Premier League Player Rankings After January 17-18 Fixtures: Cazorla, Costa Rise
Welcome to the latest edition of our 2014-15 Premier League player rankings, continuing for another season in its mission to quantify the form of England's top-tier players.
Chelsea's huge quantity of featured players all impressed in a 5-0 win over Swansea City, while Burnley's men endured mixed fortunes due to the odd nature of their collapse. Diego Costa, Santi Cazorla and Harry Kane are all big movers.
The rankings are formed based on the players' last four games, with slightly more emphasis placed on their most recent outings.
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
Just the one drop-out this week...
Charlie Austin: Queens Park Rangers are performing badly, and it's reflecting on their striker. He tested David de Gea, but that was as far as the R's got.
20. Oscar, Chelsea
2 of 21
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
Oscar dropped out of our top 20 recently due to Jose Mourinho's decision to rest him. The Brazilian has played an unprecedented amount of games in a three-year span, participating in deep UEFA Champions League and Europa League runs in addition to the 2012 Olympics and the 2014 World Cup.
But he's back now, and he's in the form of his life. Given that many haven't adjusted to his excellent performances, he may be one of the more underrated players in the league.
19. George Boyd, Burnley
3 of 21
Last Week: 16
Differential: -3
George Boyd had another promising match against Crystal Palace but struggled to find the end product that's been so consistent of late.
He perhaps telegraphs when he's cutting in and shooting a little too much—boy, does he love to cut in and shoot!—and he needs to vary his game to ensure defenders can't read his body positions and know what he's about to do.
18. John Terry, Chelsea
4 of 21
Last Week: 19
Differential: +1
John Terry's job was rather easy on Saturday, with Chelsea smashing Swansea 5-0.
The Welsh outfit were always going to be weaker without Wilfried Bony—if not for the move to Manchester City, he's at the Africa Cup of Nations anyway—but Bafetimbi Gomis and Nelson Oliveira barely threatened.
17. Danny Ings, Burnley
5 of 21
Last Week: 20
Differential: +3
Ings leapt into the top 20 last week following his goalscoring exploits against Queens Park Rangers and keeps his place after firing home against Crystal Palace.
The Burnley attack was rampant for 45 minutes as they raced into a two-goal lead, but fell apart in the second half when Alan Pardew's men mounted an epic comeback. Kudos to Ings, though, for his cool finish.
16. Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspur
6 of 21
Last Week: 13
Differential: -3
Harry Kane's incredible form faltered a little against Sunderland, and truth be told, he looks a little bit tired. Tottenham Hotspur are relying heavily on him, and he could do with ducking out for a game, particularly with all the cup replays they've been playing.
He struck the post against the Black Cats in the second half with a firm shot but did little else of note.
15. Hugo Lloris, Tottenham Hotspur
7 of 21
Last Week: 17
Differential: +2
Hugo Lloris continued his impressive form in goal for Tottenham Hotspur with another day of frantic saves against Sunderland. He was called into action at least five times throughout the course of the match, and three of his stops were absolute blinders.
His reflexes, leadership in the box and confidence he gives to his defence is simply remarkable. On a day where Jan Vertonghen was far more effective at the other end of the pitch, Lloris was mopping up the mess in another one-goal win.
14. David Silva, Manchester City
8 of 21
Last Week: 9
Differential: -5
David Silva was expected to give Francis Coquelin the runaround on Sunday, but instead spent most of his time shackled by the imperious Frenchman.
Some of his quick darts into space were followed expertly by the rookie holding midfielder, and once Arsenal had settled into a low-block, he was crowded out quickly by sheer force of numbers.
If there's one concern about Silva—a clear top-five player in this league—it's his performances in the "big" games.
13. Graziano Pelle, Southampton
9 of 21
Last Week: 15
Differential: +2
Graziano Pelle hasn't scored for close to a month, but like Karim Benzema at Real Madrid (who hasn't had a goal since November!), he's playing well and contributing in attack.
He hit the woodwork for the eighth time this season against Newcastle United, per WhoScored, but was able to bully defenders, link play with class and directly set up Eljero Elia for an opportunistic first goal.
12. Bojan, Stoke City
10 of 21
Last Week: 14
Differential: +2
It was far from a complete performance from Bojan at the King Power Stadium, but once again, he came up with a moment of quality to win the game for his side.
The Spaniard is creeping toward Christian Eriksen territory with the points he's won this season, and Mark Hughes will be delighted he has a much sought-after "game-winner" in his group.
11. Philippe Coutinho, Liverpool
11 of 21
Last Week: 11
Differential: None
Philippe Coutinho didn't hit the absurd heights he's been setting at Villa Park, clearly saving his absolute best for the Capital One Cup semi-final against Chelsea.
