In November 2024, we once again attempted to tackle a mighty question: Which players at the Premier League's top clubs are the most important?
We used a simple combination of ability and tactical factors to assess how crucial the players were to their teams and ranked the top 15 accordingly. Naturally, the best, most consistent and most present players filtered toward the top, while also allowing room for the most tactically crucial individuals to receive credit too.
Now we've revisited the subject, intrigued to see how things have changed. Football teams have to weather plenty of storms over the course of half a year, often changing, tweaking and recalibrating around injuries, absences and fluctuations in form. So we've reranked the players at England's traditional Big Six clubs, checking in on how things have transpired since November, who has risen to the fore and increased their stock, and who, conversely, has dropped off.
To begin, here are a few notes about the methodology.
Why 15? Well, with 11 first-team players starting any given match, this should allow for those squad positions that aren't 100% cemented. Any long-term injury absences will be noted separately and not considered for the ranking.
Who is eligible? A player must have played 300 Premier League minutes or more for his club. That's not a particularly high bar, and the vast majority of important players clear that threshold with ease, even if they arrived in the January transfer window. We want to ensure the rankings feel truly up to date on who is important to their teams.
How did you rate the players? WhoScored has an algorithm that gives an overall number out of 10, but it lends itself more to on-ball actions, while this will be more subjective. "Minutes played" is obviously a key component of how important a player is to their manager, but slight injury issues can complicate that: We will use it only as a guide.
Are stats involved? Certainly. We'll look within the context of their position and, for example, will make a case for why a striker (goals, assists, key passes, etc.) will rank higher than a teammate at another position.
How hard is it? Some of the decisions are glaringly obvious, but others not so much. Comparing players across different position groups is a difficult task. Within the context of a squad, though, it's possible to get a feel for who is the most integral.
I disagree wholeheartedly with your decision to put X below Y. Will you change it? Of course people will disagree and a lot of this is subjective, but it's only a bit of fun.
Enough of that. On with the rankings.
Steve Nicol reflects on Arsenal's 1-0 win over Chelsea in the Premier League.
Arsenal had legitimate Premier League title ambitions at the start of the season, but injuries have derailed any hope of keeping up with Liverpool. Unless the most incredible turnaround happens in the next nine games, they'll fall short again. At the very least, the turmoil experienced this term has given manager Mikel Arteta a clear picture of where his squad is strong, and where it isn't.
MISSED THE CUT: Jorginho was ranked 15th in November but drops out of the top 15 completely this time, making room for one of Arsenal's two promising youth products. The other, 18-year-old left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly, warrants a mention here after his breakout campaign was crowned with his first England cap and goal. Gabriel Jesus is injured, while Raheem Sterling, Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko rarely feature.
15. Ethan Nwaneri (new)
Nwaneri just about edges Lewis-Skelly for 15th spot, but truthfully this could be sliced either way. Bukayo Saka's injury, in conjunction with all the other ailments, has accelerated Nwaneri's passage into the first team. It's easy to forget he's just 18 years old when he's barging defenders off the ball and eyeing up what is quickly becoming a trademark strike on goal from 20 yards.
14. Riccardo Calafiori (-1)
Calafiori is a thrilling watch, but it's not often enough we get to enjoy him. The injury issues that plagued the early stretches of his career have followed him to Arsenal, preventing him from putting together a decent run of starts. He scored great goals against Manchester City and PSV Eindhoven, and a crucial one against Wolves, but his overall impact has been lacking.
13. Mikel Merino (+1)
Merino's maiden season with Arsenal has been far from smooth. He got injured in the first part, struggled to break into the first XI in the middle part, and is now spending the final part moonlighting as a striker due to an injury crisis. He's actually scored a respectable five goals in eight matches while playing up front. He may not like it, but right now it's the best value he can offer to the team.
12. Ben White (-3)
For several seasons now, Arsenal's bread and butter in attack was to feed the ball up the right side, utilising White and Saka's connection, with support from Martin Ødegaard. But in 2024-25, injury robbed the team of all three of these players at different points. Saka and Ødegaard proved irreplaceable, but White did not. The presence of Jurriën Timber in his stead perhaps lacked the same attacking verve, but did hold things down defensively. White is less crucial than he was in years past, which sees him drop in the rankings.
11. Leandro Trossard (=)
Trossard remains the ultimate example of why having quality, versatile depth is crucial to top clubs. He has played 1,910 minutes and featured in all 29 league games, stepping in here and there for various injuries. The Belgium foward has played off the left, the right and as a split striker with Kai Havertz, continually adapting to Arteta's shifting tactical instructions. He's taken the most shots (53) of any Arsenal player this term and has provided the joint-third most goals and assists (9).
10. Jurriën Timber (+2)
After losing almost the entirety of the 2023-24 season to injury, it's been great to see Timber feature for Arsenal and play regularly and well. He's had the fourth-most league minutes (2,206) in the squad, spending most of his time covering for the injured White on the right, but also flipped over to left-back when needed too. His ease on the ball has been impressive, but perhaps his most important trait is his ability to lock up top wingers in one-on-one duels.
9. Thomas Partey (+1)
Like Trossard, Partey has been extraordinarily valuable to Arteta this season simply due to his availability. While those around him have struggled with injuries and suspensions, the Ghana international has been almost ever-present, playing the fifth-most minutes (2,190) of any Arsenal player. His impact primarily comes in the form of recycling the ball and winning it back -- in that latter category, he leads his teammates for tackles and interceptions combined (104).
8. Kai Havertz (-1)
Havertz is now firmly established as Arsenal's first-choice striker. It's clear Arteta values his ability to link play, stretch defences and win duels, which are all important functions of a modern No. 9. The area he leaves you wanting more in is ... goals. His tally of 15 from 34 games in all competitions this season is respectable, but he also misses some big chances and goes through periods of low confidence. He drops one spot in these rankings due to Merino's effectiveness standing in up front, plus the fact Gabriel Jesus temporarily shone as a striker during the winter. Clearly, Arsenal can get by without him if need be and they may well move for another option in the summer.
