Premier League Player Rankings: Aguero Enters, Benteke Rises, Kane Falls
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 secured the title with a victory over Crystal Palace, but it wasn't convincing, and some of the Blues players drop as a result. Arsenal looked irresistible against Hull, so their players move up, and as Aston Villa and Leicester City continue to hit stride, we reward their stars too.
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 demonstrating 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
James McCarthy, Everton: He entered the rankings last weekend after a Man of the Match display against Manchester United, but Fabian Delph and Jack Grealish ripped him to pieces on Saturday at Villa Park. He was awful.
Daley Blind, Manchester United: His form has dropped along with Manchester United's in general.
Glenn Murray, Crystal Palace: Alan Pardew dropped him for the trip to Chelsea due to ineffectiveness in previous games. Palace looked better without him.
20. Federico Fernandez, Swansea City
2 of 21
Last Week: Unranked
Differential: New!
One player who's impressed consistently this season but hasn't garnered any attention is Federico Fernandez. After signing last summer, the World Cup runner-up for Argentina has largely flown under the radar.
However, his presence has ensured the Swansea City defence hasn't skipped a beat despite key losses, and he excelled once again against Stoke City. His cool, calm demeanour at the back exudes confidence, and he's comfortable in Garry Monk's possession game.
19. Aaron Lennon, Everton
3 of 21
Last Week: 13
Differential: -6
On paper, this should have been an easy battle for Aaron Lennon, but in reality, he managed to worry Aston Villa's Kieran Richardson only once or twice.
Villa's brilliant play stupefied Everton for an entire half, and they threatened only in patches during the second. Despite being on the back foot and therefore able to engineer counter-attacking positions, the ball never stuck with Romelu Lukaku, and he could not find Lennon's runs.
18. Fabian Delph, Aston Villa
4 of 21
Last Week: Unranked
Differential: New!
Fabian Delph's performance against Everton prompted Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood to label him "the best midfielder in the country" on current form, per Sky Sports. That's not true—as we know, Tim loves a hyperbolic statement—but there's no doubt the England international is hitting top gear.
He infuriated James McCarthy so much that the Irishman ended up simply fouling him at every opportunity. He is the driving force in this Aston Villa side and picked up a rare assist for Christian Benteke's first goal.
17. Marc Albrighton, Leicester City
5 of 21
Last Week: 20
Differential: +3
Marc Albrighton turned in another brilliant performance for Leicester City this past weekend. Once again, he was key to the Foxes' ability to drive forward, playing in the right wing-back position, receiving early passes wide and pushing on.
He picked up two assists as Leicester smashed Newcastle United 3-0 and edged closer to safety, and it's become apparent that he's fresh as a daisy due to the lack of games throughout the season and his injury issues. That's a wonderful luxury to have if you're Nigel Pearson.
16. Olivier Giroud, Arsenal
6 of 21
Last Week: 11
Differential: -5
Olivier Giroud is tumbling down the rankings after another iffy performance. He's been as consistent as anyone since returning from injury, but now he's cooling off just a bit.
During a game in which Arsenal wrecked Hull City and the entire midfield played superbly, it seems strange that Giroud wasn't able to get himself going. It looked like he took a slight knock early on, and that may have hindered him throughout.
15. Sergio Aguero, Manchester City
7 of 21
Last Week: Unranked
Differential: New!
He's back from injury, and he's looking good. Sergio Aguero has scored five goals in four games as Manchester City ramp up the pressure on Arsenal during the hunt for second place in the Premier League.
His performance against Tottenham Hotspur this past weekend was absolutely brilliant, as he threatened on the counter-attack, showed a great touch and netted the winning goal with a fierce strike.
14. Ki Sung-Yueng, Swansea City
8 of 21
Last Week: 17
Differential: +3
Ki Sung-Yueng got back to goalscoring ways this weekend as Swansea City defeated Stoke City 2-0. Garry Monk's strategic resting of him last week seems to have done the trick.
The finish itself wasn't difficult, but it was indicative of his role this season: allowed to get forward and make a difference in the final third. Per Statbunker, he has eight goals this campaign, which is more than Philippe Coutinho, Aaron Ramsey and Cesc Fabregas.
13. Simon Mignolet, Liverpool
9 of 21
Last Week: 12
Differential: -1
Simon Mignolet didn't do an awful lot against Queens Park Rangers this weekend, as the Rs mustered only two shots on target, per WhoScored.com.
One of those went in—Leroy Fer's excellent volley from a corner that left the goalkeeper unsighted—and the Belgian was also spared his blushes after a strange goal was smuggled in at the near post from a corner, as the delivery was adjudged to go out of play before coming into the box.
12. Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspur
10 of 21
Last Week: 8
Differential: -4
Harry Kane put in a muted showing at White Hart Lane and falls in our ranking as we readjust to his form. More often than not at the moment, he's turning in tired performances.
Even worse, he watched Sergio Aguero score in the opposite net and extend his lead in the Golden Boot standings to two. The Argentinian now has 22 to Kane's 20 in Premier League play.
