FootyChatter.com

We've picked some of the top performers this season and want you to choose the best We have selected 14 of the most impressive players in the 2025/26 season from goalkeepers to goal corers and we want you to vote for your favourite. Five of our writers have also chosen their best player of 2025/26 so far, featuring two representatives from Arsenal and Manchester City apiece, and one from Manchester United. The defensive midfielder has produced consistently high-level performances in a turbulent season for Nottingham Forest. Anderson, one of the league’s leading passers, has been central to Forest’s fight against relegation, combining defensive diligence, game intelligence, incisive passing and creativity. That blend has elevated Anderson into the conversation as one of the world’s leading central midfielders. Fernandes is the assist king this season. He has dominated the race for the Coca-Cola Golden Playmaker award – with 14 so far – as he closes in on David Beckham’s Man Utd assist record (15) and the league-wide benchmark of 20, shared by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. The Portuguese midfielder has embodied everything positive about Man Utd’s momentum under Michael Carrick and pursuit of third place. The Brazilian has become the ultimate box-to-box midfielder, increasing his attacking output with nine goals and four assists. Crucially, this hasn’t come at the expense of his defensive responsibilities. The Newcastle captain remains one of the league’s leading disruptors and tempo-setters. This season has seen his influence on the team expand even further. Still the Premier League’s undisputed goal machine, Haaland is again leading the scoring charts and, if he continues on his current trajectory, he could threaten the 30-goal mark. Haaland has also evolved his game, turning creator with seven assists – the third-highest total this season – and contributing more to build-up play as he broadens his repertoire. He has even weighed in defensively this season, notably at set-pieces. Gabriel anchors the Premier League’s shrewdest defence. Arsenal have kept clean sheets in 12 of the 24 league games he has played, with his physicality, aerial dominance and aggressive, front-foot defending central to the record. In a season where Arsenal have been prolific from set-pieces, Gabriel has also contributed three goals and four assists. Long used as a winger and attacking midfielder, Joao Pedro has surged up the scoring charts since being moved into a striker position by Liam Rosenior. The Chelsea head coach has even placed him in the same bracket as Haaland. Joao Pedro’s speed, timing and finishing have fuelled his goal-scoring exploits. Only Haaland has scored more than his 14 goals from open play. Raya is on course to win the Coca-Cola Golden Glove for a third successive season. His role in Arsenal’s league-leading 14 clean sheets owes as much to his proactive style – comfortable sweeping far from his goal – as to his fine shot-stopping. Exceptionally well-rounded, he is also comfortable in possession and passing under pressure, and vital to Arsenal’s build-up play. Raya is the only Arsenal player not to have missed a minute in the Premier League this season. Rice has arguably developed into the Premier League’s most complete central midfielder. He balances defensive work with seamless transitions into attack, never appearing flustered. Arsenal are setting set-piece records and Rice has emerged as the primary taker of corners and dead balls. Rice’s growing leadership role has further underpinned his importance to the league leaders. Rogers has been the driving force behind Aston Villa’s season. The attacking midfielder has started every Premier League game, amassing 2, 590 minutes, and his strength, ball-carrying and eye for goal – he has eight goals and five assists – has made him Villa’s most influential attacking player as they continue to fight for a UEFA Champions League place. Semenyo was already one of the Premier League’s standout forwards in the first half of the season at AFC Bournemouth and has only improved since his January transfer to Manchester City. The Ghanaian has adapted instantly to Pep Guardiola’s demands, adding firepower to City’s pursuit of Arsenal at the top of the table, playing out wide or in a front two. The Hungarian has been versatile, relentless and high-impact in a challenging season for Liverpool. Head coach Arne Slot described him as the “best in the world” at pressing, and he has maintained a consistently high level across multiple positions as varied as right back and attacking midfield. He has scored from three direct free-kicks, including stunning efforts against Arsenal and Man City. With 18 league goals, Thiago is giving Haaland serious competition for the Coca-Cola Premier League Golden Boot. His phenomenal scoring has been crucial to Brentford’s push for European football when many wondered how they would cope after losing forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa last summer. No Brazilian has ever scored as many Premier League goals as Thiago in a season. Wilson is in the form of his life, with 15 goal contributions in 27 games – many of them match-defining goals and assists. He has been Fulham’s most effective creator and is on course to reach double figures for league goals for the first time in his career on nine already. Wilson’s eye-catching contributions have set Fulham up for an end-of-season charge towards European qualification. Few expected Sunderland to take to the Premier League so convincingly after promotion, but nobody will be surprised that Xhaka is at the heart of it. Signed in the summer from German side Bayer Leverkusen, he has transformed their midfield into a solid top-flight unit, setting consistently high standards and driving performance levels. Xhaka stabilises the team and still possesses one of the most reliable left feet in the league.