7. Gabriel Martinelli (+1)
Martinelli is a key player who offers a number of different things. His speed to get behind the defence gives Arsenal an extra dimension, while his ability to run at defenders, carry the ball into the box and hit the byline to put in a cross are valuable. The only problem is, he's failed to get anywhere near his 2022-23 total of 15 league goals; last season he managed just six, and he's on that same figure now. At 23, he just needs to take the next step in terms of production.
6. David Raya (=)
Raya has had another strong season. He began 2024-25 in impeccable form and, while he's dropped off in that category a little as the campaign has worn on, he's still been a positive while leading the league in other areas. Only Jordan Pickford (53) has swept up more balls than the Spain international (49), while no goalkeeper has stopped more crosses (40) than him. These traits are absolutely crucial to the way Arteta wants his team to play. With 11 clean sheets in the bag, the Golden Glove chase is firmly on as Nottingham Forest's Matz Sels is just one ahead (12).
5. Declan Rice (=)
Rice continues to be a gargantuan presence in this Arsenal team, taking responsibility for so much of what happens on the pitch from the centre of midfield. He's almost always available, never stops shuttling up and down the pitch, has provided seven goals and assists and delivers one of the best corners in the league. Despite the makeup of the Gunners' XI changing dramatically throughout the campaign, the England international has been a reliable, dependable constant.
4. Gabriel Magalhães (=)
Speaking of constants, our next two players form the bedrock of this Arsenal team and rarely miss games. Gabriel's physical levels never drop, no matter how many games he plays. His presence at attacking set pieces is feared across the league, as he's the main target for the Gunners' array of inventive and effective deliveries. But perhaps most pleasingly for Arteta, the Brazil international has notably improved his passing ability while remaining a committed and dominant defender.
3. William Saliba (=)
Gabriel is great, but Saliba is elite. Arsenal's high defensive line wouldn't work anywhere near as well without him, as his ability to sweep up, win recovery duels in the channel and generally defend one-vs.-one are all world-class. His reading of defensive situations is among the best around, while his crisp short-range passing is a staple of the Gunners' buildup too. Ultimately, it's Saliba who gives Arsenal that sheen of invincibility in defence and he's the one opponents feel like they just can't beat.
2. Bukayo Saka (=)
Oh, how Arsenal have missed their Starboy. Saka had surgery after tearing his hamstring in December and has been carefully working back to fitness ever since. In his absence, the Gunners' goals have seriously dried up -- they've averaged 2.1 goals per game with him in the XI, as opposed to 1.5 per game without him. That's not all down to him, given Arsenal's entire forward line has been simultaneously injured at points, but it's clear his absence has been impactful and it's often easiest to measure a player's influence on a team when they're not there.
Saka is joint-top with Ødegaard for shot-creating actions (89) this season, despite playing five fewer full 90-minute games, while he's still top for goal contributions (15) despite effectively missing half the season.
1. Martin Ødegaard (=)
Ødegaard has struggled to meet his own sky-high standards this season. Part of that is down to the ankle injury he suffered in September, the other part is the ever-changing carousel of players around him making it difficult to stitch the team together in the way he does. But you dread to think where Arsenal would be without him. They looked poor in his absence early in the season and he's moved mountains to create chances for a second-choice forward line over the last few months.
He averages more passes into the box per 90 minutes (3.23) than any Premier League player with 15 or more starts this season, while he's also top for through balls per 90 (0.89), yet his assist tally stands at just four. The Gunners' captain has not been himself, but even this version of him is still vital to the makeup of the team, so he stays top of the ranking.
Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens react to Chelsea signing Geovany Quenda and Dario Essugo from Sporting in deals worth up to $81 million.
Chelsea have been viewed through many prisms this season. Their summer business and opening weekend loss to Manchester City raised eyebrows, but by Christmas new manager Enzo Maresca was fending off suggestions his team were in the title race. A winter slump proved him right and now they're in a battle to ensure qualification for the UEFA Champions League -- while also balancing ambitions to win the Europa Conference League.
MISSED THE CUT: It's been a tumultuous season in goal for the Blues, but Filip Jörgensen remains second choice. Up front, Christopher Nkunku has not made the kind of impact needed to crack the top 15, while defender Trevoh Chalobah has not yet passed 300 league minutes since returning from a loan at Crystal Palace and Benoît Badiashile has been held back by injury.
15. Jadon Sancho (-1)
Sancho has blown hot and cold this season. We're still waiting to see the best version of him in the Premier League -- the one who registered 19+ goal contributions in three straight seasons for Borussia Dortmund between 2018-2021. There have been some clever dribbles and some bright moments, but very little consistency. That has left him on the outside looking in at times and his long-term future at Chelsea is unclear once his loan from Man United expires in the summer, despite an obligation to sign him permanently.
14. Tosin Adarabioyo (+1)
Adarabioyo has quietly put together a solid first season with Chelsea, eclipsing 1,000 minutes in the league and playing a prominent role in the Conference League too. Maresca was happy to trust him to partner Levi Colwill in the heart of defence following Wesley Fofana's injury, and he then reaffirmed that faith by sending Axel Disasi, who was competing for his spot, out on loan to Aston Villa in January.
13. Robert Sánchez (-1)
Chelsea's goalkeepers feel somewhat interchangeable, but Sánchez deserves a spot in the top 15 at least. He was Maresca's initial pick as No. 1 and while he did drop out of the XI for the month of February, it didn't take much for him to win his spot back.