11. John Terry, Chelsea
11 of 21
Last Week: 15
Differential: +4
John Terry can consider himself fortunate not to have given away a penalty early on against Crystal Palace on Sunday, as the ball skipped up and hit his hand in an unnatural position.
It wasn't a vintage Terry showing like he had against Arsenal, but the Chelsea captain defended doggedly as the Eagles sought a way to spoil the party for the champions-elect. In part thanks to Terry, they had no such luck.
10. Santi Cazorla, Arsenal
12 of 21
Last Week: 14
Differential: +4
Santi Cazorla was back to his crisp, decisive best on Monday night, helping Arsenal ease into a 3-0 lead at half-time against Hull City at the KC Stadium.
He bagged an assist for one of his side's goals and controlled the middle of the park with ease. He set the tempo and squeezed the ball into his team-mates' feet despite pressure.
After he dropped five places last week, this was a good retort from the Spaniard.
9. Esteban Cambiasso, Leicester City
13 of 21
Last Week: 9
Differential: None
For once, Esteban Cambiasso wasn't the star midfielder as Leicester City collected another win. It may actually be a relief to him that he wasn't relied upon so much for a sixth consecutive game.
Those around him are coming into form of their own after their captain dragged them through the mud. At no point has he ever let their mentality or demeanour slide toward the negative end of the scale.
8. David De Gea, Manchester United
14 of 21
Last Week: 6
Differential: -2
Manchester United's freak loss to West Bromwich Albion was exactly that: a freak loss.
There was absolutely nothing David De Gea could do for the goal—a wickedly deflected free-kick that cannoned off Jonas Olsson and looped in—and the Spaniard did very little else as his side dominated possession and probed in the attacking third.
What a frustrating afternoon.
7. Branislav Ivanovic, Chelsea
15 of 21
Last Week: 5
Differential: -2
After really acing his last two games, Branislav Ivanovic struggled on Sunday as Chelsea wrapped up the title.
Wilfried Zaha gave the entire Blues right side an awful lot of problems, and the Serbian's inability to keep a lid on it dragged Juan Cuadrado and Willian all the way back to help defend.
The clean sheet flatters.
6. David Silva, Manchester City
16 of 21
Last Week: 10
Differential: +4
David Silva linked play superbly on the counter-attack at White Hart Lane on Sunday, passing magisterially between the lines and setting off Sergio Aguero behind the defence.
His first touch, control and technical abilities shone, his decision-making was good, and his perfectly weighted pass for Aguero's winner reminded us all he's one of the best in the business.
5. Christian Benteke, Aston Villa
17 of 21
Last Week: 7
Differential: +2
Christian Benteke, with 10 goals in his last eight games, is heating up at the right time. If Aston Villa avoid Premier League relegation and taste FA Cup success, it's very likely to be off his back—again.
The Belgian netted a monstrous header to open the scoring against Everton on Saturday and then tapped home at the far post to double the advantage before half-time. His side held on for a valuable three-point haul and relied on him late to hold the ball up and ease pressure.
4. Eden Hazard, Chelsea
18 of 21
Last Week: 1
Differential: -3
Eden Hazard did just enough to win Chelsea the title on Sunday, but, boy, did he make it both contentious and difficult for himself.
He won a penalty by, if we're putting it politely, making the most of some contact from James McArthur in the box. Hazard then failed to convert at the first attempt and was fortunate that Julian Speroni's save batted the ball straight back to him for an easy finish.
It wasn't his finest hour, and he drops from first as a result. It's a pretty harsh drop, but the three players just below the Belgian in last week's rankings all turned in stunning performances over the past few days.
3. Philippe Coutinho, Liverpool
19 of 21
Last Week: 4
Differential: +1
Philippe Coutinho put in another magical showing this week as Liverpool defeated Queens Park Rangers. He's adding goals more consistently to his game now, appeasing the floating voters who aren't quite willing to admit the Brazilian is close to a world-class level.
His deft effort this weekend, curled around a despairing Rob Green, is becoming something of a trademark finish from him.
2. Mesut Ozil, Arsenal
20 of 21
Last Week: 3
Differential: +1
Mesut Ozil turned in a mercurial performance as Arsenal defeated Hull City on Monday night—a performance that had B/R's James McNicholas lauding his talents and skills.
"You could almost have forgiven the Hull back line if they’d stood and gawped at Arsenal’s record signing," he wrote. "At his best, Ozil makes the extraordinary look routine."
The German was key to pulling the strings in midfield and decimated Hull's defensive system. It was a ridiculous display.
1. Francis Coquelin, Arsenal
21 of 21
Last Week: 2
Differential: +1
For the first time in months—yes, months—Eden Hazard is not No. 1 in our Premier League player rankings. As he drops, last week's No. 2 rises to the fore.
It's been some climb for Francis Coquelin, who just five months ago was on loan in the Championship with Charlton Athletic. Arsene Wenger had essentially given up on the Frenchman, per the Daily Mail, but he's performed superbly ever since he was plugged in to the starting XI.
Against Hull City, he was again strong, dominating in midfield and cutting out counter-attacks. He's been terrifyingly consistent for the last 50 days.
