The debate over the Premier League’s best player rarely produces a straightforward answer. With the 2026-27 campaign gathering momentum, performances, statistics and consistency are already reshaping the conversation.
The latest edition of the Premier League Player Rankings assesses the division’s leading 50 players based on their performances during the opening stages of the season.
The rankings will continue to be reviewed monthly as players rise, fall and compete for a place among the league’s elite.
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50. Bart Verbruggen — Brighton & Hove Albion
Verbruggen has continued to make progress between the posts for Brighton. The Dutch goalkeeper is looking increasingly assured in the Premier League and is beginning to establish himself among the division’s dependable goalkeepers.
49. Kevin Schade — Brentford
Schade has made an energetic start to the campaign. His performances have included a brace against Bournemouth and an impressive display against Leeds. His pace, physical strength and direct style have added another dimension to Brentford’s attack.
48. Pascal Gross — Brighton & Hove Albion
Gross continues to show that age has done little to diminish his quality. At 35, the experienced midfielder remains one of Brighton’s most technically accomplished players.
He has registered three goals and three assists in five league matches and also scored against Arsenal. His commanding performance in Brighton’s Carabao Cup win over Manchester United further underlined his influence.
47. Dominic Calvert-Lewin — Leeds United
Calvert-Lewin has enjoyed a remarkable turnaround since joining Leeds. He has scored 16 goals in his last 30 Premier League appearances, providing an impressive response after his difficult final period at Everton.
His return to form has also earned him another opportunity with England.
46. Cody Gakpo — Liverpool
Gakpo has responded strongly after questions surrounding his future at Liverpool. The Netherlands international has produced one goal and three assists in five league appearances and has also demonstrated that he can operate effectively from the right side.
His versatility could prove increasingly useful as Liverpool manage their attacking options.
45. Matheus Cunha — Manchester United
Cunha remains one of the league’s most naturally gifted attackers. His close control, creativity and ability to find the net from different positions make him a constant threat.
However, he has yet to sustain his best level consistently during the early part of the season.
44. Eberechi Eze — Arsenal
Eze possesses the creativity and individual ability to change the outcome of a match. However, he has not yet established himself as an automatic starter for Arsenal.
His opportunities could increase following the club’s recent setback against Brighton.
43. Kai Havertz — Arsenal
Havertz has scored twice in five appearances and continues to demonstrate his value through intelligent movement and link-up play.
His ability to connect different areas of Arsenal’s attack has made him an important part of Mikel Arteta’s plans.
42. Igor Thiago — Brentford
Thiago’s finishing earned him a place in Brazil’s World Cup plans, although his shooting has been less convincing during the opening weeks of the new campaign.
He eventually opened his league account against Chelsea after attempting numerous shots. Brentford will expect his goalscoring form to improve as he settles further into the season.
41. Mamadou Sangare — Brentford
Sangare has quickly caught the eye since beginning his Premier League career. His performance against Tottenham was particularly impressive, with the Mali international showing excellent ball-carrying ability, passing range and defensive energy.
His capacity to win possession could make him an important player for Brentford.
40. Alex Scott — Bournemouth
Scott has emerged as one of Bournemouth’s leading performers. The midfielder combines strength and intelligence with energetic movement and progressive ball carrying.
His ability to operate in different midfield roles also gives Bournemouth useful tactical flexibility.
39. Rayan — Bournemouth
Rayan has been heavily involved in Bournemouth’s attacking play but has struggled to convert his opportunities into goals.
The Brazilian has shown flashes of his potential, and greater consistency in the final third could significantly increase his influence.
38. Riccardo Calafiori — Arsenal
Calafiori has added an attacking edge to Arsenal’s left side. His willingness to move forward, overlap and drift into central areas has created additional options for Arteta.
His early performances suggest he is becoming increasingly comfortable with the freedom given to him.
37. Emiliano Martinez — Chelsea
Martinez completed a late move to Chelsea and subsequently took over as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.
His experience and ability to make important saves give Chelsea an established presence behind their defence.
36. Adam Wharton — Crystal Palace
Wharton continues to enhance his reputation as an outstanding young midfielder. His composure and technical ability have made him an increasingly valuable player for Crystal Palace.
His performances have also continued to attract attention from elsewhere.
35. Phil Foden — Manchester City
Foden has shown encouraging signs of returning to his previous level after a difficult period.
