Premier League 2025-26 Kicks Off: Big Stars Leave, New Faces Rise – Here’s the Top 50 Players to Watch
Premier League 2025-26 kicks off with Liverpool vs Bournemouth. See ESPN’s Top 50 players list, big transfers, and rising stars to watch this season.
The wait is over — the Premier League 2025-26 season is back! Defending champions Liverpool kick things off this Friday as they host Bournemouth at Anfield. From there, we have 37 more action-packed matchdays before the world turns its attention to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
If you’ve been “resting” from football this summer, you may have missed some huge changes. While transfer headlines were filled with record signings, three Premier League legends quietly said goodbye.
- Kevin De Bruyne – The midfield magician, considered by many as the best in Premier League history, has joined Napoli.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool’s assist king and the most creative fullback in league history, is now at Real Madrid.
- Son Heung-Min – Tottenham’s superstar and one of the most loved players in world football, has signed for LAFC after 10 seasons in North London.
These three stars have been consistent top-25 players in ESPN’s annual Premier League rankings — and now, for the first time in years, they’re missing from the list. So, who replaces them in ESPN’s Premier League Top 50 players of 2025-26?
How the Top 50 Players Were Ranked
Ranking the best Premier League players is no easy task. Advanced football analytics now track everything — passes, sprints, shots — but most of a player’s impact still comes without the ball.
This year’s list values two main things:
- Consistent playing time – Regular starters get extra credit.
- On-field performance – From goals and assists to defensive contributions.
The backbone of this year’s ranking is Michael Imburgio’s DAVIES model, which measures everything a player does with the ball while adjusting for position and age. Naturally, players who create danger near the goal tend to rank higher.
The list also leans heavily on last season’s performance, with a little consideration for previous years. Injured players have been ranked cautiously, and exciting new arrivals like Viktor Gyökeres and Hugo Ekitike will have to prove themselves before breaking into the top 25.
Top 50 Premier League Players 2025-26 – Key Highlights
1. Antonee Robinson
Three consecutive seasons with over 3,000 minutes played. Last year, only three players had more assists, two made more tackles+interceptions, and only two clocked a faster top speed. An elite, reliable defender with the stamina to match.
2. Kai Havertz
Arsenal’s top scorer last season despite missing almost half the campaign. Beyond goals, Havertz excels at pressing, winning headers, and linking play.
3. Murillo
The defensive wall of Nottingham Forest. Blocks shots, clears danger, and contributes to counter-attacks.
4. Martín Zubimendi
After being chased by Liverpool and Arsenal, Zubimendi now faces the challenge of creating more attacking influence in a possession-heavy team.
5. Dango Ouattara & Savinho
Two young attackers with massive impact in limited minutes. Savinho was second in expected possession value from open play, while Ouattara ranked in the top 15 for non-penalty goals+assists and worked tirelessly off the ball.
Why This Season Will Be Unmissable
The Premier League 2025-26 season is already shaping up to be one of the most exciting in years. With legendary names gone, a wave of new talent is ready to step up. Fans can expect an intense title race, breakout performances, and plenty of surprises.
From Liverpool’s title defense to Arsenal’s push for glory and the fight for survival at the bottom, every matchday will be packed with drama.
