It’s time for the annual rating at the end of the Premier League season. Here, here Hughie hands out his marks on every player to have appeared in the claret and blue this season.
Declan Rice could play for any club
Fabianski: Based on what we have seen in Europe from Areola, Fab is justifiably still No 1. In a poor League season he has done well to prevent a goal avalanche at times 7
Areola: Still not quite sure how good or otherwise he is. Has done little wrong in Europe although to be honest he hasn’t been challenged to any great degree 5
Coufal: Still our best right back and by and large good at the back whilst one one would like to see him making better crosses into the box. Handicapped by injury at times but he looked really good towards the end of the season 7
Kehrer: Slow start to life in claret and blue but has certainly looked good business as he has settled down and now reliable at central or right positions. 7
Johnson: Hes looked a useful utility player at one time but has had few chances to impress as his form slipped. Word is he could be on his way in the summer 5
Zouma: Had his share of injuries but always looked steady and composed by and large when available 7
Ogbonna: Returned from a big injury and can take a lot of pride in his performances notably in Europe 7
Aguerd: Outstanding at best but can be error prone and has also turned in some mediocre games at time 6
Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
Cresswell: Still the best on the left side but becoming more prone to mistakes. The great crossing remains but for how much longer can he go on is the big question 6
Emerson: Sadly hasn’t been over impressive although he does have the occasional fine attacking movement 5
Rice: Has been the heart beat of the team and how he can be replaced is unthinkable. What a player the academy has produced in Dec. Magnificent and the best defensive midfielder in the country who can now get forward and score goals. 10
Soucek: Disappointing season along with so many but looked better as the League came to a close 5
Paqueta: Beginning to look a really sparkling creative player for us at times but there really should be even more to come from him such is his reputation 6
Fornals: Has been given few starts but has shown precisely what he is all about with goals of late, notably the winner in Holland against AZ Alkmar. Always gives everything and being tipped as a starter for the Final by Moyes as a result 7
Benrahma: Has looked a much better player this season with some exciting wing runs and goals but can still tend to frustrate once he reaches the final third. 7
Downes: Probably unfair to make too much of a judgement after only a few appearances but in honesty he looks as though he has a way to go as a PL player at this stage 4
Lanzini: Very few games and right down the pecking order which has seen him struggle to impact games as he once did 4
Bowen 12 goals this season and as busy a player – and top outlet when we are under pressure – as any we have seen at the club in recent years. Impressive 8
Scamacca: Injury and mediocre form when fit has killed his season and whether he is intending to stay or go remains a vexed question 5
Antonio: He has performed well as the season came to an end but appeared to struggle when he was No 2 to Scamacca 6
Cornet: No rating at this stage in a season ruined through injury
Mubama: Looks a seriously exciting prospect but not fair to offer a rating on such limited game time
Not sure Fornals deserves anywhere near a 7. Sure he got a couple of important goals and assists right at the end of the season. But he was particularly terrible for the first two-thirds, and that’s why he didn’t play.
Interestingly, there were just 22 payers to rate (Seems Danny Ings didn’t warrant consideration?) ,which may be a consequence of David Moyes cautious nature or a real lack of depth in the squad.
Or me forgetting him lol
Kehrer 7, do me a favour. Slightly improved over the last couple of months but from the lowest base possible. Complete Calamity Jane. How you can rate him lower than Paqueta is beyond me.