Although the 2025/26 Premier League season is still in its infancy, some interesting storylines are already starting to form. Potential relegation candidates are becoming more obvious, as are the title contenders.
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 10 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?
10
Viktor Gyokeres
gyokeres newcastle
Viktor Gyokeres’ start to life in the English top tier has divided opinion among everyone. Arsenal fans will insist that he’s had a decent opening six games, grabbing a brace against Leeds United while notching another effort against Nottingham Forest. But others believe that, considering he won the Gerd Muller trophy for scoring 54 goals in 2024/25 for Sporting Lisbon and Sweden, that he hasn’t done enough just yet.
His performances against the bigger teams, particularly against Manchester United on the opening day of the season and then when the Emirates hosted Manchester City, left a lot to be desired. Averaging a goal every other game so far means that Gyokeres can’t be too high in this ranking, but there’s certainly room for improvement.
9
Mohamed Salah
mohamed salah
Now wait two seconds before you bring out your pitchforks. Mohamed Salah, ordinarily, would not find himself anywhere near this list. But Fantasy Premier League players and a few Liverpool supporters will agree that the Egyptian King hasn’t exactly lived up to his usual high standards so far this term.
It’s not even as if the 33-year-old has had a terrible start to the new term either, with two goals and two assists hardly an awful return. But by gameweek six last year, Salah was already on four goals and four assists. Given his pedigree in this league, and the fact he seems determined to chase down the legends above him in the all-time scoring charts, we can’t imagine that he’ll be here come the season’s culmination, especially if Liverpool retain their Premier League crown. But it’s fair to say Salah hasn’t flown out of the blocks.
8
Jorgen Strand Larsen
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Jorgen Strand Larsen
Carabao Cup – Second Round – Wolverhampton Wanderers v West Ham United – Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain – August 26, 2025 Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Jorgen Strand Larsen celebrates scoring their third goal Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers
It seemed at one point that Jorgen Strand Larsen was set to be one of the final dominos 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 £55m 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 is without a league goal. It’s hard to justify how much the Old Gold wanted for their centre-forward when you factor in his present struggles.
7
Bryan Mbeumo
manchester united bryan mbeumo
Manchester United’s decision to sign a Premier League-proven player in Bryan Mbeumo this summer looked to be a decent bit of business in the Red Devils’ opening game against Arsenal. The former Brentford man was a real live wire and caused all sorts of problems for the Gunners.
But the Cameroon international has gone off the boil since then. A goal against Burnley hinted at the floodgates opening, but that’s been his only goal contribution of the season so far. Mbeumo is also the victim of his own reputation, having bagged 20 goals at his former club in 2024/25. Supporters would have expected better from him, despite the Red Devils playing abysmally under Ruben Amorim once again.
6
Jamie Gittens
Chelsea’s Jamie Gittens in action with Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz
Premier League – Chelsea v Crystal Palace – Stamford Bridge, London, Britain – August 17, 2025 Chelsea’s Jamie Gittens in action with Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
Unlike others in this list, Jamie Gittens hasn’t really had much of a chance to show what he can do. Playing just 145 minutes in the league so far since moving from Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea in the summer, he’s started just twice and come off the bench in two other matches for the Blues. But when you spend £48.5m on a player, you expect him to make an impact from the off — not feature from the bench sparingly.
When Gittens has featured for the west London side so far this term, he’s looked raw and in need of development, not like someone who can take them to the next level following their Club World Cup success and fourth-place finish last term. Perhaps he needs more minutes to showcase his capabilities, but it’s hardly a good reflection that Enzo Maresca isn’t utilizing one of the club’s more expensive signings this summer.
5
Benjamin Sesko
benjamin sesko
Somewhat similarly to Gittens, there was an acceptance at Man United when they signed Benjamin Sesko that, although they were bringing in a player with big potential, he needed time to develop. 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 £73.7m.
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, but the 22-year-old needs to start justifying the sum paid for his services.
4
Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins in action for 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. Prior to a ball being 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, stating that he’s not been effective, and Villa fans will hope that his effort against Fulham can be a springboard after a poor start to the new campaign.
3
Morgan Gibbs-White
Morgan Gibbs-White
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 Ange Postecoglou. And while multiple players have underperformed this term — we’re looking at you, 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.
2
Morgan Rogers
Morgan Rogers applauding the Aston Villa supporters
Morgan Rogers, like Gibbs-White, was the spark in his side last year. While other Villa players made significant contributions to their push for Champions League football, it was the England international who consistently drove them forward. His creativity could conjure something out of nothing against stern defences, while his eye for goal was evident as he finished on eight league goals.
This year, though, has not been Rogers’ year so far. He’s looked a shadow of the player that the Villa Park faithful saw last year, making limited impact on games and earning criticism from pundits for lacklustre showings. There were suggestions in the summer that interested parties, such as Chelsea, would need to pay around £90m in order to prise the attacking midfielder away from Unai Emery’s squad. Needless to say that he’s not justified that valuation so far in 2025/26.
1
Florian Wirtz
Florian Wirtz in action for Liverpool
The excitement at Anfield was palpable when Florian Wirtz took to the pitch for a Premier League fixture for the first time. Having starred at Bayer Leverkusen, registering 22 Bundesliga goal contributions in two consecutive seasons, Liverpool paid £116m to sign one of the brightest prospects in world football. Supporters were keen to see what he could bring to Arne Slot’s side, but it’s not all gone according to plan so far.
Wirtz, despite making himself busy, hasn’t yet managed to make a notable impact in the Premier League, failing to register a goal or an assist and earning criticism for performances to date. Ordinarily, you’d cut a new signing some slack, considering that they’re getting used to new surroundings, but when you pay as much as Liverpool did, you expect that player to hit the ground running. There’s no doubt that the 22-year-old has the ability — he just needs to show it more than he has.
LIVERPOOL10 months ago