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 (Aug. 5)
- No. 20 - 11 (Aug. 6)
- No. 10 - 1 (Aug. 7)
No. 40: Jack Wilshere, Arsenal
2014-15: 14 appearances, 2 goals, 1 assist, 1.1 key passes per 90 minutes
| Nesci | Campo | Brunt | Chandler | Bedakian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | 29 | 37 | - |
For Arsenal supporters, few things top watching a healthy Jack Wilshere run at defenders with a full head of steam. This season, Gunners fans will be hoping that the man they call "Super Jack" will stay fit enough to contribute to arguably the league's best midfield. - Michael J. Chandler
No. 39: Sadio Mane, Southampton
2014-15: 30 appearances, 10 goals, 3 assists, 1.7 key passes per 90 minutes
| Nesci | Campo | Brunt | Chandler | Bedakian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 43 | 49 | 30 | - |
Another example of Southampton's keen eye in the transfer market. The Senegalese winger adapted beautifully to the Premier League following his move from Red Bull Salzburg last summer, establishing himself as a scoring threat who can play the role of provider equally well. - Gianluca Nesci
No. 38: Seamus Coleman, Everton
2014-15: 35 appearances, 3 goals, 2 assists, 1 key pass per 90 minutes
| Nesci | Campo | Brunt | Chandler | Bedakian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | - | 50 | 34 | 46 |
Few right-backs are capable of threading a key pass like Seamus Coleman, who is quickly establishing himself as one of the most attack-minded defenders in the Premier League. A joy to watch when he's commanding the right flank, Coleman will be a key figure in Everton's bid to return to the top half of the table. - Carlo Campo
No. 37: Yohan Cabaye, Crystal Palace
2014-15 (PSG): 24 appearances, 2 goals, 1 assist, 0.4 key passes per 90 minutes
| Nesci | Campo | Brunt | Chandler | Bedakian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 33 | - | 44 | - |
Alan Pardew's big summer signing will hope to regain the brilliant form he had under Pardew with Newcastle two seasons ago, when the Frenchman landed on PSG's transfer wishlist. Cabaye should assume the attacking midfielder role held by Jason Puncheon last season, hoping to thrive as a link-up with attackers Yannick Bolasie and Glen Murray. - Michael J. Chandler
No. 36: Emre Can, Liverpool
2014-15: 31 appearances, 2 goals, 1 assist, 0.6 key passes per 90 minutes
| Nesci | Campo | Brunt | Chandler | Bedakian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43 | 36 | - | 22 | - |
At 21 years of age and entering only his second season at Liverpool, Emre Can is already among the Premier League's most versatile players. Capable of featuring at centre-back, as a central midfielder, or at right-back, Can's adaptability will be an asset at Anfield this season. - Carlo Campo
No. 35: Olivier Giroud, Arsenal
2014-15: 27 appearances, 14 goals, 3 assists, 1.4 key passes per 90 minutes
| Nesci | Campo | Brunt | Chandler | Bedakian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | 41 | 14 | 23 |
Aside from being a perfect specimen, the oft-ridiculed striker is better than people give him credit for. Brilliant at linking play with onrushing midfielders, Giroud is an ideal focal point for a club that prides itself on intricate passing in and around the penalty area. Would we like more goals? Sure. But we'll always have the hair. - Gianluca Nesci
No. 34: Romelu Lukaku, Everton
2014-15: 36 appearances, 12 goals, 5 assists, 1 key pass per 90 minutes
| Nesci | Campo | Brunt | Chandler | Bedakian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 47 | 27 | - | 44 |
Everton's success could depend on Romelu Lukaku's performance. The Merseyside club will be desperate for the record signing to regain his form following a dismal 2014-15 campaign. It'll be shocking if he doesn't return to the upper echelon of Premier League scorers. - Gordon Brunt
No. 33: Bastian Schweinsteiger, Manchester United
2014-15 (Bayern Munich): 20 appearances, 5 goals, 4 assists, 1.6 key passes per 90 minutes
| Nesci | Campo | Brunt | Chandler | Bedakian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44 | 24 | 37 | - | 33 |
There's no doubting Bastian Schweinsteiger's world-class ability, but his tendency to go down with injuries will have those associated with Manchester United worried about the German's durability. United, however, should be a force in the midfield with him and Morgan Schneiderlin combining to shut down opposing attacks. - Gordon Brunt
No. 32: Jordan Henderson, Liverpool
2014-15: 37 appearances, 6 goals, 9 assists, 1.8 key passes per 90 minutes
| Nesci | Campo | Brunt | Chandler | Bedakian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | - | 32 | - | 27 |
Jordan Henderson is the new captain of Liverpool, taking the armband after the departure of club legend Steven Gerrard. The 25-year-old English international has a bright future and is starting to come into his own at Anfield, with influential performances and a couple pretty goals. He's one to keep an eye out for this season. - Armen Bedakian
No. 31: Cesar Azpilicueta, Chelsea
2014-15: 29 appearances, 0 goals, 3 assists, 0.6 key passes per 90 minutes
| Nesci | Campo | Brunt | Chandler | Bedakian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 17 | - | 42 | 29 |
The best left full-back in the Premier League? Maybe. It's hard to say. Cesar Azpilicueta does a lot of things right, but he also looks rather ordinary, and his numbers reflect it. Still, for a defender, keeping quiet isn't necessarily a bad thing. While Azpilicueta shows consistency, he needs a bit of Marcelo-esque flair to earn a higher spot. - Armen Bedakian
