Premier League Player Rankings After April 4-7 Fixtures: Benteke Stars
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.
With matches stretched over four days, we had plenty to sink our teeth into, and we have three new entries as some of the old guard lost form and sparkle. Arsenal's contingent all moved up, while Liverpool's players continued to drop in relation to their team's form.
The rankings are formed based on 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. (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 section below.
Dropouts
1 of 21
Dropouts
Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea: The fizzle and pop has died out.
Emre Can, Liverpool: Had a dreadful game against Arsenal and was sent off.
Mamadou Sakho, Liverpool: A moment of glorious individual skill aside, he struggled in defence at the Emirates Stadium.
20. Bafetimbi Gomis, Swansea
2 of 21
Last Week: Unranked
Differential: New!
Is this the Bafetimbi Gomis that Garry Monk saw when he signed him last summer? For months, he looked poor as the understudy to Wilfried Bony, but he's now hammering home the goals as first choice.
There's still definitely an element of the Frenchman trying too hard to make things happen, but his movement, ox-like strength and work rate make him a valuable asset to the Swans. He's greatly enjoying playing with Wayne Routledge up front in the diamond, as his three goals in the past two games indicate.
19. Daley Blind, Manchester United
3 of 21
Last Week: Unranked
Differential: New!
Daley Blind's afternoon in defence against Aston Villa on Saturday was pretty comfortable, but he made a real impact flying forward in the final third. He and Ashley Young have a good understanding, and he overlaps superbly to fashion angles, chances and crossing opportunities.
A few weeks ago, he did the same against Liverpool, tormenting Emre Can on the flank and teeing up teammates. He's looked a lot more potent from left-back than he has at holding midfield.
18. Christian Benteke, Aston Villa
4 of 21
Last Week: Unranked
Differential: New!
Christian Benteke has seven goals (and one assist) in his last five matches. Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood still has plenty of other work to do with his club, but he does appear to have helped the stunning striker rediscover goal-scoring form.
The Belgian netted a hat-trick on Tuesday night during Villa's 3-3 draw with Queens Park Rangers, showing the immense guile and preciseness that was absent from his game for so long.
17. Simon Mignolet, Liverpool
5 of 21
Last Week: 15
Differential: -2
Simon Mignolet took a step in the wrong direction this weekend, both literally and figuratively. He was unable to save Mesut Ozil's brilliant free-kick because he took one step toward the wrong side before the ball was struck, leaving himself unable to gain the ground back across the line.
It's a reversion to the 2014 version of Mignolet, but you cannot ultimately blame him for Liverpool's loss to Arsenal. His defence were all over the shop, with Kolo Toure in particular simply relenting chances as if paid to do so.
16. Jordan Henderson, Liverpool
6 of 21
Last Week: 14
Differential: -2
Losses as captain, seemingly, are like London buses. Jordan Henderson went undefeated with Liverpool's armband for a long time, but then all of a sudden, both Manchester United and Arsenal comprehensively defeat him in the space of two weeks.
He struggled to get himself into the game against a ferocious Arsenal press, failing to dribble out of danger or clear enough stray balls accurately so he could spark Reds attacks.
15. Ander Herrera, Manchester United
7 of 21
Last Week: 19
Differential: +4
Ander Herrera, currently, is the gift that keeps on giving. Manchester United fans are smitten with his incredible performances every week in their engine room, and he scored two goals against Aston Villa this weekend to seal a routine victory.
He's developed a brilliant habit of making a late run to the edge of the box and sweeping home cut-backs, wrong-footing goalkeepers and using defenders' bodies as disguises for the shots. He was never prolific in Spain, but his all-round game is really coming on in the north of England.
14. Glenn Murray, Crystal Palace
8 of 21
Last Week: 18
Differential: +4
Glenn Murray had a wonderful game against Manchester City on Monday, scoring the opening goal in a stunning 2-1 win and earning effusive praise from his manager Alan Pardew.
"It was an exceptional performance," Pardew told reporters after the contest. "Forget about his goal, [it was] a real lesson in how to play as a No. 9."
He did handball in the box and really should have given away a penalty later in the second half, but adoring fans have very much swept that under the carpet. Most are simply happy he's finally getting his chance to lead the line after some horrific injury woes.
13. Ki Sung-Yueng, Swansea City
9 of 21
Last Week: 17
Differential: +4
Ki Sung-Yueng continued his season of goal-scoring goodwill, sweeping home the opening strike in Swansea City's demolition of Hull City on Saturday.
He was on his toes to stab a palmed Jonjo Shelvey effort into the back of the net, and in many ways, the goal symbolises the difference in his game since Garry Monk allowed him to attack more.
He's netted seven Premier League goals this season, per WhoScored.com—a personal best.
12. Nemanja Matic, Stoke City
10 of 21
Last Week: 12
Differential: None
This past weekend was better from Nemanja Matic. Not perfect nor by any means brilliant, but a lot better.
He's been dropping like a stone in our rankings due to loss of form and confidence following suspension and injury, but returned to something close to his old self against Stoke City on Saturday.
