SBI European Top 10

Good afternoon folks. With the European soccer season in full swing (well at least until this international fixture date passes through) I felt it was time to offer up an SBI ranking of Europe's top teams.

I will make this a weekly fixture of the blog (and yes, I know I probably said that about the MLS rankings I rarely do, but I'm trying to have some regular elements of the blog and this will be one of them).

Real Madrid debuts at the top. It isn't just the dismantling of Villareal that impressed me. It was seeing all that talent play together. They spent very wisely this summer and it will show. Wesley Sneijder (shown above) is world class and could wind up being the most important European signing of the summer.

One team not in the Top 10 is Manchester United, which has to start playing better to earn a place.

Here it is, the SBI European Top 10:

SBI EUROPEAN CLUB TOP 10

1. Real Madrid (defeated Villareal, 4-0). Wesley Sneijder could be the best signing of the summer that didn't make big headlines. The talent they added is impressive when you see it on the field. Champions League semis or bust for this amazing squad.

2. Liverpool (defeated Derby, 6-0). Fernando Torres always seemed to have a scowl on his face for Atletico Madrid. Since joining the Reds it has been all smiles. He will lead the EPL in goals if Rafa Benitez plays him enough. Who may sneak up as the team's most important player? Javier Mascherano, who has settled in nicely.

3. AC Milan (Defeated Sevilla, 2-1, tied Fiorentina, 1-1). The defending Champions League winners added the Super Cup to the trophy case but missed out on opening higher on this list after tying Fiorentina on Monday.

4. Juventus (Defeated Cagliari, 3-2). Return to Serie A has been a smooth one, but you wonder if they added enough to really challenge Inter and Milan.

5. Barcelona (Defeated Athletic Bilbao 3-1). No Eto'o, no problem. Ronaldinho is on his game early, not exactly good news for the US national team this weekend.

6. Roma (Defeated Siena, 3-0). Two wins to start Serie A campaign but the real question is how will they deal with Champions League rematch vs. Man U.

7. Sevilla (Lost to AC Milan, 3-1 in European Super Cup, defeated AEK Athens, 4-1 in Champions League qualifier). Death of Antonio Puerta cast a sad shadow over tough week for Spaniards but they have rebounded well.

8. Arsenal (Defeated Portsmouth, 3-1). Thierry who? Gunners off to a flying start as young stars look ready to take next step.

9. Inter Milan (Defeated Empoli, 2-0). Defending Serie A champs off to a somewhat slow start but there's too much talent for them not to move up this list.

10. Chelsea (lost to Aston Villa, 2-0). Lack of spending this summer makes you wonder if Jose Mourinho really has enough firepower to finish ahead of Liverpool and Man U.

HONORABLE MENTION: Bayern Munich, Manchester United

Feel free to share any thoughts and opinions you may have on this Top 10 in the comments section below.

Comments

[Al]

Actually, Real beat Villareal 5-0. And the most impressive thing was that Villareal had just the week before destroyed Valencia, at Valencia, 3-0.

[kpugs]

I'm kind of surprised by Juventus and Arsenal getting in there, especially Juve at 4. Still a pretty good ranking nonetheless. There are so many teams in Europe it's a tough undertaking.

I also agree about Man Utd. On paper they are a top 10 team but they haven't shown it (yet, I hope).

[jkr]

Bayern Munich deserves to be in top 10 over both Roma and Chelsea. With all the injuries that they have suffered, they are still flying high.

[Steve W]

Ives, is there a formal calculus to these rankings or are they based on your observations?

Either way, I'm inclined to agree. A neat dimension to the page!

[Brian]

I would have to put Bayern Munich in the top 10 as well. Chelsea looked lost in their match on the weekend and still had to scrape together two late goals to get the points against Reading. Bayern on the other hand opened their season with 9 points with 0 goals against, while dropping 10 on their first three opponents. Bayern for Top 10!

[Connor]

I think Bayern Munich definitely deserves to be in the top 10 over at least Chelsea. The talent they have added and the way they have played when everyone is healthy is very impressive. The loss of Ribery, Toni and Klose hurt them but I still think they are one of the best teams in Europe.

[josh]

sevilla is ranked too high...

