Top 30 Premier League Players Right Now Ranked
The Premier League is the richest and most competitive division in the world and so is home to some of the best players on the planet right now.
We are nearly two months into the 2026-27 Premier League campaign and no closer to knowing what will happen come next May.
Man City and Arsenal look set for another title battle for the ages, while the likes of Brighton and Brentford are continuing to upset the apple cart and impress consistently.
Several established stars have reinforced their quality since the start of the campaign, while many are breaking through across the league to become known names among fans for the first time.
Football Insider have picked out the 30 best Premier League players right now, strictly based on current form and the impact they are having on their respective teams.
30. Mohamed Belloumi (Hull City)
Hull star Belloumi is among the leaders for goals and assists in the Premier League so far this season, following a recent brace against Chelsea and a late strike against Everton. He has emerged as a real star for the Tigers after struggling with injury issues last season.
The 24-year-old also scored twice on international duty recently for Algeria and truly looks to be in the form of his career as it stands. Hull fans will hope his strong form continues as they strive for survival on their return to the top flight.
29. Lewis Hall (Newcastle)
Hall is one of the Premier League’s best left-backs and has continued to prove his quality at Newcastle despite their struggles under Matthias Jaissle. The 22-year-old already has a couple of goal contributions and recently shone for England as he aims to become a starter in Thomas Tuchel’s back four.
He seems destined for the top and looks to have overcome his recent injury issues to play nearly every minute in the top flight so far this season. Hall ranks among the best full-backs in 2026-27 for big chances created, successful dribbles and defensive contributions per 90.
28. Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace)
Keeping hold of Kamada may just have been the best bit of business that Steve Parish orchestrated at Palace over the summer. The dynamic Japanese star is in the prime of his career at 30 years old and has rarely put a foot wrong for the Eagles since joining in 2024.
He looked all but gone from Selhurst Park before penning a new one-year deal in July, and is proving to be key to Pierre Sage’s plans this season. Kamada has scored in all three competitions that Palace have played in so far and has several assists to his name too.
27. Bart Verbruggen (Brighton)
Verbruggen deserves a place on this list purely because he is the goalkeeper with the most clean sheets from the opening six league games of 2026-27. He is among the top-performing stoppers in the top flight for other key metrics too, with a save percentage of 75 and three expected goals prevented up to now.
The 24-year-old also looks to have established himself as the Netherlands’ definite number one over the summer and under new boss Xavi Hernandez. He has missed just two league games since the start of 2024-25 and also boasts standout passing stats, which make him the perfect fit for Fabian Hurzeler at Brighton.
26. Bryan Mbeumo (Man United)
Mbeumo is maybe one of the most vilified players on this list, mainly by fans of his own club, yet his individual performances have left a real impression and he certainly does not deserve some of the same criticism that has been levelled at several struggling United players this season.
The Cameroonian forward has started this campaign in similar strong goalscoring form to that he ended last term in, with United under fire in spite of his decent showings so far. He is among the top sprinters in the league this season, while he has been one of the most clinical finishers so far too.
25. Tarik Muharemovic (Leeds)
Leeds’ impressive defensive record can be put, in part, down to the impact that Muharemovic has had on their backline since his £34million arrival from Sassuolo in the summer. The Bosnian enforcer has taken to the Premier League effortlessly and looks destined for even bigger things in the near future.
He is yet to miss a minute of PL action for Daniel Farke’s side, slotting in perfectly on the left of his back three to leave them barely missing the injured Joe Rodon over the first few months of the campaign. He is proficient at clearances and interceptions, while rarely losing an aerial duel.
24. Kevin Schade (Brentford)
This feels like the right time for Schade to truly become a star of the league at Brentford after two highly impressive seasons which saw other players steal the limelight. The German international winger has won the Bees several points by himself already in this campaign with his goals.
Schade combines exceptional dribbling with pinpoint finishing to outfox opponents, and there are few PL teams that he would not start for out on the left wing right now. A shoulder injury is set to keep him sidelined until late November but he will be sure to impress once fully recovered.
23. Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest)
Gibbs-White remains the highest-scoring midfielder in the Premier League since 1 January, which is a testament to his continued drive and availability as Forest’s main threat in front of goal and creative force. The England star has created more big chances (7) than any other player in the top flight this season.
He could well end up elsewhere with continued outstanding form at the City Ground, particularly if Forest’s other stars struggle to reach his level under Oliver Glasner. Gibbs-White is one of the best midfielders in England and deserves real plaudits for his huge improvement since arriving in the East Midlands.
22. Josko Gvardiol (Man City)
Man City’s attackers have been praised week in, week out so far in this campaign, yet Gvardiol has continued to break new ground with some unstoppable performances from left-back. He scored a late winner to get them off to a great start to the season against Bournemouth and has numerous assists already as Enzo Maresca releases his shackles even further than Pep Guardiola.
The Croatian star is one of the best-performing full-backs in the top flight so far for big chances created, successful dribbles and duels won per 90. He is easily one of the best in the world in his position and will be key to their title challenge this season.
