Liverpool's Premier League title defence has started shakily, Arsenal are gaining pace at the summit of the table 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, the three promoted sides – Sunderland, Leeds United and Burnley – are proving to be worthy teams 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, Liverpool – 7.18
dominik szoboszlai
In a period when Liverpool, the reigning champions of England, are looking for inspiration, Arne Slot has had to look no further than the ever-reliable Dominik Szoboszlai, who has outperformed the likes of Mohames Salah, Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz on Merseyside. A hard-working, versatile player, the Hungarian often goes under the radar. He's getting his well-deserved flowers here.
19. Omar Alderete, Sunderland – 7.18
omar alderete
As Sunderland's terrific form continues, one just has to tip their hat to their summer recruitment – and that includes the arrival of Omar Alderete from Getafe in the summer. A 33-cap Paraguay international, the 28-year-old has transitioned seamlessly into Premier League football and is now one of the first names on Regis Le Bris' teamsheet.
18. Trevoh Chalobah, Chelsea – 7.18
trevoh chalobah
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.
17. Maxence Lacroix, Crystal Palace – 7.19
maxence lacroix
Nimble on his feet but also defensively resolute, Maxence Lacroix has emerged as one of the Premier League's best defenders this season – and, needless to say, Crystal Palace would be much more porous without him in the heart of defence. His terrific form alongside the likes of Marc Guehi and Chris Richards has seen him courted by the likes of Liverpool and a big-money move could be in the offing if he continues at such a rate.
16. Marcos Senesi, Bournemouth – 7.20
marcos senesi
Given Marco Senesi is the fourth of his kind on the bounce, it seems that central defenders are all the rage this season but, following Dean Huijsen's move to Real Madrid, many believe that Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth would struggle defensively. The defensively solid Argentine, signed in the summer of 2022, has stepped up in the absence of the aforementioned Spaniard and his performance has helped them shape an early pursuit of top four credentials.
15. Yankuba Minteh, Brighton & Hove Albion – 7.23
Yankuba Minteh
Newcastle United will be kicking themselves for allowing Yankuba Minteh the chance to move to Brighton & Hove Albion. The 21-year-old, a 19-cap international for The Gambia, has cemented himself as an attacking force to be reckoned with on the coast and has notched four goal involvements thus far. The intangible aspects of his game – taking on defenders with conviction – is what makes him stand out above the rest, though.
14. Marc Guehi, Crystal Palace – 7.23
marc guehi
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.
13. Daniel Munoz, Crystal Palace – 7.23
daniel munoz
From one Palace ace to another, 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.
12. Mohammed Kudus, Tottenham Hotspur – 7.26
Mohammed Kudus during a pre-match warm-up with Tottenham Hotspur
On the white half of north London, Xavi Simons is struggling to settle in, but on the other end of the spectrum, there is Mohammed Kudus. He made the decision to move from West Ham United in the summer – and it's paid dividends so far as the Ghana international has provided a layer of excitement for those associated with Tottenham Hotspur. He's energetic, a probing threat in the final third and has assisted five times thus far.
11. Jurrien Timber, Arsenal – 7.27
Arsenal's Jurrien Timber celebrates
Defensively sound but also prised to fly up the flank and help out Bukayo Saka on the right-hand side, Jurrien Timber has been something of a secret weapon for Arteta and his entourage. Widely regarded as one of the best right-backs in world football, the Dutchman has seldom put a foot wrong in the opening weeks of the season – and how consistent he is just proves that he is not likely to become less important as the weeks go on.
10. Granit Xhaka, Sunderland – 7.28
Granit Xhaka Sunderland
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.
9. Dan Ballard, Sunderland – 7.29
dan ballard
Dan Ballard's name was written into Sunderland history as he equalised against Coventry City in the 120th minute of the Black Cats' play-off final victory last season and the 26-year-old's displays have translated into the Premier League. With the club's summer additions, he is no longer a non-negotiable pick for Le Bris but, when he does perform, there's no doubting that he puts his heart on his sleeve. An old-school defender, Ballard is no doubt important to the club.
8. Moises Caicedo, Chelsea – 7.30
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.
7. Jack Grealish, Everton – 7.31
jack grealish
Jack Grealish's Aston Villa form made him one of the most exciting players in England's top flight – but that soon diminished following his £100 million move to Manchester City. Rejuvenated on loan at Everton, though, the Englishman looks to have returned to his best with five contributions (one goal and four assists) in eight Premier League matches for the Toffees. Intangibly, too, the winger is playing out of his skin.
6. Ryan Gravenberch, Liverpool – 7.33
Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch
Liverpool's midfield has not been at its best since the campaign got underway in August as Florian Wirtz has struggled to settle in and Alexis Mac Allister is failing to hit former heights. Ryan Gravenberch, however, has retained his form from 2024/25, cleaning up at the base of the engine room and in front of a porous back line. The Dutchman is one of a few undroppables for Arne Slot during his Premier League title defence.
5. Gabriel Magalhaes, Arsenal – 7.37
gabriel magalhaes
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.
4. Antoine Semenyo, Bournemouth – 7.37
Antoine Semenyo
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. Statistically, at the time of writing, only three players in England's primary division are performing at a superior rate than the Cherries hotshot.
3. Declan Rice, Arsenal – 7.38
declan rice
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 licence to maraud further forward and make the difference to the Gunners' play in the final third, hence his rating of 7.38.
2. Nordi Mukiele, Sunderland – 7.43
nordi mukiele sunderland
Nordi Mukiele, in the past, has been linked with moves to some of Europe's elite – including Manchester United – but it was Sunderland who secured his signature over the summer. The 28-year-old has been an instant hit on Tyneside; and the once-capped France international's versatility, with him able to play anywhere alongside the backline, has turned him into a key player in Sunderland's rise up the Premier League table.
1. Erling Haaland, Manchester City – 7.94
erling haaland
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 13 goals in 10 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
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All statistics per WhoScored and Transfermarkt – correct as of 03/11/2025