As
the Premier League season approaches its climax, we look at the stats to see
which players have starred in 2014/15.
Below are the top-ranking XI according to WhoScored.com's stat-based rating
system. How many of these players will make the official Premier League Team
of the Season - and what do you make of this XI?
Costel Pantilimon, Sunderland – WhoScored rating 7.13
The Sunderland stopper has not had the happiest of times since moving to the
Stadium of Light last summer and initially had to settle for a spell on the
bench, however, he has made the starting berth his own with some fine
performances between the sticks. He is making more saves per game (4.1) than
any other first-choice goalie, and he is skilled at dealing with shots from
various distances, leading the Premier League for saves per game from shots
inside the box (2.3) and outside (1.8). With a saves-to-shots ratio (78.4%)
second only to Arsenal’s David Ospina (who has only made 10 appearances),
Pantilimon could do with a little more help from his defence.
Branislav Ivanovic, Chelsea – 7.35
Now undisputedly the best right-back in England according to the
WhoScored.com ratings, Ivanovic has dispelled any thoughts of Pablo Zabaleta
holding this crown this season, with sound defensive performances sprinkled
with dangerous forays forward. Dribbled past only 13 times all season while
making some 69 tackles, the Serb has also helped out with four goals and
four assists in the league alone, all but two of which have come this
calendar year, as he finishes a marathon of a season with a sprint.
James Tomkins, West Ham – 7.46
Part of an impressive West Ham rearguard, Tomkins has been a rock at the
back, averaging 9.8 clearances per game, while winning the most aerial duels
(4.8 per game) of all centre-backs. He has been a reliable defender for Sam
Allardyce, avoiding a single error that has led to an opposition goal all
season, while also contributing with a goal and three assists of his own at
the other end.
Phil Jones, Manchester United – 7.46
It is fair to say that Louis van Gaal has had to face a few problems in
defence since he moved to Old Trafford, with injuries aplenty disrupting his
settling-in period. He has enjoyed the luxury of being able to select a more
consistent defence of late, however, with Jones playing a key part. He is
making the second most interceptions per game (3.6) in the whole Premier
League, behind only Mile Jedinak, as well as adding 2.1 tackles and 6.9
clearances.
Gael Clichy, Manchester City – 7.43
The extent of Gael Clichy’s consistency has gone rather under the radar this
season. In only one game has he recorded a WhoScored.com rating below 6.80,
and only four more times has he gone below 7.00; both astounding
achievements. His rating comes as a result of a hugely impressive 3.4
interceptions per game, along with 2.5 tackles and significant attacking
threat (three assists and 1.1 key passes per game).
Alexis
Sanchez, Arsenal – 7.84
He might have faded a little of late, but no one can deny the immediacy of
the impact that Sanchez made upon his arrival in London last year. Many
thought he was an unnecessary signing for a Gunners team lacking in other
areas, but while some team-mates floundered, the Chilean carried the team
through a tricky winter period. He ranks fifth in the Premier League for
goals scored (13) and seventh for assists (seven), while also averaging the
third-most dribbles per game (3.5).
Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea – 7.73
Many thought Arsene Wenger had made a huge mistake by passing up the
opportunity to re-sign Fabregas last summer and the Spaniard made a fast
start at Chelsea. He has picked up a whopping 16 assists in his 26 Premier
League games, a total no player can better over both of the past two
seasons. He unsurprisingly leads the league for key passes per game (3.0),
while he has also put a team-mate in on goal with a through ball 13 times,
more than eight of the 20 Premier League teams have managed in total.
Santi Cazorla, Arsenal – 7.65
One player making Fabregas’ absence at the Emirates that bit more bearable
is Cazorla, who is the only player who can match the Chelsea man’s assist
tally since the start of last season (16). He has eight this term, which is
the third most in the league, while seven goals is impressive considering
the deep-lying role he has occupied for much of the campaign. He's proved a
constant menace for opposition teams, with 2.4 dribbles, 2.3 shots and 2.2
key passes per game, while his 87.8 per cent pass success is very high given
how infrequently Cazorla plays the ‘easy’ pass.
Eden Hazard, Chelsea – 8.02
Leading the way in the player of the year stakes, Hazard stands out from the
crowd having maintained form over the whole of the 2014/15 campaign, while
rivals for that title have been through quiet patches. He is hugely involved
in play high up the pitch, completing a colossal 145 more passes in the
final third (844) than any other player, while his work rate is underrated;
he has won possession in the attacking third more times (28) than anyone
else. It is no surprise to learn that he has been successful with by far the
most dribble attempts (136) in the Premier League this season, while he also
has 11 goals and six assists to his name.
Diego Costa, Chelsea – 7.60
The grateful recipient of Cesc Fabregas’ creative genius, six of Costa’s 19
Premier League goals have been the result of the former Barcelona man. Costa
is the leading scorer, scoring more often that one in every four shots, with
a 25.3 per cent conversion rate. He takes the third most shots per game in
the top flight (3.3), but also creates, with 1.7 key passes per appearance.
Sergio Aguero, Manchester City – 7.58
Many will have forgotten quite how good Aguero was earlier in the season
given that he has had a relative slump of late. In fact, the Argentine has
directly contributed to more goals (23) than any other player in England’s
top tier this season, with 17 goals and six assists, despite only starting
22 of a possible 30 matches. He is the biggest goal threat in the Premier
League, averaging a whopping 4.5 shots per game, also completing 2.6
dribbles per game. Some fans might question Aguero’s presence in this team
over man-of-the-moment Harry Kane, but the England man’s rating is brought
down by his six substitute appearances at the start of the season. With
eight games remaining, there is all to play for in terms of the individual
awards, and if Kane continues playing as he has been, it won’t be long
before he closes in on the scores that Aguero and Costa boast.
All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com, where you can find yet more
stats, including live in-game data and unique player and team ratings. You
can follow all the scores, statistics, live player and team ratings with the
new free-to-download WhoScored iOS app
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