21. Iliman Ndiaye (Man City)
Ndiaye might not have the output of others on this list so far this season, yet he has still been a real asset to Man City since he arrived for £65m from Everton. The Senegalese playmaker had been the Toffees’ best player across the previous two campaigns.
He continues to impress in sky blue following the move, with close control and pivotal build-up play to allow Maresca’s other stars to ultimately take the real plaudits from fans and the media. His impressive big chances created and successful dribble per 90 stats so far prove that more contributions are inevitable very soon.
20. Cody Gakpo (Liverpool)
Gakpo has silenced his doubters at Liverpool this season with several standout performances to carry Andoni Iraola’s side in attack up to now. The Dutch attacker’s suitability was questioned by fans last season after he struggled for form like most of their squad under Arne Slot.
He picked up two goals and four assists in his first six competitive games of this season to help fire the Reds to wins over Ipswich and Tottenham, as well as draws against Newcastle and Forest. He will surely return to the starting eleven when fully fit after suffering an ankle injury on international duty.
19. Enzo Fernandez (Man City)
Man City equalled the British record transfer fee by signing Fernandez from Chelsea for £125m in September. The Argentine star has been an instant hit at the Etihad and could prove pivotal to their title challenge under Enzo Maresca, although it feels like there is even more to come from him as the campaign progresses.
Fernandez wasted no time acclimatising to his new surroundings, with a wonderful free-kick to open his City account in just his third Premier League appearance for the club against Sunderland, while also starting in key wins over Man United and Man City in the last few weeks.
18. Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
Arsenal captain Odegaard has returned to form in front of goal this season, starting every Premier League game so far after struggling with form and injury woes as they won the title last term. He was front and centre of their celebrations but will have known that he needed to improve in this campaign.
The Norwegian playmaker does look to have returned to his previous scintillating best in the early stages of this campaign, scoring in wins over Man City, Coventry, Chelsea and Napoli. He is a key cog in Mikel Arteta’s side and could enjoy one of the best seasons of his career this time around.
17. Maxim De Cuyper (Brighton)
De Cuyper does not hold the same status in the game as many of his peers in this list, but the fact remains that he is one of the most in-form players in the English top flight right now. The versatile Brighton defender has been central to their outstanding start to this campaign across all competitions.
He has provided a goal contribution in six separate games for the Seagulls so far, featuring more on the wing under Hurzeler despite being a left-back by trade. He is a standout among wingers for several key metrics and simply looks to be enjoying his football more than ever after a mixed debut season on the south coast.
16. Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal)
Calafiori registered assists in each of Arsenal’s first two games of the campaign and recently bagged to set them on their way to a key win over Leeds. The Italian defender seems like he could play in nearly every position for Arteta’s side but usually settles for left-back.
His quality is clear for all to see, with standout aerial ability and effortless one-on-one defending that often leaves attackers struggling to create anything in the final third. He is a regular starter for the title-holders and fits perfectly into Arteta’s plans as a centre-back who is adept on the flanks.
15. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Van Dijk would likely have made this list at any point in the last eight years; such is the way he has dominated the Premier League for so long. The Liverpool captain has been an ever-present in the top flight so far and, even at 35, remains an aerial colossus with an aura and composure matched by few centre-backs.
The Dutchman does make the odd mistake these days but Andoni Iraola will rely on his experience and leadership, as well as battle-hewn quality, to marshal the Reds’ backline throughout this season. Just like Arne Slot and Jurgen Klopp did before him.
14. Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool)
The Liverpool vice-captain deserves to make this list for his free-kicks alone. He took set piece shooting to rare heights last season, his best at the club and one in which he stood tall as a rare beacon while nearly all of his teammates could not reach anywhere near the heights they had hit in Slot's first season.
What makes the popular Hungarian so special is his versatility and adaptability, as well as his eagerness to do the dirty work. He had an extended and impressive stint as right-back last season and can play every midfield role, from number six to number 10, almost equally well. Goal creator and goal scorer, he is also a total team man. Szoboszlai is a rare jewel.
13. Antoine Semenyo (Man City)
Semenyo boasts the output at City that puts him above teammate Ndiaye right now. Only two players scored more than him in the Premier League last season and he has started in a similar vein of form this time around.
He is regularly contributing to goals and destroying opponents with electric pace and dribbling skills. Few defenders hold out hope of stopping Semenyo in full flow, and he is sure to keep impressing as City challenge on all fronts.
12. Marc Guehi (Man City)
The Citizens’ other starting defender is Guehi, who has emerged as one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League over the last few seasons. He slotted in seamlessly to their backline last term and remains a regular right now.
Guehi is a stalwart for club and country and possesses outstanding passing and recovery stats in this campaign, while he is in the 94th percentile for percentage of duels won among PL centre-backs so far in 2026-27. City stand a fantastic chance of glory with him and Dias at the heart of their defence.
11. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
While the debate rages on about Saka being world-class or not, he is quietly going about his business with certainty and an air of real confidence right now. The 25-year-old scored in three of Arsenal’s first four league games of the campaign. He followed that up with a brace for England on international duty and two goal contributions in 25 minutes against Lille in the Champions League.
