20 Best Players in the Premier League in 2025/26 Based on Stats

Liverpool’s Premier League title defence has started very shakily with them dwelling in the middle of the table, Arsenal have established themselves at the summit and Manchester City – who are entirely dependent on the sharpshooting nature of Erling Haaland – are there or thereabouts. That’s a quick snapshot of how the 2025/26 season, which has the hallmarks of being an all-timer, has begun in England.

Bucking the trend from previous seasons, one of the promoted sides – Regis Le Bris’ high-flying Sunderland – are proving to be a worthy side in the English top flight. There are then, of course, those dwelling in the obscurity of mid-table.

But who are the best performers so far? We may only be a handful of games into the current season, but that hasn’t prevented some players taking the campaign by the scruff of the neck. As a result, we’ve entrusted the help from those at WhoScored, who have given each player an overall rating from their respective starts to 2025/26. Here are the top 20.

20. Dominik Szoboszlai – 7.10

Arne Slot’s utility man since the start of the campaign, Dominik Szoboszlai has played in the middle of the park, at right-back and on the right wing and the Hungary captain has certainly proved his worth on the red half of Merseyside. His high-intensity running and him being partial to the odd howitzer are both critical to the reigning champions… it’s just a shame that his teammates have not been performing on the same level as the long-haired 25-year-old.

19. James Tarkowski, Everton – 7.11

A leader in the heart of Everton’s turgid back line, James Tarkowski is a no-nonsense defender for David Moyes – and that allows the attacking players to bask in the warm glow of praise. In the best Premier League XI over the last five years according to data, the twice-capped England international has played every single league minute for David Moyes’ side this term, which highlights just how important he is to the Toffees in their Hill Dickinson era.

18. Iliman Ndiaye, Everton – 7.11

What is so special about Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye is how seamless he makes football look and, akin to a kid dancing about on the playground, there is very little defenders can do when the 25-year-old is in full flight. His brilliance in the final third has resulted in four goals and the two assists in 15 outings, and it’s perfectly clear why he is admired by many clubs around Europe.

17. Maxence Lacroix, Crystal Palace – 7.11

Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace are renowned for being defensively sound and central to that is Maxence Lacroix. Fast, capable of winning balls in the air and an underrated passer of the ball – the Frenchman has been pivotal to Palace since his move from Wolfsburg in the summer of 2024. With zero goals and two assists thus far, Lacroix has an overall rating of 7.11 under his belt.

16. Antoine Semenyo, Bournemouth – 7.12

An energetic presence for Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth on the flank, Antoine Semenyo – linked with a big-money move in the near future – is currently enjoying the hottest form of his life. He may have quit football at the age of 15 but the Ghana international is firing on all cylinders this season. Earlier in the season, only three players in England’s primary division were performing at a superior rate than the Cherries hotshot, but he’s now ranked 16th.

14. Cristian Romero, Tottenham Hotspur – 7.15

Having scored two goals against Newcastle United – including a speculative bicycle kick – Cristian Romero proved why he is so integral to the north Londoners. There’s a common misconception about the Argentine that he is too rash in his tackling, but he’s a brilliant passer and is defensively resolute alongside his partner in crime, Micky van de Ven, and he’s posted an overall rating of 7.15 this term.

13. Moises Caicedo, Chelsea – 7.15

Moises Caicedo celebrating after scoring for Chelsea

Imperious at eating up ground and winning possession of the ball, Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo may have cost the west Londoners a pretty penny, but the fee they coughed up is, week on week, being repaid by the Ecuadorian’s performances in the engine room. Still just 24 years of age, he has emerged as one of the best midfielders in world football – and the vision of him dotting around the midfield at such an intense pace will never grow old.

12. Granit Xhaka, Sunderland – 7.17

Part of Bayer Leverkusen’s brilliant side in 2023/24, Granit Xhaka was at the heart and soul of everything positive about Xabi Alonso’s Bundesliga champions – and many were surprised when the Swiss midfielder returned to the top flight in England to join promoted Sunderland. He’s been imperious in the middle, emulating his form in Germany rather than that during his forgetful spell with Arsenal between 2016 and 2023.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: With 143 international caps under his belt, Granit Xhaka is Switzerland’s all-time top appearance maker.

11. Trevoh Chalobah, Chelsea – 7.18

Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah may have defended poorly in his side’s recent 2-1 loss to Sunderland but, all in all, the Englishman is among the top division’s best-performing footballers with a rating of 7.18. The 26-year-old, born in Sierra Leone, has played the majority of games for the Blues this term in the absence of Levi Colwill, but his position is not as safe when his compatriot returns from injury.

