As we approach the halfway stage of the Premier League season, there’s something of a familiar ring to the top six. Despite a strong first half of the season from Newcastle and, to a lesser extent, Stoke, it’s the usual suspects that lead the way going into the New Year. As the race for the title and European places begins to step up, then, WhoScored takes a look at each of the sides’ top-rated performers thus far:
Wayne Rooney, Man United. WhoScored rating 7.88
The number one player in the WhoScored Premier League rankings, Rooney has played all but one of Man United’s games so far. He’s the top scorer for the champions with 13 goals, with Nani and Javier Hernandez next best on 6. Rooney averages 4.6 shots and from a total of 78 attempts, has scored with every 6 attempts on goal. His finishing is third most impressive of our six featured players and when it comes to finding the net, only Robin Van Persie has managed more here.
In terms of creativity, Rooney is again crucial to United. He makes 1.7 key passes per game, the third highest tally at the club but surprisingly - given that the side have scored 47 goals - he has only picked up 2 assists from a total of 29 key passes. Goals and assist combined, then, he has played a part in 32% of the champions’ goals and has picked up 4 man of the match awards from WhoScored.
Robin van Persie, Arsenal. WhoScored rating 7.84
Top scorer in the Premier League with 16 goals in just 18 appearances, the Dutchman’s importance to his side is greater than any of the top six. Van Persie averages 4.8 shots, again the most in England’s top-flight, and is more than double Theo Walcott (2.3), Arsenal’s second-highest goal threat. So far, he’s fired a total of 86 efforts, finding the net with every 5.3 attempts; this is the most clinical of our featured six players, too.
Van Persie is only second to Mikel Arteta when it comes to creating opportunities for Arsenal, with 2.2 key passes to 2.5, and has picked up 5 assists from a total of 35 key passes. The Gunners skipper, therefore, has played a part in 21 of his team’s 34 goals, which equates to 62%, an incredible ratio and more or less twice that of Rooney’s contribution to United. Given that Gervinho is next best for Arsenal with 26%, it’s clear just how much Van Persie brings to Arsene Wenger’s side. He has also picked up 7 WhoScored man of the match awards, 3 more than any other player in the league so far.
David Silva, Manchester City. WhoScored rating 7.78
The Spaniard is top for assists in the Premier League, setting up 8 of the 53 goals scored by Roberto Mancini’s side so far this season. No surprise, then, that he’s the club’s main man when it comes to creating goalscoring opportunities, with Silva providing 2.8 key passes per game over his 18 appearances, just eclipsing Samir Nasri’s 2.7. He is also top for successful dribbles for the club, with 1.3 per game.
Silva also carries a substantial goal threat for City. His average of 2.6 shots is fourth best at the club, behind only Sergio Aguero (3.6), Edin Dzeko (3.1) and Mario Balotelli (2.9). As a result, he’s found the net 5 times from a total of 47 attempts, an average of 1 goal for every 9.4 efforts he has on goal. This means he has played a part in 13, or 24% of his side’s goals to date. He has also picked up more man of the match awards (4) from WhoScored, more than any other City player - in a team filled with match-winners, it’s an indication of how key he is to the league leaders.
Gareth Bale, Tottenham Hotspur. WhoScored rating 7.7
Bale has come to fruition as a major star in the Premier League over this season and last, adding consistency to his undoubted skills as he spearheads Spurs’ title charge. Harry Redknapp’s side sit 7 points behind both Manchester clubs with a game in hand and the Welshman has been their top-rated player in the WhoScored rankings.
Bale is joint-top for key passes in the Premier League, with 3 per game, and has picked up 5 assists over his 16 appearances, just 1 behind Emmanuel Adebayor, though the latter makes only 1.9 key passes in comparison. Bale’s average of 3.2 shots is third best for Tottenham, again beaten by Adebayor (4.1) and Jermain Defoe (3.3) and he has produced 7 goals - this equates to 1 goal for every 7.2 attempts. In total, then, he has contributed to 12, or 35%, of his side’s 34 goals to date. Bale is also top for successful dribbles for Spurs, with 1.9 per game, and has picked up 4 man of the match awards, more than any of his team-mates.
Juan Mata, Chelsea. WhoScored rating 7.46
Mata equals Gareth Bale as the most creative player in the league to date, with 3 key passes per game; Frank Lampard is next best for the Blues, with 2.1. The former Valencia man has made an instant impact in his debut season, picking up 7 assists in his first 16 game in Chelsea colours - again this is the best of any player in Andre Villas-Boas’ side, with his ability to lay on goalscoring chances crucial to the club.
When it comes to attempts on goal, however, Mata seems to be a little shot-shy. The Spaniard has averaged just 1.4 shots, firing a total of 22 efforts. With 4 goals, though, he’s found the net with 1 of every 5.5 attempts; this is second only to Van Persie here in terms of clinical finishing. Given that Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres have managed just 4 goals between them, Mata’s finishing – in addition to Daniel Sturridge, with 9 goals - is particularly crucial. So far, then, he’s played a part in 11 of Chelsea’s 36 goals; this equates to 30.5%. Given his level of performance, though, it’s something of a surprise that he’s picked up the man of the match award just once from WhoScored this season.
Luis Suarez, Liverpool. WhoScored rating 7.18
It’s been a season filled with frustration and controversy for Suarez. Though Liverpool have tasted defeat just 3 times, they have found the net on just 21 occasions and the Uruguayan has been the most culpable. Over his 18 appearances, Suarez has averaged 4.5 shots per game; this is the third best ratio in the league, behind only Van Persie and Rooney. While the aforementioned pair have hit 29 goals between them, Suarez has scored just 5 times- this equates to 1 goal for every 16.2 efforts, a poor ratio for someone of his undoubted quality.
In terms of creating goalscoring chances, he has impressed. Suarez has averaged 2 key passes per game, the second highest for Liverpool, but despite a total of 36 key passes over the season, he has provided just a single assist, with others being almost as equally disappointing when it comes to putting the ball in the net. Suarez has also caught the eye for successful dribbles, too; he’s the third highest in the league with 2.1 per game, highlighting another facet of his game. Unfortunately for Suarez and Liverpool, a lack of end product is costing them dearly.
From last nights result against Man City it's easy to see just how short Liverpool are up-front without Suarez. He'll be sorely missed as the Reds try to hold on to a European spot for the next 7 games...