Players meeting expectations in the Premier League this season

The 2025/2026 Premier League season has been one of the most interesting so far, as the top teams in the competition have continued to show that they mean business.

However, there have been some surprise packages so far as well and for the first time in a long time, we can see a team move straight from the Championship and finish in a European place.

In the last few seasons, teams that are promoted to the Premier League go straight back down to the Championship because they struggle to cope with the pressure of competing against the top sides in the league.

This term, Burnley, Sunderland and Leeds United have looked far more prepared and have been more competitive than some of the clubs they have met in the top flight.

We could witness a situation where the three promoted clubs maintain their top-flight status at the end of this season, and every team doing well has its players to thank for their fine run of form.

More fans than ever are buying Premier League tickets from Seatsnet in their bid to get the best seats and watch the action.

In turn, clubs have delivered some really important performances to their fans, and we discuss some of the players who are truly meeting expectations this term.

Gabriel, Arsenal

For much of the time that William Saliba and Gabriel have been defensive partners at Arsenal, we have praised Saliba as the main character.

The Frenchman remains a terrific defender, and he is probably truly the best, but in the last two seasons, Gabriel has stood out.

As Arsenal gives Mikel Arteta a dream squad to work with, the ex-midfielder has singled Gabriel out for praise each time.

The Brazilian has not let his level drop as he has been competitive for them at the back, as well as when they have an attacking setpiece, which they need to score.

He is already one of the best scoring defenders in the Premier League since he moved to the competition, and at the back, he makes it hard for opposing strikers to get any chance.

Erling Haaland, Manchester City

Manchester City were incredibly smart to tie Erling Haaland to a new deal until 2035 because, without him this season, they would be nowhere near the top four.

The Citizens did not win a single trophy last season, and Haaland lost his Golden Boot to Mohamed Salah.

Questions were beginning to be asked about whether he is now going to decline, but he has taken his level of performance to another level this season.

The striker has simply been unstoppable, scoring 11 goals in nine EPL games so far, and he seems like the player whose goals will keep Manchester City in the title race, as he simply cannot stop breaking records.

Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool

Some fans questioned Liverpool’s decision to insist on signing Alexander Isak in the summer after they had completed a move for Hugo Ekitike.

However, in pursuit of a Galactico squad, the Reds pressed on and landed Isak, but they have not needed him.

This is because Ekitike has ended up selling more Liverpool tickets with his goals and overall performances for the Reds.

Liverpool have looked far more dangerous when the Frenchman is on the pitch than Isak, and he is also set to play for France at the World Cup as a partner of Kylian Mbappe.

Ekitike has been one of the best signings of the summer, and Liverpool will almost certainly get more goals from him than from Isak by the end of the season.

Martin Zubimendi, Arsenal

A year ago, Liverpool missed out on luring Zubimendi to the Premier League, but Arsenal did it this season.

The Spaniard is a smooth operator who has made Arsenal’s supporters forget about Thomas Partey, who was their leading midfielder last season.

Zubimendi arrives as one of the finest midfielders in Europe, and he has maintained that fine reputation with some really good performances for the Gunners.

Because of his impact and those of other new signings, this might be Arsenal’s year to win the Premier League title again.

Antoine Semenyo, Bournemouth

It is baffling that no major team signed Semenyo in the summer, as his other teammates were taken away from Bournemouth.

That has been great for the Cherries as the Ghanaian has continued his upward trajectory as one of the best players around.

Last season, he was a key man in the Bournemouth team that overperformed, and he is still their main man now.

Despite losing so many important players, they have maintained a fine standard, and it is because players like Semenyo have been meeting expectations at the club.

This season, it seems they could truly finally finish inside the European places, and his goals will be important if no club signs him in the January transfer window.

Granit Xhaka, Sunderland

Eyebrows were raised when Xhaka swapped Bayer Leverkusen and playing in the Champions League to move to newly promoted Sunderland, but what an impact he has made at the club.

Xhaka was a key man at Arsenal for several years, and his Premier League experience has been important for the Black Cats.

Sunderland has made a fantastic start to the season and is inspiring other newly promoted sides to do well.

After nine league games, they are in the top four, and it is hard not to think that they will stay in the league beyond this term because they seem prepared to stay in it for a long time.

Nick Woltemade, Newcastle United

After several strikers turned down a chance to replace Alexander Isak at Newcastle United, Woltemade agreed to join them.

The Magpies were told they had overpaid for him, but the German has simply been in fantastic form for them so far.

He has exceeded expectations and made Bayern critics of the huge fee paid for his signature eat their words.

Woltemade is no Isak, but he has the potential to perform even better than expected and has already made the Magpies move on from Isak.

Newcastle has not been at their flowing best since this season started, but he has done his job well, with his hold-up play and technique working perfectly with his teammates.

Moises Caicedo, Chelsea

Very few players have taken up the challenge to help Chelsea win this Premier League crown as much as Caicedo has.

Despite being a superb midfielder and doing his job to perfection, the Ecuador star has chipped in with important goals for the club.

This has been a tough season for the Blues, but with the input of players like Caicedo, they have continued to get results in key games.

He is one of the players that Enzo Maresca needs to stay in form if he wants to keep his job as the Blues manager for a long time.