STAT Review: The Top 20 Premier League Players in August

Real-Time Fantasy Football game UltimateFanLive (UFL) have compiled a top 20 power rankings list of the best Premier League players in August.

Using the UFL Index, where thousands of data points are compared to come up with a total average performance score (Using data from Opta), we can see which 20 players have excelled in August. Unlike traditional fantasy football, all actions count towards points on UFL, making every tackle, pass or header invaluable.

The scores refer to points earned on UFL, on average, for every 10 minutes they’re on the field. This means players who have been substitutes that have made an impact can be included, providing they have played at least 120 minutes during August.

20. Jonjo Shelvey - Mins played: 381. UFL Index: 9.64

The Swansea midfielder has earned a deserved recall to Roy Hodgson’s England set-up after impressing in August for Swansea. A creative midfielder, Shelvey has averaged the fourth highest key passes per game (3.25) in the league. With key passes scoring 4 points each on UFL, Shelvey has been a great pick for UFL players in August.

19. Bastian Schweinsteiger - Mins Played: 222. UFL Index: 9.66

There were many question marks over Schweinsteiger’s ability to replicate his form at Bayern in England, but the German midfielder has settled in well. His reading of the game remains superb, and he averages 2.25 interceptions per game (second to only Schneiderlin at United). Can he keep it up as the season goes on?

18. Gabriel Paulista - Mins played: 190. UFL Index: 9.72

With Mertesacker out of action, Wenger has had to fall back on Gabriel Paulista. The Brazilian defender has stood out for his distribution from the back, completing 92% of his passes. At just 24, he looks like a fantastic long-term player for Arsenal, but will he keep his place after the international break?

17. Aleksandar Kolarov - Mins played: 383 Index: 9.77

Is there a better attacking left-back in European football than Aleksandar Kolarov at the moment? His crosses are consistently dangerous and he has averaged the same amount of key passes per game (2.0) as teammate David Silva. Another popular Man City pick on UFL!

16. Bafetimbi Gomis - Mins played: 339. UFL Index: 9.90

Many Swansea fans were concerned last January when Wilfried Bony left the club, but Bafetimbi Gomis has more than replaced him. Gomis has spearheaded an attacking minded Swansea side excellently, scoring 4 goals, winning one penalty and also contributing with 1.5 great dribbles per game.

15. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - Mins played: 222. UFL Index: 9.99

After his goal in the Community Shield, many will have expected Oxlade-Chamberlain to have started more matches. But, even coming off the bench, the Arsenal winger has impressed. He averages 4 great dribbles per game, more than any other player in the Arsenal side, worth 4 points each time on UFL. His directness and pace means he should pick up more starts as the season goes on.

14. Fernandinho - Mins played: 383. UFL Index: 10.30

Fernandinho is primarily in the Man City team to provide some balance in midfield. His passing has been excellent, completing 90% of his passes and he has even come up with two goals on rare moves forward, worth a huge 40 points on UFL. The Brazilian is looking like a complete central midfielder for City.

13. James Morrison - Mins played: 376. UFL Index: 10.42

It’s been a tough start for West Brom, but there are signs of promise, particularly with Morrison in midfield. On average, he makes more key passes than any other West Brom Player (2 per game), worth 4 points each time on UFL.

12. Mesut Özil - Mins played: 275. UFL Index: 10.69

Mesut Özil isn’t without his critics, but his form in the early part of the season has been brilliant. He is key to the way Arsenal play, and always has the ability to unlock his defences. He has averaged 2.75 key passes a game, and boasts an impressive pass completion rate of 88.7%.

11. Juan Mata - Mins played: 355. UFL Index: 10.97

United have found goals hard to come by this season, but Juan Mata combines possession football with a more clinical goalscoring touch. He averages 2 key passes per game, worth 4 points each time on UFL, more than anyone else in the Man United squad. Juan Mata looks on course for another great season and will continue to be a popular draft pick on UFL.

10. Francis Coquelin - Mins played: 302. UFL Index: 11.25

Wenger seemed reluctant to add another defensive midfielder player this summer, instead opting to put his faith in Coquelin. On first glance, this looks a good decision and it was most evident in the game against Liverpool. The midfielder was the UFL Man of the Match with an Index score of 13.2 after making 6 interceptions and 5 tackles, both actions scoring highly on UFL.

9. Pedro - Mins played: 182. UFL Index: 11.31

Signed quickly after Chelsea’s heavy 3-0 defeat to City, Pedro has offered some signs on optimism for Chelsea fans. In his first two games, Pedro has looked sharp, registering 1 goal and 1 assist. He also averages 3.5 key passes a game, meaning he always gets snapped up quickly in UFL drafts!

8. Aaron Ramsey - Mins played: 382. UFL Index: 11.47

No player made more throughballs (7) than Aaron Ramsey this month, crucial on UFL as they are worth 4 points each time. The Arsenal player is yet to truly find his best position in the team, but has still managed to make a solid start to the campaign.

7. Dusan Tadic - Mins played: 241. UFL Index: 12.02

One of the most creative players in the league last season, Tadic has started in the same vein this year. His most impressive performance came last weekend against Norwich, when he recorded a UFL Index score of 15.83, after scoring two goals.

6. Alexis Sanchez - Mins played: 394. UFL Index: 12.09

Many were worried Alexis Sanchez may burn out after a demanding summer at the Copa America, but the winger has returned in good form. He can consider himself slightly unlucky not to have scored yet, after averaging 5 shots a game. He has also had the most shots blocked (10) this season in the Premier League, so a goal must be coming soon!

5. Riyad Mahrez - Mins played: 308. UFL Index: 12.60

Leicester have been the surprise package of August and no player has shone brighter than Riyad Mahrez for the Foxes. His 4 goals in four games make him the joint top scorer in the league. But it’s not just his attacking stats that are impressive, he has also made an average of 1.75 interceptions per game (worth 3 points each time on UFL), making him a good all round player.

4. Santi Cazorla - Mins played: 382. UFL Index: 12.62

Who doesn’t love watching Santi Cazorla play football? The Spanish midfielder has made, on average, the most key passes (4) in the Premier League per game, which explains why he is such a popular pick on UFL. If Arsenal are to compete for the title, Cazorla’s contribution will be key.

3. Bakary Sako - Mins played: 181. UFL Index: 12.92

There was lots of competition for Sako’s signature this summer, but it was Palace who managed to agree a deal to sign the winger. He looks a perfect fit for Pardew’s side, and is not afraid to take shots on, attempting 5.5 shots per game. His 2 goals in 2 games is yet another impressive stat for the Frenchman, and he’s one for all fantasy football managers to look out for.

2. David Silva - Mins played: 360. UFL Index: 12.94

Pellegrini moved the diminutive playmaker back to the number ‘10’ position for City this season, and they have immediately reaped the rewards. He has flourished in the space just behind the striker, and his 4 assists in the highest total in the league, earning 18 points each time on UFL.

1. Yaya Toure - Mins played: 370. UFL Index: 13.32

Yaya Toure has been back to his best for City, and earns the number 1 spot on our rankings this month. He has impressed with his marauding runs forward, averaging 2.75 great dribbles per game, handy on UFL, with each great dribble worth 4 points. The Ivorian midfielder has also managed 3 assists and 1 goal. A brilliant start, but can he keep it up in September and maintain the number 1 spot?

Did any other players deserve to be in the top 20? Leave us your comments below!

Join in on the fun and action next week when club football returns on UltimateFanLive for the Premier League, Champions League and La Liga! Draft pick two players and watch them score points for all the actions they make on the pitch in real-time, available on the App Store and Google Play.