Premier League Power Rankings 20/7: Manchester City and Aston Villa climbing

The Power Rankings is a new feature for the The Football Space. Each club in the league will be ranked in the order in which they hold ‘power’.

This will change every week and can be affected by a series of factors. It is ranked on how the club is doing, either in the transfer market or on the field. It is not a prediction of how the league table will finish.

Last week’s rankings are here

1. Chelsea (No change)Chelsea are making a strong statement by bidding for Wayne Rooney and rocking the Man United ship a bit.

Negredo

2. Man City (up 2)City have had the biggest week in the transfer window securing Stevan Jovetic and Alvaro Negredo for a combined £42m. These signings are evaluated in detail here They needed quality and goals and they have bought it.

3. Man United (up 3)David Moyes has shown that he isn’t afraid of tough decisions by refusing to sell Wayne Rooney. Bid for Cesc Fabregas shows intent and ambition and there are rumblings of a spectacular move for Gareth Bale.

4. Everton (down 1)A quiet week for Everton but having done good business they’ll be delighted by every week that goes by with Baines and Fellaini still at the club.

5. Swansea (no change)They continue to steadily add players to what is now a squad with good depth and options in all positions. Having a great summer so far.

6. Spurs (down 4)Questions are resurfacing about Bale and AVB and Christian Benteke chose to stay at Aston Villa despite interest from White Hard Lane. Need to get a striker sorted soon.

7. Arsenal (up 2)Although unsuccessful so far, the fact that Arsenal have bid £35m for Luis Suarez is such a radical change of direction for the Gunners. But, they need to actually sign someone soon.

8. Liverpool (no change)They’re digging in over Luis Suarez but with Barcelona now at their door for Agger they are in danger of losing the early summer momentum.

Benteke

9. Aston Villa (up 2)Christian Benteke signs new five-year contract. Say no more.

10. Southampton (down 3)The week has been spent battling off Athletico Madrid to keep Gaston Ramirez which they have managed so far. If they keep him to compliment their new signings they’ll climb up again.

11. Norwich (down 1)Norwich are focusing their efforts on signing another striker but without luck so far. Still seem to be in the race for Alderweireld despite his initial rejection.

12. Newcastle (up 3)They’ve still got all of their stars and could be about to make a double forward signing which could see them shoot up this list next week. They seem to be on the verge of getting Bafetimbi Gomis and Darren Bent for a bargain £10m which would be a big upgrade upfront.

13. Sunderland (up 1)They continue to matriculate players so it’s hard to fault the effort. The squad is deeper but it remains to be seen how much better. Still, they are trying and making moves.

14. West Brom (up 3)A new contract has been signed by one of their key men Youssouf Mulumbu which is important as a lot of the signings made elsewhere. Still, need to make some additions soon.

15. Stoke (down 2)They need to add goals and creativity or they are going to struggle again. Don’t seem to be linked to anyone high profile at the moment.

16. West Ham (no change)It’s all gone a bit quiet at Upton Park. A brief link to Downing aside it’s been another quiet week.

17. Fulham (down 5)The most drastic change from last week. The impetus of the new owner hasn’t bubbled up in to anything dramatic and the Michael Jackson statue is still stood.

18. Hull (up 2)Even though Danny Graham is hardly a Premier League goal scoring machine he is now their 8th signing. They are trying their best and signing players who will put up a battle.

19. Crystal Palace (down 1)They’ve brought in another player this week but it’s a distinctly average squad.

20. Cardiff (down 1)Having missed out on Ince and Wanyama, things have gone quiet in the Welsh capital. There isn’t really any momentum at the moment.