La Liga Player Rankings: Neymar in for Cristiano Ronaldo, Keylor Navas Soars
Welcome to our latest player rankings from La Liga, where we assess the form and quality of performance from those in Spain's top flight to bring you a definitive guide to who is impressing most at present.
The rankings are based on players' last six games, continually updated throughout the season, with slightly more emphasis placed on their most recent outing.
Only La Liga performances are counted and, typically, one-week wonders do not find their way in—instead, search our team of the week for the top performers over a single weekend.
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.
There are significant changes in the 20 this week with a number of big players in form over the last four or five matches in particular.
Mentions
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There are big changes in the power rankings as a quarter of our 20 are altered this week.
Luis Alberto (DEP) was left as sub and drops out, while Cristiano Ronaldo (RMA) and Fabian Orellana (CEL) both put in fairly quiet displays against each other and were overtaken by others from outside last week's top 20.
Eric Bailly (VIL) was suspended and is the fourth player to leave our list this week, while Marcos Angeleri (MGA) failed to recover from a head injury to play and is the fifth.
Close to the cut:
Tiago, ATM—Aggressive, tenacious, creative, tireless.
Victor Ruiz, VIL—Extremely solid and dependable in defence.
Mario Gaspar, VIL—Great quality from right-back in both halves.
Ruben Castro, BET—Reliable, total work horse, committed, five Liga goals.
Daniel Wass, CEL—Uses the ball well from midfield, supports quickly, works hard.
On the watchlist:
Diego Godin, ATM
Joaquin, BET
Michael Krohn-Dehli, SEV
Marco Asensio, ESP
Vicente Iborra, SEV
Mikel San Jose, ATH
20. Borja Baston, EIB
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New entry
Borja Baston scored again at the weekend. It was his sixth of the season, and all have come in the last five matches—a great run that has propelled him into our top 20 for the first time.
While the on-loan Atletico Madrid man hasn't been a 90-minute performer every week, making things happen for the team and showing the sort of individual brilliance that the top-tier forwards do, he has shown great consistency and effectiveness inside the penalty box and been imperative for Eibar's good run of form.
Baston's early goal against Barcelona ultimately counted for little as his team lost 3-1, but it was another indication that he could have a very good year all told.
19. Jaume Costa, VIL
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Up 1
Villarreal left-back Jaume Costa put in a typically assured and reliable performance at the weekend in the 0-0 draw with Las Palmas.
His team were, perhaps surprisingly, second best in the encounter, and strong displays from the likes of Costa and Victor Ruiz were needed to keep the home side—under new management—out, but the Villarreal No. 11 certainly had no problems in that regard as he continually repelled Las Palmas' Nabil El Zhar with some strong challenges and diligent chasing back.
Costa couldn't have his usual impact going forward on this occasion, but after losing twice in recent games, Villarreal are likely to be reasonably happy with the clean sheet and away point.
18. Aymeric Laporte, ATH
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New entry
Our second new entry is Athletic Bilbao's impressive young centre-back Aymeric Laporte, who has been in good form since reforming his partnership with Xabier Etxeita, clearly Athletic's best defensive pairing.
Laporte was excellent in the 3-0 win over Sporting Gijon, closing down quickly whenever the away side threatened to break through the middle and being particularly prevalent in dealing with the aerial threat posed.
He's in great form, and there will be no surprise to see transfer rumours develop around him as we head toward the winter transfer window, while his international future is still also to be resolved.
17. Marcelo, RMA
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New entry
Marcelo as a new entry means the defenders just have the edge over the forwards in our top 20, eight to seven as we reach the quarter mark for the season.
The Real Madrid left-back has put in a number of not only impressive, but also decisive performances in the past few weeks, with his thrusting runs and strong defensive work against Celta Vigo important in keeping Real top of La Liga.
He scored in injury time to wrap up the win in that game, but long before that it was his runs infield, linking with the midfield and stopping of Fabian Orellana's dribbles—the Celta man is gone from our 20 this week as a result—that made him an obvious standout performer.
16. Luis Suarez, FCB
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New entry
Luis Suarez was just on the verge of our top 20 last week, so a match-winning hat-trick at home to Eibar sees him surge into the rankings.