12. Romeo Lavia (-6)
Lavia began the season as a first-choice central midfielder, which speaks to his quality given the competition he had to overcome to earn that title. Unfortunately, Maresca has had to learn to do without the Belgium international as he's so injury prone. He has been unable to string more than four league starts together in a row so far and that sees him drop down into the lower echelons of this ranking.
11. Malo Gusto (-4)
Gusto's performances have dipped as the season has worn, causing his stock to fall in these rankings. He's lost the title of automatic pick at right-back in the event Reece James is injured, with Maresca trying midfielders and centre-backs in that role instead. That doesn't bode well.
10. Reece James (+3)
James rises and falls in this ranking largely based on his injury record. He's clearly an important player to the club and one Maresca wants to build around, but his availability is a constant question mark. Chelsea are managing his workload extremely carefully in a bid to avoid further injury setbacks so he can't be considered a truly key player anymore. But when he does play, he's a huge positive either from full-back or midfield.
9. Pedro Neto (+2)
This is the healthiest season Neto has put together in years, appearing in 28 out of a possible 29 games. But while that should have laid the groundwork for a strong campaign, the Portugal forward been pretty streaky with his form and he's no guaranteed starter on the wing. He did at least provide great value to the squad by standing in as a No. 9 while Nicolas Jackson was injured.
8. Wesley Fofana (=)
If Fofana is fit, he plays. The problem? His injury luck is wretched. The France centre-back missed the entire 2023-24 season with a severe knee issue, and though he did well to return for the start of this term, rust was clearly an issue as he got booked in five straight games and served a suspension as early as matchday eight. Then, just as he was finding momentum, a hamstring tear ruled him out for 13 more games. Wherever possible, Maresca gives Fofana a major role in his team. The faith is there, but he still can't rise higher in this ranking.
7. Noni Madueke (-2)
The year of 2024 was very good to Madueke. He emerged from the doldrums of Chelsea's deep squad to play an important role in the second half of last season, then continued that strong form into this one. His 10 goal contributions make him the third-most productive player in this team, while he's also the most effective dribbler, topping the charts for progressive carries (11) and carries into the penalty area (66). He's the only winger outside of Cole Palmer to be close to guaranteed a spot in the first XI, a situation that cements his status as an important player. You might be wondering why a player with that resumé drops down two spots, but it's solely down to a couple of others rising to more prominent positions.
6. Marc Cucurella (+3)
In what can feel like an ever-changing Chelsea team and squad, Cucurella is one of the few constants at left-back. He's played the fourth-most minutes in the squad (2,258) and only missed one game, due to suspension. The Spain international is ultra-durable and tough in defence, winning the third-most tackles (49) in the squad. His ability to filter into midfield or shift into centre-back makes him extremely tactically pliable.
5. Enzo Fernández (+5)
Fernández is a big riser in these rankings, which reflects the fact that the £106m signing has finally managed to reaffirm his grip on a key role in this side. At the beginning of the season, Lavia had emerged as the preferred midfield partner for £115m record-signing Moisés Caicedo, pushing Fernández into auxiliary roles. But with Lavia dogged by injuries, the Argentina international has seen plenty of action, found good form and chipped in with a healthy nine goal contributions. Perhaps the question of just how important Fernández is to Maresca will re-open if Lavia gets back to fitness, but for now he's one of the first names on the teamsheet.
4. Levi Colwill (=)
The 2023-24 season was supposed to be Colwill's breakout moment in a Chelsea shirt, but a combination of injuries and being forced to play at left-back scuppered it slightly. It turns out he just needed a little patience as, one year on, 2024-25 has most definitely gone to plan. He's been a near-ever-present at left centre-back and has continued to develop his game. Playing in a possession-heavy system suits him and you can see him growing as a leader, too.
3. Nicolas Jackson (=)
Jackson may not have convinced everyone of his credentials to be Chelsea's No. 9 striker, but the reality right now is that things look bleak in attack without him. Nine goals and five assists from 22 starts is a perfectly decent record -- especially as Palmer ensures he doesn't get a chance to take any penalties -- and while he's been injured, Maresca has tried all sorts to replicate his presence to no avail. The fact Jackson went eight games without a goal before getting injured was a concern, but Senegal international offers more than just goals: He brings structure to the team, a focal point to aim for, keeps defenders busy, and creates space for his midfielders to exploit.
2. Moisés Caicedo (=)
Somehow, Caicedo is still underappreciated by the wider Premier League fanbase. The breadth of his abilities and the sheer scope of what he does in the space of 90 minutes just isn't noted often enough. Only Palmer and Fernández (157) have played more progressive passes than the Ecuador international (151), while he's played by far the most passes into the final third (187).
Caicedo ranks third in the entire league for tackles and interceptions combined (125), a feat made all the more remarkable by the fact he plays for a possession-dominant team -- every other player in the top order for that statistic plays for a weaker side. Caicedo's ability to take on every brief and execute with extreme consistency makes him extremely valuable to the Blues.
1. Cole Palmer (=)
Palmer remains the MVP of this team. It hasn't all gone his way this season, but despite a goal drought, a rare penalty miss and some fluctuating team form, he's already banked 20 goal contributions. That's some going. Maresca has tweaked Palmer's position and role throughout the year, but has always made it clear that the team should be getting him on the ball as the main source of inspiration. There's also been a pleasing uptick in his defensive work rate, making him a more complete footballer.
Fortunately, Chelsea have only had to suffer through one league game without their talisman, but it's telling that that coincided with their worst xG figure of the season (0.4) in a 1-0 loss to Arsenal.
Don Hutchison believes the Liverpool board need to communicate more with fans around the contract situation with Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
With 70 points on the board and a 12-point gap to second place, Liverpool are cantering towards a Premier League title in Arne Slot's first season in charge. There are lots of small adjustments in this ranking as certain players' levels fluctuate, while there's also excitement in the form of a new No. 1 ... and, trust me, that is not a decision taken lightly.
