As we head into Christmas, it's time to review the Premier League season so far. Each side has played 17 games out of 38 and we've got a good idea of who will be fighting for what this year. Arsenal boast a two-point lead at the top from Manchester City and a further one from Aston Villa, while Wolves already seem destined for relegation at a Derby-esque pace.
However, only 10 points separate Chelsea in fourth place from Leeds down in 16th. With money flying around from all clubs, there's greater parity than ever. The Premier League is indeed the 'Super League'.
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10Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool)
It's been a miserable season so far for Liverpool, but you can't blame Hugo Ekitike for his efforts. Of all the mega-money strikers signed by Premier League clubs over the summer, he's the one who has shone brightest.
Ekitike has risen above the noise at Anfield to make the No.9 role his own, even before £125 million Alexander Isak fractured his leg. With eight goals in 16 games and a place in the France squad under his belt, the sky seems the limit for 23-year-old.
He's even got the Thierry Henry seal of approval for favourite player this term. "I'll go with with Hugo Ekitike, because at the beginning, he had to prove that he could be at Liverpool, and he did," the Arsenal legend said. "Now the club is struggling and he's still delivering. He surprised me. I knew he had that in his locker, but I didn't know it was going to be that quick in terms of how he adapted. Of course, it's easier to adapt when a team is rolling. But he adapted, then he went on the bench, didn't say anything, came back and still scores his goals, so you have to put him up there."
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9Phil Foden (Manchester City)
After sweeping the many 2023-24 Player of the Year awards, Phil Foden put up an incredibly weak fight to retain those crowns last season. Manchester City had plenty of problems, not least trying to cope without Rodri following his ACL injury, but Foden going from the Premier League's best player to one of the least impactful for a top side was also a massive issue.
He's sought to make amends this time around. The 25-year-old isn't taking games by the scruff of the neck in the same way he did two years ago, but he's still doing his bit to help carry the attacking load, contributing seven goals and two assists in 15 league games thus far.
With added competition for his England place and City potentially adding another star attacker to their ranks during the January window, perhaps Foden is feeling the heat and performing exceptionally under pressure once again.
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8Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
What a turnaround Aston Villa have enjoyed this season. They opened their Premier League campaign with two points from five games, but have won 11 and lost one of their 12 matches since.
Morgan Rogers has been symbolic of that reversal. During a Europa League tie with Bologna in September, he was ironically cheered by Villa fans whenever he completed a pass because they had grown so frustrated with his wasteful nature. Now, he's turned into a cheat code.
Every week, Rogers seems to be defying xG at a Gareth Bale 2012-13-style rate. Banger after banger, screamer after screamer. Villa have put themselves in a position to challenge for the title, and if their star attacker, currently on seven league goals, can keep up his end of the bargain, then they're going to stay in that race.
Unai Emery has urged Rogers to remain 'angry' in his search for goals. "Always he plays well. He does his task and he is versatile across different positions," he said following the forward's brace at Leeds.
"Maybe today he showed that he is angry to score. Being angry, he scored two goals, focusing on how he could get numbers. He did it, helping the team and for our victory today. He is a player who can get numbers. Last year he got double numbers for goals and assists. This year I think he will get this again.
"He was playing fantastic before this match, not getting numbers, but helping the team. With those goals today, it’s more brilliant. I think Morgan is very important when he is scoring and when he is not scoring. He is working tactically, being versatile, and performing very consistently.
"Hungry and angry to score. Both. It is in this direction."
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7Moises Caicedo (Chelsea)
The Chelsea-led campaign for Moises Caicedo to get more recognition in the race for the Player of the Year award has quietened over the last few weeks. There's no doubting the Ecuadorian's quality or that he was indeed one of the Premier League's best performers during the first few months of 2025-26, but his red card against Arsenal put a dent in his and the Blues' progress.
Even when all the publicity regarding Caicedo was good publicity, he remained humble and determined to improve. When asked by the last month if he's the best defensive midfielder in the world, the 24-year-old replied: "No. So many [players are better than me]. I don't want to say to the world that I'm the best because there’s no truth to that. In my mind, I'm the best version of myself, if you know what I mean? It's different when you say you are the best in the world to the world.
"There are so many good players in my position. I'm doing my best. But I need to show more because I feel like I can do more. With goals, with assists, I can feel it. I know I play in a position where I help the centre-backs, but I can do more."
