The Premier League has once again delivered a year of standout performances, landmark records and breakout stars. Over the past 12 months, elite quality has emerged across every position
— from relentless midfield engines to history-making goalscorers.
Football writer Dan Edwards has selected his top 11 Premier League players of 2025, ranking those who have defined the calendar year with consistency, influence and excellence. Here’s how the list shapes up — now it’s over to you to decide whether you agree.
- Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Declan Rice has become the heartbeat of Arsenal and one of the most complete midfielders in world football. A future captain in waiting for both club and country, Rice’s authority is felt in every phase of play.
Once a centre-back, his evolution into a dominant midfielder has been remarkable. In 2025, he ranks fourth in the league for chances created (65), while his dead-ball quality has produced 17 big chances — second only to Mohamed Salah.
Renowned for his powerful surges from deep, Rice leads all midfielders for progressive carries (310), underlining his unmatched influence at the top of the pitch and the base of it.
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
If goals decide greatness, Erling Haaland has few equals. The Manchester City striker has scored an astonishing 27 Premier League goals in 2025, finishing 10 clear of his nearest rival.
In December, Haaland became the fastest player in history to reach 100 Premier League goals, achieving the feat in just 111 matches and breaking Alan Shearer’s long-standing record.
With Shearer’s all-time tally of 260 goals now in his sights, Haaland’s relentless scoring suggests the record books may yet be rewritten again.
- Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest)
Elliot Anderson’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Now one of the league’s most influential all-round midfielders, he has emerged as a genuine contender for England’s starting XI at the 2026 World Cup.
In 2025, only Bruno Fernandes has played more line-breaking passes among midfielders, while Anderson leads all players for duels won (266) and possession recoveries (273).
Forest fans may want to savour every performance — interest from elsewhere feels inevitable.
- Antoine Semenyo (AFC Bournemouth)
Antoine Semenyo has been one of the league’s most devastating attackers in 2025. Despite playing outside the traditional top sides, the ambidextrous winger has delivered 21 goals and assists, placing him joint fourth overall.
Excluding penalties, only Haaland has outscored him this year. His impact places him alongside Ghanaian great Tony Yeboah as one of the nation’s most productive Premier League forwards.
Few players are combining power, pace and end product quite like Semenyo right now.
- Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Manchester United’s reliance on Bruno Fernandes remains absolute. The captain has been the Premier League’s outstanding creative force in 2025, topping almost every attacking metric.
He leads the league for assists, expected assists, chances created, penalty-area passes, line-breaking passes and through-balls — an extraordinary body of work.
Add his tireless pressing and defensive contributions, and Fernandes stands as one of the most complete midfield leaders in the division.
- Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
While the latter part of 2025 dipped below Mohamed Salah’s usual standards, his first half of the year was utterly dominant.
Liverpool’s title triumph in May was driven by Salah’s 29 goals and 18 assists, earning him EA Sports Player of the Season honours. Across the calendar year, he still ranks second for total goal involvements, behind only Haaland.
Even now, Salah leads the league for chances created and expected assists from open play — proof of his sustained excellence.
- Daniel Muñoz (Crystal Palace)
Crystal Palace’s downturn following Daniel Muñoz’s injury underlined just how important the Colombian has become.
With 11 goal involvements, Muñoz leads all defenders in 2025, while also ranking among the league’s best for tackles and interceptions. Palace’s defensive solidity has noticeably suffered in his absence.
Few full-backs combine attacking output and defensive intensity as effectively as Muñoz.
- Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United)
Bryan Mbeumo’s move from Brentford to Manchester United has looked inspired. Carrying his prolific form into a bigger spotlight, he has registered 16 goals and six assists in 2025.
His creative numbers suggest even more could have followed, with only Fernandes recording a higher expected assists total. Off the ball, Mbeumo’s pressing places him among the league’s most industrious wingers.
At 26, his peak years may still lie ahead.
- Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
Once released by Manchester City, Morgan Rogers has re-emerged as one of the Premier League’s brightest stars.
Now central to Aston Villa’s unlikely title push, the 23-year-old leads the league for open-play assists in 2025 and has the most combined goals and assists of any English player.
Named PFA Young Player of the Year, Rogers looks destined to become one of the defining faces of the league.
- David Raya (Arsenal)
David Raya’s consistency has anchored the Premier League’s best defence. With nine clean sheets this season and 15 across the calendar year, he stands clear as the standout goalkeeper of 2025.
While Jordan Pickford leads in goals prevented, Raya’s command, distribution and reliability within Arsenal’s system set him apart.
A third consecutive Golden Glove now looks well within reach.
- Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal)
Gabriel Magalhães has been the cornerstone of Arsenal’s defensive dominance. Powerful in both penalty areas, he embodies Mikel Arteta’s vision of control and physical authority.
Arsenal’s defensive record dipped sharply during his injury absence, underlining his importance. Whether repelling attacks or threatening at set pieces, Gabriel remains indispensable. Photo by Damine178, Wikimedia commons.