The best players in the English top tier heading into the new campaign.
It is now just a week until the 2014/15 Premier League season starts and in anticipation CaughtOffside has picked out the 50 best players in the entire division.
50. Christian Benteke, Aston Villa
Sneaking in at No.50 is a striker who enjoyed a great first year in England with 19 league goals, before injuries plagued last term and Benteke has much to prove over the next 12 months.
49. Pablo Zabaleta, Manchester City
Faces competition for his right-back slot from new signing Bacary Sagna, but the Argentina international should keep his place by virtue of the fact he is the better choice.
48. Philippe Coutinho, Liverpool
This 22-year-old looks to be a real talent and could well be one of the best playmakers in the league in the coming years if he continues to progress as well.
47. Luke Shaw, Manchester United
A new £27m signing for the Red Devils this summer and although still only 19-years-old has great experience and will be looking to greatly improve under Louis van Gaal’s guidance.
46. Cesar Azpilicueta, Chelsea
Last term the Spain international proved his versatility by operating for much of the campaign at left-back despite being naturally right-sided.
45. Jesus Navas, Manchester City
Arrived at the Etihad Stadium last summer from Sevilla and generally impressed with his style as a traditional winger that hugs the touchline.
44. Morgan Schneiderlin, Southampton
The future of this midfielder remains in the balance, but there is no doubting the 24-year-old has been one of the best defensive midfield stars in the league over the past two years.
43. Wojciech Szczesny, Arsenal
Proved most of his doubters wrong last season as the goalkeeper showed he could be relied upon consistently between the sticks and looks set to simply get better.
42. Dejan Lovren, Liverpool
Acquired by the Reds from St Mary’s for £20m as the man tasked with improving their defence, having impressed last term with his performances on the south coast.
41. James McCarthy, Everton
Many raised an eyebrow when Roberto Martinez bought this Irishman with him from Wigan Athletic in 2013, but McCarthy proved to be worth it with his fine displays.
40. Filipe Luis, Chelsea
Another new addition to the division this summer with Filipe having signed for the Blues following four years of success with Atletico Madrid.
39. Wilfried Bony, Swansea City
Became the Swans’ club record signing last year upon completing a £12m switch from Vitesse Arnhem and proved to be worth the money with 26 goals in all competitions in 2013/14.
38. Tim Howard, Everton
Has been one of the most consistent stoppers in the league for over 10 years and at 34-years-old remains the Toffees No.1 and one of their most experienced players.
37. Adam Lallana, Liverpool
Having impressed for two years in the top tier with his boyhood club the Merseysiders decided to spend £25m on this England international who now needs to show he is worth the expense.
36. Ander Herrera, Manchester United
Having tried to sign the Spaniard last summer United finally landed Herrera from Athletic Bilbao for £29m and he looks to be a fine creative midfielder.
35. Santi Cazorla, Arsenal
It wasn’t as good a campaign for the 29-year-old last time out as it was in 2012/13, but Cazorla is still one of the most technically gifted players in English football.
34. Jordan Henderson, Liverpool
Under the guidance of Brendan Rodgers the 23-year-old finally showed why £20m was paid to Sunderland for his services in 2011 and Henderson looks set to fill the boots of his captain in the future.
33. Romelu Lukaku, Everton
Became the Merseyside club’s record signing this summer after making his move from Stamford Bridge permanent in a £28m deal, having scored 15 league goals on-loan with Martinez’s men last term.
32. Oscar, Chelsea
When Jose Mourinho returned as manager in West London 12 months ago the 51-year-old named this Brazil international as his preferred No.10, but the 22-year-old still has much to prove.
31. Edin Dzeko, Manchester City
Even though both Stevan Jovetic and Alvaro Negredo were signed by the Citizens last summer this 28-year-old striker proved he was still the best choice with 16 league goals.
30. Seamus Coleman, Everton
What a past 12 months it has been for this right-back, who earned his place in the 2013/14 PFA Team of the Year for his fine performances.
29. Jan Vertonghen, Tottenham Hotspur
May not have been as successful a campaign for this Belgium international last time out as it was the previous year, but Vertonghen is still by far the best defensive player at White Hart Lane.
28. Asmir Begovic, Stoke City
Among the finest ‘keepers in the division and any success Stoke have this season it is certain the Bosnia and Herzegovina No.1 will play a key part.
27. Christian Eriksen, Tottenham Hotspur
Of all the new signings at Spurs last summer this 22-year-old was by far the most successful and could well be the creative future of the North Londoners.