10. Daniel Munoz, Crystal Palace – 7.20

Daniel Munoz has made manning his side’s right-hand side look like second nature; he’s energetic, a constant threat going forward but also a defensive titan. In all phases of play, the Selhurst Park faithful can count on the Colombian to produce an 8/10 performance week-in week-out and his performances have averaged a rating of 7.20. That’ll no doubt rise if he continues operating at such a high level.

9. Mohammed Kudus, West Ham United – 7.21

Mohammed Kudus during a pre-match warm-up with Tottenham Hotspur

While Tottenham Hotspur’s start under Thomas Frank hasn’t gone swimmingly, one of their leading lights has been the brilliance of Accra-born Mohammed Kudus, who moved from fellow London club West Ham United in the summer. Versatile, the 25-year-old can play wherever in Spurs’ attacking front three and, so far, he has plundered seven goal contributions. He’s on course to being their player of the season.

8. Bukayo Saka, Arsenal – 7.23

Ever since he graduated from Arsenal’s celebrated academy, Bukayo Saka has been an ever-reliable option – and his journey from left-back to right wing is the stuff of legend. Dedicated to his craft, there are very few Premier League players as talented as the young Englishman and he’s scored four goals for Mikel Arteta’s men so far this term. Should he help them lift the top flight in May, the boyhood Gunner will have earned legendary status for sure.

7. Marc Guehi, Crystal Palace – 7.27

Touched upon earlier, Marc Guehi – whose move to Merseyside broke down in the summer – has been a pivotal figure for Oliver Glasner’s Eagles in years gone by. A leader of the highest order, Guehi may be on the move next summer given his contract in south London will be coming to an end, but this season is proving why he is so important.

6. Declan Rice, Arsenal – 7.30

It’s difficult to pinpoint many better players in England’s top flight, isn’t it? Midfielder Declan Rice has been a talismanic figure in the middle of the park for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal since he made the cross-London switch in the summer of 2023. Martin Zubimendi’s arrival has given him the license to maraud further forward and make the difference to the Gunners’ play in the final third, hence his sixth-best rating of 7.30.

5. Gabriel Magalhaes, Arsenal – 7.30

Terrific in both boxes, the north Londoners have made sure to make the most of Gabriel Magalhaes’ threat from set-pieces this term as they steal a march at the top of the Premier League standings. He rises higher than the rest when Declan Rice and Co deliver balls into the box and, although the Gunners have been slammed for the route-one approach, those associated with the club will be thanking the Brazilian, who is currently nursing an injury.

4. Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United – 7.33

Without Bruno Fernandes, what state would Manchester United be in? A goal-getter as much as he is a tempo-setter, the Portuguese still remains heavily underrated by many (including those of an Old Trafford persuasion) and that’s perhaps because of his odd showing of petulance. Football-wise, he’s on another level compared to his teammates and that’s evidenced by his 7.33 rating.

3. Jeremy Doku – 7.39

For many, it was only a matter of time until Jeremy Doku – who rejected a move to Liverpool pre-Manchester City – burst into life under Pep Guardiola. Although Pep Guardiola’s side have been blasted for being too boring and possession-based, that is not the philosophy of the tricky Belgian, who has chalked up an overall rating of 7.39 for his performances for City since their curtain-raiser in August. In that time, he’s plundered five goal involvements in England’s top flight.

2. Phil Foden, Manchester City – 7.39

Back to his very best it seems, the telepathy between Phil Foden and his Manchester City teammates is joyous to watch. Floating in between the lines with ease is what the Englishman is best at – and he’ll be hoping that Thomas Tuchel is watching closely. So far for Pep Guardiola and his entourage, Foden has notched six goals and a duo of assists and, in the form that he is, that tally is likely to rise to a ridiculous level.

1. Erling Haaland, Manchester City – 7.81

Erling Haaland, for club and country, is a serial goal-getter – and he’s firing on all cylinders in 2025/26 following a season without trophies last time out. The Norway international, likened to a robot given how rampant he is in front of goal, has already plundered 15 goals in as many league outings and that tally is only poised to exponentially rise. Could we have another record-breaking season on our hands for the Leeds-born 25-year-old?

Top 20 Highest Rated 25/26 Premier League Players So Far

Rank
Player
Team + Nationality
WhoScored Rating

1.
Erling Haaland
Manchester City + Norway
7.81

2.
Phil Foden
Manchester City + England
7.39

3.
Jeremy Doku
Manchester City + Belgium
7.39

4.
Bruno Fernandes
Manchester United + Portugal
7.33

5.
Gabriel Magalhaes
Arsenal + Brazil
7.30

6.
Declan Rice
Arsenal + England
7.30

7.
Marc Guehi
Crystal Palace + England
7.27

8.
Bukayo Saka
Arsenal + England
7.23

9.
Mohammed Kudus
Tottenham Hotspur + Ghana
7.21

10.
Daniel Munoz
Crystal Palace + Colombia
7.20