Premier League Player Rankings: Payet Up, Toure Down, Stones in
Welcome to another season of Premier League player rankings, where we make it our mission to quantify the form of the division's best performers and rank them in order of how well they're playing right now.
The rankings are formed based on players' last six games, with slightly more emphasis placed on their most recent outing. Only Premier League performances are counted, and, typically, one-week wonders do not find their way in by default.
We look beyond the statistical measures and into the performance, reviewing tape and gauging impact. It's not just goals, assists and heroic clearances that impress; it's about how a player contributes to the tactical plan at hand and what impact he has over a 90-minute period.
Finally, with six games played for each side, we have a full CV for each player to work with. The rankings are now fully up and running, and we have three new additions—two from a much-improved Everton side.
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.
Honourable Mentions / Dropouts
1 of 21
Dropping Out
Eliaquim Mangala, Manchester City
Chris Smalling, Manchester United
Daley Blind, Manchester United
Honourable Mentions
Jordan Amavi, Aston Villa
Ashley Williams, Swansea City
Bakary Sako, Crystal Palace
Toby Alderweireld, Tottenham Hotspur
20. Jack Butland, Stoke City
2 of 21
Last Week: 20
Change: None
Jack Butland had very little to do in the first half against Leicester City, watching as his side controlled proceedings and took a two-goal lead.
But, in the second half, his own defensive line collapsed into disarray, and suddenly the Foxes had scored twice—once from the spot, and once from a direct ball into Jamie Vardy, who shrugged a defender off to slide home.
It's difficult to know how to judge Butland's week as a result.
19. Hector Bellerin, Arsenal
3 of 21
Last Week: 16
Change: -3
Arsenal had a very difficult afternoon at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, seeing two men sent off and conceding two goals in a loss to Chelsea.
It's difficult to argue any of the Gunners' players played particularly well, though Hector Bellerin—given the circumstances—turned in a pretty reasonable showing.
Eden Hazard showed flashes of his best on the left flank, and Bellerin did well to keep tabs on him for most of the match. He wasn't able to flex his legs and attack as he usually would, but did his best defensively.
18. Winston Reid, West Ham United
4 of 21
Last Week: Unranked
Change: New!
Winston Reid has typically struggled to string games together for West Ham in the past; every season has been blighted by injuries and spells on the sidelines, preventing the New Zealand international from gaining a head of steam.
But so far this campaign, he's featured in each of the six league games for the Hammers, and his impact is being felt. A stellar performance at the Etihad Stadium last weekend crowned an excellent last few weeks for the 27-year-old.
Commanding, decisive and heroic are all apt adjectives to describe the effort he put in to help secure a famous victory against Manchester City.
17. Ross Barkley, Everton
5 of 21
Last Week: Unranked
Change: New!
Welcome back to the big time, Ross Barkley. After a short hiatus out of the ranking he returns with a bang after two straight excellent performances.
This week he dazzled against Swansea City, and although he couldn't find the final ball to make the difference, he created good chances and gave the home side plenty of issues in tracking.
Last week he starred against Chelsea, picking up two assists in an all-conquering display. He now just needs to find that element of consistency to truly win the doubters over.
16. Andre Ayew, Swansea City
6 of 21
Last Week: 13
Change: -3
Swansea's 0-0 draw with Everton seemed to pass Andre Ayew by a little, which is strange considering what great form he's been in to open the season.
Jonjo Shelvey's passes were aimed to Jefferson Montero and his crosses were meant for Bafetimbi Gomis, leaving the Swans' build-up play and deliveries on the right side a little lacking.
The Ghanaian came off late for youngster Modou Barrow. Not a very impactful day.
15. Bacary Sagna, Manchester City
7 of 21
Last Week: 15
Change: None
Bacary Sagna was the one Manchester City defender who turned in a solid performance against West Ham on Saturday; he looked sound defensively and became a key attacking cog late on as the home side poured forward for an equaliser.
With Aleksandar Kolarov faltering on the left, it was Sagna who pushed and probed, hit the byline and attempted to stretch the play. He fed a few dangerous balls into the box that Winston Reid and Co. just about scrambled clear.
14. Fernandinho, Manchester City
8 of 21
Last Week: 10
Change: -4
Just last week, we labelled Fernandinho's form "imperious." To reward us for that lavish praise, the Brazilian struggled his way through Manchester City's first league loss of the season to West Ham.
Too often he was trounced on the counter-attack as the clever running of Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini and Mark Noble got the better of him. Usually so sound in those key areas, Fernandinho couldn't track and couldn't stop the Hammers' movements.
13. John Stones, Everton
9 of 21
Last Week: Unranked
Change: New!
"I don't think there is a better pair of centre-backs in the Premier League," Roberto Martinez said of his John Stones-Phil Jagielka axis at Everton on Monday, per Goal.com. While that may be typical Martinez hyperbole, there's no denying they're flashing excellence.
Stones, in particular, impressed greatly during Everton's 0-0 draw with Swansea City this weekend, building on a brilliant showing against Chelsea just ahead of the international break. Cool, calm, composed and dominant all at the same time.
12. Matteo Darmian, Manchester United
10 of 21
Last Week: 9
Change: -3
After an iffy performance midweek against PSV Eindhoven, Matteo Darmian followed up with his first poor showing in the Premier League this season against Southampton.
