In brief
Being a leader is more important for Premier League club captains than being the top players.
The ranking took into account each captain’s unique skills, leadership attributes, team performance, availability, and experience.
The two most notable captains in the Premier League at the moment are Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United and Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool.
Even though the Premier League is full of amazing players, each team needs one player who can stand out from the crowd and guide his side to victory. Being club captain is a difficult job that calls for commitment, zeal, poise, and a healthy dose of natural talent. You don’t necessary need to be your club’s best player to be chosen as captain. Nevertheless, several of this division’s captains are unquestionably some of the Premier League’s top players.
Some may have been the club’s longest-serving player and received the armband as a token of appreciation, while others may be more recent additions to the captaincy but still perform admirably. In light of all of that, the following criteria have been used to evaluate the 20 Premier League captains for the 2025–2026 season from worst to greatest.
Ranking Elements:
Personal aptitude and contributions
Capabilities of a leader
Team accomplishment
Team experience in the function of Club and availability
Captain
Designated
The Arsenal
Odegaard, Martin
July 2022
Villa Aston
McGinn, John
July 2022
The Bournemouth
Adam Smith
September of 2024
Brentford
Collins, Nathan
August of 2025
Brighton
Dunk, Lewis
August of 2019
Burnley
Cullen, Josh
July 2025
Chelsea
James Reece
August 2023
The Crystal Palace
Guehi Marc
August 2023
Everton
Coleman, Seamus
August of 2019
Fulham
Cairney, Tom
July of 2016
Leeds United
Ampadu Ethan
August of 2024
Liverpool
Van Dijk, Virgin
July 2023
City of Manchester
Silva, Bernardo
June 2018
United Manchester
Fernandes Bruno
July 2023
Newcastle United
Lascelles, Jamaal
August of 2016
Forest of Nottingham
Yates, Ryan
August of 2024
Sunderland
Xhaka Granit
August of 2025
Tottenham Hotspur
Romero Cristiano
August of 2025
West Ham
Bowen Jarrod
August of 2024
Wanderers of Wolverhampton
Gomes Toti
August of 2025
20Jamaal Lascelles, Newcastle United
Despite the fact that Newcastle United supporters frequently see Bruno Guimaraes wearing the armband, Jamaal Lascelles is really the team’s official captain. Rafael Benitez, who was pleased by the Englishman’s capacity to speak up in the dressing room, selected him to replace Fabricio Coloccini in August 2016.
With zero appearances in all competitions in 2024–2025, Lascelles is no longer a top player at St. James’ Park. Although it wouldn’t be shocking if he were relieved of his responsibilities in the upcoming seasons, Eddie Howe’s players must feel his influence in the locker room. Guimaraes would be the front-runner to succeed him if he remained at the club.
19Toti Gomes, Wolverhampton Wanderers
When Max Kilman departed Wolverhampton Wanderers to join West Ham at the beginning of the 2024–2025 season, Mario Lemina was the sole player to receive the armband. Nelson Semedo, who has since departed Juventus, took over the position after the former midfielder was relieved of his responsibilities a few months later.
Semedo handed the duty over to his countrymen and former teammate Toti Gomes, who is vital to Wolves’ defensive cohesion, now that he is at Fenerbahce. It’s difficult to argue that he merits a position any higher on the list, considering the calibre of talent he faces and the fact that he hasn’t won a Premier League game while captaining.
18Adam Smith, Bournemouth
The Brazilian custodian required a replacement after former captain Neto joined Arsenal on loan at the close of the 2024 summer transfer window. Andoni Iraola chose a man who had initially joined south coast-based Bournemouth on loan in 2010 as a reasonably simple replacement.
Adam Smith, a defender who has been with the team since 2014, has played with the Cherries from League One to the Premier League. He is a true red and black supporter. The former Tottenham youth was the best candidate to replace the out-on-loan custodian; his post-match comments following the alleged abuse of Antoine Semenyo was the epitome of Smith’s role as a tip-top captain.
17Nathan Collins, Brentford
Following the departure of Christian Norgaard to Arsenal and Thomas Frank to Tottenham Hotspur in the same summer, Brentford found itself in a bit of a bind. Keith Andrews, who took Frank’s place, had to make a critical choice: who would take the place of the former captain? Nathan Collins, the centre-back, stepped up.
The former Wolves defender is still only 24 years old, but he is invaluable to Old Gold supporters, so when talks took place during the summer, he was the ideal choice. His availability record earned him a big green checkmark next to his name, and he can see the entire pitch from his position at the back.
16Josh Cullen, Burnley
Josh Cullen is a fierce Irish defensive midfielder who has played for teams like Bradford City and Charlton Athletic. He is a well-liked character at Turf Moor. His teammates know they can always count on their captain to give it their all on the pitch, so they don’t hesitate to cover every blade of grass.
The choice was very straightforward after Josh Brownhill left to join Al-Shabab in Saudi Arabia during the summer. After being promoted to the top division, the Clarets needed an experienced player to take charge, and Cullen was the best person for the job. But it’s still unclear if Scott Parker and his group have chosen the right person.
