European Power Rankings: Brilliant PSG climb to fourth as Chelsea stutter

Europe’s biggest teams have produced some spectacular performances this week, with two sides hitting seven goals and others powering through late in the game to pick up key points.

But it’s not all been positive at the top end of the continent’s game. Fans have been left stunned to see two giants start the Premier League season sluggishly, and as such they have moved down in our Power Rankings of the best teams from around the continent.

For the third week in succession, there’s a new team back at the top, while only one member of the top 10 has stayed in the same position this week. Here’s how they shake up with a few days of the transfer window remaining:

10. Inter Milan

New entry

Inter replace Atletico Madrid at 10, following Diego Simeone’s side's 2-0 defeat by Villarreal. The Italian club are seeking to regain the Serie A crown they lost last season, and are looking in good shape to do so after two matches of the current campaign. 

Simone Inzaghi has led his side to a perfect six points from six, and swept Spezia away on Saturday thanks to a second-half barrage. They will be more keenly tested at Lazio next weekend.

9. Chelsea 

Previously: 5th (down four)

Chelsea continue their slide after an embarrassing 3-0 defeat at Leeds on Sunday. It was a game in which everything went wrong for Thomas Tuchel’s side, yet the German partly blaming the performance on having to take a coach to the game rather than a plane summed up the Blues’ desperation. 

The London club appear frustrated at present, and their lack of a number nine is looking like a gnawing issue.

8. Tottenham

Previously: 7th (down one)

Spurs drop down through little fault of their own. Antonio Conte’s team beat Wolves 1-0 at the weekend with a rather pedestrian performance. 

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While it is a positive sign that the North Londoners can win matches in such a style, they were simply not as spectacular as some of the teams who have moved above them this week.

7. Arsenal

Previously: 8th (up one)

Leapfrogging Spurs are Arsenal, who look in wonderful touch at the start of the season. They sparkled in a 3-0 win over Bournemouth at the weekend, with Gabriel Jesus, Martin Odegaard and William Saliba stealing the show. 

The Gunners had played Manchester City and Chelsea by this juncture 12 months ago, so let’s not assume they’re too much better than last year’s iteration just yet  – they will face far sterner opponents than the Cherries.

6. Barcelona

Previously: 6th (no change)

A 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad on Sunday flattered Barcelona, with the appearance of Ansu Fati off the bench changing a game that seemed to be headed towards a draw. However, the youngster was sparkling and complemented Robert Lewandowski nicely. 

The Pole, meanwhile, is off the mark in La Liga, scoring twice. There are certainly issues to polish out, but Barca are back on track after an opening day draw.

5. PSG

Previously: 9th (up four)

It was doom and gloom at PSG last weekend after Kylian Mbappe’s stroppy performance against Montpellier, and a reported fall out with Neymar. However, there was absolutely no evidence of that this week as they thumped Lille 7-1 in what was a spectacular Sunday showing. 

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Indeed, the six-goal win was hailed as one of the best performances in the history of the club. Finally, we’re seeing the type of football that PSG fans expect given their superstar line-up.

4. Liverpool

Previously: 3rd (down one)

Jurgen Klopp’s side are still living on credit from last season to be fourth in these power rankings, after what has been a surprisingly sluggish start to the new campaign. 

Three matches into the Premier League season and the Reds are still winless, having drawn two games before losing at rivals Manchester United on Monday. If they keep this up for another week or two they will find themselves skidding down the ladder.

3. Bayern Munich

Previously: 4th (up one)

Last week, I noted it would take something exceptional for Bayern to move up the rankings, and at the weekend they delivered.

Bochum were obliterated 7-0 at the Allianz Arena, with Leroy Sane’s goal after just four minutes opening the floodgates for another one-sided game. FCB have now scored 15 times in just three games and already have daylight between themselves and the chasing pack.

2. Manchester City 

Previously: 1st (down one)

A breakneck game in Newcastle ended 3-3, but it could have been so much worse for City, who came from 3-1 down to get a point. 

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Erling Haaland was on target for Pep Guardiola’s side after misfiring a week previously, fulfilling a promise from the manager that he would come good. Nevertheless, they looked vulnerable to a vibrant Newcastle performance, and have lost top spot this week as a result.

1. Real Madrid

Previously: 2nd (up one)

Los Blancos regain top spot after a crushing 4-1 win over Celta Vigo on Saturday. Although they have sold Casemiro to Manchester United, new signing Aurelien Tchouameni impressed in this game, in which Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Vinicius Jr and Federico Valverde were all on target. 

Madrid were ruthless – as one would expect of Europe’s leading club at present.

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.