The Italian struggled mightily to contain the lively, intelligent Dusan Tadic, failing to block crosses or track his man to the byline. He was withdrawn at half-time for Antonio Valencia, who admittedly fared far better.
One bad performance in six is nothing to worry about, but with competition for places at Manchester United extremely tight, Darmian must bounce back fast. Sunderland at home on Saturday is the ideal opportunity to do so.
11. Jonjo Shelvey, Swansea City
11 of 21
Last Week: 12
Change: +1
Jonjo Shelvey looked pretty tidy in the heart of Swansea City's midfield on Saturday, but he didn't shine. Some slick passing set up some good attacks on both the left and the right, and the penetrative effect on his deliveries is good, but he couldn't impact the game.
He's done nothing to be dropped, per se, but with Ki Sung-Yueng on the bench and ready to come back into the XI, Shelvey needs to careful. Jack Cork is another who could face the chop, but a weekly impact is important in a very competitive side.
Shelvey only moves up due to poor showings from Matteo Darmian and Fernandinho.
10. Aleksandar Kolarov, Manchester City
12 of 21
Last Week: 6
Change: -4
Aleksandar Kolarov's defensive aptitude has always been a big question mark, and on Saturday West Ham proved why. They targeted the Serbian, working balls down his flank early and often, and carved out a number of chances.
In the second half, the Serbian pushed on and upped his performance levels, but pressure Victor Moses and Co. subjected him to will be food for thought for Manuel Pellegrini. It may not be a surprise if Gael Clichy comes back in to provide a steadier defensive presence.
9. Callum Wilson, AFC Bournemouth
13 of 21
Last Week: 14
Change: +5
Callum Wilson put in another superb performance and is rising in people's estimations fast. By our (unofficial) calculations, he'll be linked with an £80 million move to Manchester United by the week's end.
Joking aside, his five goals in six games represents a joint-league-high alongside a certain sparkling Leicester City performer.
Wilson has been irrepressible; a fast, committed, prolific striker who gives defensive lines nightmares and finishes with aplomb.
8. Angelo Ogbonna, West Ham
14 of 21
Last Week: 7
Change: -1
Angelo Ogbonna missed West Ham's victory over Manchester City with a hamstring injury. "It doesn't look like a big [injury]; maybe just one week off," Slaven Bilic told London24.com.
7. Jefferson Montero, Swansea City
15 of 21
Last Week: 11
Change: +4
Jefferson Montero returned to the Swansea City starting XI this weekend after recovering from injury, and it's fair to say he showed glimpses of his best as he got back into the swing of things.
Everton started Tyias Browning at right-back in place of the ailed Seamus Coleman and Montero enjoyed himself on that flank, skipping past his marker several times and delivering a few typically accurate crosses—which Bafetimbi Gomis consistently squandered.
He moves up four this week, though that's in part due to those around him struggling.
6. Yaya Toure, Manchester City
16 of 21
Last Week: 4
Change: -2
It was another 'nearly game' for Yaya Toure, who overcame a slow start to Manchester City's match against West Ham to produce a penetrative second-half display.
Breaking between the lines and entering the box, he created several good chances and saw a few low shots from good positions blocked by valiant defenders.
Toure did his best to influence the game, but couldn't quite drag his team out of the mud.
5. Jamie Vardy, Leicester City
17 of 21
Last Week: 8
Change: +3
Jamie Vardy came up with the goods again, netting Leicester City's equaliser to rescue a point at the Britannia Stadium.
He now has four goals in six Premier League appearances this season, continues to harass opponents non-stop and links play well.
Vardy may not be the most-glamorous name in the business, but he's been ruthlessly effective so far in 2015-16.
4. Vincent Kompany, Manchester City
18 of 21
Last Week: 3
Change: -1
Vincent Kompany limped off against Juventus last week due to injury and didn't return for Saturday's clash against West Ham. Manuel Pellegrini has hinted the Belgian's aggression leads to injuries but won't ask him to alter his game too violently, per Goal.com:
"The way he plays, Vincent plays with 100 percent intensity, not every match, but every training session. It’s not easy for him to change. He tries sometimes not to be always 100 percent intensity, but you cannot change."
2. Dimitri Payet, West Ham
20 of 21
Last Week: 5
Change: +3
For once Dimitri Payet wasn't centre stage, but he still made a sizable impact at the Etihad Stadium as West Ham shocked Manchester City 2-1.
Playing away from home suits the Hammers, and specifically Payet, as they are able to surge into space and deal damage. The Frenchman revels with space to run into and makes good decisions, releases runners neatly and times passes superbly.
He moves up to second, ahead of the City players, thanks to their own iffy individual showings/absences.
1. Riyad Mahrez, Leicester City
21 of 21
Last Week: 1
Change: None
Riyad Mahrez retains his status as our No. 1 form player this season after another scintillating display for Leicester City this weekend.
The Foxes went behind by two at Stoke City early on, but the Algerian speedster led the comeback, notching a penalty and and assisting Jamie Vardy's equalising goal in the second half.
With David Silva missing the last two games due to injury, he's the clear selection for top spot.
