Premier League Player Rankings for the 2026-27 Campaign

The Athletic embarks on a mission to answer a contentious question: Who is the best player in the Premier League? This journey begins with the launch of their Premier League Player Rankings for the 2026-27 season. This endeavor aims to use form, data, and expert evaluations by Phil Hay and Tim Spiers to identify the top 50 footballers in the league. Updated monthly, the list initially considers performances from last season while anticipating the talents awaiting discovery this season.

Despite the departures of notable players like Mohamed Salah and Rodri, the league remains formidable. Surprisingly, some high-profile and expensive players, including a £55 million midfielder and a £73 million striker, do not feature on the list. Even a World Cup-winning goalkeeper might not see much play this season, underscoring the fierce competition.

Before diving into debates and suggestions, here are the rankings:

50. Jordan Pickford (Everton)

Known for his consistency and resilience, Pickford maintains his reputation as one of England’s top goalkeepers.

49. Iliman Ndiaye (Everton)

A creative force, Ndiaye is celebrated for his dribbling skills, ranking second only to Jeremy Doku last season.

48. Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)

Having found his form with Barcelona, Rashford returns to Manchester United with renewed potential.

47. Alex Scott (Bournemouth)

A player of the year for Bournemouth, Scott’s forward-thinking style promises a bright future.

46. Youri Tielemans (Manchester United)

Renowned for his creativity, Tielemans is expected to enhance Manchester United’s attacking strategy.

45. Matheus Cunha (Manchester United)

Cunha’s journey from Wolves to Manchester United saw him adapt and show flashes of brilliance.

44. Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur)

Despite Tottenham’s low finish last season, van de Ven’s capabilities shine, surpassing mere speed records.

43. Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)

A joyous player, Eze hopes to build on the success of winning the Premier League title last season.

42. Rayan (Bournemouth)

After moving from Vasco da Gama, Rayan has quickly justified the club’s confidence in him.

41. Mateus Fernandes (Tottenham Hotspur)

Previously with West Ham, Fernandes proves himself a valuable midfield asset at just 22 years old.

40. Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal)

Known for his strength, Gyokeres faces critiques on consistency but has massive potential.

39. Sandro Tonali (Tottenham Hotspur)

Tonali’s move from Newcastle to Tottenham has attracted attention, emphasizing his skill set.

38. Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

With impressive goal tallies, Watkins stands as a consistent striker for Aston Villa.

37. Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)

Wharton’s exceptional passing and midfield intelligence earmark him for greatness.

36. Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United)

Despite skepticism about his move, Mbeumo met expectations with his speed and attack-focused play.

35. Marc Guehi (Manchester City)

A leader in defense, Guehi stands as a cornerstone of Manchester City and the England squad.

34. Phil Foden (Manchester City)

After previous success, Foden seeks to rejuvenate his performance this season.

33. Igor Thiago (Brentford)

Brentford’s focal point, Thiago’s goal-scoring ability makes him integral to the team’s strategy.

32. Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa)

A calm presence in defense, Konsa’s consistency attracts attention from top clubs.

31. Reece James (Chelsea)

Despite injury setbacks, James remains one of the strongest right-backs in the league.

30. Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City)

A commanding goalkeeper known for game-saving performances, Donnarumma is vital to City’s success.

29. Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)

Striving to regain top form, Mac Allister remains a critical element in Liverpool’s tactical plans.

28. Ruben Dias (Manchester City)

Esteemed for his defensive acumen, Dias is a pivotal figure in City’s defense.

27. Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest)

A dynamic midfielder, Gibbs-White’s value increases as he matures into his role.

26. Granit Xhaka (Sunderland)

Instrumental for Sunderland, Xhaka’s influence transcends his on-field contributions, making him a leader.

25. Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)

Resilient despite injuries, Odegaard plays an integral part in Arsenal’s strategic plans.

24. Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool)

Despite an injury setback, Ekitike showed promise and will be a key player upon return.

23. Morgan Rogers (Chelsea)

A high-priced acquisition, Rogers’ physicality and skill are set to pay off for Chelsea.

22. Alisson (Liverpool)

Despite physical challenges, Alisson remains indispensable to Liverpool as a top goalkeeper.

21. Alexander Isak (Liverpool)

Returning with high expectations, Isak aims to match past goal-scoring feats.

20. Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace)

Sarr’s outstanding performances are the hallmark of Crystal Palace’s competitive edge.

19. Jeremy Doku (Manchester City)

Known for his relentless attacking style, Doku adapts to a new team dynamic at City.

18. Joao Pedro (Chelsea)

In his first Chelsea season, Joao Pedro impressed with 20 goals and consistent play.

17. Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea)

Fernandez’s powerful presence in midfield is crucial for Chelsea’s success.

16. Rayan Cherki (Manchester City)

An enchanting talent, Cherki’s artistry on the ball is unmatched, captivating fans.

15. David Raya (Arsenal)

Raya proves his worth by consistently delivering game-changing saves.

14. Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City)

Naturally aggressive and direct, Semenyo remains a formidable attacking force.

13. Cole Palmer (Chelsea)

Rebounding from last season’s challenges, Palmer seeks to elevate his performance this year.

12. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

A veteran of the defense, Van Dijk aims to maintain his high standards amidst new challenges.

11. Florian Wirtz (Liverpool)

Despite an underwhelming start, Wirtz holds potential for significant impact next season.

10. Elliot Anderson (Manchester City)

With a hefty transfer fee, expectations are high for Anderson to excel at the elite level.

9. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

Known for his flair and effectiveness, Saka is central to Arsenal’s attacking prowess.

8. Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool)

Emerging as a leader at Anfield, Szoboszlai excels in set-piece scenarios.

7. Moises Caicedo (Chelsea)

Highly regarded for his defensive abilities, Caicedo is essential to Chelsea’s midfield dynamics.

6. Bruno Guimaraes (Arsenal)

Key to Arsenal’s aspirations, Guimaraes’ adaptability makes him a valuable asset.

5. William Saliba (Arsenal)

Paired with Gabriel, Saliba complements Arsenal’s defensive strength.

4. Gabriel (Arsenal)

A pillar of Arsenal’s defense, Gabriel combines strength and strategic impact.

3. Declan Rice (Arsenal)

A standout performer, Rice’s influence helped secure Arsenal’s title win last season.

2. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)

Widely praised for his playmaking, Fernandes carries significant weight for Manchester United.

1. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

Renowned for his goal-scoring capabilities, Haaland remains unmatched in the Premier League.