15 Most Disappointing Premier League Players of the 2025-26 Season [Ranked]

Although the 2025/26 Premier League season has still not hit the halfway point, there are already some interesting storylines starting to form. Potential relegation candidates are becoming more obvious, as are the title contenders.

But those narratives are not only restricted to clubs. Fans have been left impressed by some players so far this year, while others, from new signings to English top-flight veterans, haven’t yet made their mark.

These individuals aren’t limited to clubs competing at the foot of the table either. Expectation can be a difficult thing to contend with, and some might well be cracking under the pressure right now. So, despite this term still being in its early stages, GIVEMESPORT are here to take you through the 15 biggest disappointments in the Premier League so far.

Ranking factors

Each player’s ranking has been determined based on two main factors:

• How has each player performed on the pitch in the Premier League?
• What expectations did supporters have for each player before the season began?

15

Carlos Baleba, Brighton & Hove Albion

Much was made of where Carlos Baleba was going to end up in the summer, what with Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United being a very, very interested party. After a season which proved why he was so sought-after by plenty of top clubs, a deal did not come to fruition and the energetic Cameroonian remained on the books at Brighton & Hove Albion. Things have taken a bit of a nosedive for the 21-year-old, who is no longer considered undroppable on the coast.

Baleba may have played in every single one of Brighton’s league matches this campaign but Fabian Hurzeler, for one reason or another, believes he is unable to be a 90-minute man. He’s completed just one full match since their curtain-raiser in August – and any talk of a £100 million plus deal has slowly, but surely, quietened down given how poorly he has performed for the Amex Stadium outfit.

14

Benjamin Sesko, Manchester United

There was an acceptance at Manchester United when they signed Benjamin Sesko that, although they were bringing in a player with big potential, he needed more time to develop into one of world football’s deadliest frontmen. Nevertheless, supporters still would have expected someone who scored 13 Bundesliga goals as a 21-year-old in 2024/25 to make more of an impact than he has, especially when the club paid £73.7 million.

The Slovenian was even called out by Rio Ferdinand for his performance during the Red Devils’ 2-1 win against Chelsea, despite him playing a crucial part in the build-up before Robert Sanchez’s sending off. It’s not been all bad for Sesko, who scored against Brentford as United lost 3-1 and then netted vs Sunderland, but the 22-year-old needs to start justifying the sum paid for his services.

13

Matheus Cunha, Manchester United

Matheus Cunha is one of the Premier League’s mavericks. Unstoppable on his day, he was Wolverhampton Wanderers’ talisman before moving to Old Trafford in the summer for a deal worth £62.5 million. It’s a lot of money, of course, and his performances have shown glimpses of what the ex-Atletico Madrid man is about: there’s an element of control when he progresses with the ball, and he can combine wonderfully with teammates.

No longer the orchestrator of Wolves’ one-man band, though, and Cunha’s start to life hasn’t been perfect. Contributing to goals (just like Bryan Mbeumo is doing on the other side of the pitch) would see the Brazilian’s stocks rise exponentially – but, for now, finding his feet in front of goal should be at the top of his priority list. As things stand, the 26-year-old has scored just once in 11 outings in the league this term.

12

Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal

Viktor Gyokeres‘ start to life in the English top tier has divided opinion among everyone. Arsenal fans will insist that he brings much more than just scoring goals, while he has also plundered four goals so far after grabbing a brace against Leeds United and then scoring against Nottingham Forest and Burnley. But others believe that, considering he won the Gerd Muller trophy for scoring 54 goals in 2024/25 for former employers Sporting CP and Sweden, he hasn’t done enough just yet.

The Stockholm-born centre-forward’s performances against the bigger teams, particularly against Manchester United on the opening day of the season and then when the Emirates Stadium played host to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City coming to the capital, left a lot to be desired. He’s scored four times so far, which isn’t terrible, but there’s certainly room for improvement all round.

11

Morgan Gibbs-White, Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest were one of the stories of the 2024/25 season, defying relegation predictions to push for Champions League qualification. They eventually settled for a Europa League place, and a big reason why they are playing in Europe this term is Morgan Gibbs-White, whose 15 goal contributions last term were pivotal.

