European Power Rankings: Man City usurp Real Madrid after emphatic Premier League win

In a new weekly column, Robin Bairner scours the elite European leagues to provide his latest power rankings, which orders the top ten clubs on the continent this season.

All of the ‘Big Five’ leagues are now underway after La Liga and Serie A joined the Premier League, Bundesliga and Ligue 1 by beginning their competitive seasons last weekend. Here’s how Europe’s leading sides shake up.

10. Atletico Madrid

Previously: 10th (unchanged) 

Atleti made a solid start to their season by stuffing Getafe 3-0 on the road on Monday. Quite how things might shake up for them before the end of the transfer window is unclear, with Manchester United reportedly interested in Alvaro Morata and, according to dispatches, having also held talks with Joao Felix.  

Meanwhile, ongoing rumours that Cristiano Ronaldo may move in the other direction are a further distraction. For now, though, everything is good at the Wanda Metropolitano. 

9. PSG 

Previously: 7th (down two)

Two easy wins from two Ligue 1 matches suggests everything is rosy for new PSG boss Christophe Galtier, but that doesn’t tell the full story. 

The issues have been in the dressing room as the relationship between star strikers Kylian Mbappe and Neymar appears to have soured. The former is visibly discontent and showed a shocking attitude against Montpellier at the weekend in what was otherwise an impressive performance. Despite recording back-to-back victories, PSG fell in the rankings off the back of this news. 

8. Arsenal

Previously: 9th (up one)

It has been an excellent start to the season from Mikel Arteta’s side, who eased to a 4-2 win over Leicester in their opening home game to ensure they have maximum points through two games. 

Gabriel Jesus: Made a fantastic start to his career at Arsenal by notching a brace against Leicester

Some defensive concerns were evident against the Foxes, but Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus, who scored twice on Saturday, continues to look one of the best deals of the summer.

7. Tottenham

Previously: 8th (up one)

Spurs more than played their part in a thrilling 2-2 draw against Chelsea on Sunday. Harry Kane’s dramatic stoppage-time header rescued a point in a match that was not short of controversy.  

A fiery exchange between Spurs boss Antonio Conte and his Chelsea counterpart Thomas Tuchel after the full-time whistle was blown showed everyone how much the rivalry meant. It was also a reflection of the steely determination that underpins this Spurs team, which bodes well moving forward. 

6. Barcelona

Previously: 5th (down one) 

Barcelona is playing with fire due to their heavy spending and difficult financial position, which means they need to get things right on the field as quickly as possible. While pre-season friendlies had been encouraging, they were held to a disappointing 0-0 draw against Rayo Vallecano at the weekend after struggling to get their new players registered.  

With fresh doubts over their capacity to sign Bernardo Silva from Manchester City, it’s been a tough week and they have fallen as a consequence. 

5. Chelsea

Previously: 6th (up one)

Chelsea were in front on two occasions against Tottenham at the weekend but were twice pegged back, including a heart-breaking late equaliser from England’s marksman. Tuchel’s men felt hard done by with some of the refereeing calls in the game, and their frustration seemed justified given Cristian Romero was not sent off for tugging Marc Cucurella’s hair. 

Nevertheless, after an unconvincing win over Everton on the opening day and only a point at Stamford Bridge, they have work to do. Signing a new striker appears necessary. 

4. Bayern Munich 

Previously: 4th (unchanged)

The Bundesliga is one of least competitive divisions out of the ‘Big Five’, and therefore it will require something spectacular in the Champions League to move Bayern any higher in these rankings. 

They are evidently superior to their domestic opponents - and by some margin. That was evident as they eased past Wolfsburg at the weekend thanks to goals from Jamal Musiala and Thomas Muller. They are one of only two teams with a perfect record and have already scored eight goals in just two matches. 

3. Liverpool

Previously: 3rd (unchanged)

Clinging on to third spot is Liverpool. Had they lost to Crystal Palace in the first Monday Night Football of the 2022/23 Premier League season, they would have fallen down the order. 

Mo Salah: Liverpool's star striker failed to net against Crystal Palace

It was concerning the way new signing Darwin Nunez allowed himself to be wound up to such an extent that he was sent off - something other teams will surely prey on now - but the Reds’ response to that crisis was brilliant as Luis Diaz fired an instant equaliser.  

They are now under pressure after two draws from two games, leaving them four points behind Manchester City. Liverpool cannot slip up again. 

2. Real Madrid

Previously: 1st (down one)

Unlike Spanish rivals Barcelona, Real Madrid made a winning start in La Liga with a come-from-behind victory against Almeria thanks to goals from Lucas Vasquez and David Alaba.

Los Blancos dominated that game, but they stood still while Manchester City took a giant step forward. The European Champions haven’t done anything wrong but just look inferior to their English rivals early in the season.

1. Manchester City 

Previously: 2nd (up one) 

The Premier League season is only two games old, but Manchester City already look like a difficult team to beat. They boast an unblemished record and absolutely obliterated newly-promoted Bournemouth at the weekend. 

They have scored six goals without reply in the league this season, and last weekend’s match showed there is still much more to come from striker Erling Haaland. Manager Pep Guardiola will certainly hope his Norwegian striker averages more than eight touches in a game moving forward.

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European Power Rankings will be updated on a weekly basis. Writer Robin Bairner will assess each team’s position based on a mixture of their most recent performances and dominance in their respective division and the Champions League.