Premier League interesting rankings: Swans soar
The January transfer deadline has passed. The league as a whole netted a profit for the first time, but who was the most interesting?
As the saying goes, the Premier League table doesn’t lie. Chelsea have clearly been the league’s best team on the pitch this season. But have they been the most interesting? In our new weekly ranking, we take a look at the sides keeping us most entertained on and off the pitch.
20. Sunderland (LW: 16)
The Black Cats swung and missed on Leonardo Ulloa, much to both their own and his chagrin. Though they managed a draw with Tottenham Tuesday, there’s no reason to think David Moyes can save this team from relegation.
19. Middlesbrough (LW: 12)
Alvaro Negredo salvaged a draw against West Brom via his penalty; the club will need more of his scoring touch going ahead after selling Jordan Rhodes, who only made six appearances all season without scoring a goal, to Sheffield Wednesday. The lowest-scoring team in the league, Boro may end up struggling to stay above the relegation zone as we inch closer to May.
18. Arsenal (LW: 2)
“Hello, we’re Arsenal, and this is Failure to Meet Expectations: A Love Story.” Who is former non-league left back Cohen Bramall? Stay tuned to find out, as the Gunners continue their rich tradition of turning their own club name into a verb for inexplicable failure and inner-club turmoil.
17. Manchester City (LW: 3)
If they were hoping to make a splash for this season, City failed on deadline day. Landing what are essentially two prospects is not going to give the Citizens the jolt they need to make up significant ground on Chelsea. Pep Guardiola has plenty left to prove as a developer of talent as well as a manager.
16. Bournemouth (LW: 9)
Thwarted in their attempt to nab both Nathan Ake and Asmir Begovic from Chelsea, the Cherries instead sold off Marc Wilson and hung tough at the deadline. Eddie Howe’s club have been a delight, and they figure to make a push through the sea of teams ahead of them, if only their defense can hold.
15. Watford (LW: 18)
The Hornets were a peculiar case for much of the early part of the season, but their dreary run of results made them a tough watch. A 2-1 victory over Arsenal on Jan. 31 may be a catalyst, but selling Odion Ighalo to China will surely cause more harm than good.
14. Hull (LW: 14)
Snagging Alfred N’Diaye from Villareal and loanees Kamil Grosicki and Andrea Ranocchia made the Tigers prominent buyers on deadline day. Following that up with a draw versus Manchester United, while not quite the result for which they hoped, could very well be the kick in the pants Marco Silva’s team need to avoid relegation.
13. Chelsea (LW: 4)
With both Oscar and Branislav Ivanovic gone, the Blues can remain focused on sealing another league title. Missing out on Moussa Dembele is a pang which a trophy can easily remedy.
12. Tottenham (LW: 7)
Though they sat out deadline day, Spurs remain one of the league’s more captivating sides. It’s tough to see how they’ll make up the growing shouting distance they already are from Chelsea at the top of the table, but Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Kyle Walker are imminently poised for big runs, giving Spurs faithful hope yet.
11. Everton (LW: 11)
The Toffees gave it their best sporting effort this January, snagging French midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin from Manchester United. Ronald Koeman gave Schneiderlin what he had lacked all season, a Premier League start, in Wednesday’s draw against Stoke, where he turned in a sublime performance guiding his teammates.
10. Stoke (LW: 20)
Here are two words: Peter Crouch. Here are a few more words to amend that: 36-year-old Peter Crouch, scorer of 100 Premier League goals. Saido Berahino’s introduction to the Potters could revitalize his once-promising career as well.
9. Southampton (LW : 17)
League Cup finalists already, the Saints completed a move for Napoli’s Manolo Gabbiadini that should complement their offense and relieve some pressure from an already overworked Shane Long. Charlie Austin’s injury will keep him out for a sustained period, but Southampton remain a squad to watch.
8. Leicester (LW: 8)
Holding on to Leonardo Ulloa after he said he would never play for the Foxes again definitely puts a black mark on Claudio Ranieri. Selling him in the summer will come at a significant cost as well. All of this while the defending champions are fighting to stay in the Premier League.
7. West Brom (LW: 6)
The Baggies mostly stood pat on deadline day, though they did bring in Republic of Ireland international Marc Wilson from Bournemouth to bolster an already stout defense. Another move may have put them in a position to do real damage over the home stretch, but there is value in knowing what you have.
6. Burnley (LW: 10)
Having already broken their transfer record during the previous window, the Clarets set it again when they acquired Robbie Brady from Norwich, joining fellow Irish international (big day for the Irish, eh?) Jeff Hendrick, and Ashley Westwood from Aston Villa.
5. Manchester United (LW: 1)
Selling off Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay was good business. Naturally, United then drew for the third consecutive league match, against Hull in a lethargic effort. Jose Mourinho’s patience deserves an objective numerical system.
4. Crystal Palace (LW: 19)
The Eagles netted perhaps the steal of the transfer deadline when they nabbed defender Mamadou Sakho from Liverpool. Concurrently, beating Bournemouth may be just the catalyst they need to begin their fight against relegation.
3. West Ham (LW: 13)
Though finally losing Dimitri Payet to Marseilles is a tough pill to swallow, Robert Snodgrass-as-consolation prize should be a boon. Despite what at least one gentleman on Twitter believes, the Hammers have put themselves in a nice position to charge up the table.
2. Liverpool (LW: 5)
The Reds are increasingly rudderless, despite still being in fourth for the time being. They haven’t won in league since Dec. 31; salvaging a draw with Chelsea was less than inspiring. Roberto Firmino’s admittance to drunken driving earlier this week alludes to a club in peculiar disarray.
1. Swansea (LW: 15)
Winners of three out of four in January, the Swans are suddenly the league’s hottest team. Gylfi Sigurdsson is playing with no remorse, and Paul Clement, the team’s third (!) manager of the season, has dug the Welsh club out of relegation and into relative respectability. Signing Jordan Ayew will be a boost when they face West Ham, where Ayew’s brother Andre is a mainstay.