The opening five gameweeks of the 2026/27 Premier League season have seen a number of underrated players excel
The 2026/27 Premier League season got off to an absolute flyer, with the opening five gameweeks seeing a number of shock results, stunning goals and controversial VAR decisions dominate the headlines. We’ve seen Man City storm to the top of the table, and Spurs slump to the very bottom - despite spending over £300m on new players.
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Reigning champions Arsenal started the season in fine form, but came crashing back down to earth last weekend with a shock 3-0 loss to Brighton. Chelsea have the worst defensive record in the Premier League, newly promoted Coventry City have scored just once, and Erling Haaland is, as always, top of the goalscoring charts with five in five matches.
We’ve now been thrown headlong into the three-week international break, which will see England take to the field for the first time since their wild 6-4 World Cup third-place play-off win over France. We won’t see any more Premier League football until 10th October, which makes now the ideal time to reflect on the limited action we’ve seen so far this season.
On an individual basis, some players have flourished in the opening stages of the Premier League season, and some have absolutely bombed, with many still feeling the effects of a summer with no rest due to the World Cup. We’ve taken a look at the highest rated Premier League players in every position so far this season - that cost a combined total of £233m in transfer fees - with stats from WhoScored.
The 2026/27 Premier League Team of the Season so far - Goalkeeper and defence
Newcastle United's Lewis Hall looks set to feature for England during the international breakplaceholder image
Newcastle United's Lewis Hall looks set to feature for England during the international break | Getty Images
Pre-season, If you’d asked every Premier League fan on the planet who would be the competition’s most highly-rated goalkeeper after five games, you’d have been hard pushed to find many ready to back Hull City’s Konstantinos Tzolakis. Well, he’s beaten the likes of Arsenal’s David Raya and Liverpool’s Alisson here, netting a healthy 7.31 average rating.
Tzolakis, who joined the Tigers back in August from Olympiacos for £20 million, has made 17 saves in the Premier League so far this season, including six in one game during the opening day win over Man United. On top of that, he saved at penalty at St. James’ Park against Newcastle United.
At right-back, WhoScored picked Everton’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles, but with just three games played, that seemed too small a sample size to be fairly judged. We went for the next player down the chart - Crystal Palace’s Anan Khalaili. He racked up his 7.16 average thanks largely to stellar numbers when it comes to ground duels and total tackles won.
Over on the left flank, it’s Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall with a tasty 7.4 average. He was heavily linked with a summer move to Manchester United, but ultimately stayed at St. James’ Park and signed a new deal. He got his fine rating thanks to tackle and clearance numbers, as well as providing both a goal and an assist across his first five games.
The two centre-backs chosen were Everton’s James Tarkowski (7.6) and Leeds United’s Tarik Muharemovic (7.5). The former has made 36 clearances already this season, and also has a goal and an assist to his name, along with three clean sheets. The latter has been an integral part of a highly impressive Leeds side, and produced some exceptional passing and tackling figures.
The 2026/27 Premier League Team of the Season so far - Midfield and attack
Pascal Gross has become a Premier League cult hero during his two spells with Brightonplaceholder image
Pascal Gross has become a Premier League cult hero during his two spells with Brighton | Getty Images
Fantasy Premier League favourite Pascal Gross makes the XI in central midfield, after rounding off a stunning start to the season with a goal and an assist in Brighton’s big win over Arsenal. At 7.7/10, he’s the highest-rated Premier League player so far this season - not half bad for a 35-year-old.
He’s joined by Man City’s Rayan Cherki, who we’ve swiftly booted out of the XI simply because he isn’t a central midfielder. The next highest scoring player in that position? Brentford’s Vitaly Janelt (7.5). His sublime set-piece taking, slick passing and defensive contributions saw him burst his way into the side.
Moving up the field, it’s another Hull City inclusion with Mohamed Belloumi (7.5) starting on the right wing, just ahead of Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka. Belloumi’s scored two goals and provided the same number of assists, and bagged a famous brace away at Chelsea. His highest rated performance of the season actually came in Hull’s 0-0 draw with Aston Villa, where his relentless efforts were duly recognised.
On the left flank, Brighton’s Maxim De Cuyper (7.4) sneaked in ahead of Chelsea’s Morgan Rogers and Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo. De Cuyper, who has emerged as a real breakthrough star, was exceptional in Brighton’s win over Arsenal, and also impressed in the 6-0 shellacking of Coventry City.
Up top, surprise surprise, is Haaland (7.6). The Norwegian assassin has continued to plunder Premier League defences with ease. He’s joined in a lethal attacking duo with Chelsea’s Joao Pedro (7.6). The Brazilian star has three goals and three assists to his name, and is the second highest rated player in the league so far this season behind Gross.
Best Premier League XI so far this season: Tzolakis; Khalaili, Tarkowski, Muharemovic, Hall; Gross, Janelt; Belloumi, De Cuyper; Haaland, Pedro.