WSR World Club Top Ten: October 23
Thanks to the international break, it’s been almost a month since our last ranking. In the interim, every team from our previous list has stumbled at least once. Even Barcelona – who has been number one since our first edition of the WSR World Club Top Ten – was tripped up. Twice.
That kind of record would normally mean losing the top spot, but who’s there to claim the throne? Real Madrid lost to Milan. Sevilla lost to Deportivo la Coruña. Manchester United stumbled at home to Sunderland. Chelsea lost at Aston Villa. Lyon fell at Stade Gerland to Sochaux.
Does nobody care about how this makes the WSR list look?
Over the next week, I’ll be calling each of these clubs to explain how important it is, for the sake of our list, that their squads improve. I anticipate they will cite parody, the disorganization around the international breaks, the stresses of a congested schedule – all excuses.
Just as clubs need to account for those factors, so does our editorial staff, all of whom contribute to this ranking. Within that staff, there is a lot of dissension. That’s to be expected when every team has stumbled. A lot of these resumés are starting to look the same, making differing views on league strength a greater factor in the rankings.
As a reader, you are bound to have your own views, views which matter in this ranking. Use the comments or send me email to let me know who you feel is being over- or or under-represented in this listing.
And with that, here is your ranking:
| #10 | Arsenal FC (England) |  |
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| “Do whatever you want, throw numbers at me, show me their results, I don’t care. There is no other team that I just fall in love with by watching their style week in and week out. The game being played as art, THAT is worth a top 10 spot to me.”– Jared Dubios | ||
| #9 | FC Girondins de Bordeaux (France) |  |
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| “I don’t think any result this week got less respect than the result Bordeaux got against Bayern. So many excuses getting thrown out there. How about this one: Bayern forgot their dresses on the team bus so they were not able distract the Frenchmen with their hairy legs. Give respect where it’s due, Bordeaux is legit.”– Jared Dubios | ||
| #8 | FC Internazionale Milano (Italy) |  |
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| Perhaps the least impressive league leader amongst the major leagues in Europe, Internazionale still had a decent weak. Without Samuel Eto’o and Diego Milito, the Nerazzurri put Genoa to the sword and put further distance between themselves and Juventus in league. The midweek draw to Dynamo Kyiv was disappointing, but whereas most teams around Europe have lost matches in the last three weeks, Inter keeps getting points. | ||
| #7 | FC Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine) |  |
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| Dynamo Kyiv’s recent result on Champions League speak for themselves: a win over Rubin Kazan; a draw in Italy with Inter; a decent performance in losing at Barcelona. The only objection is their domestic competition, with which most people are unfamiliar. With competitiors like Shaktar Donetsk, a strong UEFA Cup showing last season, and a UEFA coefficient that’s about to earn the league a third Champions League spot, the Ukraine Premier League ceases to be an excuse for dismissing clubs like Dynamo and Shaktar. | ||
| #6 | Real Madrid CF (Spain) |  |
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| “Are Real Madrid a one man team? Do hexes from Spanish witches work? Who knows, who cares. Until Madrid learn to sign decent defenders, they will continue to be seen as the third best club in Spain.”– Jordan Wise | ||
| #5 | Olympique Lyonnais (France) |  |
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| “OL looked like they would struggle this season after selling off so many important players over the summer. But, here they are, top of Lique 1 and winning in the Champions League. Bordeaux will continue to threaten their position at the top of the table, but it’s nice to see some excitement return to French football.”– Jordan Wise | ||
| #4 | Chelsea FC (England) |  |
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| “Oh Chelsea, I had so much hope for you this season. You started strong and everyone projected you to win the league. Now you’re dropping points in England and struggling in Europe. Perhaps Abramovic bought a cubic zirconium instead of a diamond? Who knows in these tough times.”– Jordan Wise | ||
| #3 | Sevilla FC (Spain) |  |
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| Sevilla, like every other club on this list, stumbled recently, losing 1-0 at Deportivo La Coruña, a result which is much more reasonable than those from other elite clubs. Manolo Jímenez’s squad continue to prove they are legitimate contenders on all fronts, regardless of whether the English-language media want to acknowledge their performance. Perhaps if they were closer to the media centers in Madrid and Barcelona, the Rojiblancos would get more credit. | ||
| #2 | Manchester United FC (England) |  |
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| “Sir Alex Ferguson must’ve picked up a magical heart in Oz, because I can’t imagine a mere mortal handling the stress this man is under. The Gaffer continues to lead the offense against the FA, Referee’s Association, and decency, but he has been effective in shielding his team of criticism and protecting their shortcomings. United are still winning games and seized the perch at the top of the table after Chelsea dropped points this past weekend.”– Jordan Wise | ||
| #1 | FC Barcelona (Spain) |  |
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| “They may have lost mid-week against a very good Rubin team. But, even in losing, they dominated all the stats, all of them except for the one that matters, the scoreline. Barca are still the top team in Spain and are still heavy favorites to win the Champions League in May. If Barcelona can’t be perfect, no team can.”– Jordan Wise | ||
Dropped out: Manchester City (8th), Hamburg (9th), Estudiantes (10th)
Also considered: Bayer Leverkusen, Tottenham, Shaktar Donetsk, Porto
Five different leagues being represented on the list ties and all-time high, though the top ten is still dominated by Spain and England. In the behind the scenes discussions, there is a divide that reflects the divide amongst the world’s analysis. One faction within the writing staff believes the strength of the English Premier League. That’s part of the reason Arsenal gets ranked this week. Another faction takes a continental view, the reason why Sevilla remain high after losing at Deportivo la Coruña.
While the debate is robust, the question for the commenting crown is not, as Jared Dubois and Jordan Wise monopolized this week’s edition. Thanks to a big week from Wise, we could see a chance atop the standings next week. Here are the year-to-date rankings:
17 – Jared DuBois, LA Galaxy/MLS correspondent
16 – Jordan Wise, Houston Dynamo/EPL correspondent
9 – Seena Vali, Manchester United/EPL correspondent
5 – Lee Radke, EPL Correspondent
1 – Mark Goodman, La Liga correspondent
1 – Ed Morgans, DC United correspondent
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About Richard Farley
Richard Farley is a U.S.-based contributor to World Soccer Reader. He also hosts Inside the Six, the site's regular podcast. He can be reached at richardfarley at gmail dot com and followed on Twitter, username "richardfarley." And while you are at it, feel free to check out RF Football.
Could someone explain the criteria for getting a team in this list? It seems to be big names in big leagues.
No Rubin Kazan-surely an upset the likes of which CL has not seen before, oh and there leading in Russia too.
What about Olympiacos, second in their CL group and yet to lose a game in the Greek League.
Or maybe Leverkusen or Hamburg-both unbeaten in the Bundesliga . Hamburg are leading their Europa League group as are Benfica who stuck five past Everton whilst having seven wins and a draw in the Portugese league (8 games 22 points)
“As a reader, you are bound to have your own views, views which matter in this ranking. Use the comments or send me email to let me know who you feel is being over- or or under-represented in this listing.”
Feel free to post your own list. It will be considered.
The criteria for appearing on the list is different for each contributor to the list. Everybody on the staff is encouraged to contribute.
Thanks for your continued patronage, Charles. You’re proving to be the most dedicated and devoted of our fans.