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Some unfortunate Sunday league injury luck for this reporter (plus some ill-timed holiday) means our Power Rankings have taken an extended leave of absence in the last couple of weeks.
We can only apologise. But back they are - quite possibly better than ever.
Since we last met it's been all change in the Premier League. Arsenal have gone from title favourites to injury-riddled crisis club, Manchester City have remained top, despite an embarrassing defeat to Liverpool, Chelsea are still lurking closer to the relegation zone and Aston Villa have still not won.
Actually, not much as changed at all. You know the drill by now...
We all know who the best players are but defining those with the power to shape events in the Premier League is not so simple - so we've created The Independent's Premier League Power Rankings.
Ahead of every round of fixtures in the top-flight our team of experts get together to define the 17 players who hold the power.
Rather than being based on who the best or most talented footballers are, it's defined by current form, league position, next fixture and any other factors which could influence events.
Players move up and down the rankings, battling to be number one. Some will drop out and new entries will emerge. You might not agree (in which case let us know why) - but that's half the fun.
These are the 17 most important players in the Premier League right now...
Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15Show all 17 1 /17Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>17) Josh King (Bournemouth)</b> Junior Stanislas grabbed all the headlines for his two amazing late goals in a spectacular draw with Everton last week, but it was the versatile King who really caught the eye. He started the game up front and then moved to the right wing, setting up Stanislas' first goal with a neat cross. With Bournemouth in the midst of an injury crisis, King's tactical flexibility is a real asset for Eddie Howe
Last Fixture: D - 3-3 - Everton
Next Fixture: Chelsea (a)
2015 Getty Images
Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>16) Salomon Rondon (West Bromwich Albion)</b> The Venezuelan was asked to do a lot for the Baggies in Tony Pulis' very defensive 4-5-1 at Upton Park, but toiled away for 90 minutes to put pressure onto a stuttering West Ham. The goals haven't quite come as he or Pulis may have liked, but he's proving a real asset and keeping Saido Berahino (said to be worth £20m) out of the team at present.
Last Fixture: D - 1-1 - West Ham
Next Fixture: Tottenham (a)
2015 Getty Images
Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>15) Yannick Bolasie (Crystal Palace)</b> When Crystal Palace, and Bolasie in particular, are on form, they are as dangerous as any team in the Premier League. The problem with Alan Pardew's team has been consistency - they are exceeding expectations in seventh but had still dropped points at home to Sunderland and West Ham, and would be third with wins from those two matches. The dangerous Toffees have scored 10 goals in their last two matches at Goodison Park.
Last Fixture: W - 5-1 - Newcastle
Next Fixture: Everton (a)
2015 Getty Images
Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>14) Eden Hazard (Chelsea)</b> The Belgian was played out of position as a 'false 9' in the goalless draw at White Hart Lane and played pretty well, although he failed to get on the scoresheet. After a dreadful start to the season - where he looked completely uninterested - the Belgian is working hard and looks (almost) back to his best. He still needs to score and create more but the effort is definitely there. The Cherries have conceded 30 goals this season, on par with Newcastle for the most.
Last Fixture: D - 0-0 - Tottenham
Next Fixture: Bournemouth (h)
2015 Getty Images
Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>13) Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)</b> Those early season struggles over Kane's fitness and form are now a very distant memory. He now has nine goals in his last seven matches and looks like the player who took the division by storm at this time last year. Kane is looking confident in front of goal and continues to lead the line for a Spurs team still unbeaten since the first day of the season. The goalless draw with a wounded Chelsea may seem like a missed opportunity.
Last Fixture: D - 0-0 - Chelsea
Next Fixture: West Brom (a)
2015 Getty Images
Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>12) Bafetimbi Gomis (Swansea City)</b> Just one win in 10 will bring pressure to even the most secure of managers and that's exactly what is happening with Garry Monk. They enjoyed a fine start to the season but their form has deserted them - and none more obvious than with the French striker. Stretching back to the end of last season Gomis enjoyed a spell where he scored nine in 10 games. But now he is without a goal since 30 August.
Last Fixture: L - 1-0 - Liverpool
Next Fixture: Leicester (h)
2015 Getty Images
Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>11) Lee Cattermole (Sunderland)</b> Three wins in five and suddenly the optimism is suddenly flooding back to Wearside. Cattermole will never win awards for his ability on the ball, but his work ethic and desire to help his team is second to none. He was outstanding against Stoke and Sam Allardyce will be hoping for a similar performance against an under-strength Arsenal.
