theScore's Top 50 Premier League Players: 30-21

by
Carl Recine / Reuters

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. 30: Gylfi Sigurdsson, Swansea City

2014-15: 32 appearances, 7 goals, 10 assists, 2.4 key passes per 90 minutes

Nesci Campo Brunt Chandler Bedakian
26 49 47 31 26

When the Icelandic midfielder has the ball at his feet, the instruction to every teammate on the pitch is simple: get open. Sigurdsson, one of the league's premier creators last season, doesn't come with the fanfare of his closest peers. That's just fine. He'll continue filling the stat sheet while nobody else is watching. - Gianluca Nesci

No. 29: Willian, Chelsea

2014-15: 40 appearances, 3 goals, 4 assists, 1.4 key passes per 90 minutes

Nesci Campo Brunt Chandler Bedakian
32 25 34 - 36

Willian suffers from a terrible case of Ramires-itis at times, an affliction that causes bursts of positive offensive running that almost always ends in a turnover of the ball. Jose Mourinho once said he needed to end those runs with a shot, at the very least, and Willian took that lesson to heart this year, scoring three goals. - Armen Bedakian

No. 28: Hugo Lloris, Tottenham

2014-15: 38 appearances, 2.54 saves per game, 9 clean sheets

Nesci Campo Brunt Chandler Bedakian
29 - 31 32 25

Spurs go as Hugo does. One of the league's top 'keepers looks set to play a major role again this year for the North London club desperate to break into the top four. The 28-year-old shot-stopper, acquired from Lyon in the summer of 2012, is as vital to Tottenham's success as their star striker, Harry Kane, and despite transfer rumours, France's first-choice keeper looks poised to stay at White Hart Lane. - Michael J. Chandler

No. 27: Memphis Depay, Manchester United

2014-15 (PSV): 33 appearances, 23 goals, 5 assists, 2 key passes per 90 minutes

Nesci Campo Brunt Chandler Bedakian
27 22 36 45 30

Whether he features in attack or on the wing, Memphis Depay will be expected to produce following his transfer to Manchester United. The speedy Dutch national enters his first season in England with massive expectations of filling the scoring void left by multiple high-profile departures. - Gordon Brunt

No. 26: Juan Mata, Manchester United

2014-15: 33 appearances, 10 goals, 4 assists, 1.5 key passes per 90 minutes

Nesci Campo Brunt Chandler Bedakian
24 46 22 28 17

Manchester United's best midfield option to date, Juan Mata is equal parts goal-scorer, creator, danger man, defensive asset, speedy winger, and link-up midfield engine. His versatility means he's all over the pitch, swooping in and offering support to the rest of the Red Devils' attacking players. It's a shame Chelsea didn't hold on to this Spanish midfielder. - Armen Bedakian

No. 25: Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal

2014-15: 29 appearances, 6 goals, 6 assists, 1.6 key passes per 90 minutes

Nesci Campo Brunt Chandler Bedakian
28 41 26 18 37

On the back of a brilliant run of form last season, odds are that Aaron Ramsey will be as influential in the midfield this season for the Gunners. As comfortable in an attacking role as he is when deputizing in a deep holding role, "rambo" chipped in with six goals and six assists in 29 Premier League appearances for the North London club. - Michael J. Chandler

No. 24: Yaya Toure, Manchester City

2014-15: 29 appearances, 10 goals, 1 assist, 1.3 key passes per 90 minutes

Nesci Campo Brunt Chandler Bedakian
20 40 13 40 34

Now 32 years old, Yaya Toure may no longer be the all-conquering midfielder who can put an entire team on his broad shoulders and simply run over opponents. That said, the Ivorian star still boasts all the trademark skills - if unable to show them as consistently - that make him a frightening prospect for opposing managers to game plan against. - Gianluca Nesci

No. 23: Christian Eriksen, Tottenham

2014-15: 46 appearances, 13 goals, 2 assists, 2.2 key passes per 90 minutes

Nesci Campo Brunt Chandler Bedakian
23 39 24 38 22

Besides Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen will be the player Tottenham relies on to bag goals this season, with hopes the young Danish international can repeat his impressive display from a year ago. Eriksen, 23, plays with a sense of wisdom beyond his years and should once again be considered one of the fiercest free-kick-takers in the Premier League. - Gordon Brunt

