Tottenham and Arsenal wingers also feature…
The ratings used in the piece are courtesy of WhoScored, a football stats aggregator who judge a player by their overall contribution to a match, including goals, assists, passes, tackles, dribbles, chances created, etc…
10) Kevin Mirallas – Everton – 7.06 rating
Everton’s flying Belgian has been ever-present for Roberto Maertinez’s free-flowing outfit this term, and he’s been creatively one of their most effective players. He gives the ball away often, but he’s scored and assisted five goals apiece so far.
9) Christian Eriksen – Tottenham – 7.06 rating
Eriksen has struggled with injuries for Spurs, and although he ideally favours a more central playmaker role, has been deployed on the left of a midfield four under Tim Sherwood. His passing is a particular strength, and he is a constant danger from his wonderful set-piece delivery, too.
8) Robert Snodgrass – Norwich – 7.12 rating
Perhaps the suprise entrant on this list is the Canary’s Scottish winger. Snodgrass has struggled to score or assist goals, but has actually made more key passes per match (2.3) than any other players in the league except David Silva, Mesut Ozil and Luis Suarez!
7) Willian – Chelsea – 7.14 rating
The Brazilian starts on the right for Chelsea, and works tirelessly up the right flank for the entire 90 minutes. Not only is his work-rate a key asset for Jose Mourinho’s side, but his ability to retain possession in tight areas helps his team wear down the opposition.
6) Theo Walcott – Arsenal – 7.14 rating
The Englishman’s season has been cruelly cut short with a nasty injury that will also rule him out of the World Cup in the summer, but in his nine Premier League starts, he was clinically effective. He scored five and assisted four, and Arsene Wenger would love to have him back to aide his side’s title push.
5) Samir Nasri – Manchester City – 7.23 rating
The mercurial Frenchman has to compete with the likes of David Silva and Jesus Navas for wide positions at City, but has passed the ball especially well when he’s been fit. He’s completed 90.5% of them, which is as good as any attacker in the country.
4) Jesus Navas – Manchester City – 7.24 rating
The second City player on the list. Navas provides the side with genuine width on the right, and is a constant direct and dynamic threat up the flank. He’s incredibly quick, and is a fantastic dribbler, too.
3) Raheem Sterling – Liverpool – 7.29 rating
Liverpool’s wonderkid scored a brace against Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday, and his manager told reporters after the game that his 19-year-old is the best winger in the country right now! Sterling has scored five in the league, and assisted two more so far, and is the favourite to replace Theo Walcott in England’s World Cup squad.
2) Eden Hazard – Chelsea – 7.7 rating
The flying Belgian bagged an excellent hat-trick for Chelsea against Newcastle on Saturday, taking his Premier League goal tally to 12 this season. He’s also assisted five for this teammates, and the sight of him beginning a mazy dribble down the left fills defenders with dread.
1) David Silva – Manchester City – 7.71 rating
The brilliant Spaniard arguably prefers a more central playmaker role, but he’s deployed on the left for the Sky Blues. He’s made more key passes per match (3.9) than any other player in European football, and he’s also assisted seven goals for teammates, with his exceptional intricate through-balls.
SEE ALSO: PES 2014 best players: the 20 highest ranked players on Pro Evolution Soccer 2014.