In taking on Aston Villa, he found space with remarkable ease as usual but struggled to find the consistent end product we're becoming more and more used to.
10. Nathaniel Clyne, Southampton
12 of 21
Last Week: 10
Differential: None
Nathaniel Clyne being back in the Southampton side is fantastic for Ronald Koeman. They look much stronger and more confident as a unit with him in there.
He dealt with the threat of Yoan Gouffran and Sammy Ameobi all evening, and while the former did score, the circumstances of that strike were...unfortunate, to say the least.
9. Santi Cazorla, Arsenal
13 of 21
Last Week: 12
Differential: +3
A big leap for Santi Cazorla, who put in an incredible showing this weekend at the Etihad Stadium when Arsenal beat Manchester City 2-0.
The Spaniard played a central midfield role, subscribed to the defensive strategy being used, tracked runners and made deadly surges forward. His telling contributions to the scoresheet—a first-half penalty, and a second-half assist—were the difference in the game.
8. Stewart Downing, West Ham United
14 of 21
Last Week: 8
Differential: None
Stewart Downing didn't make our Premier League Team of the Week this week, but he was damn close after putting in another fine performance.
He netted his fifth league goal of the season in rounding off a brilliant 3-0 win over Hull City and embarked upon a series of mazy dribbles late on to stretch the game. It took him a little while to get going—the Hammers were under the cosh early on—but eventually turned in his regular 8/10 performance.
7. Branislav Ivanovic, Chelsea
15 of 21
Last Week: 7
Differential: None
Branislav Ivanovic was imperious against Swansea City, dominating the right flank in both attack and defence. Chelsea as a team were rampant, and the big Serbian played a crucial role in this.
His late assist for Andre Schurrle's goal—actually intended for Oscar to complete his hat-trick—was his classic overlapping run found by the skilled Cesc Fabregas. Defences still haven't worked out how to stop it.
6. Nemanja Matic, Chelsea
16 of 21
Last Week: 5
Differential: -1
Nemanja Matic's job was made exceptionally easy on Saturday as Swansea City fell apart at the seams. The unfamiliar midfield of Tom Carroll and Gylfi Sigurdsson (deeper) didn't work, and Matic simply preyed upon them all game.
No outstanding statistics and no telling impact offensively, but a clean day's work for the Serbian and a clean sheet to boot.
5. David de Gea, Manchester United
17 of 21
Last Week: 6
Differential: +1
David de Gea needed to be on top form against Queens Park Rangers, denying Charlie Austin and co. several times as Manchester United struggled once again in the 3-5-2 formation.
The Spaniard blocked and tipped over several fierce shots from the hosts and blocked well at his near-post to prevent any cheeky finishes creeping in. He was also aided by some bad decision-making in the final third by the R's.
4. Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal
18 of 21
Last Week: 1
Differential: -3
Alexis Sanchez's reign at the top stood just a week, as despite Arsenal beating Manchester City away from home in the weekend's shock result, the Chilean was actually one of the more underwhelming players.
Driving forward he promised a lot but delivered very little in the final third—just like Philippe Coutinho at Villa Park. He defended well enough, but with last week's No. 2 turning it on in full, he slips.
3. Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea
19 of 21
Last Week: 4
Differential: +1
Cesc Fabregas didn't exactly haul in the headlines against Swansea City during the 5-0 win, but his calm, creative play helped Chelsea dominate throughout.
Alongside Nemanja Matic, he held Nelson Oliveira to scraps, contributed to the slick build-up play and picked up one assist, taking his tally to 15 for the season, per WhoScored.
2. Eden Hazard, Chelsea
20 of 21
Last Week: 3
Differential: +1
Eden Hazard played an important role in Chelsea's thrashing of Swansea City despite not getting an assist or goal to his name. He was often the pass or dribble before the assist—something not valued by statistics but appreciated by fans and analysts alike.
He beat his man seven times, per WhoScored, and his season of mazy twists and turns continued. Poor Dwight Tiendalli—he left the field in a dazed and confused state afterward.
1. Diego Costa, Chelsea
21 of 21
Last Week: 2
Differential: +1
Diego Costa was in beast mode against Swansea City, and his complete performance allows him to replace Alexis Sanchez at the top of the player rankings this week.
He scored two goals in typically cool, composed Costa fashion, and rather than try selfishly for a hat-trick, he continued to lay chances on to team-mates throughout the game and set up his midfield colleagues.
We love an all-action, complete showing from a striker, and the Swans had no answer to stop the prolific Spain international.