The Uruguayan was prolific and effective inside the penalty box with some fine first-time finishing to hand Barcelona the points at home, having earlier fallen behind to that Borja Baston strike.
Hard work, ingenuity in tight spaces and an inclination to shoot on sight come as standard in a Suarez performance, but he came up big when they needed him to
After some decent, but not outstanding, games earlier on this term, he has now started to flourish in the last few weeks. It's seven goals for the season now for the No. 9.
15. Iago Aspas, CEL
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Down 5
Iago Aspas was just one part of the problem for Celta Vigo as they peppered Real Madrid's goal without managing to find a way through until it was too late.
His finishing was reasonable this time—unlike two games ago against Villarreal—but his link play was shoddy, his first touch poor and he and his fellow forwards spent too much time trying to do things by themselves.
Aspas' good start to the season saw him fly high in our rankings and Celta climb to near the top of the league, but after two or three sub-standard games in a row, the centre-forward has slipped drastically. He'll be gone next week without a stellar showing at Real Sociedad.
14. Neymar, FCB
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New entry
Three tremendous games in a row have shot Neymar back into our top 20, and the Brazilian forward was once again pivotal for Barcelona, setting up two of Suarez's goals in the 3-1 win over Eibar.
Neymar has taken on the responsibility of demanding the ball as often as possible in the final third in Lionel Messi's absence, and his drive and durability, as much as his quality in possession, have been the key factors in ensuring the wins keep flowing.
We don't take into account Champions League form for our rankings, but for those looking at his overall form for the last month, there aren't many more in-form, effective or important forwards out there.
13. Aritz Aduriz, ATH
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Up 5
Athletic Bilbao have been reliant on Aritz Aduriz for some time in attack, that much is well known, but the best XI that Ernesto Valverde can put out when everybody is fit actually now offers a well-rounded attacking presence with pace, skill, an aerial threat and width.
Aduriz remains central to that, though—and his brace on Monday night in the 3-0 win over Sporting Gijon showcased his enduring importance.
He has seven for the season now, with four of those coming in the last three games—great for a surge up our rankings.
12. Augusto Fernandez, CEL
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Up 4
After a slow start, Celta Vigo grew into the game and totally dominated the midfield battle against Real Madrid—but mistakes at the back cost them, and they were soon two goals down before eventually losing 3-1.
Augusto Fernandez was the main man for Celta in the middle again, dominating Toni Kroos and Luka Modric from early on by stopping the supply line to the frontmen, closing down quickly and moving the ball around for his own team.
The Argentinian midfielder was consistent in his game and has been one of La Liga's more controlling central players of late, vital for his team's success.f
11. Diego Reyes, RSO
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Down 4
Suspended for this weekend, Diego Reyes missed out as his Real Sociedad team beat Levante 4-0 away from home.
10. Jose Maria Gimenez, ATM
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Up 5
Atletico Madrid beat Valencia 2-1 on Sunday with a near-faultless display from front to back.
Jose Gimenez was the rock at the back again, outshining his more experienced partner Diego Godin with his relentless ability to win the ball, his timing in the challenge and stepping out of defence to intercept play.
Valencia simply couldn't find a way around, through or behind Gimenez, and only a silly barge by Godin that handed Los Che a penalty stopped Atleti recording another clean sheet.
Still, they won again and are now up to third, two points off top spot—much of it down to the excellent defensive work from Gimenez and co.
9. Asier Illarramendi, RSO
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Up 2
Asier Illarramendi has proved an excellent signing for Real Sociedad so far, certainly showing that the old adage of "not going back" doesn't apply in every case.
He was typically bullish and effervescent in midfield against Levante, overpowering the home side with his energy, movement and challenges for the ball in what ended up as a 4-0 win—with Illarra himself actually netting the third from close range.
It was a welcome win for La Real who have floundered so far this term, but Illarra has shown all along the consistency, quality and battling ability the rest of the team need to push further up the table.
8. Raphael Varane, RMA
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Up 1
Raphael Varane was once again in place alongside Sergio Ramos in Real Madrid's 3-1 win over Celta Vigo.
The younger defender has been extremely consistent and impressive this term and largely followed that pattern this time around, winning the ball inside his own penalty area a number of times to thwart Celta from testing goalkeeper Keylor Navas even more often than they did.
