With the Premier Season halfway to its zenith, it’s time to evaluate this season’s top performers thusfar. The following list is the first of a new weekly edition, ranking the top fantasy performers.
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Player Power Rankings
Matchday 20
1. Riyad Mahrez - Midfielder – Leicester City
Season Stats – 13 Goals, 7 Assists, 53 Shots (23 On-Target)
Without any doubt, Mahrez has been the Premier League’s most outstanding player through the season’s first half. The Algerian playmaker is tied for the third-most assists and is just two goals off the Golden Boot. As his statistics prove, Mahrez has the potential to create a goal every time he touches the ball.
2. Romelu Lukaku – Midfilder – Everton
Season Stats – 15 Goals, 5 Assists, 70 Shots (28 on Target)
Soaked in the potential to be one of the world’s elite, until this year Romelu Lukaku personified Everton’s stagnation in the table’s middle – lofty expectations, laden with superior talent, but lacking any focus or consistency. This season however, Lukaku has broken through, leading the league in goals and providing highlight reel strikes nearly every matchday. With no disrespect to Ross Barkley, it is Romelu Lukaku that is solely responsible for Everton’s success or its failure.
3. Mesut Ozil – Midfielder – Arsenal
Season Stats – 3 Goals, 16 Assists, 82 Crosses
Finally healthy, Ozil is the EPL’s very own John Stockton. This German king of assists leads the league, abetting on 16 goals this season – double the next-highest individual total.
4. Jamie Vardy – Forward – Leicester City
Season Stats – 15 Goals, 3 Assists, 68 Shots (32 on Target)
This former Fourth-division player has become a worldwide household name this season by netting a goal in 11 consecutive games, an EPL record. In concert with his two wingers, it has been the forward’s precise strikes and tireless effort that have placed Leicester in the top four.
5. Harry Kane – Forward – Tottenham
Season Stats – 11 Goals, 1 Assist, 73 Shots (33 On Target)
After a slow start to the season, Harry Kane has finally found his form, scoring six goals in his last eight league matches. The young English striker has proven his naysayers wrong, continuing the form of his breakout 2014-15 season, leading Spurs to a surprising run at the title.
6. Odion Ighalo – Forward – Watford
Season Stats – 14 Goals, 2 Assists, 68 Shots (33 on Target)
Ighalo is enjoying a fine second season in England playing for the surprisingly impressive Hornets. Ighalo’s total of 14 goals scored is just one off from Golden boot leader, Romelu Lukaku.
7. Kevin De Bruyne – Midfielder – Manchester City
Season Stats – 5 Goals, 8 Assists, 90 Crosses
Since arriving from Wolfsburg in late August, De Bruyne has been nothing short of superb. His general-like poise and tactical awareness on counter attacks have been the crux of City’s offensive output so far this season.
8. Aleksandar Kolarov – Defender – Manchester City
Season Stats – 2 Assists, 91 Crosses, 40 Tackles Won
No fullback is more of a threat offensively than Kolarov. With City’s rearguard shored with any of the combinations of Mangala, Kompany, or Ottamendi, Kolarov has had the freedom to drift upfield, leading all defenders with 91 crosses and two goals scored.
9. Olivier Giroud – Forward – Arsenal
Season Stats – 14 Goals, 2 Assists, 56 Shots (22 on Target)
With the help of injuries to Theo Walcott and Alexis Sanchez, Giroud has regained his position as the Gunners’ number one scoring option. Mesut Ozil to Oliveri Giroud has been a lethal combination this season, tallying six goals as a duo. This total shares the league lead with Gerrard Deulofeu and Romelu Lukaku.
10. Ross Barkley – Midfielder – Everton
Season Stats – 6 Goals, 7 Assists, 56 Shots (19 on Target)
Barkley has developed into the creative midfielder the Toffee faithful have been waiting for since his breakout year in 2013-14.Barkley has sent home fans into a frenzy with remarkable moments of pure football brilliance that leaves spectators and opponents alike shaking their heads in a bewildered, albeit impressed, awe.
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