CORNER FLAG TALK’S PL POWER RANKINGS-NOVEMBER & DECEMBER-BY COURTNAY TURPIN

CORNER FLAG TALK’S PL POWER RANKINGS-NOVEMBER & DECEMBER-BY COURTNAY TURPIN

10) Paul Pogba – having endured a turbulent time, to say the least, in the last days of Jose Mourinho’s tenure at Old Trafford, the Frenchman has been giving a new lease of life under interim head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the Theatre of Dreams. Since Mourinho’s sacking and has taken advantage of it thus far. Having been given a freer role in United’s side, he has provided more goals, shots on goal, assists, dribbles per 90 minutes, passes per 90 minutes in the opposition half and strangely enough, more tackles won per 90 which was enough for him to force his way onto our top 10 for the last 2 months despite not offering much in the month of November. 

9) Toby Alderweireld – The Belgian stopper has been his usual classy self for Spurs whether player next to his compatriot Jan Vertonghen, the young Juan Foyth or the sometimes rash Davinson Sanchez at the heart of the defence. Spurs have kept 5 clean sheets over the past two months and with Alderweireld starting every game over this period amid injuries in the squad. His long-range passing has also returned as a staple of Spurs game with the Belgian attempting just under 8 long passes per 90 minutes in the league so far this season. 

8) Marcus Rashford – the young English no. 9 was running into a vein of good form at the end of Jose Mourinho’s tenure when used in his favoured position and has continued that under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. His confidence has been boosted in recent weeks as seen by his goal against Fulham and assist for Paul Pogba vs Bournemouth. His 4 goals and 5 assists in the last two months was enough to land him the 7^th spot on our power ranking.

7) Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Has been Arsenal’s talisman so far this season and arguably since his introduction to the EPL. Over the past two months, Aubameyang has scored vital goals for an in-form Arsenal side (apart from the Liverpool game) leading to him being tied at the stop of the goal scoring charts in the league for the season. The Gabon international has certainly found a home at the Emirates and on our Power Rankings this season.

6) Leroy Sane – despite City enduring a tough end to the year having been overtaken by Liverpool in the league, Sane was the main bright spot for the defending champions popping up with 4 goals and 6 assists over the last two months. The lightning quick German winger has played his best football without Benjamin Mendy’s marauding runs alongside him down the left wing, which has afforded him more space to do what he does best. 

5) Felipe Anderson – The Brazilian has been a revelation at West Ham since his summer move from Lazio. Having taken some time to acclimatize to the league at the beginning of the season, he has certainly found his goalscoring feet in the league over the last two months notching 7 goals and adding 2 assists from the left wing over that time frame. Anderson has been the main man over the past two months for the Hammers as they have settled under Manuel Pellegirini’s leadership and this may need to continue if the rumours of Marko Arnuatovic’s exit from the club are to be believed. 

4) Harry Kane – As usual Harry Kane was in form over the Christmas period totalling 12 goal involvements with 8 goals and 4 assists over the last two months. Having taken up a slightly different role this season in Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham side, the England captain has not disappointed with his goal returns as he is currently tied for most goals in the league with Aubameyang. 

3) Mohammed Salah – the Egyptian’s formed has picked up over the last two months after a slow start to the season by his standards. Like Kane, he has notched 8 goals and 4 assists but it is Liverpool’s form and position at the top of the table that propels him beyond Kane in our power ranking as he is arguably the most important player in the league leaders attacking third. His hattrick scoring performance vs Bournemouth squashed all doubts over his attacking exploits so far this season but it alarming that still hasn’t breached the net of one of the top six sides defence this season. 

2) Virgil Van Dijk – the centre half has been Mr. Consistent since his arrival on Merseyside and his performances in December can be considered his best so far as he helped the Reds keep six clean sheets and even notched a goal and assist. No matter who he has been partnered with at the back for Liverpool, Van Dijk has been a colossal. Whether it be mopping up things on the ground, dominating in the air (averaging 4.2 aerial duels won per game) or simply keeping possession of the ball with his 89.8% passing accuracy, the Dutchman has been fantastic this season and his certainly a candidate for PFA player of the season. 

1)  Hueng-Min Son - It was a tough decision deciding between Son and Van Dijk but the Korean just beats him to the top spot after a stellar month and a half where he managed to score 7 goals and chip in with 5 assists. He was the go-to man for Tottenham having been given the freedom to run-off of Harry Kane at the top for Spurs and has certainly delivered. It’s his decision making which has been most impressive recently as he averages 2.4 shots and 1.1 key passes and dribbles per game with a passing accuracy of 85%.