Every time you open social media and listen to the noise of the 2025-26 Premier League season, you will often hear cries of “worst season ever.” Even Arne Slot called the league “boring.”
I beg to differ. The league has arguably never been more competitive from top to bottom. The fact that the top teams are no longer beating the bottom feeders by 5 or 6-0 is a good thing. The fact that any team can be beaten is a good thing.
I’ve loved watching this Premier League season, and think that while it’s missing a truly tight title challenge and truly crazy fight for Champions League places, we’ve still had plenty of drama. Spurs at their worst. Arsenal arguably their best in years. Chelsea and Liverpool unable to meet their usual high standard. Villa and Brentford in the mix. Promoted teams staying up for once. It’s always been unpredictable, to say the least.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis feels like a season that will come down to the final day, and still have plenty to play for in the remaining fixtures. But before the final run-in, I wanted to cast my Premier League Team of the season for 2025-26.
GOALKEEPER: DAVID RAYA
Embed from Getty ImagesDavid Raya has been one of the key reasons why Arsenal have been so resolute in defense this season. He’s pulled off some stunning saves that will be replayed for years to come, and he’s been key for the Gunners with the ball at his feet. Raya’s on the destined path to win the Golden Glove with his 15 clean sheets in 31 matches, conceding just 22 times in that span.
RIGHT BACK: JURRIEN TIMBER
Embed from Getty ImagesWhen Jurriën Timber first established himself at right-back for Arsenal, I wasn’t fully convinced that he could surpass the level of Ben White. White had been solid in the slot for years, forming a fantastic partnership with Bukayo Saka. But Timber’s been the best full-back in the league this season, especially for his contributions in attack. 3 goals and 5 assists is just one fewer goal contribution for the Gunners than Bukayo Saka. Combine that with his solidity in defense and physical, aerial presence, and it’s hard to find a better full-back.
CENTRE BACK: EZRI KONSA
Embed from Getty ImagesEzri Konsa will always be one of those players that doesn’t stand out statistically, but always plays well. He’s been so solid as part of the captain’s group at Villa, rarely putting a foot wrong at the heart of their defense. Always on the ball for Emery’s team, Konsa’s been particularly remarkable for his discipline, picking up 0 yellow cards all season.
CENTRE BACK: GABRIEL MAGALHAES
Embed from Getty ImagesSince William Saliba came into the club, I’ve said that Gabriel is not only one of the best centre-backs in the league, but in the world. Even in the time that Saliba was receiving all the plaudits. Gabriel will put his head, foot and body in the way of anything. He’ll fight for his team tooth and nail. He’ll score set-piece goals for fun. Gabriel is everything that’s already been said about Timber and Konsa, except with a multiplied layer of intensity. One of the top contenders for Player of the Season.
LEFT BACK: NICO O’REILLY
Embed from Getty ImagesMany of his recent minutes have come in central midfield, but Nico O’Reilly deserves all the praise for his efforts in defense this season as much as his recent form in midfield. So confident and courageous on the ball, O’Reilly’s been superb in getting forward, contributing to attacks, and sticking to his tasks on the defensive end. All 4 goals and 3 assists in the league have come from his minutes at full-back this season. At the age of 21, he has an extremely bright career ahead.
DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD: CASEMIRO
Embed from Getty ImagesWhere would Manchester United be without Casemiro? We’re about to find out next season. But United fans don’t want to know the answer to that question when it comes to this campaign. Forget his 9 goal contributions (7 goals and 2 assists). Casemiro’s been a key presence in the midfield and a vocal leader in seeing them through the entire campaign. Always in the right place to break up the play, Casemiro’s reading of the game has been on another level this season. That became abundantly clear when I assessed his potential successors at United. Take him out of the team, and United’s midfield sees a significant downgrade.
CENTRAL MIDFIELD: DECLAN RICE
Embed from Getty ImagesDeclan Rice is another candidate for Player of the Season, playing a pivotal role in Arsenal’s midfield. His set-piece delivery, presence and assuredness on the ball, defensive positioning, aerial presence, touch of class… I could go on! It’s all practically unmatchable. Something you might not know – Declan Rice sits behind only Bruno Fernandes for chances created, and only behind Bruno and Rayan Cherki for expected assists this season. You’d do well to find a more well-rounded midfielder.
RIGHT WING: DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI
Embed from Getty ImagesDominik Szoboszlai’s played just about everywhere on the pitch this season, and he’s been one of the only Liverpool men to live up to the hype and high standard. Right wing might not be the perfect place to fit him into the team, but he deserves his spot for how much he’s bossed so many of Liverpool’s games. His non-stop energy has been critical for a side so often requiring more. Any time there’s been a lapse in Liverpool’s game, Szoboszlai has always looked a cut above the rest.
ATTACKING MIDFIELD: BRUNO FERNANDES
Embed from Getty ImagesSpeaking of well-rounded midfielders, Bruno Fernandes played half the season as a box-to-box ‘8’. And despite what many have said about his ‘transformation’ and ‘unlocking’ under Michael Carrick, Bruno was assisting and creating just as much from that ‘deeper’ role under Ruben Amorim before Christmas. Fast forward to the end of March and he’s created almost double the chances of Declan Rice (101 to 58), and assisted twice as many as second-place Cherki (16 to 8). Only Haaland (29) has accumulated more goals + assists in the league this season than Bruno’s 24. He’s my personal pick for Player of the Season, balling out this campaign with so much attacking support around him in what’s arguably been the best season of his career.
LEFT WING: ANTOINE SEMENYO
Embed from Getty ImagesAntoine Semenyo might have spent most of his time on the right for Manchester City in 2026, but we can’t forget about the first half of the season, where he scored 10 times for Bournemouth from the left wing before his big-money move. Sitting on 15 goals and 4 assists from his 29 appearances now, Semenyo’s been a non-stop scoring machine, immediately improving City the moment he came through the door.
CENTRE FORWARD: ERLING HAALAND
Embed from Getty ImagesIt’s not Erling Haaland’s best campaign, and his goals have dried up as of late. Yet he’s still going to end the season on most goals, and most goal contributions. Many are exaggerating how bad City have been and how ‘bad’ some of their players have been, including Haaland. The Norwegian striker has continued to be an important presence in their fight to keep Arsenal within arm’s length, always battling with defenders and making way for others to work their magic. 22 goals and 7 assists in 29 appearances is still freakish, even if the second half of the season hasn’t been as good as the first.
Substitutes: Jordan Pickford, Reece James, Marc Guehi, Bruno Guimaraes, Elliot Anderson, Bukayo Saka, James Garner, Harry Wilson, João Pedro, Igor Thiago
So who makes your team? Be sure to join the discussion and share your thoughts below or on social media. Thanks for reading and see you soon!
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