However, the Tricky Trees have been off the boil so far this term, finding themselves close to the relegation zone under new manager Sean Dyche. And while multiple players have underperformed this term — we’re looking at you, too, Chris Wood — you can make a case that Gibbs-White’s poor form is the real difference. When he’s on song, the entire team thrives, with the 25-year-old possessing all the ability to get fans off their seats. But that hasn’t happened enough so far this year at the City Ground.

10

Anthony Elanga, Newcastle United

Anthony Elanga only arrived at Newcastle United in the summer of 2025, but when you sign for big money – joining from Nottingham Forest for £55 million – the expectations will obviously be high. He’s played in all 15 league games so far for the Magpies but has picked up one assist. A player of his evident quality needs to provide more.

If he keeps up this form for much longer, Eddie Howe may well start rummaging through his pockets, looking for a receipt. Up to this point, it’s fair to say, Elanga has not been the upgrade on Jacob Murphy he was signed to be. He struggled at Manchester United, and now back with a team competing at Champions League level, he looks a little out of depth once more.

9

Jorgen Strand Larsen, Wolverhampton Wanderers

It seemed at one point that Jorgen Strand Larsen was set to be one of the final dominoes to fall in the great striker search of the 2025 summer transfer window. With Alexander Isak doing everything in his power to leave Newcastle for Liverpool, the Magpies tried to get a deal for the Norwegian over the line, only to see a £55 million bid rejected.

That led to them signing Nick Woltemade — and Geordie fans will be delighted that they signed the German instead, considering what each player has done so far. While the new forward at St James’ Park has impressed, Strand Larsen has endured a tough time. Wolves are at the foot of the table currently, and their star striker has plundered the singular goal. It’s hard to justify how much the Old Gold wanted for their centre-forward when you factor in his present struggles.

8

Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool

Virgil van Dijk, typically a talismanic figure for Liverpool, takes his spot on this list thanks to the huge expectations that are always placed on a player of his calibre — the fact is he’s not been playing to the standards we’ve witnessed since his switch from Southampton. Without a doubt one of the best defenders the Premier League has ever seen, the Dutchman has looked a shadow of his usual self at times this term.

Now 34, off the back of a title-winning season, perhaps this is the beginning of the end. It would be unwise to write off Van Dijk just yet, but as the leader at the back for Liverpool, he needs to do more to strike any sort of confidence into the Anfield faithful. The Reds have looked shaky all season, and their captain’s trademark calm hasn’t really been in operation.

7

Ollie Watkins, Aston Villa

Ollie Watkins‘ first goal of the Premier League season against Fulham was everything that fans have become accustomed to seeing from the Aston Villa striker. Playing on the shoulder of the last defender, making a dangerous run in behind and a composed finish to cap everything off. But that’s not been seen enough so far this term.

The England international was made to wait until gameweek six for his first strike of 2025/26. Before a ball was kicked, many expected him to be the difference-maker for Unai Emery’s side as they bid to return to the Champions League. Ian Wright has slammed Watkins for his performances so far, calling him ineffective. Villa fans hoped that his effort against Fulham could act as a springboard after a poor start to the new campaign — but he went on another seven-match goal drought before bagging two against Brighton.

6

Milos Kerkez, Liverpool

Another struggling Liverpool man, former Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, was expected to rejuvenate the left-back role under Arne Slot’s watchful eye, but so far he’s looked about as shaky as can be — which is strange given how comfortable he looked when playing for the Cherries. In fact, there have been strong calls to drop him in place of the more experienced Andy Robertson, but Slot is keen to persist.

In particular, he looked poor in Liverpool’s loss to Manchester United, with Jamie Redknapp labelling the defender a ‘nervous wreck’. Playing for a club the size of Liverpool comes with extra baggage, and it’s now unfair to claim that he’s struggling to adapt. Kerkez won’t be used to such scrutiny, having arrived from a team of a lesser stature, so it will be interesting to see how he responds.