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Welcome to ESPN FC's #PremRank.
ESPN FC is counting down the top 50 players in the Premier League right now, as voted for by various columnists, editors and analysts. Who makes the cut? Disagree with our list? Tell us on Twitter using the hashtag #PremRank.
Why Robin van Persie makes the list
A player at a crossroads, and with potentially a big decision this summer. While Van Persie is perhaps one of the top 10 players in the Premier League in terms of pure ability and technique, the wonder is whether he will ever again be able to apply it to anywhere near the same sensational level as in 2012-13.
Have an accumulation of injuries finally taken too much out of him? It's still hard to say given that there are still some contradictions to his form and given that he still hasn't been able to play at anything like 100 percent fitness or sharpness for some time.
Although those physical issues have so minimised his contribution to overall play, a lot of his finishes still display his maximum quality. Take his sharp opportunism that brought two goals away to Southampton, too, which have been part of a respectable goal return of just under one in two. The question is whether van Persie will return to United after the summer or whether the old van Persie can ever return at all.
-- Miguel Delaney
The stats that tell the story
- Scored "only" 22 league goals the past two seasons with Manchester United, but remains the league's leading scorer over the past five seasons with a total of 96 goals, 17 more than second-best Wayne Rooney.
- Ranks 10th in the Premier League era with 144 goals, two behind ninth-place Teddy Sheringham. He has 48 Premier League goals for Man United, tied with Dimitar Berbatov for 10th-most for the club.
What the experts say
"United had faith in Van Persie, but he's not come close to his brilliant first season at Old Trafford, when he scored 26 league goals and United won the title. The Dutchman earns a big salary -- one he's unlikely to get elsewhere -- but his stock has dipped significantly. His teammates know he's a top-level striker, but he's not showing that in games. Van Persie wants to stay." -- Andy Mitten, May 2015.
"Van Persie hasn't been the galvanising force that he was in his first season and, despite the big goals, his contributions have come through moments of brilliance rather than any sustained period of good form." -- Scott Patterson, March 2015.
"Accepted the gift of an opener with the cold-blooded efficiency of a trained assassin and lurked in the shadows to stab home the second with similar stealth. For a man who seemed down and out a few weeks ago, he has now scored three in two, and some skip has returned to his step." -- Mark Payne, December 2014.
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