26. Per Mertesacker, Arsenal
When the German first arrived in English football he looked too slow and cumbersome to cope, but Mertesacker has since adapted and is now a top-class centre-back.
25. David de Gea, Manchester United
The stopper was one of the few players to actually improve during David Moyes’ ill-fated 10-month reign at Old Trafford and is now the established No.1 for the Red Devils.
24. Raheem Sterling, Liverpool
What a past 12 months it has been for this 19-year-old, who under the guidance of Rodgers has become perhaps the most exciting young talent in European football currently.
23. Leighton Baines, Everton
May not have had the best of World Cup campaigns with England in 2014, but Baines is still considered by most to be the best left-back in the country.
22. Theo Walcott, Arsenal
Missed most of the second half of last campaign after suffering a cruciate ligament injury, but when on the pitch Walcott is one of the main attacking threats for Wenger’s side.
21. Diego Costa, Chelsea
Like Filipe this forward was signed from Atletico this summer, but unlike the left-back Costa cost £32m and he will be expected to improve the West Londoners’ poor attack from last term.
20. Hugo Lloris, Tottenham Hotspur
To many the France captain is the best stopper in the division and his sweeper-‘keeper role gives Tottenham a unique defensive setup similar to that of the most forward thinking sides in Europe.
19. John Terry, Chelsea
Although now 33-years-old the Blues skipper looks as sharp as ever and last term made up one half of the best central defensive partnership in the league.
18. Thibaut Courtois, Chelsea
It’s another new addition at the Bridge who has enjoyed success with Atleti in recent times and despite still only being 22-years-old the Belgium international is considered to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
17. Juan Mata, Manchester United
Left West London for the Theatre of Dreams in January and in the process became United’s club record signing at £37.1m and the Spain international clearly possesses talent.
16. Laurent Koscielny, Arsenal
Alongside Mertesacker the Frenchman has formed a solid partnership at the back and the 28-year-old is also a technically gifted player in defence.
15. Nemanja Matic, Chelsea
Re-signed by Mourinho in January having spent two-and-a-half years with Benfica and it’s easy to see why Matic has been billed as the best defensive midfielder in Europe.
14. Gary Cahill, Chelsea
Matic’s teammate now and an England international who finally looks comfortable at the very top level and was also named in the 2013/14 PFA Team of the Year.
13. Daniel Sturridge, Liverpool
Having been somewhat wasted by both City and the Blues, it was considered a bit of a gamble when Rodgers signed Sturridge in January 2013, but the 21 league goals the 24-year-old netted last season proved those doubters wrong.
12. Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal
Like many others on this list the Welshman had many critics heading into the last campaign, but Ramsey was in superb form and could well go onto be one of the world’s best.
11. Wayne Rooney, Manchester United
A generally consistent performer and someone who is going to be crucial if van Gaal’s first year in charge of the Red Devils is a success.
10. Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal
Signed by Wenger from Barcelona this summer for a whopping £35m and the Chile international arrives in England with a fantastic reputation.
9. Vincent Kompany, Manchester City
The Citizens captain is thought of by many as one of the best centre-backs in world football and has helped his team to two league titles in the past three years.
8. Steven Gerrard, Liverpool
Like fellow countryman Terry this Reds skipper seems to defy his 34 years of age with his performances and Gerrard is still among the best passers of the ball in the country.
7. David Silva, Manchester City
Since the Spaniard arrived in England in 2010 no player in the top tier has provided more assists than the 28-year-old and Silva simply oozes creativity.
6. Mesut Ozil, Arsenal
May not have been quite as influential as many would have hoped upon becoming the Gunners’ club record signing in 2013 following a £42.4m transfer from Real Madrid, but is still a world-class performer.
5. Sergio Aguero, Manchester City
Spent much of the past 12 months injured, which must have frustrated City fans, but despite only making 23 league appearances still managed to score 17 goals to prove his class.
4. Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea
Having spent three years with boyhood club Barca the 27-year-old is back in English football and looking to kick-start his career back in the English capital.
3. Eden Hazard, Chelsea
The attacking midfielder has set himself the task of winning the Ballon d’Or in the future and if he continues progressing at this rate that is not an unrealistic target.
2. Robin van Persie, Manchester United
With former Netherlands national team manager van Gaal now in charge of United the 31-year-old is set to flourish as he has done regularly over the past few years.
1. Yaya Toure, Manchester City
Top of the pile is a midfielder who not only scored 20 league goals last season, but is also vital in defence and would give Juventus’ Arturo Vidal a good chase to be named the best box-to-box midfield player in the world.
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