No. 22: Angel Di Maria, Manchester United

2014-15: 33 appearances, 8 goals, 12 assists, 2 key passes per 90 minutes

Nesci Campo Brunt Chandler Bedakian
22 26 19 - 24

Angel Di Maria's transfer to Paris Saint-Germain is imminent after he passed a medical with the club, but for the time being, he is still at Manchester United and therefore qualifies as one of our top 50 players. A monster with the ball at his feet and capable of singlehandedly influencing the result of a match, the Argentinian will be leaving a massive void at Old Trafford. - Carlo Campo

No. 21: Ander Herrera, Manchester United

2014-15: 26 appearances, 8 goals, 4 assists, 1 key passes per 90 minutes

Nesci Campo Brunt Chandler Bedakian
14 18 25 29 48

When he's not trying to win penalties against the reigning Premier League champion, Ander Herrera is not only among Manchester United's best players, but among the league's best players. The 25-year-old produced a number of sublime performances in his inaugural season at Old Trafford, and provides a defensive contribution like almost no other midfielder. - Carlo Campo

The Digest

2015-16 Premier League Season Preview: Team breakdowns, player rankings, predictions and more

by
Reuters

Welcome to theScore's collection of 2015-16 Premier League season preview content, where you'll find everything you need to know about what's shaping up to be a thrilling campaign on the pitch in England.

Detailed team breakdowns, player rankings, predictions, and a bevy of other pieces that will have you more than prepared for the EPL season; it's all here.

Peruse, enjoy, and then walk into the office as the most knowledgeable Premier League fan around.

Season Preview

Individual Team Previews

Transfer dealings, lineup projections, and everything else you need to know about each club's upcoming campaign.

The Relegation Battle

The Hornets have been busy in the transfer market. Will it be enough to avoid going straight back down?

The best story from last season's Championship. Can they be more than a yo-yo club?

The Canaries are back. And Luis Suarez isn't here to score against them. Survival in the cards?

No Christian Benteke. No Fabian Delph. Tim Sherwood is in big trouble, right?

In The Bottom Half

The Black Cats have been atrocious out of the gate over the last two seasons, only to save themselves from the drop with a late push. Will we get a three-peat?

Can the Magpies bounce back from a miserable 2014-15 campaign?

Can Claudio Ranieri match the achievement of his predecessor, Nigel Pearson, and keep the Foxes in the Premier League?

Another season mired in mid-table mediocrity for the Baggies?

Pushing For Europe

Will a very impressive transfer window result in the Hammers booking an automatic berth in Europe this season?

The Toffees can't be as poor as they were last season, right?

Yohan Cabaye and Yannick Bolasie will be a treat to watch, and Alan Pardew will ensure things are never dull on the sidelines. Can Palace make a push into Europe?

How will the Potters cope with the losses of Asmir Begovic and Steven Nzonzi?

The Best Of The Rest

Can Jefferson Montero and Gylfi Sigurdsson carry the Swans once again?

Losing marquee players and replacing them with shrewd, impressive signings. Sound familiar?

Several new signings will need to be incorporated into the squad after the Reds sold their best player in a mega-money deal. Has this happened before at Anfield?

After a season marred by defensive frailty, but salvaged by the heroics of Harry Kane, will Spurs' reinforcements take some of the pressure off the English striker's shoulders?

The Title Contenders

Spending. Spree. Louis van Gaal has arguably the most impressive squad in the league at his disposal after a very expensive summer. Is it enough to get the Red Devils back atop the mountain?

The Gunners once again look capable of ending their Premier League title drought. Can they (finally) get over the hump?

Neck and neck with Chelsea before falling off a cliff in the second half of the year, can Raheem Sterling help the Citizens get their hands on the coveted trophy once again?

The defending champions. Will a quiet summer see other clubs close the gap, or are the Blues still the team to beat?

theScore's Top 50 Premier League Players

The Top 50 EPL Players were selected by theScore's quintet of soccer editors, and was based on both the individual players' performance from last season, along with their prospects for the coming campaign.

Listicles and Rankings

Betting Preview

In our 2015-16 season betting preview, you'll find odds from various sportsbooks on the title race, the fight for Champions League places, and the always thrilling relegation battle. theScore's Gino Bottero, Carlo Campo and Gord Brunt examine the bets that can beef up your wallet.

Other Preview Content

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