FC Bayern München v VfL Wolfsburg - BundesligaPhoto by Harry | FC Bayern English

FC Bayern München v VfL Wolfsburg - BundesligaPhoto by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty ImagesWith the Spanish league underway, we finally have all of the top 5 leagues returning to action for the 2022/23 season!Football is back. Wahay!As all of Europe’s “Top 5” leagues have resumed play, we look now to keep up with the actions of the very best players in the leagues. As the next weekend approaches, we will go over the weekend (or in this, case the weekends) that was, with player power rankings.To be clear, while this power ranking will take it into account both matchdays in equal measure, future power rankings will have larger recency bias, as is the nature of a ‘power’ ranking. It is very form-based.10. Bryan Cristante (AS Roma)US Salernitana 1919 v AS Roma - Serie A Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesBryan Cristante was touted as one of the best defensive midfield prospects in the world a few years ago, and while his development hasn’t exactly followed the trajectory he was thought to be capable of, he is still a class player. Roma faced US Salernitana in a game that saw them create many chances but the forwards failed to finish — Nicolò Zaniolo in particular missing quite a few key chances early on.However, Cristante scored with a slightly deflected effort from outside the box on his weaker foot. On top of this, Cristante was the key to Roma’s defense and ball progression, as his partner in central midfield — Lorenzo Pellegrini — acted as more of an advanced midfielder, akin to the 10 role he was employed in occasionally last season.9. Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich)FC Bayern München v VfL Wolfsburg - Bundesliga Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty ImagesIt would not be hyperbolic of me to say that Bayern Munich look like the best team in Europe right now, and Benjamin Pavard has become a key component of the Bayern Munich machine. A goal in the DFL-Supercup against RB Leipzig as well as on the opening day in the Bundesliga against Eintracht Frankfurt have shown he is not a limited player going forward as has been the general consensus, but he has also backed it up with solid defensive performances.Often dropping in line with the centre-backs to form a back three, Pavard has shown great defensive instincts and especially an improved tackling technique, one that has seen him dispossess or block attackers in multiple key situations. Going forward, Pavard has often sad wide offering a safer option to the attackers in the middle, but when an attacker drifted wide to the right Pavard was always quick to react by inverting into the middle. What has been extremely improved in particular are Bayern’s set piece play and specifically Pavard’s set piece positioning. Both of Pavard’s goals have come near set pieces: a corner on the Bundesliga opening day, and a few seconds after a corner fizzled out in the DFL-Supercup.8. Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus)Juventus v US Sassuolo - Serie A Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty ImagesAn honourable mention must go to Ángel di María who scored his first ever goal for Juventus on his debut against Sassuolo, roughly catching an Alex Sandro cross on the volley before it bounced over Andrea Consigli in goal, as well as assisting Dusan Vlahovic…