Each season different players will rise to the occasion and provide a real bump to their team’s chances. This list is not a measure of talent, as much as it is a list of the most impactful players this season. Season results, combined with “what have you done for me lately”, are just a couple of the factors taken into account on our Player Power Rankings

1. Wayne Rooney

Rooney scores vs. Liverpool

“O Captain, My Captain.” Rooney is righting the ship at Manchester United after an injury kept him out while the club slid in the standings. His first goal at Anfield in 11 years was the difference in the match against Liverpool, and it was a rocket. Rooney has been a reliable fixture in the United squad, and he is proving his worth leading the club out of a dark time.

2. Paulo Dybala

Juventus' Paulo Dybala

After a slow start, Juventus are really starting to come around. Newcomer Paulo Dybala has upped his game lately, scoring a brace over the weekend. In what is becoming an exciting title race with Napoli, Juve will have to continue their winning ways to compete for the trophy. The midfielder is part of the best young tandem in the game, along with Paul Pogba.

3. Sergio Aguero

Aguero and Manchester City have been relatively quiet this year, but they are chugging right along in the Top 4, just a point out of the league lead. Aguero was the firestarter as City blew out Crystal Palace 4-0 in a dominant performance. Aguero was the hero a few years ago when City won the title, and it is very possible he could play that role again.

4. Hugo Lloris

Whatever Tottenham are paying Lloris, every penny is worth it. The goalkeeper has allowed the least amount of goals in the Premier league by a 2 goal margin despite allowing one in Spurs 4-1 victory over Sunderland. Spurs are in a coveted Top 4 spot right now, sitting 4 points behind Manchester City, and 2 points ahead of Manchester United. Lloris has been huge for Spurs, and there is no indication of him slowing down.

5. Jonjo Shelvey

Don’t look now, but Newcastle are rising out of the cellar. Shelvey fit in almost seamlessly with his new teammates, capping his debut off with a 2-1 victory and 3 points. They now sit just one point behind Shelvey’s former club, Swansea. How sweet would it be for Jonjo to sink his old club while lifting his current one out of relegation?

6. Gianluigi Donnarumma

The young Italian keeper is putting his stamp on Serie A, turning in multiple top notch performances, including a clean sheet over Fiorentina. The kid is only 16 years old, and already competing with some of the best players in the world. At 6 feet 5 inches tall, he already has a man’s body, and is learning the game as he goes. He seems tailor made to be the heir apparent to his namesake and personal idol, Gianluigi Buffon.

7. Luis Suarez

Sometimes we forget about how impressive dominating performances can be when they come from Barcelona. Luis Suarez’s hat trick does not deserve to go unnoticed, even if it was against a 10-man Athletic Bilbao. The happy trio continues to destroy everything in their path, plowing their way to the top of the table in La Liga.

8. Petr Cech

When Arsenal has called upon Cech to save them, the goalkeeper has been reliably there to rescue the Gunners. His duel with Stoke keeper Jack Butland came to a 0-0 draw, but it wasn’t a lack of shots that led to the scoreline. 6 brilliant saves by Cech helped Arsenal grab a point and keep pace with Leicester City at the top of the Premier League.

9. Benik Afobe

10 million pounds and 6 days later, Bournemouth fans got to see what all the hype was about. Afobe, the new record signing, scored a goal in his second match for the newly promoted club. It capped a 3-0 victory of fellow promote Norwich City, while putting a comfortable distance between themselves and the relegation zone.

10. Ashley Williams

The Swansea captain came through in the clutch, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Watford. The Swans are swimming dangerously close to the relegation zone, and this win helped keep them in the safe zone for now. It is moments like this when teams will look to the captain to make a play and provide inspiration, and Williams showed up big in the moment.

 

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