Only two players have won more fouls than him in the Premier League this season, and he has improved hugely compared to last term in several key areas. Saka deserves plaudits and will surely keep impressing this season.
10. Pascal Gross (Brighton)
The Premier League Player of the Month for September simply has to rank highly on this list after an incredible start to the new campaign for the league’s unlikely high-flyers. Gross has been one of the most underrated midfielders of the last 10 years in the Premier League at Brighton.
His return to the club last year ultimately boosted the Seagulls’ second-ever Europa League qualification, and the German international is in the form of his life right now across all competitions for Brighton. He has created the most chances (18) of any player in the top flight so far.
9. Morgan Rogers (Chelsea)
Chelsea’s attack has been transformed by the arrival of Rogers from Brighton for a club-record £117m which made him the most expensive British player in history. He has bagged against the likes of Fulham, Hull and Bournemouth, and also registered three assists in one game against Leeds in the Carabao Cup.
The England star has carried over his Aston Villa form to Stamford Bridge and, together with his Blues teammates, is simply unstoppable when at the top of his game. He is among the best wingers in the league for successful dribbles, duels won and touches in the opposition box per 90.
8. Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal)
Gabriel is one of the best centre-backs in recent Premier League history and has continued to shine this season despite not having his usual partner, William Saliba, by his side at the back for Arsenal. He has only missed one half of football across all 10 of their competitive games so far.
The Gunners only truly stand a chance of success with him present, particularly with Saliba remaining sidelined for the coming months. The 28-year-old has not put a foot wrong in 2026-27 and remains at the very top of his game as it stands.
7. Elliot Anderson (Man City)
City’s first big summer signing, Anderson continues to prove his worth as one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the world each week. The England star has started in every key game for his new club so far in this campaign and looks to be building quite the partnership with Fernandez in the middle.
Only one player has made more line-breaking passes per 90 than him in the PL so far in 2026-27, while he is in the 96th percentile for duels won per 90 and 97th percentile for fouls won per 90 against other midfielders in the top flight.
6. Bruno Fernandes (Man United)
Man United’s captain is one of the defining players of the current PL era and retains his place as their most important player by some way right now. He sets the standard at Old Trafford and continues to produce insane output that many have become accustomed to over the last few years.
He is third for the most chances created in the PL up to now and among the leaders for combined goals and assists. Fernandes may come under fire at times, but United would be a shell of even their current selves without him in their side.
5. Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Palmer has returned to his best form after a tough time of things at Chelsea. He is a mercurial talent who is clearly benefiting from the arrival of close friend Rogers, the form of his fellow Blues stars and more freedom to attack under Alonso. The 24-year-old has provided goal contributions galore so far in 2026-27.
He is also clearly getting better without having to play regular Champions League games, and looks to be over his recent injury woes. He is in the 90th percentile for big chances created per 90 among PL attacking midfielders and central to everything good that Chelsea do in the final third.
4. Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Rice has matured into a real leader who possesses the quality to win a game by himself at either end of the pitch for Arsenal, with standout performances in pretty much every game so far this season. He has picked up assists in wins over Chelsea, Sunderland and Leeds since the start of the campaign.
The England star continues to dominate the midfield against PL opponents, just like he did in the Gunners’ title-winning campaign and previous seasons before it. He will be pivotal to their pursuit of more success on all fronts once again over the coming months.
3. Joao Pedro (Chelsea)
No other player has registered more combined goals and assists in the Premier League so far than Chelsea striker Pedro, who has contributed multiple times in a game on four separate occasions in the top flight in 2026-27. He has never shown this kind of form and is enjoying a new lease of life under Alonso.
The Brazilian has bounced back from his disappointing World Cup snub to become one of the most in-form players in the world as it stands. It is ultimately a shame that he is not featuring in the Champions League this season, with his clinical finishing, expert movement and explosive pace leaving backlines across the country fearful.
2. Rayan Cherki (Man City)
Cherki has been absolutely pivotal to the Citizens’ superb start to the campaign. He looks to have improved even further in the last few months despite being named in the PFA Team of the Year last season. The French playmaker has scored in four different appearances so far this season and was the difference-maker with two assists from the bench in City’s campaign-opening win over Bournemouth.
He is in simply electric form, and the unpredictability he provides is on another level compared to his PL teammates and opponents. He is above the 90th percentile for chances created, successful passes, line-breaking passes and touches per 90 compared to other attacking midfielders so far.
1. Erling Haaland (Man City)
The Premier League’s best on so many different levels right now. Haaland remains as inevitable as he was when he first arrived in English football little over four years ago. The burly Norwegian is scoring at will, with goals in nine of his last 11 appearances for club and country, and an insane four separate braces in that time too.
City stand a chance of success as long as they have Haaland fit and firing, with Maresca seemingly getting him to a new, refreshed level since the start of this campaign. His composure and finishing ability are arguably the best of any player on the planet, with the robot-esque striker simply unstoppable in front of goal.