The Manchester City midfielder appears to have benefited from the arrival of new manager Enzo Maresca, although his progress has been interrupted by suspension following the Manchester derby.
34. Bryan Mbeumo — Manchester United
Mbeumo has scored twice so far this season and remains a key source of energy in United’s attack.
His speed, movement and ability to attack space behind defensive lines make him particularly dangerous when United transition quickly.
33. Marc Guehi — Manchester City
Guehi has provided City with reliability and composure in defence. He is not a player who regularly seeks the spotlight, but his positioning, discipline and ability to contribute in midfield have made him an important member of the squad.
32. Alexis Mac Allister — Liverpool
Mac Allister has not quite reached his best level during the opening weeks, although there have been signs of improvement.
The Argentina international remains a crucial part of Liverpool’s midfield despite the ongoing discussion surrounding his contract.
31. Reece James — Chelsea
James made a positive start by appearing in each of Chelsea’s first six competitive fixtures.
However, another hamstring problem forced him out of the club’s defeat to Brentford and also ruled him out of England’s upcoming matches. His continued fitness remains an important issue for Chelsea.
30. Hugo Ekitike — Liverpool
Ekitike has yet to make a significant contribution this season because of the Achilles injury he suffered in April.
Liverpool will be hoping for a full recovery, as his return would give their attack another important option.
29. Ismaila Sarr — Crystal Palace
Sarr has been restricted to just a brief league appearance because of injury.
His absence has been particularly noticeable after an impressive 2025-26 campaign in which he established himself as one of Palace’s most influential attacking players.
28. Granit Xhaka — Sunderland
Xhaka has quickly become a major figure at Sunderland. His experience, leadership and technical quality have given the club a midfielder capable of controlling the tempo and providing stability.
27. Ruben Dias — Manchester City
Dias has begun the season in excellent form. The Portugal international continues to provide leadership at the back and remains one of Manchester City’s most dependable defenders.
His goal-line clearance against Sunderland was another demonstration of his importance.
26. Alisson — Liverpool
Alisson remains among the Premier League’s elite goalkeepers. Despite being 33, he continues to produce important saves at crucial moments.
His stop to deny Evanilson against Bournemouth was another example of his enduring quality.
25. Antoine Semenyo — Manchester City
Semenyo’s opening weeks were relatively quiet, despite providing two assists.
That changed dramatically against Sunderland, where the Ghana international scored twice and supplied another assist in what was comfortably his most influential performance of the season.
24. Ezri Konsa — Arsenal
Konsa has performed with impressive consistency during William Saliba’s absence. His calm defending has helped Arsenal cope with the loss of one of their leading centre-backs.
His performances have reinforced his value to Arteta’s defence.
23. Florian Wirtz — Liverpool
Wirtz has found the transition to Liverpool more difficult than expected. The German remains a highly talented player, but his influence has not yet matched the expectations surrounding his arrival.
Whether the issue is tactical, positional or simply adaptation to the Premier League remains a subject of discussion.
22. Morgan Gibbs-White — Nottingham Forest
Gibbs-White has continued to provide creativity and positive energy for Forest.
He has recorded one goal and two assists in the league so far and remains an important attacking outlet for the club.
21. Gianluigi Donnarumma — Manchester City
Donnarumma has quickly settled into his new surroundings. While occasional mistakes have occurred, his ability to produce outstanding saves has already been evident.
His fingertip stop to deny Bryan Mbeumo in the Manchester derby was among his early highlights.
20. Jeremy Doku — Manchester City
Doku has dropped one place after missing time through injury.
He has not featured since the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal, but his pace and one-on-one ability remain important weapons that City will welcome back once he is fit.
19. Alexander Isak — Liverpool
Isak has started to rediscover his goalscoring touch, finding the net four times in his opening five league matches.
His natural finishing ability gives him the potential to climb considerably higher if he maintains this level of form.
18. Joao Pedro — Chelsea
Joao Pedro has continued the strong form he showed last season. He has scored three goals and created another three in four league appearances.
His progress has been interrupted by an injury, which represents a significant setback for Chelsea.
17. Virgil van Dijk — Liverpool
Van Dijk remains a central figure for Liverpool, although there are signs that some aspects of his game are no longer at the level seen during his peak years.
Nevertheless, his leadership, experience and partnership with Jeremy Jacquet continue to provide Liverpool with valuable defensive stability.