MISSED THE CUT: Full-back Kostas Tsimikas drops out of the top 15, making way for a more valuable rotation and depth player. Joe Gomez is injured, as is Conor Bradley, while Jarrell Quansah is always in the squad but never plays and Slot has rarely turned to Harvey Elliott or Federico Chiesa.
15. Darwin Núñez (new)
It feels like Núñez has finally gained enough trust from Slot to become the squad's 15th man. He's closing in on 1,000 minutes in the league and seven goal contributions in that time, proving a useful option while Diogo Jota has struggled for fitness.
14. Caoimhín Kelleher (-1)
The value of having a quality backup goalkeeper once again came to light for Liverpool, as Kelleher jumped in for a seven-game league stretch -- against Chelsea, Arsenal, Brighton, Aston Villa, Southampton, Manchester City and Newcastle United -- and performed well. The Reds won five of those games and drew two (vs. Arsenal and Newcastle). Given the club's established No. 1 Alisson is prone to missing a small portion of each campaign due to injury, it's crucial that Liverpool take supporting him with a good backup seriously.
13. Andrew Robertson (+1)
While he has struggled this season, there has been a pleasing uptick in form from Robertson in the last few months. He's looked more solid defensively and physically fitter roaming up and down the flank. Late in 2024 there was speculation that Tsimikas could take over his role and the lead up to the January transfer window was fraught with rumours that Liverpool would pursue a new left-back. Perhaps that stirred the competitive fires within the Scotland international?
12. Curtis Jones (-1)
Ranking Jones 12th feels right for a number of reasons. He's played the 12th-most league minutes (1,170), which is fitting, and clearly feels like Liverpool's first port of call should the starting XI need to be tweaked for any reason. He has played a variety of midfield roles in 2025 and was even deployed as a striker against Manchester City in February. That versatility will ensure he always has a part to play.
11. Cody Gakpo (=)
Gakpo had to fight his way into the first XI under Slot, initially having to make do with cup games and a cameo role. But after a few months he really found his groove and he started to repeat the same cut-in-from-the-wing-and-shoot trick to great effect. Only Mohamed Salah (27) and Luis Díaz (9) have scored more league goals than the Netherlands international (8).
10. Diogo Jota (-2)
It's clear that Slot views Jota as his first-choice No. 9 striker. The Portugal international is an instinctive finisher who links with the midfield well but the problem is that injuries have derailed his campaign to the point where he does not hold the important role in the team he probably should. He has started just 10 games in the league and completed 90 minutes just twice. Since his returned from his latest layoff in December, the Reds have had to manage his fitness very carefully.
9. Dominik Szoboszlai (+1)
Earlier this season, it felt like Szoboszlai and Jones were battling for the attacking spot in Slot's midfield three, but as good as Jones is, there's no doubt Szoboszlai has emerged as the winner this year. He is such a huge presence, generating energy and momentum with his non-stop movement and work rate, that he is the key cog in the Reds' press. There's an argument that his goal contributions could have been a little more plentiful -- he has just eight goals and assists combined so far -- but there's plenty of time for that to emerge.
8. Luis Díaz (+1)
Díaz has the single-minded determination you want in a winger. Sometimes the things he tries don't come off, but he keeps battling and often, through sheer force of will, gets a bounce or deflection in his favour to reward his efforts. The Colombia international has been more prominent this season as Slot asked him to fill in as a striker for several months, bringing the "False No. 9" role back to life somewhat. He spent more time drifting to the left than getting in the box, but it worked in the context of the team ... mainly because Mohamed Salah is such a goal-scoring force on the right.
7. Ibrahima Konaté (-2)
Konaté drops down in these rankings, in part because he's not been at his best these last few months, but more because a couple of others have really risen to the fore. The France international has developed into a brilliant centre-back, playing with great physicality and composure, but has had a couple of tricky moments in 2025 -- such as the debatable red card call against PSG, and his half-time withdrawal against Wolves to avoid him getting into trouble.
6. Alisson (+1)
Alisson's performance against PSG at the Parc des Princes in March will live long in the memory. Nine saves, several of which were superb one-vs.-one or close-range stops, reminded everyone just how good a goalkeeper he is. It will be interesting to see how Liverpool move forward as Kelleher constantly vying for playing time and Valencia's Giorgi Mamardashvili -- one of the best young 'keepers in the world -- will join the club in the summer.
5. Ryan Gravenberch (-1)
Gravenberch has been the outstanding defensive midfielder in the Premier League to this point and is an absolute shoo-in for Team of the Season. It completes a remarkable turnaround, given last season he barely kicked a ball. Few knew he was capable of holding down such a critical role, so Slot deserves credit for unlocking this form -- even if it did come as an accidental byproduct of Martín Zubimendi's refusal to join them from Real Sociedad in the summer.
4. Alexis Mac Allister (+2)
"When I think about Macca, I can't come up with a poor performance from him -- he is so consistent," Slot said of Mac Allister in January. In a campaign which has seen the Reds consistently hit high levels, churning out win after win, that's high praise. The Argentina midfielder does a bit of everything in the middle of the pitch, allowing the team to function better as a whole. He's breaks up play well, totalling 96 combined tackles and interceptions, while only right-back Trent Alexander Arnold (204) has played more progressive passes (146).
3. Trent Alexander-Arnold (=)
If this is Alexander-Arnold's goodbye season to the Liverpool fans, then what a season it has been. He has been the Reds' fulcrum of creativity from deeper areas, providing by far the most progressive passes (204) of any teammate, while leading the Premier League for switch balls (31) too. His ability to simply move the ball to wherever he wants on the pitch, with devastating accuracy and precision, serves to unlock so many moving parts in this great team. By his own standards, he's had a strong season defensively, too. It's an area of his game which often attracts criticism, but it has quietly improved this term.