His ability to control games and stifle attacks shone through again.
11. Branislav Ivanovic, Chelsea
11 of 21
Last Week: 10
Differential: -1
No one could do anything about Charlie Adam's wonder goal, so no blame is attributed to anyone there. Aside from that single moment of glory, Stoke City didn't trouble Chelsea too much in the final third.
Branislav Ivanovic, therefore, had a fairly quiet day at the back. It was Asmir Begovic making save after save, not Thibaut Courtois, and the Serbian was only called into action for two tackles, per WhoScored.com. He spent most of his day taking throw-ins.
10. Philippe Coutinho, Liverpool
12 of 21
Last Week: 4
Differential: -6
Philippe Coutinho disappointed for the second game running, failing to spark attacks and get Liverpool going in the final third.
He had a few highlight wriggles and dribbles against Arsenal on Saturday, but he wasn't up to his usual standard. Every time he doesn't play well, fans worry he's over-tired and exhausted from all the football he has played.
9. Santi Cazorla, Arsenal
13 of 21
Last Week: 8
Differential: -1
For once, Santi Cazorla wasn't the highlight of the show as Arsenal beat Liverpool 4-1 on Saturday.
He did strike the woodwork in trying to get himself onto the scoresheet, but he largely left the goal-scoring exploits to others. Cazorla instead tasked himself with ensuring his team were dominant and the passes flowed freely.
8. Nathaniel Clyne, Southampton
14 of 21
Last Week: 5
Differential: -3
Nathaniel Clyne had a so-so game at Goodison Park on Saturday—far from his usual marauding self, but hardly a liability either.
Most of the attacking onus fell on Graziano Pelle and James Ward-Prowse following Ronald Koeman's decision to prioritise dominating the middle, but the Saints looked flat, stale and lacked piercing runs.
Clyne could have done more to help.
7. David Silva, Manchester City
15 of 21
Last Week: 9
Differential: +2
Manchester City had issues all over the pitch during their loss at Selhurst Park on Monday night, but David Silva wasn't one of them. He was a delight once more, skipping around heavy challenges and dealing with the rough pitch superbly when making passes.
Most of City's good moves emanated from and flowed through him, with his rather central position between the lines causing Joe Ledley and Co. some serious headaches.
6. Olivier Giroud, Arsenal
16 of 21
Last Week: 11
Differential: +5
Olivier Giroud continues to soar in our rankings, and although he only managed his goal in the 91st minute during Arsenal's 4-1 win over Liverpool, he was dominant and effective in the final third from the very first whistle.
He gave Kolo Toure nightmares both in the air and on the ground, linked attacks brilliantly and got himself on the ball in dangerous positions. Directly or indirectly, he was involved in every goal.
5. Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspur
17 of 21
Last Week: 3
Differential: -2
Harry Kane struggled to make an impact against Burnley and the game ended in a goalless draw, but blame should be attributed and spread widely across the team and not just with the captain for the day.
Mauricio Pochettino's formation was rank, the build-up play resembled that of pre-season stuff and, in truth, the Clarets defended, pressed and harried very well. A very quiet day at the office for Kane despite coming off an England debut start and goal.
4. David De Gea, Manchester United
18 of 21
Last Week: 2
Differential: -2
David de Gea had one of those rather quiet days against Aston Villa, but did manage to concede a goal in disappointing circumstances and drops in the ranking as a result.
He allowed Christian Benteke to squeeze a poorly hit shot underneath his body from a low, short corner kick. The Spaniard will be furious with himself for not getting down quickly enough, as it was straight at him.
3. Francis Coquelin, Arsenal
19 of 21
Last Week: 7
Differential: +4
Arsenal started their match against Liverpool this past weekend in irresistible form and, by and large, sustained an immense amount of attacking pressure all afternoon.
The forward play was brilliant, but also key to the dominance was the proactiveness of Francis Coquelin and his stifling of counter-attacks. He was prominent early on in ensuring Philippe Coutinho couldn't break forward and patrolled the central zones in assured fashion.
What a story he has been.
2. Mesut Ozil, Arsenal
20 of 21
Last Week: 6
Differential: +4
Mesut Ozil rises into lofty position in our rankings after another excellent showing. It will have pleased the Arsenal fanbase to see their German playmaker score a peach of a free-kick against another fanbase (Liverpool's) that gave him plenty of stick for failing to live up to pricey expectations.
The World Cup winner has seriously come alight over the last six weeks and is ending the season in phenomenal form. There are some who still choose to ignore his ascent, but to us it has become undeniable that he's finally proving his worth.
1. Eden Hazard, Chelsea
21 of 21
Last Week: 1
Differential: None
Eden Hazard remains top of the rankings, excelling once again as his closest competitors fall away. For those keeping score, the Belgian has maintained the No. 1 spot since February 4 and has not been dethroned for over two months.
He drove at Stoke City time and again, tormented their defence, bossed the play and, of course, grabbed one goal and one assist to ensure a 2-1 victory for his side. Hazard is an absolute machine.
