Ian Darke’s Premier League stars: Haaland, Caicedo, Zubimendi

Sport defies predictions, and seasons take sudden twists and turns. It was just a few weeks in the past, after a run of dramatic late wins, that everybody was handing the Premier League title to Liverpool; now, Arsenal look to be robust favorites. But issues can change once more, and the movers and shakers usually turn into sudden ones. Here is my collection of gamers who’ve been massive hits within the 2025-26 season.

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Arsenal

Martín Zubimendi is proving a category signing. The Spain worldwide sits on the base of the midfield, dictating play and permitting Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze to imagine extra attacking roles in midfield. In distinction to another big-money summer season arrivals, he has wanted no settling-in interval and has even offered a objective risk from set items.

Liverpool

It appeared like Dominik Szoboszlai may lose his place at Liverpool when Florian Wirtz arrived for £100 million in the summertime, however maybe sensing that state of affairs, the Hungary worldwide has been his staff’s finest participant, whether or not in his conventional midfield position or as an emergency proper again, scoring that excellent winner in opposition to Arsenal on Aug. 31. He has made it unattainable for supervisor Arne Slot to go away him out.

Chelsea

Unpredictable and youthful, Chelsea want the immense midfield presence of Moisés Caicedo, who has put a shaky begin at Stamford Bridge nicely behind him to grow to be the commanding powerhouse he was at Brighton. Every membership within the league may use him. Meanwhile, Pedro Neto has been the choose of Chelsea’s assortment of wingers.

Manchester City

One solely predictable “main man” has been striker Erling Haaland, with 32 targets in 20 video games for Manchester City and Norway this season. He additionally has an unimaginable 99 Premier League targets in 108 appearances, placing him on the verge of beating Alan Shearer because the quickest to the landmark determine of 100 targets. His conversion fee of probabilities is off the charts and, frighteningly, he appears to be getting even higher.

City are additionally getting an amazing increase from attacker Jérémy Doku, whose breathtaking wing wizardry ripped Liverpool aside on Nov. 9. He was nearly unattainable to defend in City’s 3-0 win, one other instance of a participant who has been improved enormously by Pep Guardiola’s teaching.

Manchester United

Man United’s revival owes one thing — at the least within the eyes of this observer — to the return of a match Luke Shaw in protection, however the participant who provides United extra of an X-factor is Bryan Mbeumo, who has at all times dreamed of enjoying for United and performs prefer it now that he is there. The former Brentford ahead seems to be a relentless risk and has given Ruben Amorin’s staff a much-needed attacking increase. He has six targets and may even repeat the 20 league targets he bought for the Bees final season.

Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs have a diamond in Micky van de Ven, a defender with Olympic pace and 6 targets to his identify, together with a memorable solo effort in opposition to FC Copenhagen within the UEFA Champions League final week. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is having season too, enjoying particularly nicely within the 0-0 draw at Monaco.

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Sunderland

Midfielder Granit Xhaka seems to be just like the signing of the season. His staff have shocked everybody since returning to the highest flight — together with his previous membership, Arsenal, on Nov. 8 in that 2-2 draw. An perception into the requirements Xhaka calls for from teammates got here in an interview after the 1-1 draw with Everton on Nov. 3. Asked why his staff had began badly, he mentioned: “We trained poorly the day before and took that into the match. We have to train like we want to play.”

With Xhaka on board, nobody is tipping Sunderland to be relegated now. It was a spectacular coup for the Black Cats to get him solely a 12 months after he led Bayer Leverkusen to their undefeated Bundesliga title win. Twenty different golf equipment would have snapped him up.

Bournemouth

Antoine Semenyo, with six targets in his first 11 Premier League video games this season, is a giant purpose Bournemouth have began so nicely, regardless of shedding £200 million price of gamers. Fast, dynamic and direct, the previous Bristol City attacker will appeal to presents from some massive golf equipment subsequent summer season — particularly as he reportedly has a £65 million launch clause. It has additionally been breakout Cherries season for silky midfielder Alex Scott, who was lately referred to as up by England for the primary time.

Crystal Palace

Another unsung hero is Ismaïla Sarr, who has helped soften the blow of Eze’s departure to Arsenal final summer season. Sarr, who will certainly star for Senegal on the World Cup, has eight targets in 16 Palace appearances enjoying simply behind the prolific Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Everton

Iliman Ndiaye‘s objective at Sunderland final Monday was, for me, the very best anybody has scored in England this season; Lionel Messi would have been pleased with his marvelous dribbling at pace, going previous all the Sunderland protection on a 40-yard run earlier than planting his shot into the nook. Jack Grealish has claimed the headlines for the Toffees up to now, however Ndiaye may be much more invaluable to them.

Brentford

The Bees misplaced Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa in the summertime, and lots of pundits have been forecasting that they might have a relegation battle on their arms. But Igor Thiago stepped up with 9 targets in 12 appearances to fill the void as supervisor Keith Andrews and his hard-working staff have defied the critics.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Danny Welbeck may be a veteran now, however has hit six targets in Brighton’s previous six video games (two every vs. Chelsea and Newcastle). He continues to be very match and, even at age 35, making him Harry Kane‘s deputy for England on the World Cup will not be such a loopy concept, particularly as he has received 42 caps previously.

Burnley

Fighting to keep away from an instantaneous return to the Championship, Burnley have been indebted to goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka, who tops the Premier League with 46 saves already. The one he pulled off to protect a 3-2 win over Wolves lately was magnificent, reaching behind him to cease a ball that had flashed previous him on the road.

Newcastle United

Newcastle followers questioned whether or not 6-foot-6 striker Nick Woltemade was a panic signing after so many different targets had been missed in the summertime. But the Germany worldwide has already grow to be a cult determine along with his stylish flicks and touches, to not point out six targets for his new membership. What he cannot do, nevertheless, is run in behind like Alexander Isak as soon as did, so his teammates are having to adapt to a unique model of No. 9.

Leeds United

It goes to be a troublesome struggle to remain up, however Leeds can depend on the consistency of Wales internationals Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu. Those two are a purpose Leeds have been aggressive, particularly at dwelling, however they want extra from the forwards.

Fulham

The Cottagers have the oldest squad within the league, however one very thrilling teen in Josh King. Used as a No. 10 midfielder, he has stored the higher-profile Emile Smith Rowe out of the staff with a aptitude that will get followers out of their seats. He’s one to look at.

Aston Villa

Midfielder Emi Buendía appeared surplus to necessities at Villa just a few months in the past. But an damage to Youri Tielemans opened the door for him, and he has responded with a collection of eye-catching shows as Villa have put a shaky begin nicely behind them.

Nottingham Forest

Amid the turmoil at Forest, who’ve sacked two managers already this season, Elliot Anderson has established himself as a first-choice England midfielder underneath Thomas Tuchel, with the World Cup quick approaching. Not unhealthy for a man who was enjoying on mortgage for Bristol Rovers within the fourth tier of English soccer not so way back.

West Ham United

It has been a troublesome season, however homegrown prospect Freddie Potts‘ introduction has added management, power and good decision-making to the problematic midfield space. Potts discovered quite a bit on mortgage within the Championship with Portsmouth final season and is utilizing it to good impact now because the Hammers begin to present indicators of a pulse.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

New boss Rob Edwards must get a spark from gamers who’ve starred for the membership previously, corresponding to João Gomes, André and strikers Hwang Hee-chan and Jørgen Strand Larsen. But the trigger might be hopeless until they shore up a really leaky protection.