2. Virgil van Dijk (-1)
Van Dijk is the club captain, the defensive leader and the ever-present bedrock of this team. He is the only Liverpool player to play 100% of the Premier League minutes (2,610) this term, highlighting not only his importance, but his durability and consistency too. Despite his age, the 33-year-old is still considered the best central defender in world football by many, combining brilliance on the ball, lockdown one-vs.-one defensive work, amazing physical attributes and outright aerial dominance.
You might be wondering what on earth he's done to drop down a spot in these rankings. But it's really not about him ... it's about the unstoppable brilliance of a remarkable teammate.
1. Mohamed Salah (+1)
Sorry Virgil, but Salah left us nowhere else to go. The Egypt international is on 44 Premier League goal contributions heading into the final nine games -- an astonishing number that brings him level with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry for the all-time record.
Salah is also in with a shout of breaking the single-season 38-game goal record (he's nine off Erling Haaland's record of 36) and the single-season assist record (he's three off Henry and Kevin De Bruyne's tally of 20.) Simply put, he's hit supersonic levels in 2024-25 that must be rewarded with a No. 1 ranking.
Rob Dawson tells "The Football Reporters' podcast that Manchester United fans won't be happy with the direction of the club until there's real evidence of change.
This has been a horrible season for Manchester United. Sitting seven points adrift of 10th place with just nine games to go, it is technically still salvageable via a UEFA Europa League win that would put them into next season's Champions League. But unless that happens, 2024-25 will go down as the first of potentially several hard years as the club reorient under the direction of Sir Jim Ratcliffe. There are huge changes to this edition of the rankings as the squad reshuffles under Ruben Amorim's command.
MISSED THE CUT: The big omissions here are Casemiro and Patrick Dorgu. The 33-year-old's downfall has been well documented and it's clear he's no longer a key player, while the latter has played so few league minutes (223, in part due to a three-game suspension) since arriving for €30m in January that he doesn't qualify for the list. Mason Mount and Victor Lindelöf also fail to meet the minimum minutes threshold, while Marcus Rashford was removed from the top 15 after he departed to join Aston Villa on loan in January.
15. Christian Eriksen (-3)
This final gauntlet of games look likely to be Eriksen's last with the club as his contract expires in the summer. He still offers an ability on the ball that no one else in the squad can, but from a physical standpoint, he is struggling with what Amorim -- or the incredibly intense Premier League standard -- asks of him.
14. Joshua Zirkzee (-1)
Zirkzee's first season in Manchester has been very difficult, but he has never stopped working to try and turn it around. However, the concerns over his lack of top-level goal-scoring prowess have proved correct -- he's netted just three league goals and missed some huge chances -- meaning that no matter how slick his linkup play is, or how effective his pressing, he's faced constant criticism from the fans.
13. Rasmus Højlund (-3)
It's been a tough season for Højlund, who has scored just three league goals and recently ended a three-month drought by netting against Leicester City. He's looked low on confidence for months. Interestingly, though, the Denmark international is not technically underperforming in front of goal -- his three goals have come from exactly 3.0 xG. That suggests at least part of the issue is down to a lack of service, which is something he battled with last season too. Perhaps as the team comes to function better over time under Amorim, Højlund's level will rise with it?
12. Leny Yoro (new)
After a fractured metatarsal scuppered the first quarter of Yoro's season, it has been good to see him work his way into the XI on a slow and steady basis. He's approaching 700 Premier League minutes and has played both left centre-back and right centre-back in Amorim's back three, showcasing impressive adaptability in the process. The France U23 international is still just 19 years of age and is one of a cluster of players the club hope will grow quickly and become one of the faces of this reset.
11. Harry Maguire (+3)
Maguire has resisted the chance to move away from Old Trafford in the last few years and now his patience and resilience is paying off. He is loving life in Amorim's back three, a shape that suits him perfectly, and he's been allowed to affect the game the way knows how. The 32-year-old defends the box stoutly, ranks eighth across the league for aerial win rate (69.6%) and still possesses the ability to open up and move out with the ball if opponents allow it.
10. Kobbie Mainoo (-6)
There were times when academy graduate Mainoo felt like the only thing holding Erik ten Hag's fragile, dysfunctional midfield together. But under Amorim he has taken several backwards steps -- partly due to injury, but also partly because he's not as tactically crucial anymore. That's the reason he has tumbled down these rankings.
9. Lisandro Martínez (-4)
On paper, Martínez is a hugely important player for Man United. In practice? Well, that's a different story. The Argentina international has had huge chunks of his last two seasons wiped out by injuries, forcing the team to adapt to his absence. He tore his ACL in February, meaning he'll miss most -- if not all -- of the rest of this calendar year, so he falls down this ranking as a result.
8. Matthijs de Ligt (-1)
De Ligt is the definition of solid. He defends the box well, wins his duels and puts his heart and soul into every block. Now 25, and on to his fourth top European club (after Ajax, Bayern Munich and Juventus), it's obvious that he won't live up to his potential as one of the future great centre-backs, but he also won't let you down. That reliability is something Amorim has quickly come to appreciate. He only moves down in this ranking because three others have surged into more prominent roles.
7. Alejandro Garnacho (-1)
Garnacho's future has felt up in the air this year, as there was clear interest from Napoli in January and it seemed the club might let him go as he doesn't quite fit into Amorim's 3-4-2-1 system as an out-and-out winger. For now, he's still part of the team and, playing more centrally that he is used to, has the speed to damage teams in transition. While his goals and assists tally is low (just four goals and one assist in the league), he almost always finds himself at the heart of any moves United finish off. It's easy to lose sight of the fact he's just 20 years old and developing in a difficult atmosphere.
