Premier League Player Rankings After Weekend of December 6-7
Welcome to the 15th edition of our Premier League player rankings, continuing for another season in its mission to quantify the form of England's top-tier players.
We pick the top 20 players on the basis of form and performances in league games only. More slip-ups from Chelsea and Southampton lay waste to the regular order, creating seismic shifts and new entrants.
The rankings are formed based on the player's last four games, with slightly more emphasis placed on his most recent outing.
Only Premier League performances are counted, and one-week wonders do not find their way in by default (see: David de Gea did not qualify in Week 7 for one great showing but now has after consistently strong form).
Take a look and see if you agree with our selections, and if you feel like we've missed anyone, let us know in the comments below.
Dropping out
1 of 21
James McCarthy—He came into the rankings at 19th last week, but an injury has forced him to miss the last two games.
Sergio Aguero—Aguero has been ruled out for four-six weeks with a knee injury, per BBC Sport.
20. Danny Ings, Burnley
2 of 21
Last Week: 17th
Differential: -3
Danny Ings' hot streak dipped a little this week, picking up a statistical assist for George Boyd's wonder-strike against Newcastle before drawing a blank against Queens Park Rangers.
He was still a threat at Loftus Road, heading one great chance in particular just wide, but Richard Dunne held him in check with a great performance.
19. Bojan, Stoke City
3 of 21
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
Bojan has been fantastic of late, and another strong, goalscoring showing against Arsenal elevates him into our top 20.
The Spaniard caused the Gunners all sorts of problems defensively throughout the match, building on an impressive November and proving he's settling in to Premier League life.
18. Dusan Tadic, Southampton
4 of 21
Last Week: 15th
Differential: -3
Dusan Tadic halted a three-game streak of being essentially useless on Monday night, playing reasonably well against Manchester United.
His through balls weren't quite perfect, and he slowed down a few too many attacks, but it was a less wasteful performance with some actual highlights.
The drop-off in form from the beginning of the season—the form that keeps him in our top 20—is astounding.
17. Alan Hutton, Aston Villa
5 of 21
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
Alan Hutton is a real-life tribute to Harry Houdini; how the Scot has managed to remove himself from Paul Lambert's doghouse and become Aston Villa's first-half Player of the Season is beyond us all.
The team's new-found defensive solidity counts on him, and his tying up of Yannick Bolasie in particular was a delight midweek. On Sunday, he made the difference in a (sort of) derby, netting the winner against Leicester in composed fashion.
16. Yannick Bolasie, Crystal Palace
6 of 21
Last Week: 16th
Differential: -
Yannick Bolasie had mixed games this week, struggling against Aston Villa and Alan Hutton before tearing Tottenham Hotspur and Eric Dier a new one.
He has good days and bad days and switches between them more than most. Unfortunately, consistent end-product is still an issue.
15. Mile Jedinak, Crystal Palace
7 of 21
Last Week: 20th
Differential: +5
Mile Jedinak entered our top 20 last week, and after putting in two strong showings despite his team failing to win, he moves up.
He was dominant in midfield against Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur, breaking up play and dispossessing quality players on a casual basis. His through-ball for Fraizer Campbell against Villa put the striker one vs. one with Brad Guzan, but the Englishman couldn't capitalise.
14. Charlie Austin, Queens Park Rangers
8 of 21
Last Week: 14th
Differential: -
Charlie Austin was held in check against Swansea City midweek, but exploded into life—in more ways than one!—against Burnley on Saturday.
In the space of three minutes, the Englishman picked up two yellow cards and a goal. He essentially sealed the 2-0 victory in the 74th minute but was then given his marching orders and will miss next week's match.
13. Graziano Pelle, Southampton
9 of 21
Last Week: 13th
Differential: -
Graziano Pelle played well on Monday night. Not only did he bag a goal, but he was more involved and was able to dictate more from a centre-forward's role.
It stops an alarming slide in form, and his first-half strike ended a worrying drought of goals. The Italian doesn't have to score to play well given his role in the team, but it always helps.
12. Wilfried Bony, Swansea City
10 of 21
Last Week: 18th
Differential: +6
Wilfried Bony's Swansea City lost the battle of the pretenders vs. West Ham on Sunday but beat Queens Park Rangers 2-0 in midweek. The Ivorian was brilliant in both games.
Against QPR, he didn't score but dominated all game long and hit the post late on with a wicked effort; against West Ham, he netted early on and nearly broke the crossbar in the second half with a powerful drive.
11. Branislav Ivanovic, Chelsea
11 of 21
Last Week: 9th
Differential: -2
Not many will have given Paul Dummett a chance pre-match against the marauding, physically dominant Branislav Ivanovic, but the Serbian was kept rather quiet on balance.
