Liverpool’s Premier League championship defence has begun shakily, Arsenal is gaining ground at the top of the league, and Manchester City, who are solely reliant on Erling Haaland’s sharpshooting ability, are there or thereabouts. That’s a quick look at how the 2025/26 season, which has the makings of an all-timer, has began in England.
Unlike past seasons, the three promoted sides – Sunderland, Leeds United, and Burnley – are showing to be worthy of their place in the English Premier League. There are, of course, individuals who live in the obscurity of mid-table.
But who are the top performers thus far? We’re only a few games into the current season, but it hasn’t stopped some players from seizing the opportunity. As a result, we’ve enlisted the assistance of WhoScored, who have assigned each player an overall rating from their respective debuts to 2025/26. Here are the top twenty.
20. Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool – 7.18
In a time when Liverpool, the reigning English champions, are looking for inspiration, Arne Slot has just had to look to the ever-dependable Dominik Szoboszlai, who has outperformed the likes of Mohames Salah, Alexander Isak, and Florian Wirtz on Merseyside. The Hungarian, a hardworking and versatile player, is frequently overlooked. He’s getting some well-deserved roses here.
19. Omar Alderete, Sunderland – 7.18
As Sunderland’s fantastic record continues, one has to give credit to their summer acquisitions, which included the arrival of Omar Alderete from Getafe. The 28-year-old Paraguay international has made an easy transition to Premier League football and is currently one of Regis Le Bris’ first choice players.
18. Trevoh Chalobah, Chelsea – 7.18
Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah may have defended poorly in his team’s recent 2-1 loss to Sunderland, but the Englishman is one of the top division’s best-performing players, with a rating of 7.18. The 26-year-old, who was born in Sierra Leone, has played the most of the Blues’ games this season in Levi Colwill’s absence, but his position is not as certain when his compatriot returns from injury.
17. Maxence Lacroix, Crystal Palace – 7.19
Maxence Lacroix has emerged as one of the Premier League’s greatest defenders this season, and Crystal Palace’s defence would be far more porous without him. His outstanding form alongside Marc Guehi and Chris Richards has sparked interest from Liverpool, and a big-money move could be on the way if he continues at this rate.
16. Marcos Senesi, Bournemouth – 7.20
Maxence Lacroix has emerged as one of the Premier League’s greatest defenders this season, and Crystal Palace’s defence would be far more porous without him. His outstanding form alongside Marc Guehi and Chris Richards has sparked interest from Liverpool, and a big-money move could be on the way if he continues at this rate.
16. Marcos Senesi, Bournemouth – 7.20
Given that Marco Senesi is the fourth of his kind in a row, central defenders appear to be in high demand this season, but with Dean Huijsen moving to Real Madrid, many believe Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth will struggle defensively. The defensively sound Argentine, who joined 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 status.
15. Yankuba Minteh, Brighton & Hove Albion – 7.23
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