16. Dominik Szoboszlai — Liverpool
Szoboszlai has slipped down the rankings following Liverpool’s uneven start to the season.
The Hungary international has not been solely responsible for the team’s midfield problems, but his performances have been affected by Liverpool’s struggles. He has nevertheless produced moments of individual quality.
15. Martin Odegaard — Arsenal
Odegaard has made an impressive early-season response after a disappointing previous campaign.
He has already scored twice in the league and looks considerably more confident and influential in Arsenal’s midfield.
14. Cole Palmer — Chelsea
Palmer appears to be moving beyond the difficult spell that affected him last season.
His understanding with Morgan Rogers has added another creative dimension to Chelsea’s attack, although the team’s defensive issues remain an area requiring attention.
13. Enzo Fernandez — Manchester City
Fernandez has adapted well since moving from Chelsea to Manchester City.
His relationship with Maresca appears to be working effectively, while his technical ability and passing have made him an important part of City’s midfield.
12. Moises Caicedo — Chelsea
Caicedo has had little opportunity to influence the campaign after an injury limited him to only 13 minutes of league football.
Chelsea have made an energetic but inconsistent start, and his ball-winning ability and defensive protection could prove particularly valuable once he returns.
11. Morgan Rogers — Chelsea
Rogers has made an excellent start since joining Chelsea from Aston Villa.
His ability to find space between the lines appears well suited to the team’s system, and his attacking influence has already made him one of Chelsea’s most prominent performers.
10. Rayan Cherki — Manchester City
Cherki has produced several outstanding attacking moments during the opening weeks of the campaign.
He created both goals in City’s comeback against Bournemouth, scored twice against Crystal Palace and added another goal against Sunderland.
His creativity, technical ability and unpredictability make him one of the Premier League’s most entertaining attacking players.
9. David Raya — Arsenal
Raya has repeatedly delivered when Arsenal have needed him. His saves have helped the club collect valuable points, while his penalty stop against Sunderland was another decisive intervention.
However, Brighton’s pressing caused him problems during Arsenal’s latest defeat.
8. William Saliba — Arsenal
Saliba’s importance to Arsenal has been particularly clear during his absence.
The club’s decision to bring in Konsa to strengthen the position illustrates the level of defensive security Saliba normally provides. His recovery will be closely followed as Arsenal look to maintain their defensive strength.
7. Bukayo Saka — Arsenal
Saka has made one of his strongest starts to a league campaign in several years, scoring three times in Arsenal’s first five matches.
He has also registered 15 shots during that period, highlighting his willingness to remain a major attacking threat.
6. Bruno Guimaraes — Arsenal
Guimaraes has become an influential figure in Arsenal’s midfield through his energy, aggression and ability to contribute at important moments.
His performance against Sunderland showed his capacity to affect decisive moments, although his display against Brighton was considerably less convincing.
5. Bruno Fernandes — Manchester United
Fernandes has experienced an inconsistent beginning to the season.
The Portugal international produced a remarkable performance against Ipswich, scoring a hat-trick and providing an assist, but he has struggled to impose himself with the same authority in other matches.
Despite that inconsistency, he remains one of United’s most influential players.
4. Elliot Anderson — Manchester City
Anderson has made an immediate impact since completing his £116 million move.
The midfielder has quickly become an important part of City’s midfield alongside Fernandez and Ayyoub Bouaddi. His performances will be particularly significant as the club adjusts to the absence of Rodri.
3. Declan Rice — Arsenal
Rice continues to demonstrate remarkable consistency despite the demanding workload he has carried over recent seasons.
His ability to contribute defensively while driving Arsenal forward has made him one of the most influential midfielders in the division.
2. Gabriel — Arsenal
Gabriel has played a major role in Arsenal’s strong defensive record during the opening part of the campaign.
Before the defeat to Brighton, Arsenal had conceded only twice across seven matches in all competitions. The Brazilian defender’s positioning, physical presence and defensive discipline have been central to that record.
1. Erling Haaland — Manchester City
Haaland retains the number one position after another productive start to the season.
The Manchester City striker has continued to deliver despite changes around him, including the arrival of a new manager. His ability to consistently find scoring opportunities remains one of the defining features of his game.
His decisive contribution in the Manchester derby was another reminder of the threat he poses in front of goal.
With Haaland leading the attack, Manchester City continue to possess one of the Premier League’s most dangerous goalscoring options.