[Justin]

I was surprised to see Sevilla in the list. Only because I thought you would overlook them. They did beat the #1 team on this list in a two leg match.

[Whitescandal]

Sevilla is about right, though they did just beat Madrid 6-3 aggregate for the Supercup.

I'm really surprised by the Juve ranking, what have they done this year?

Preseason rankings this early are hard, just like college football.

[Istvan from Budapest]

It would be nice to see Chelsea drop into 3rd place and hopefully they'll drop out of CL soon.

[Tim Crawford]

I still prefer Sissoko to Mascherano. I just don't think he's that good . . .

[Tim Crawford]

And yes, Sevilla and Juventus too high to not have Munich somewhere in there. Toni and Klose? None better.

[Ives]

No scientific formula folks. Just my rankings based on what I've seen and read and the talent they have.

And I can't say I'm surprised that some of you don't want to give Sevilla respect, but they deserve to be on this list. Juve is probably higher than they should be but Sevilla deserves a spot.

As for Bayern Munich, with no Champions League to judge them by it will be tough to measure them all year. Yes, they've got attacking talent but who can really say they're better than the teams actually on the list?

Just wanted to give you folks something else to talk about and debate.

[Matt]

Ives, I can tolerate a certain degree of Chelsea bashing, but how in the world can you put clubs like Juve and Roma above them based on one early season loss? Madness.

[Lawrence]

Chelsea made the list didn't they? Be thankful for that. They are a top 10 team, and thats all that they earned. Being one of the best in the premier league doesn't mean you'd even make the top 10. I don't know why some people just worship the EPL.

[doug]

Chelsea? They could have lost all 4 of their games so far. How about Bayern as number 10. They have all the resources, talent and coaching of Chelsea. But Bayern have something that Chelsea do not. They play attacking football whereas Chelsea is still being held down by Mourinho's dogged pursuit of the neccesary result. I think playing aesthetically pleasing football should count for a lot. Oh yeah Chelsea have a loss to a mediocre at best Villa team

[Charles]

Juve is clearly too high, but it's hard to argue too much with the rest, especially if it's more about form than it is a prediction of how they'll finish.

Bayern Munich is very good. Sure they won't be in the Champions League but they will absolutely demolish some pretty decent competition in the Bundesliga, and it's not like people couldn't tell that Sevilla was quality last year without the Champions League to verify it.

[sublicon]

Wey 'ate yew Ahsenool, Wey deeeeew!

[jkr]

Ives,

There is no CL to judge Juve either. But, Bayern does have the uefa cup (juve does not).

[M.]

Agree about Bayern. Also how about a look for Rangers - not the best competition but 15 pts out of 5 games in the SPL.

Finally, don't know if you're counting them as eligible, but several of the Moscow teams are in late season but are easily good enough to be here.

[eric]

I'll add my vote for Bayern Munich to pop up on the list, I still can't believe England and Spain let Ribery slip over to Munich...

I gotta say, I'm really liking the start to Serie A this year, against all of my prejudice. I'd rather be watching La Liga, but I'm Real happy right now FSC expanded their coverage.

[lawrenceterp]

Ives, any chance you start including all club teams from around the world? Maybe make it a top 25? I'd love to see where you started incorporating some of the best teams on this side of the Atlantic.

[Neil B.]

kpugs, i think you're a little ridiculous to be "surprised" that arsenal is in the top 10 (juve i can understand).

arse are undefeated in the premiership (with their only draw due to a howler by lehmann, who is now officially "injured" - whatever) and they cruised in the CL qualifiers. they're playing attractive football, with excellent wing play and fabulous performances by fabregas and van persie. their dismantling of portsmouth (they could have scored more than 3 if senderos hadn't been sent off) showed glimpses of their potential, and at this rate arsenal will only get better as they improve their discipline. at the moment, arsenal is easily top 10 in the world.

[Matt]

Ah yes, the attractive football bonus! Forgot about that - how's it calculated?

[Tim Crawford]

1. Real Madrid
2. Barcelona
3. Liverpool
4. AC Milan
5. Bayern Munich
6. Arsenal
7. Inter
8. Chelsea
9. Roma
10. My Premiership Fantasy Team