15Lewis Dunk, Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion has reportedly only gotten better and better over the last few years. Although the Seagulls have had a succession of managers, including current manager Fabian Hurzeler, they have always played a fashionable and entertaining brand of football, which is typically supported by a strong defence. The steady Lewis Dunk, an England international with six caps, is at the core of that backline.
In recent years, Dunk has also experienced a significant surge in popularity. After graduating from the club’s youth in 2013, the towering center-half has guided Brighton into Europe and helped them move up the Premier League table. He is currently in his 12th season with the senior team.
14Tom Cairney, Fulham
The longest-serving captain on our list is Tom Cairney, who has led Fulham for nine years in total—an amazing accomplishment in and of itself. The Scottish midfielder was much more active in his early days with Fulham, and he received a lot of praise for his contribution to the team’s 2022 Championship triumph and return to the Premier League.
He has now played 359 games for the Cottagers, and although being 34 years old, he is rarely out of commission as Maro Silva and company aim to place in the top half of the standings each season. Cairney, who was born in Nottingham, is still a crucial member of the team even if he has mostly been used as a substitute in games this season.
13Ethan Ampadu, Leeds United
Ethan Ampadu, a Welsh midfielder, is now still with Leeds United, but a transfer to a more prestigious team is always in the works. His impact is unparalleled. He was named captain in the summer of 2024 after repeatedly captaining the Whites during the second part of 2023–2024.
In addition to being a fantastic player, he has a charming personality. His adaptability enables him to connect with many of his Leeds colleagues and move around the pitch with ease. Ampadu, who graduated from Chelsea’s academy, has been at Elland Road since the summer of 2023 after a few loan stints. Since then, neither the player nor the club have turned back.
12Ryan Yates, Nottingham Forest
Ryan Yates, a graduate of Nottingham Forest’s academy, is a Forest native and was a deserving successor to Joe Worrall when he departed the team in August 2024. Despite the numerous roster changes the Garibaldi have had since their 2022 promotion, Yates has stayed a constant and is having his greatest season with his boyhood club to date.
Better possibilities exist in terms of leadership and quality. However, no one is more worthy of the accolade than the City Ground team. Yates’ ascent from fighting for playing time in the National League to being named Forest’s captain was based on perseverance and diligence, two qualities that are essential for a Premier League captain.
11Seamus Coleman, Everton
If you found Dunk’s 11 years at Brighton impressive, how about Seamus Coleman’s 15 years at Everton? Coleman has been among the Premier League’s best right-backs ever since coming from the Irish leagues. Coleman, a straightforward but reliable player who consistently puts in a shift and handles the grunt work for his club, is reminiscent of the great full-backs of the 1990s.
Through good times and bad, the Irishman has been an amazing servant to Everton and always sets a great example for the players around him. Coleman would undoubtedly be ranked higher if we had done this three years ago. But as many captains play every week, his inability to be on the pitch in 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 hurts him.
10John McGinn, Aston Villa
No, John McGinn hasn’t won any significant championships with Aston Villa, but his unwavering devotion to the team puts him in the top tier of our list. The Scotsman is a traditional captain who puts his all on the pitch, speaks up to motivate his colleagues and doesn’t hesitate to step up and lead his team.
Additionally, he scored goals for Villa in the Champions League and helped them climb the standings in the top tier, which led to their promotion back to the Premier League in 2019. As a player who has frequently been criticised for his on-field skills, you can’t ask for much more.
9Granit Xhaka, Sunderland
Who, honestly, ever thought Granit Xhaka would captain Sunderland again in the Premier League? After playing a part in Bayer Leverkusen’s incredible 2023–2024 season after leaving Arsenal in the summer of 2023, the Swiss midfielder decided he needed another change of scenery. “I’ll use the Stadium of Light,” Xhaka stated.
Regis Le Bris, a respected midfielder on the international scene, put all their eggs in one basket when they signed the 32-year-old and quickly appointed him club captain. It is not to argue that Xhaka lacks the knowledge of the day-to-day operations, since he has already taken on the post in Germany and North London.
8Marc Guehi, Crystal Palace
Marc Guehi, a 25-year-old Crystal Palace player, has proven his leadership ability at many levels despite his youth. The 25-cap England international, who has led his nation’s under-21 team, has taken Joel Ward’s place as Selhurst Park’s captain.
There has been some controversy during his reign. After writing a religious statement on an armband honouring LGBTQ+ populations, Guehi came under fire from the FA. He was cautioned about the possibility that his acts could unintentionally insult others, but he chose not to receive official penalty. However, the defender’s bravery in standing up for what he believes shows a high degree of character.
7Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United
When Declan Rice joined rival London team Arsenal in the summer of 2023, West Ham United had a significant hole to fill. Kurt Zouma was selected to succeed him as club captain. David Moyes made a quite logical, if uninspired, decision, and England international Jarrod Bowen was awarded the armband in its place after just one season. Even now, he is still their captain.
Bowen, a winger who can also score goals more centrally, has seen it all in east London, from scoring in the Europa Conference League final to suffering some heartbreaking losses. You can always rely on the former Hull City sensation to deliver some magic, no matter the weather.
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