He got into advanced areas more efficiently than he did against Sunderland, but killer crosses and passes were snuffed out or blocked rather well. He was strong against Spurs, but Ivanovic should be looking over his shoulder at Filipe Luis.
10. Nathaniel Clyne, Southampton
12 of 21
Last Week: 8th
Differential: -2
Nathaniel Clyne's downturn in form continues, though it is, in fairness, in conjunction with his team's.
On Monday night, it was possible to pick individual fault in his game, though, as multiple passes from wide areas into Graziano Pelle were cut short or given away cheaply—just like against Manchester City the previous weekend.
9. Diego Costa, Chelsea
13 of 21
Last Week: 7th
Differential: -2
Diego Costa probably had his worst game in a Chelsea shirt at St. James' Park on Saturday, failing to pick the lock, failing to release passes and snatching at shooting chances.
We're not used to seeing the Spaniard fail to grab at least one goal or make a telling contribution, so praise must be directed toward Fabricio Coloccini for keeping him quiet.
He was suspended midweek, and Didier Drogba scored in his absence. Costa drops.
8. Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal
14 of 21
Last Week: 11th
Differential: +3
Arsenal, as a collective, were very poor this weekend against Stoke City, but Alexis Sanchez still conjured a few moments of magic. He hit the woodwork and provided an assist; if you add that to his winning goal against Southampton midweek, it keeps his personal stock alive.
The Chilean has settled superbly. Alongside Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, he has been a rare, consistent spark for the Gunners this season. The fact that Diego Costa and Nathaniel Clyne have been poor of late moves Alexis up.
7. Stewart Downing, West Ham
15 of 21
Last Week: 12th
Differential: +5
Stewart Downing looks fully recovered from a leg issue that hampered him during the international break and capped a strong week with yet another assist against Swansea City.
He's been an integral part of West Ham's midfield this season and his forward runs, linking the centre of the pitch to the target man, are key. He's been reliable where the likes of Enner Valencia (fitness) haven't.
6. Oscar, Chelsea
16 of 21
Last Week: 6th
Differential: -1
Bar one delightful overhead kick attempt in the first half, Oscar spent another game struggling to find space in midfield and was eventually withdrawn.
The Brazilian has now struggled to impose himself upon the game two weeks in a row, and although Jose Mourinho will be far from worried about his form, Chelsea fans will want to see him exerting influence again very soon.
5. David De Gea, Manchester United
17 of 21
Last Week: 10th
Differential: +5
David De Gea had a quiet week, making just five saves across two games. Stoke City barely tested him, and while Graziano Pelle got the better of him once at St. Mary's Stadium on Monday, he wasn't overly worked there either.
Manchester United haven't played particularly well of late but continue to grind out victories. At least a decent portion of that is De Gea's excellence shining through.
4. Morgan Schneiderlin, Southampton
18 of 21
Last Week: 4th
Differential: -
The injury that forced Morgan Schneiderlin from the pitch at half-time against Manchester City kept him out of Southampton's two clashes with Arsenal and Manchester United. The club lost them both, failing to control the midfield in the manner we've come to expect.
3. Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea
19 of 21
Last Week: 5th
Differential: +2
Cesc Fabregas' game was so muted on Saturday that his defensive work rate stood out more than anything he did offensively. He grabbed a token assist by swinging in a lovely free-kick for Didier Drogba to net from but largely failed to exert the influence he usually does.
The statistics are padded, but the performance wasn't brilliant. Against Tottenham midweek, he was a little quiet, too, though that was largely because the game was so easy.
He moves up because so many have moved down, and Sergio Aguero has exited the ranking due to injury. He's a lucky, lucky boy.
2. Eden Hazard, Chelsea
20 of 21
Last Week: 3rd
Differential: +1
Eden Hazard was kept surprisingly quiet by Newcastle United. Although he completed his customary set of dribbles, Hazard failed to have an impact on the game.
When he switched wings his effectiveness dipped, though he hit the post late on in an attempt to level matters. A goalscoring appearance against Tottenham saves him.
1. Nemanja Matic, Chelsea
21 of 21
Last Week: 1st
Differential: None (three consecutive weeks top)
For those seeking validation of their high, high opinions of Nemanja Matic, look no further than Chelsea's 2-1 loss to Newcastle United this weekend.
It wasn't all down to the Serbian's absence, but a sizable chunk of composure and grace was removed from midfield, and it has become clear John Obi Mikel is not up to the task.
Matic's value just rose despite him not playing, and in conjunction with Eden Hazard, Morgan Schneiderlin, Cesc Fabregas and Oscar all slipping too, no one can over take him.
