West Ham Players border elite in B/R power rankings
By Adam Smith
It was a mixed bag for West Ham in Bleacher Report’s matchday 22 power rankings. This ranking took into account not only West Ham’s awesome 1-0 win over Arsenal but also their 2-2 draw against Brighton. Two polar opposite matches and it was reflected in the rankings.
The Bleacher Report weekly ranking, EPL100 can be seen here. It ranks the best players by positions after each week, taking into consideration their performances from the week that was, and the form they have strung together over the past few matches.
Let’s get into the Irons’ rankings:
Goalkeeper: Lukasz Fabianski – 2nd
Previous – 1st
Lukasz Fabianski has been on this list pretty much from the outset, pressing the likes of Joe Hart and Martin Dubravka for the most in-form keeper. He drops to second this week after Alisson Becker surpassed him. Becker has been a part of a terrific season by Liverpool and is insulated by Virgil Van Dyke, a player many consider the best defender in the Premier League and possibly the world.
Fabianski, on the other hand, has had to deal with a striker at right-back, a third choice centre-back who had a rough transition back to starter, and a battle between who could be a worse left-back between Cresswell and Masuaku. Through all of this, even including the Brighton match, Fabianski has been a rock for West Ham.
Shutting out Arsenal shouldn’t have seen Fabianski drop, especially after his form all season long. Author Sam Tighe references his shakiness against Brighton, but that seems more like a boxscore reading reaction, not a “watched the matches” reaction.
Right-Backs: Pablo Zabaleta – 6th
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Previous – 6th
I’ll keep this one quick because I feel like I constantly just say the same things over and over again with Zabaleta, but he’s so instrumental to the success of West Ham defensively. His ability to lead from the back and take charge in stressful, pressure-packed situations is evident in every match he plays in, and his experience with Pellegrini has ensured the success West Ham have had with their defensive high-line. Currently irreplaceable and rightfully on this list.
Centre-Backs: Issa Diop – 10th
Previous- 12th
The one mainstay in West Ham’s backline since August of this season has been Issa Diop. The brief holder of West Ham’s transfer fee record has shown that his high price tag has turned out to be a bargain deal for the Hammers.
He is young, he is aggressive, he isn’t afraid to jump into the rush, he keeps the high-line well, and he has telescopic legs that somehow make tackles with extreme accuracy. He is showing Iron’s fans that he is the perfect mix of skill, talent, size, and physicality, all at just 22-years of age.
Between him and Declan Rice in the midfield, West Ham suddenly have an incredibly strong and talented spine to their team. Onwards and upwards for Diop in this rankings list.
Central/Defensive Midfielders: Declan Rice – 4th
Previous – 6th
This one feels a long time coming, but Declan Rice is getting the respect he deserves after signing his improved long-term deal with the Hammers. Rice, an academy graduate and starlet destined for captaincy, has exceeded early expectations for his career and is now acting as the pace-keeper on the team. Captain Noble polices the team, but Rice dictates play.
Tighe summarizes it best here, “Declan Rice jumps into fourth after not only controlling the midfield against Arsenal but scoring the goal that won the game too. It was just the latest in a string of superb displays this season.”
There is a reason why “big” teams are looking at him and why West Ham made sure to secure him long term, the kid is special and will be on top of the Premier League for years to come. His goal against Arsenal was perfectly placed and a justified match-winner by a difference-making player.
Attacking Midfielders/Winger: Felipe Anderson – 6th
Previous – 5th
West Ham’s only attacking representative, Felipe Anderson was bumped down a spot this week but it probably is justified. I suppose flexing on Arsenal by adjusting your gloves mid-sprint in the faces of the defenders isn’t counted for this ranking but Anderson is doing the little things well right now but hasn’t been scoring goals as of late.
He hasn’t bent a beauty into the top corner of the net or megged a keeper in recent weeks, but he is tracking back, picking up play, linking well with Cresswell, and getting on with new central attacking midfielder Samir Nasri. Others have simply passed him on their own merit, not from him performing poorly.
Next. Is Cresswell back and close to his best?. dark
With Arnautovic linked with an all but completed move to China, Anderson will quickly become the face of the Hammers attack. It will be a challenge for him to have that pressure on him but he has adjusted to the league and asserted his dominance here over a short period of time. Hopefully, if a new striker is to come in, Anderson can get on the same page with them early and continue his magic inaugural season at the club.