It wasn't Varane's most impressive game of his recent run, with a few suspect choices in decision-making in terms of possession, but he remains our top-rated, in-form centre-back for La Liga.
7. Rene Krhin, GRA
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Up 1
A third consecutive draw for Granada moved them off the bottom of the table in La Liga, but they'll need to find more defensive solidity to help start winning matches soon—it's just one win from nine so far.
Rene Krhin, though, at least provides the back four with great protection by sitting at the base of midfield and breaking up opposition attacks.
He was excellent against Real Betis, particularly in the first half, as he won a huge volume of battles both in the air and on the ground to prevent Granada's shaky defensive line coming under pressure.
His passing game was somewhat off this time, with the former Inter man usually good with his distribution, but his defensive work was far more important and keeps him well inside our top 10—and just one of three players from the bottom eight clubs to feature in our latest top 20.
6. Luka Modric, RMA
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Down 1
Luka Modric is still trying to get back up to full fitness so wasn't at his dominant best for Real Madrid, but he still played an important part in the team's good start at Celta Vigo with his runs from the centre and link play in the left channel.
The Croatian worked hard thereafter in a defensive capacity and certainly didn't shy away from the physical work that needed doing as Celta took control of the flow of the game thereafter, but he couldn't get in possession as much as he would have liked.
Modric was subbed late on, and though his reasonable performance keeps him high on our list this week, his good performances from a few weeks back now count for far less in our ranking algorithm—he needs a big performance next time out to remain in the top 10.
5. Antoine Griezmann, ATM
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Up 1
Atletico Madrid's excellent 2-1 win over Valencia was down to the majority of the team playing well and carrying out the tactical plan, rather than because of a single standout player, but Antoine Griezmann was noticeable for helping the aggressive midfield link with and be part of the dangerous attack.
Dropping out into the channels from the front line, Griezmann was able to help crowd out Los Che's midfielders and then spring an immediate counter attack once possession was won, dribbling forward quickly or springing passes into feet.
He didn't get on the scoresheet this time but came close just before half-time with a near-post run.
Griezmann was subbed late in the game, and he remains one of La Liga's most in-form forwards.
4. Sergi Roberto, FCB
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Down 2
Sergi Roberto's injury—picked up last week in European action—meant he sat out the weekend win over Eibar.
With Rafinha, Andres Iniesta and Leo Messi injured, and Javier Mascherano now suspended, Sergi's return can't come soon enough for Luis Enrique, who has a massive depletion in midfield.
3. Juanfran, ATM
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No change
Our top-rated defender, still, Juanfran was his usual excellent and dependable self for Atletico against Valencia.
Primarily concerned with his defensive duties early in the first half, Juanfran was soon able to stride forward and support due to Valencia going with a much narrower attack than expected—they played a 4-4-2 to mimic Atleti's own system.
Juanfran in fact used the chance to get forward so well that he almost scored—a great run infield saw him just closed down enough to not get a clean shot away.
Defensively he was assured and controlled, rarely bested for pace or skill. One concern will be the late booking he picked up—that's four for the season now, and one more will yield a suspension.
2. Keylor Navas, RMA
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Up 2
Clocking up big performance after big performance this season is Real Madrid's goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
With our "six games" policy for the player rankings, it's no surprise the Costa Rican has surged to a podium place, with five of those fixtures yielding man-of-the-match (or close to it) displays with his array of saves, reflexes, brave charges out at the feet of forwards and all-round consistency.
Navas denied the likes of Aspas and Pablo Hernandez with some incredible stops during the match against Celta Vigo, as Real Madrid won 3-1, but it is perhaps fitting that the man who eventually beat Navas is also the only one who still sits above him...
1. Nolito, CEL
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No change
Celta Vigo forward Nolito hit the late wonder goal to give his team hope, before an injury-time strike wrapped up the win for Real. The left-sided attacker cut in off the flank and unleashed a rocket to find the top corner and beat the previously unbeatable Navas for his seventh of the season.
Before that, Nolito had enjoyed plenty of time on the ball but had mixed success with his productivity—a number of dribbles and shots were exciting and impressive, but his link play with Aspas and Orellana in the front line was nearly non-existent.
Overall, though, his form remains excellent, and Nolito deservedly tops our charts once more.