6. André Onana (-4)
Onana has had an extremely tough 2025, which is at odds to what was a very strong 2023-24 season and a solid first half to this campaign. The fact the goalkeeper's general downturn in form has aligned with the team's suggests it's not all his fault, but there have been some serious mixups in defence that he could easily have taken more command over. This leads to him slipping in the rankings a bit, but he still maintains a prominent spot overall as there's little trust in his backup Altay Bayindir.
5. Noussair Mazraoui (+4)
Considering Mazraoui almost felt like an add-on to the deal to sign De Ligt from Bayern last summer, it's remarkable how much of an impact he's made. The big concern with the Morocco international upon arrival was his injury past, but he's proved reliable and durable in Manchester, starting 26 league games and playing the fourth-most minutes (2,227) in the squad. He's been a positive at both right wing-back and right centre-back and should prove to be a sturdy squad player for years to come.
4. Manuel Ugarte (new)
Ugarte didn't really break into the first XI until November, so the fact he's clocked over 2,000 minutes in all competitions is remarkable. Amorim knows him well from their time together at Sporting CP, so has quickly set about utilising the Uruguay international's running power the right way and he averages 5.65 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes. Taking the mantle of defensive midfield from Casemiro, Ugarte is now a locked-in starter at a club that doesn't have many of those. Not only does he enter the rankings, but he surges into a high spot straight away.
3. Diogo Dalot (=)
Dalot's form has slumped in 2025, but when you consider the sheer number of minutes he's had to play -- 3,912 across four competitions -- it should come as no surprise. His availability and durability to play on either flank, or further up the pitch, is almost working against him as he's being driven into the ground. He's a superb athlete and solid enough defensively, but this season has seen him lack end product in the final third. That is important for a wing-back, so it's something for him to work on as Amorim's project enters its next phase.
2. Amad Diallo (+13)
Perhaps the positive story of Amorim's reign has been the emergence of Amad and the only thing that could slow him down was an injury. The 22-year-old excelled at both wing-back and inside forward, speeding up and down the right, creating the second-most shots of any United player (80) while also mucking in with more tackles (33) than all but one of the centre-backs.
It just about sums up Amorim's luck that one of the few bright spots of this campaign was lost to injury, but the Ivory Coast international represents a shining light for the future and suggests the club will make good on their €41m investment from 2021. That sees him vault up 13 places in the top 15 -- the biggest move we've seen in four editions of these rankings.
1. Bruno Fernandes (=)
This was the easiest selection for top spot across all six clubs covered. At Man United, there's Bruno, then a huge gap, then everybody else. He is literally dragging his team through certain games, offering enough quality to win points almost on his own, then backing that up with tremendous sacrifice and work rate for the cause.
Indeed, the United captain leads the team for league goals (8), assists (9), key passes (66), passes into the final third (156), through balls (21) and about 10 other attacking metrics. He defines the attack, stepping up to fill the void the misfiring strikers have left, while also lending a hand in the creativity and defensive stakes.
Abdukodir Khusanov is given a Mercedes on his return to Uzbekistan for the international break.
By Man City's astronomically high standards under Pep Guardiola, this season has been a disaster. They're nowhere near the title race, were knocked out of the Champions League before the Round of 16 and are tangled up in a fierce fight to even qualify for that competition this season. It seems like 2024-25 has proved a step too far for several of City's veteran guard, while Rodri's knee injury blew a hole in Guardiola's tactics, forcing the club to go hard to sign four players for over €200m in the January transfer window. Unsurprisingly, all of these events have sparked seismic change in the top 15 for this edition.
MISSED THE CUT: The headline here is midfielder Kevin De Bruyne dropping out. The 33-year-old is a club legend and was City's best player for so long, but often looks a shadow of that these days as he fights off injury. Fellow veteran Kyle Walker left the club to join Milan on loan in January so also drops out, while John Stones is the other to make way as he's played just 547 league minutes this season. Matheus Nunes is a little unlucky to miss out given the impact he's made this term filling in at right-back and Ballon d'Or winner Rodri's long-term knee injury keeps him on the sidelines.
15. Ilkay Gündogan (=)
Gündoğan has done a solid job covering numerous roles in midfield this season, ending up playing more than anyone expected due to the number of injuries that racked up. His availability has been his standout trait and he hasn't missed a single matchday squad.
14. Mateo Kovacic (-10)
Rodri's ACL injury forced City to call on Kovačić over and over, asking him to do things he wasn't really capable of, and stretching him to his limit. Stepping in here and there at the base of midfield has never been an issue for the Croatia international, but adopting the No. 6 role in this system full-time proved too much after a while. This is a big fall in the rankings, but it's less a reflection on him, and more a reality check now that January signing Nico Gonzalez has taken on the Rodri role.
13. Rico Lewis (-2)
Lewis drops two spots in the ranking, as while he may have won the battle to be first-choice right-back with Walker, he's still embroiled in a war for it with Nunes. Until the England international emerges as the clear priority, he won't crack the top 10 here. That said, it's still been a landmark season for Lewis and if he continues to grow at this rate, he'll be a top player soon enough.
12. Jérémy Doku (+1)
When fit, Doku plays. That seems to be the pattern, which gives you a clear idea of how highly Guardiola rates the Belgium winger. In February, he set a new Premier League record for the most completed dribbles (13) in a match, which neatly epitomises the best parts of his game: Speed, change of direction and dribbling at defenders. We're still waiting for his end product to be more consistent, but there's time for that to come.