Last Fixture: W - 2-0 - Stoke City
Next Fixture: Arsenal (a)
2015 Getty Images
Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>10) Graziano Pelle (Southampton)</b> After a superb start to the season and some impressive scalps, Southampton have now lost each of their last two League matches and were absolutely dismantled by Liverpool, despite taking a first minute lead. Ronald Koeman and Co will be desperate to get back on track against Aston Villa.
Last Fixture: L - 3-1 - Man City
Next Fixture: Aston Villa (h)
2015 Getty Images
Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>9) Robbie Brady (Norwich City)</b> The hard-working Irish winner summed up Norwich's performance against Arsenal last week, he just wanted it more than his more starry opponents. Has been constantly impressive for the Canaries this season, and will again have to be at his best against rivals Watford.
Last Fixture: D - 1-1 - Arsenal
Next Fixture: Watford (a)
2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc
Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>8) Romelu Lukaku (Everton)</b> Everton somehow conspired to throw away a two goal half-time lead and then what should have been an injury time winner to draw with the Cherries on Saturday. They completely gave up in the second period, allowing Bournemouth back in the game when it should have been wrapped up. Lukaku is always a threat, and Palace will be wary.
Last Fixture: D - 3-3 - Bournemouth
Next Fixture: Crystal Palace (h)
Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>7) Papiss Cisse (Newcastle United)</b> A miserable performance at Selhurst Park that had started so brightly. Cisse isn't a hard worker or a striker who will make those around him better, but he is a goalscorer. A home game against Liverpool is a tough task but if Newcastle are to survive this season, Cisse will be the man to get them the goals.
Last Fixture: L - 5-1 - Crystal Palace
Next Fixture: Liverpool (h)
2015 Getty Images
Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>6) Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)</b> Liverpool keep on winning under Jurgen Klopp but they weren't exactly doing it with thrilling football, until the win over Southampton in midweek. The fabled gegenpressing is mesmerising to watch and Jurgen Klopp admitted after the game that he finally understands the hype around Sturridge. Southampton were very poor but the England striker, when fit, is one of the best around
Last Fixture: W - 1-0 - Swansea
Next Fixture: Newcastle (a)
Getty Images
Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>5) Odion Ighalo (Watford)</b> Troy Deeney could easily fit in this place instead of his strike partner with both proving they are more than good enough to excel at the top level. Deeney is that bit more creative, dropping deeper to link the play while Ighalo is an out and out goal threat, he's lethal.
Last Fixture: W - 3-2 - Aston Villa
Next Fixture: Norwich (h)
2015 Getty Images
Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>4) Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)</b> Manchester City will only go so far as Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany will take them but the Belgian has done a valiant job in keeping Manuel Pellegrini's men afloat. Arrived in a mega £55m summer move but the fact nobody raises their eyes at that is testament to how good he's been. Four goals and six assists in 10 Premier League matches
Last Fixture: W - 3-1 - Southampton
Next Fixture: Stoke (a)
Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>3) Chris Smalling (Manchester United)</b> The best centre-back in the country by quite a margin at the moment, if he keeps this up then he simply must start for England at Euro 2016. Managed to keep the in-form Jamie Vardy as quiet as has been possible in recent weeks and is also a real threat in the opposition box. Van Gaal's defensive tactics are helping him, but Smalling has been outstanding.
Last Fixture: D - 1-1 - Leicester City
Next Fixture: West Ham (h)
2015 Getty Images
Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>2) Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)</b> The German still has his naysayers but he has been utterly superb this season. He has 11 Premier League assists (no other player has more than six) and chipped in with a couple of goals. As Arsenal's predictable injury list builds up, Santi Cazorla joins Francis Coquelin and Alexis Sanchez as the latest major problems, his role will take on even further importance.
Last Fixture: D - 1-1 - Norwich
Next Fixture: Sunderland (h)
Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>1) Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)</b> Who else? He hasn't won any fans for his off-field antics but on it the English striker is playing as well as any player in the division. He is an absolute menace because of his work rate and blistering pace - he has shown a level of skill and composure that would have been impossible to think of just six months ago. A truly remarkable rise. Can he make it 12 in a row?
Last Fixture: D - 1-1 - Man United
Next Fixture: Swansea (a)
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