How the table would look if teams were judged entirely on the ability of their captain.
The 2014/15 Premier League season kicks off on Saturday and in honour of that fact CaughtOffside brings you the table if clubs were judged entirely on the ability of their captain as a player.
Read on to see where newly appointed Arsenal and Manchester United skippers Mikel Arteta and Wayne Rooney feature.
20. Clint Hill, QPR
It’s unlikely that this Hoops veteran will even take to the field that often with new signings Steven Caulker and Rio Ferdinand sure to be the preferred central defensive partnership.
19. Jason Shackell, Burnley
Helped the Clarets to return to the English top tier last term, but with no significant signings as yet the 30-year-old could find life difficult at this level.
18. John O’Shea, Sunderland
Now aged 33-years-old the Black Cats defender is being shown up more and more for his lack of pace and mobility and Gus Poyet’s men could have another torrid campaign.
17. Wes Morgan, Leicester City
Of the three promoted side Championship winners Leicester look the best equipped and Morgan will be tasked with marshaling the back line.
16. Michael Dawson, Tottenham Hotspur
There is no doubting the centre-back’s work ethic and commitment to the cause, but unfortunately his ability doesn’t match that positive attitude.
15. Ryan Shawcross, Stoke City
Something interesting appears to be happening at the Britannia Stadium currently under manager Mark Hughes, but Shawcross still harks back to the old fashioned physical style of the Potteries.
14. Ashley Williams, Swansea City
For some bizarre season for a short period this Wales international was hailed as one of the best central defenders in the league, but in all honesty he and the Swans are likely to struggle over the next 12 months.
13. Chris Brunt, West Bromwich Albion
A decent enough midfielder and someone who is particularly strong from set pieces, but under new boss Alan Irvine the Baggies could well be staring at a relegation battle.
12. Jose Fonte, Southampton
Following the £25m sale of previous skipper Adam Lallana this Portuguese ace has taken on the armband, but with his defensive partner Dejan Lovren having also left for Anfield the fragility at the back could well return.
11. Fabricio Coloccini, Newcastle United
Is one of the longest serving members of the current Magpies squad now and has been through good and bad times with the club and is an adequate centre-back.
10. Kevin Nolan, West Ham United
Has always been a consistent performer in the division and is a clear favourite of Sam Allardyce’s and even at 32-years-old the midfielder can still be relied upon to score a few goals.
9. Curtis Davies, Hull City
Many raised an eyebrow when the Tigers paid Birmingham City £2.5m for this 29-year-old last summer, but Davies proved those doubters wrong with some brilliant performances at the back.
8. Ron Vlaar, Aston Villa
After a solid 2014 World Cup campaign with the Netherlands there is more positive vibes surrounding this centre-back and Villa are something of an unknown entity under Paul Lambert once again.
7. Phil Jagielka, Everton
Alongside veteran Sylvain Distin the England international made up one half of one of the best central defensive partnerships in the league last term.
6. Mile Jedinak, Crystal Palace
Having come up from the second tier with Palace in 2013 the Australian midfielder took to life in the Premier League immediately and looked at home on any stage.
5. Mikel Arteta, Arsenal
Following the £15m departure of Thomas Vermaelen to FC Barcelona on Saturday this 32-year-old has been promoted from vice-captain, although needs to work on his form.
4. John Terry, Chelsea
It was a return to his best for the 33-year-old last campaign as Terry was one half of the best central defensive partnership in the country alongside Gary Cahill.
3. Wayne Rooney, Manchester United
Another new captain now, with Rooney having been handed the armband following Nemanja Vidic’s move to Inter Milan this summer.
2. Steven Gerrard, Liverpool
At 34-years-old the recently retired England international is still among the best passers of the ball in European football and is enjoying a new deeplying playmaker role for the Reds.
1. Vincent Kompany, Manchester City
Top of the pile is a central defender who is considered by many to be among the best in the world in his position and helped the Citizens to their second league title in three years in 2013/14.
SEE ALSO: The 50 best Premier League players 2014/15!