Things don’t always work out as one might intend. This is often the case in the Premier League – sometimes, sure-fire star players simply do not materialise.
On the other hand, we sometimes see players reach heights that were once thought to be unreachable for them. Today, we’ll be looking at five players in the Premier League who have exceeded expectations over the course of the 2025/26 campaign.
We’ll be looking at just one player per club, just to keep things interesting and to give every team a fair shake.
Zian Flemming
Burnley have endured a tough season so far, but there have been a few bright spark for the Clarets within their squad. Perhaps the most impressive has been Zian Flemming, who has scored five Premier League goals at this point in the campaign.
He is currently averaging almost a goal every two games – as the second-lowest scoring team in the division, Burnley need a player with this sort of magic touch. Millwall fans were upset to have lost him in the summer of 2024 – now, we’re all starting to see why.
Enzo Le Fee
This list could be comprised of just Sunderland players, were it not for our one player per club rule. Enzo Le Fee has been outstanding for the Black Cats, providing inspiration and industry from midfield.
As things stand, Le Fee has scored two goals and has notched up three assists for Regis Le Bris’ men over the course of the 2025/26 season. He’s only 25 years of age – his best years are still yet to come, but will they take place at the Stadium of Light or elsewhere?
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was one of several players who had been condemned to the Chelsea scrapheap during his stint at Stamford Bridge. As such, expectations were low when he made the jump to Everton this summer, but he has smashed through every glass ceiling in his path.
The former Leicester City star has scored four goals this season – some of them have been goal of the season contenders. With two assists to boot, could Dewsbury-Hall be a surprise inclusion in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad?
Igor Thiago
Igor Thiago was snapped up by Brentford in the summer of 2024, but didn’t get a chance to showcase his skills until this season thanks to injury issues. Who knew that the Bees were sitting on such a glittering gem of a player?
Thiago is the second-top goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season, with 11 goals from 15 outings. Only Erling Haaland has outscored Brentford’s Brazilian so far this season.
Hugo Ekitike
When the dust settled from the summer transfer window, Alexander Isak was expected to be the main man for Liverpool up top – Hugo Ekitike, meanwhile, was viewed as little more than a promising understudy.
However, Isak has underperformed, while Ekitike has exceeded all expectations. He has scored five goals in the Premier League this season, alongside a solitary assist – Isak, on the other hand, has scored just two goals across all competitions.