Premier League Power Rankings 13/7: Chelsea at the top, Arsenal struggling
The Power Rankings is a new feature for the The Football Space. Each club in the league will be ranked in the order in which they hold ‘power’. This will change every week and can be affected by a series of factors. It is ranked on how the club is doing, either in the transfer market or on the field. It is not a prediction of how the league table will finish.
1. Chelsea
The appointment of Jose Mourinho as manager and the quick additions on Marco van Ginkel and Andre Schurrle as well as the returning Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne mean an already talented team has got better and more exciting.
2. Spurs
The most important item on the checklist coming in to the summer was to keep Gareth Bale, the best player in the league. They’re going to do that. They also needed to keep Andre Villas-Boas. They’re going to do that. Not only that, but they’ve broken the club transfer record to add Paulinho and are at the head of the queue for Christian Benteke.
3. Everton
Four signings made by new manager Roberto Martinez, every single one fills a need and at least three will start the first game of the season. Only £5m spent to achieve it. They still have Baines and Fellaini and rumours around them are dying away.
4. Man City
City have added Navas and Fernandinho which gives them more pace and dynamism in attack and have removed themselves of the Carlos Tevez headache. Frustrated to miss out on Cavani though
5. Swansea
Michael Laudrup said he wanted money spent and the club have delivered, with over £20m spent on nine players to bolster the squad for the challenge of the Europa League. Wilfried Bony at £12m looks a steal.
6. Man United
Doubts over the future of Wayne Rooney continue to drag on, but more importantly could be missing out on key transfer targets. If they miss Thiago Alcantara they won’t have addressed their major need. Moyes needs to make an impact. Still, there’s plenty of time.
7. Southampton
They’ve smashed the club record to get Wanyama from Celtic to add to the impressive capture of Lovren from Lyon. Manager Pochettino is delivering on the reason he was appointed. Most important could be re-signing Luke Shaw to a new long contract.
8. Liverpool
They’ve still got Suarez, but for how long? They’ve also missed out on Mkhitaryan but losing him to Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund isn’t the biggest blow to prestige. Some decent acquisitions but not necessarily in areas of need.
9. Arsenal
At the start of the window all the talk, including by Arsenal themselves, was of Rooney, Higuain, Fellaini and Jovetic. They were going to look very strong. But they’ve not signed any and worse still, are getting embroiled in the fruitless pursuit of Luis Suarez. Still, at least they haven’t sold anyone.
10. Norwich
The club record has been broken on van Wolfswinkel and he’s been joined by other prudent purchases. Although the bid for Alderweireld failed, it shows fabulous ambition and Leroy Fer may yet be delivered.
11. Aston Villa
Some excellent additions so far, especially Okore, and despite his transfer request, they still have Benteke. They’ve put up a strong stance against selling the Belgian rather than meekly surrendering.
12. Fulham
A wealthy new owner and some nice new players including a double defensive upgrade. Still need a striker or attacking midfielder but they’re in decent shape.
13. Stoke
Hughes is clearly going about doing what he’s been brought in for, which is to change the style. Pieters is good value and fills a huge need and Muniesa has been persuaded to come from Barcelona. Neither of those would have happened under Pulis. Need some attacking help though.
14. Sunderland
Solely because of the impressive capture of Giaccherini who represents a real coup coming over from Juventus. The rest of the signings are bits and pieces but they are better than when they finished 17th last season.
15. Newcastle
They’ve still got all their stars, but that’s about it. No signings of note and there is the whole Joe Kinnear issue.
16. West Ham
They signed £15.5m Andy Carroll but there’s been nothing since. Linked to Stewart Downing but they don’t seem any better than they finished last season.
17. West Brom
Yes, Anelka has come in but that’s a big downgrade on Lukaku. They’re not really being linked to anyone at the moment.
18. Crystal Palace
Gayle and Thomas will bring some pace and more menace to the attack as they look to replace Wilfried Zaha.
19. Cardiff
They’ve just been rejected by Tom Ince who is happy to wait in the Championship. Overspent on Helenius and also missed out on Wanyama. Frsutration so far.
20. Hull
Made 5 signings but none are anything special. Would be a solid window for a Championship team but they lack Premier League calibre quality.