ESPN's Ryan O'Hanlon has released the second edition of the Premier League Top 50, updated to reflect what he calls the weirdest season in league history. The rankings weigh true talent, the value a player has actually provided, and how much better that player is than the average at his position.
The list still leans toward goal-producing and goal-creating players on the best teams in England, but it makes room for defenders, midfielders and goalkeepers from across the table. Injured players are ineligible, which rules out Arsenal's William Saliba, Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike and Bournemouth's Alex Scott. Liverpool's Bradley Barcola is also absent after almost no impact so far, though O'Hanlon expects him to make the list by season's end. New signings Jérémy Jacquet and Johan Manzambi have already broken into the top 50 with strong starts.
The list opens at No. 50 with Thierno Barry, the Everton striker who has stepped into a starting role after the club's planned signing of Folarin Balogun fell apart over medical clearance. Barry has scored three times in six matches and ranks second in non-penalty expected goals. Further down the list are Leeds United midfielder Anton Stach, Tottenham winger Sávio and Liverpool's Florian Wirtz.
Wirtz's inclusion highlights a recurring debate. O'Hanlon notes that he ranks second on Liverpool in expected goals, third in expected assists and first in through balls, yet he still draws criticism. The writer argues the numbers tell a different story than the discussion around the player.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing