We're not a great side yet. We're getting there, but there are still holes in the lineup. We have no one with even top 4 potential at goalkeeper or left wing, and I'd say that only at striker and the fullbacks do we have anyone who consistently plays at that level yet (Barkley and Deulofeu too, maybe, but I think they're both still a long way off from their best level). We're nowhere near top 4 on current ability, regardless of whether Howard was in goal or not. Maybe if you replaced Howard with De Gea or Cech or Courtois we'd be close. Maybe if we replaced Kone with Mahrez or Bale that would also be true. Maybe if Barry were eight years younger and Stones and Barkley were five years older we'd be leading the league.