11. Abdukodir Khusanov (new)
Khusanov's career at City could hardly have started any worse in January as a poor header back to Éderson on his debut vs. Chelsea was pounced on for a goal just three minutes in, and he then picked up a yellow card two minutes later. But the resilience he showed to immediately recover in what would turn out to be a 3-1 win, and then put together a strong run of games is impressive. The Uzbekistan international has brilliant speed and agility, allowing him to play something approaching the sweeper role Walker used to fulfil. He is one of the best young centre-backs in the world and will likely develop into a crucial player for City in the next couple of years.
10. Omar Marmoush (new)
Marmoush has enjoyed a bright start to his City career, scoring four goals in seven league games, adding energy to the attack and, on a more general level, livening up the team's performances. His January transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt cost €70m, so it's a huge positive that he's started well. He now restores the depth up front City lost when they allowed Julián Álvarez to go to Atlético Madrid for €95m, while also going some way towards replenishing the driving runs in midfield that De Bruyne can no longer sustain.
9. Savinho (+1)
It's important not to get too bogged down in goal contribution statistics at times. You know from watching Savinho that he's an excellent player and has generally been a positive presence on the right flank for City this season. That said, many fans were hoping for more than just a single league goal in 24 appearances. There's been great strain on Erling Haaland to score the majority of goals this season and Savinho's inability to chip in is one of the reasons why. He's very good, very exciting to watch, but has so far lacked the kind of killer instinct that would make him a crucial player to Guardiola.
8. Manuel Akanji (-1)
As his central defensive colleagues fell by the wayside, Akanji strode on. His 1,710 minutes played is more than any other centre-back in this team and at times he literally felt like the last man standing -- until he, too, went down (probably from being overworked). The Switzerland international has made a couple of mistakes this season, but has overall performed to a dependable level, keeping the back line afloat during some rocky periods.
7. Nico González (new)
Finding adequate cover for Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, is no easy feat, but City have seemingly managed it. The 23-year-old former Barcelona academy star cost €60m to sign from FC Porto and he isn't as good as his compatriot, but is still very good in his own right. He's tall, strong, can cover ground and manage a game. He completed 100 passes against Newcastle United, dominating the midfield, scored against Real Madrid, and nearly took the post out of its hole against Nottingham Forest. Until Rodri returns, Nico will command a vital role in this team.
6. Ederson (+1)
Ederson is quietly putting together the best shot-stopping season of his career. That rather traditional element to goalkeeping has never really been one of his strengths, but he's saved 3.7 more goals than statistically expected; that's not only a huge uptick from him in this category, but it's the third-best effort in the Premier League this term. He's also bagged an incredible three assists, which is a single-season record and enough to put him top of the all-time goalkeeper assists chart.
5. Phil Foden (-3)
Foden finished last season by winning FWA Footballer of the Year, capping a phenomenal 19-goal, eight-assist campaign. But this term he's struggled and failed to score with any of his first 24 shots in the league, eventually netting his first goal just before Christmas. He has also recently dipped out of the XI to make room for Doku and Marmoush. No one is doubting Foden's overall quality, but his performances largely haven't been up to his own high standards, so he slips in this ranking as a result.
4. Bernardo Silva (+1)
It's hardly been a vintage season for Bernardo, but then again, things haven't exactly gone to plan for City overall. No matter what happens, though, they can always rely on their Portuguese maestro to be willing to slot into whichever position is needed. He has played the third-most minutes (2,038) in the squad, consistently filled gaps and chipped in with a handy six goal contributions.
3. Rúben Dias (+2)
Sometimes, the true value of a player reveals itself when they're absent from the team. It's no coincidence that City lost to Bournemouth, Brighton and Spurs on the trot -- conceding eight goals in the process -- while Dias was out with a calf injury.
He has missed 11 league games in total this season and City have won just four of them. That wasn't all down to the Portugal defender's absence, but his leadership and defensive solidity is badly missed when he's not there.
2. Josko Gvardiol (+1)
In a season of very few constants for City, Gvardiol has been one. Always fit, always on the pitch, and almost always brilliant. He combines defensive steel and reliability with a strong attacking output from left-back and is the club's third-top scorer with five goals, while he has taken more shots (34) than a slew of City's attackers. His €90 million transfer fee -- a world record for a defender -- is quickly paying itself off.
1. Erling Haaland (=)
In the absence of any defensive solidity and midfield structure, scoring goals has been more important than ever for City this season. They've won just seven games to nil -- which, by their standards, is shockingly low -- placing pressure on the forwards to score plenty and ensure three points are secured.
Luckily, they have a man who is exceptional at that. Haaland's 21 league goals from 28 starts is a superb haul and his blend of strength, speed and finishing prowess remains a riddle most defences can't solve. He is arguably the best striker in the world, which means that no matter how poor City have looked at times this season, he can win them the game regardless.
On "The Football Reporters" podcast, James Olley says Ange Postecoglou is part of the problem as Tottenham wrestle with an injury crisis.
Spurs have had an incredibly tricky season, falling to 14th in the Premier League due to a severe injury crisis that spiralled out of control under a combative Ange Postecoglou. Their campaign is still alive via the Europa League, but on the domestic front they've been terrible, losing more than half their games. This was the most difficult of the six club rankings to produce because of the sheer number of players who have either been injured or fluctuated violently in form.
MISSED THE CUT: There's some big changes here, as four players drop out. Most notable of those are Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma, who seem to have completely lost their way in 2025. Radu Drǎguşin and Timo Werner, both of whom are injured, also drop out. There's no place for Ben Davies, which feels like a shame, and the likes of Wilson Odobert, Mathys Tel and Richarlison haven't clocked the required minutes to be considered.
15. Lucas Bergvall (new)
Bergvall has steadily grown into this campaign. He has flashed brilliance throughout, but had to wait until January to be given a substantial Premier League role in the team. The Sweden international's progression is genuinely exciting for Spurs fans, as his ball mastery and agility has drawn legitimate style comparisons to Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong. As others such as Sarr and Bissouma have faltered, the 19-year-old has stepped forward and made a mark on this midfield.
