The Footy Power Rankings - February 4: Barcelona closing in on top spot

We're back. It's been too long. Blame the Bundesliga. With the German top-flight finally gracing us with its presence after going into extended hibernation during the holiday period, we can finally get back to trying, and probably failing, to rank the best clubs in Europe.

Enough preamble. Let's get to it.

Note: The totals for goals scored and against include both league and European competitions.

1. Real Madrid (1st in La Liga)

Previous Rank: 1st

There was a slight lull last month, when they lost to Valencia and got dumped out of the Copa del Rey by city rivals Atletico in quick succession. Crisis at the Bernabeu. Gareth Bale might be going back to England.

Fast-forward a few weeks, and Los Blancos have won four straight league matches, outscoring their opponents 12-2 in the process. They're still good. And still better than everyone else.

If you disagree, Cristiano Ronaldo will try to punch you in the face, and then, being newly single, steal your girlfriend. He'll probably fail in one of those endeavors. Hey, at least you won't have a black eye.

2. Barcelona (2nd in La Liga)

Previous Rank: 4th

Twelve of the 32 goals Lionel Messi has scored this season have come with his right foot. He can do absolutely everything. Except, it seems, help his goalkeeper warmup before a match.

3. Bayern Munich (1st in Bundesliga)

Previous Rank: 2nd

Wolfsburg 4, Bayern Munich 1: A story foretold by Rocky IV.

4. Chelsea (1st in Premier League)

Previous Rank: 3rd

The undefeated champions of transfer window value, Chelsea retained its title on Monday, somehow making a combined £34 million from the sales of Andre Schurrle (Wolfsburg) and Ryan Bertrand (Southampton).

The Blues then replaced the German with Juan Cuadrado, and together with Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas, the team now has arguably the most daunting trio of creators on the continent.

Diego Costa is loving life right about now.

5. Atletico Madrid (3rd in La Liga)

Previous Rank: 6th

Andrea Pirlo has to be torn over his thoughts on Arda Turan. That glorious beard likely keeps Pirlo up at night, sweating, wondering what brand of razor Turan uses to keep his facial follicles looking so perfect.

On the other hand, though, his grandmother - like many an elderly Italian woman - definitely threw a shoe with far more conviction than the Turkish midfielder.

6. Juventus (1st in Serie A)

Previous Rank: 8th

Alessandro Matri is back at the club following his deadline day move from Genoa, giving up a starting berth with the Grifone - where he scored 7 goals and added 5 assists this season - in favor of replacing the departed Sebastian Giovinco as Juventus' new bit-part striker.

At least the photo shoots will be better.

7. Manchester City (2nd in Premier League)

Previous Rank: 5th

Still within striking distance of Chelsea at the top of the table following their 1-1 draw with the Blues on Saturday, Manchester City made the biggest splash of the transfer market by signing Wilfried Bony.

That move seems to have been forgotten by many - thanks largely to the fact that the Ivorian has been away at the Africa Cup of Nations. Just wait until he gets back, brings Yaya Toure with him, and slots in alongside Sergio Aguero in attack.

8. Arsenal (5th in Premier League)

Previous Rank: 10th

Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott are back, each getting on the scoresheet in the 5-0 obliteration of Aston Villa on the weekend. The Villains may be as intimidating as a Corgi puppy, but the result was impressive nonetheless.

Francis Coquelin looks like a proper defensive midfielder, forcing Mathieu Flamini to his rightful spot on the bench. There is also legitimate excitement about the signing of Gabriel Paulista.

Times are good at the Emirates. Arsenal fans are definitely the right shark.

The left shark is QPR.

9. Paris Saint-Germain (3rd in Ligue 1)

Previous Rank: 7th

Zlatan moves for no man.

Similarly, despite sitting behind both Lyon and Marseille in the Ligue 1 table, Paris Saint-Germain doesn't move too far down our rankings.

10. Wolfsburg (2nd in Bundesliga)

Previous Rank: NA

All hail Kevin de Bruyne, the new overlord of Earth. 

In the aforementioned 4-1 destruction of Bayern Munich, the Belgian proved that the rumors are true: Gingers have no soul. How else could he mercilessly rip out Dante's heart and feed it to Manuel Neuer like this?

11. FC Porto (2nd in Primeira Liga)

Previous Rank: 11th

Ricardo Quaresma's left foot is football's Fountain of Youth. Nobody's ever seen it work, and it almost certainly doesn't exist.

12. Benfica (1st in Primeira Liga)

Previous Rank: 15th

Benfica conceded one goal in all of January. That's it. Though, that one goal allowed came in a 1-0 loss to Paços de Ferreira, and their six shutout wins have come against the likes of Penafiel, Arouca and Boavista.

Not exactly European, or even Portuguese, powerhouses. Regardless, that's damn impressive defensive solidity, and that's worth something.

13. Roma (2nd in Serie A)

Previous Rank: 9th

With four draws in a row and five in six matches, Roma is sliding so quickly that they're more likely to end up in your DMs than at the top of the Serie A table any time soon.

As such, the capital club gets the Sol Campbell Memorial Trophy for this week.

They're also losing bodies at an alarming rate, with Daniele De Rossi, Juan Iturbe and Kevin Strootman all picking up injuries in recent weeks. Napoli is closing in fast.

At least they still have Francesco Totti, which makes this kid very, very happy:

14. Southampton (4th in Premier League)

Previous Rank: 12th

Southampton succumbed to a late goal from Jonjo Shelvey in Sunday's 1-0 loss to Swansea, slipping up and allowing everyone around them to gain ground in the race for the Champions League.

Voldemort couldn't vanquish a master wizard, but 11 Saints were no match for his deadly attack. 

I regret nothing.

15. Napoli (3rd in Serie A)

Previous Rank: NA

You have to be lucky to be good, and good to be lucky. Or you can just play against Chievo and let them score the goals for you.

Dropped Out: Manchester United, Marseille

On the cusp: Lyon, Bayer Leverkusen, Liverpool