Haaland running hot, Arsenal purring: the Premier League’s top 20 by the numbers
Five minutes into this season and you could tell it was going to be chaos. Liverpool’s title defence has started like a shopping trolley with a wonky wheel, Arsenal have planted their flag at the summit, and Manchester City — yes, utterly reliant on the cyborg-esque finishing of Erling Haaland — are lurking ominously. Meanwhile, Regis Le Bris has Sunderland flying on the updraft like they’ve been here for years. So, who’s actually bossing it on the pitch? The WhoScored numbers have done the legwork — here’s the top 20 so far in 2025/26.
For those poring over the form book — or checking the odds on the best betting sites — these ratings tell you who’s carrying sides, who’s running games, and who’s quietly building a case for end-of-season gongs.
Headline verdict: Haaland is miles clear on 7.81; City teammates Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku sit next at 7.39; Arsenal’s engine Declan Rice and set-piece menace Gabriel Magalhães share 7.30, with Bukayo Saka at 7.23 — a title-winning spine if ever you saw one.
The headline act: Haaland, and then daylight
Erling Haaland (Manchester City) — 7.81: Fifteen goals in fifteen league outings. That’s not a purple patch; that’s his factory setting. The movement is robotic, the finishes are ruthless, and City’s title push still feels tied to that left boot.
City’s supporting cast are back on song
Phil Foden — 7.39: Six goals and two assists tell part of the story; the rest is his effortless glide between the lines, finding pockets no one else sees. In this mood, he dictates entire afternoons.
Jeremy Doku — 7.39: Pep’s antidote to sterile possession. Direct, daring, and five goal involvements already. He stretches teams until they snap.
Arsenal’s iron core
Declan Rice — 7.30: With extra freedom to stride on, he’s become the metronome and the momentum. Wins it, drives it, decides it.
Gabriel Magalhães — 7.30: A weapon in both boxes. Arsenal have leaned into their set-pieces and the Brazilian has cashed the cheques — even while nursing a knock.
Bukayo Saka — 7.23: Four league goals and the usual assurance on the right. From academy kid to bona fide match-winner, his consistency is now elite.
Palace: granite at the back, thrust down the flank
Marc Guéhi — 7.27: Captaincy material all day. Reads danger early and snuffs it out — a summer move will tempt plenty if his deal runs down.
Daniel Muñoz — 7.20: Relentless up the right, balanced by proper defensive bite. An 8/10 merchant most weeks at Selhurst.
Maxence Lacroix — 7.11: Pace, aerial presence and cleaner passing than he’s credited for. A canny summer pickup paying off.
United’s conductor, Chelsea’s engine, Spurs’ spark
Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) — 7.33: The goals, the chance creation, the tempo — United without him would be a flatline. The arm-waving masks an elite operator.
Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) — 7.15: Eats ground for breakfast and turns transitions in Chelsea’s favour. The price tag looks less noisy with each dominant shift.
Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) — 7.18: Not flawless, but dependable in a back line that’s had moving parts. His minutes matter while others rehab.
Cristián Romero (Tottenham) — 7.15: Yes, aggressive — but that’s only half the story. Sharp passing, big interventions, and the odd spectacular goal for good measure.
Mohammed Kudus (Tottenham) — 7.21: Seven goal contributions and a problem for any back four. Can play across the front and still look like the main event.
Bournemouth buzz, Everton edge, and a Liverpool livewire
Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth) — 7.15: Reads the game well and steps in with assurance. Understated, effective.
Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) — 7.12: All-action on the flank and looks every inch a big-move forward. Confidence sky-high.
James Tarkowski (Everton) — 7.11: A throwback leader. Heads, kicks, organises — and lets the flair lads get the plaudits.
Iliman Ndiaye (Everton) — 7.11: Four goals and two assists in 15; glides past people like it’s schoolyard stuff. When the switch flicks, defenders are passengers.
Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) — 7.10: Slot’s Swiss Army knife — midfield, right-back, right wing — plus the occasional rocket from range. A standout in a stuttering defence of the crown.
Wearside wonders
Granit Xhaka (Sunderland) — 7.17: Fresh from running things in Leverkusen, he’s brought calm authority to the newly promoted high-flyers. The brain and the bark of Le Bris’s midfield.
The top 20 at a glance (WhoScored ratings)
1) Erling Haaland — Manchester City — 7.81
2) Phil Foden — Manchester City — 7.39
3) Jeremy Doku — Manchester City — 7.39
4) Bruno Fernandes — Manchester United — 7.33
5) Gabriel Magalhães — Arsenal — 7.30
6) Declan Rice — Arsenal — 7.30
7) Marc Guéhi — Crystal Palace — 7.27
8) Bukayo Saka — Arsenal — 7.23
9) Mohammed Kudus — Tottenham Hotspur — 7.21
10) Daniel Muñoz — Crystal Palace — 7.20
11) Trevoh Chalobah — Chelsea — 7.18
12) Granit Xhaka — Sunderland — 7.17
13) Moisés Caicedo — Chelsea — 7.15
14) Cristián Romero — Tottenham Hotspur — 7.15
15) Marcos Senesi — Bournemouth — 7.15
16) Antoine Semenyo — Bournemouth — 7.12
17) Maxence Lacroix — Crystal Palace — 7.11
18) Iliman Ndiaye — Everton — 7.11
19) James Tarkowski — Everton — 7.11
20) Dominik Szoboszlai — Liverpool — 7.10
All data via WhoScored and Transfermarkt, correct as of 10/12/2025.