14. Brennan Johnson (-5)
Early this season, Johnson hit a rich vein of goal-scoring form, scoring the same back-post goal over and over. He was a great outlet for the team to get up the pitch and a reliable figure to aim for in the box. But since the start of December, he has scored just four league goals. All his momentum disappeared as teams wised up to his tactics, then a calf injury just made things worse.
13. Kevin Danso (new)
Given how injury prone Spurs' first-choice central defensive duo of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero are, it is imperative the team have good depth in the position. Danso, a €25m January signing, is a solid player and he's done well so far.
12. Archie Gray (new)
Despite his £30m transfer from Leeds United last summer, there's no way the club envisioned Gray playing 2,738 minutes (and counting) in his first season, nor would they have expected so much of that to come at centre-back. Considering he only turned 19 in March, the way he's handled the multitude of assignments thrown his way has been incredible. Playing so many different roles and positions should stand him in good stead for the future.
11. Djed Spence (new)
Spence has been the surprise star of Spurs' season. It took him until December to convince Postecoglou to give him a crack in the first XI and it's an opportunity he seized with both hands. Playing either left-back or right-back, he's been a force running up and down the flank, defended doggedly and helped open up teams in attack too.
10. Destiny Udogie (=)
Not long ago, Udogie was the only left-back capable of performing the role Postecoglou asks for in his team. But while the Italy international was ruled out for six weeks early in 2025, Spence rose to the fore, lessening the strain on his teammate. That does damage Udogie's stock, but it might be for the best, given he has looked hampered by fatigue or injury for the best part of a year now.
9. Rodrigo Bentancur (+2)
The midfield may be in flux, but Bentancur remains the first pick as the No. 6. His experience still counts for plenty -- particularly given the youthful faces that often surround him -- while his combination of calmness on the ball and aggression off it sets a good platform for the team.
8. James Maddison (=)
The following two statements are true when it comes to Maddison: 1) When he's in top form, he lifts the ceiling of this team in a way others can't. 2) Almost two years into his Spurs career, he has yet to gain the full trust of Postecoglou as a guaranteed starter. That makes Maddison among the most difficult players to rank, as his best level warrants a top-five spot, and yet he's rarely able to display that for one reason or another.
7. Pedro Porro (=)
Porro has completed the most passes into the final third (102), delivered the most crosses into the box (21), landed the most tackles and interceptions (90), and made the second-most progressive passes (128) of any Spurs player this season. Some of those numbers are propped up by set pieces, but the right-back is integral to Postecoglou's plan in all three thirds of the pitch. He's also the only member of the back five who has managed to stay fit for the whole season, which may explain why his performance levels have dipped a little lately.
6. Guglielmo Vicario (=)
Vicario fractured his ankle in November and created a big problem for Spurs, as the drop off to backup goalkeeper Fraser Forster was huge in terms of quality and suitability to the team's style. In early January they addressed this, signing 22-year-old Antonin Kinsky, but in the eight games that took place in the meantime, they lost five and conceded 17 goals in the process. Since Vicario's return to fitness, things have looked a bit better and the Italy international has saved 4.6 more goals than expected based on the shots he's faced, the biggest overperformance in the league this season.
5. Son Heung-Min (=)
Son remains a productive player for Spurs and fans were thrilled to hear he extended his contract until 2026, but the truth is he is slowly fading from "key man" to "role player." Nine goal contributions in all competitions since the turn of the year is a strong return and there have been some excellent individual showings along the way, most notably against Ipswich Town and Hoffenheim. But the 32-year-old has also had his minutes managed carefully, playing limited roles against Man City, Bournemouth and Fulham lately.
4. Dominic Solanke (=)
Like Maddison, Solanke is a player who transforms Spurs' play when he's on the pitch. But three separate injuries have caused him to miss nine games and prevent him from truly taking off. Ten goal contributions from 20 starts is solid, while his ability to lead the press, occupy defenders and create for his midfielders have all been really impressive. But if he's going to justify that whopping £65m transfer fee, he's going to need to up his production levels in 2025-26.
3. Cristian Romero (=)
Spurs badly miss Romero when he's not there and especially when it's in conjunction with Van de Ven. The conversation around the Argentina international tends to centre on his aggression, robustness and occasional bending of the laws, but that means his passing skills often fly under the radar and there's more to him than meets the eye. His return to fitness in March was welcome, but now he needs to get back up to speed for a Europa League tilt.
2. Dejan Kulusevski (=)
The only true attacking constant in the Spurs team this season has been Kulusevski, who has developed into an absolute force. He's able to take the ball and dribble through pressure, holding off markers and dragging his side up the pitch; it's no surprise his 115 progressive carries lead the team comfortably.
He's also a huge threat on goal when cutting in off the right flank, able to shoot or slip a clever pass into the box. His 62 key passes and 53 passes into the penalty area are also team highs. In a difficult campaign, he's been a rare bright spot.
1. Micky van de Ven (=)
When this ranking was last constructed, Van de Ven was three games into yet another hamstring injury, causing fans to fear what might happen to the team in his absence. Since then he's only played 108 Premier League minutes (for a total of 819) and Spurs have won just four of the 17 games played. That is not all down to Van de Ven -- other injuries have impacted the team during that period too -- but we know by now that the team struggles to function without him, as his recovery pace is such a cheat code, while he can also barrel forward with the ball and make things happen.
Since Van der Ven returned at the end of January, Postecoglou has been incredibly cautious with the Netherlands international, even revealing that the club were working with him on his running mechanics in a bid to solve his chronic injury issues. It all feels a bit Ledley King mark II: Spurs' most important -- and potentially outright best -- player just can't stay fit.