differential: -1
Cesc Fabregas made it six assists from four games on Saturday, per WhoScored.com, leading Chelsea to a come-from-behind victory over Swansea City.
His connection with Diego Costa is scintillating, his direct passing causes absolute chaos and it's clear he's going to be a statistical monster in the Premier League for the second time running.
2. Diego Costa, Chelsea
20 of 21
Last Week: 4
Differential: +2
Four games, seven goals. Welcome to the Premier League, Diego Costa.
He's the striker Chelsea have craved for years, ever since the departure of Didier Drogba: A natural finisher, a complete, mobile target man and a hardworking team outlet.
Stamford Bridge is in love!
1. Morgan Schneiderlin, Southampton
21 of 21
Last Week: 1
Differential: None (second consecutive week at the top)
Morgan Schneiderlin retains his spot at the top of the Premier League player rankings after putting in another incredible showing this weekend.
His performances of late beg the question: Why did clubs such as Liverpool and Manchester United pursue Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana over him? Overall, Schneiderlin is the better player, and Arsenal are bonkers to let him sit there on the South Coast.
He crowned his showing with a scintillating goal. He's a machine nowadays, isn't he?
