theScore's Top 50 Premier League Players: 10-1

With the 2015-16 Premier League season set to get underway this weekend, theScore is counting down the top 50 players the top flight of English football has to offer heading into the campaign. Our list was compiled by theScore's quintet of footy editors: Gianluca Nesci, Carlo Campo, Gord Brunt, Michael J. Chandler, and Armen Bedakian.

Agree or - more likely - disagree? Let us know on Twitter, where you can find all five of our editors responsible for the rankings you either love or loathe.

theScore's Top 50 Premier League Players: The Rundown

• No. 50 - 41
• No. 40 - 31
• No. 30 - 21
• No. 20 - 11
• No. 10 - 1

No. 10: Nemanja Matic, Chelsea

2014-15: 39 appearances, one goal, three assists, 3.6 tackles per game, two interceptions per 90 minutes

For all the exploits of Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas, and Eden Hazard, Chelsea would not have won the league last year were it not for its midfield lynchpin Nemanja Matic. Gaffer Jose Mourinho would typically use a deep midfield of Matic and Fabregas, where the Serbian international would stay at home and allow Cesc to spray passes around in the attacking half. There are 19 other Premier League clubs that would kill for his services. - Michael J. Chandler

No. 9: Branislav Ivanovic, Chelsea

2014-15: 38 appearances, four goals, five assists, 0.9 key passes per 90 minutes

Dominant defender. Dangerous attacker. Human tank. Chelsea right-back Branislav Ivanovic is an absolute beast of a human who has the skill going forward - both in the air and on the ground - that most "defenders" can only dream of. By virtue of his position, the Serbian doesn't receive nearly the plaudits he deserves. It's a crime. - Gianluca Nesci

No. 8: Raheem Sterling, Manchester City

2014-15 (Liverpool): 38 appearances, eight goals, seven assists, 2.1 key passes per 90 minutes

Following a headache-inducing transfer saga that might be ongoing in an alternate universe and directly affects the top of the Premier League table, Raheem Sterling is set to feature at Manchester City. Sure, Sterling might be a money-grabber who is the scorn of Liverpool, but there's no denying he's among the best players in the league at only 20 years old. - Carlo Campo

No. 7: Diego Costa, Chelsea

2014-15: 28 appearances, 21 goals, three assists, 2.9 shots per 90 minutes

Love him or hate him, Diego Costa knows how to find the back of the net, and that's all Chelsea fans care about. Yes, he's a lumbering bull on the field, and sure, he has the look of a madman let loose from a research facility on an island far, far away, but those details simply don't matter. Costa scores goals. - Armen Bedakian

No. 6: Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea

2014-15: 40 appearances, four goals, 18 assists, 2.8 key passes per 90 minutes

Few transfers last summer equal Cesc Fabregas' impact during his return to England. The Spaniard's influence in Chelsea's midfield was immediate and integral in building an unreachable lead. The luxury of being planted in the midfield sets last season's top provider up for a chance to threaten Thierry Henry's record (20 assists). - Gordon Brunt

No. 5: David Silva, Manchester City

2014-15: 36 appearances, 12 goals, seven assists, 2.9 key passes per 90 minutes

Since making the move to City in 2010, David Silva has been an instrumental figure in the club's recent collection of silverware, helping his side capture two Premier League crows, an FA Cup, and a League Cup title. There are fixtures where he simply takes over, taking matters into his own feet and showing off passing skills of the highest variety. Having recently expressed a desire to eventually return to his hometown club, UD Las Palmas, supporters of City will be praying to the football gods that he remains at the Etihad Stadium as long as possible. - Carlo Campo

No. 4: Mesut Ozil, Arsenal

2014-15: 22 appearances, four goals, five assists, 3.3 key passes per 90 minutes

He's lazy. He doesn't run. He often looks disinterested. Blah, blah, blah. Anybody spewing that heresy is not to be trusted. Mesut Ozil is, simply put, one of the best attacking midfielders on Earth, combining unrivaled vision with the deft touch necessary to make the passes that others can't even see. Anybody can run around the pitch for 90 minutes. Few players can make everyone around him better. Ozil does exactly that. - Gianluca Nesci

No. 3: Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal

2014-15: 49 appearances, 22 goals, nine assists, 2.2 key passes per 90 minutes

What more can be said about Alexis Sanchez? A summer transfer from Barcelona, Sanchez immediately acclimated himself to life in the Premier League and never looked back. Sanchez appeared in all but three of Arsenal's league matches, scoring 16 goals with eight assists, displaying a tireless work ethic that rubbed off on his fellow Gunners. - Michael J. Chandler

No. 2: Sergio Aguero, Manchester City

2014-15: 38 appearances, 33 goals, eight assists, 4.2 shots per 90 minutes

Not even a serious injury could prevent Sergio Aguero from leading all scorers and setting a new personal high in England. The majority of his 26 goals came courtesy of a blistering scoring run - nine goals in seven games - to help City finish its surge into second place. Aguero's health obviously increases City's biennial trend of winning the Premier League. - Gordon Brunt

No. 1: Eden Hazard, Chelsea

2014-15: 43 appearances, 17 goals, nine assists, 2.7 key passes per 90 minutes

Eden Hazard is the best player in the English Premier League today. Period. No ifs, ands or buts about it. He scores goals, creates chances, and is an absolute headache on the left-hand side. He drove Chelsea to the top of the table early in the season and then kept it there all the way to the end of the year. This year could see the Belgian reach even higher heights, too. - Armen Bedakian