From marquee signings to under-pressure talents, these are the players who must deliver when the 2025/26 Premier League season kicks off on Friday, 15 August 2025 . Whether they're new arrivals or rising stars, their performances could define their clubs’ success this campaign.
Arsenal – Martin Ødegaard
Arsenal’s captain struggled with an ankle injury that kept him out for two months last season. The Norwegian wasn’t able to replicate his great form from previous seasons. With a new No. 9 in Viktor Gyökeres now leading the line, Ødegaard must rediscover his sharpness to provide the creativity and control Arsenal rely on.
As the team’s chief playmaker and leader, the pressure is on him to raise his level, set the tempo, and feed the goals Arsenal need to finally end their two-decade title drought.
Aston Villa – Amadou Onana
Signed for £50 million last summer, Amadou Onana arrived with high expectations but saw his debut season disrupted by injury and inconsistency. With Villa pushing for Champions League qualification, the powerful midfielder must step up and deliver the physical presence and ball-carrying ability he was brought in for.
Now fully fit and settled, Onana has no excuses — this is the season he needs to control games and justify his price tag.
Bournemouth – Adrien Truffert
Signed from Rennes for £14.4 million, 23-year-old Adrien Truffert arrives as the direct replacement for Milos Kerkez at left-back. With this being his first Premier League season, he’ll need to adapt quickly to the pace and physicality of English football.
Truffert’s energy and attacking intent make him a good fit for Bournemouth’s style, but with Kerkez leaving big shoes to fill, he’ll need to step up fast to keep the Cherries progressing.
Brentford – Kevin Schade
After notching 11 goals and 2 assists last season, Kevin Schade showed flashes of the player Brentford hoped for. But with Bryan Mbeumo sold after contributing 20 goals and 7 assists, and Yoane Wissa potentially on the move, Schade now faces the pressure of stepping into a leading role.
At just 23, he’ll need to carry Brentford’s attacking threat — and maintain his form over a full season — if the Bees are to stay competitive in a post-Mbeumo era.
Brighton – Georginio Rutter
Signed for £40 million last summer, Georginio Rutter had a quiet debut season at Brighton, registering just 5 goals and 3 assists. With João Pedro now sold, the creative and attacking responsibility shifts firmly onto his shoulders.
At 23, Rutter has the flair and skillset to shine under Fabian Hürzeler, but he’ll need to be far more clinical and consistent if Brighton are to push beyond mid-table this season.
Burnley – Kyle Walker
Newly promoted Burnley have brought in 35-year-old Kyle Walker to add much-needed experience and composure to a youthful squad. Under Scott Parker, the veteran defender will be tasked with organising the backline and providing leadership in high-pressure moments.
While no longer at his physical peak, Walker’s positional awareness and elite-level experience could be key to helping Burnley adjust to the demands of the Premier League — and avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
Chelsea – Robert Sánchez
After an inconsistent start at Stamford Bridge, Robert Sánchez ended the 2024/25 season on a high — delivering a world class performance in the Club World Cup final against PSG, reminding fans of his potential.
With Enzo Maresca choosing to stick with Sánchez as Chelsea’s No. 1, the pressure is now on the Spaniard to find consistency. If Chelsea are to mount a serious Premier League title challenge, Sánchez must prove he can be a dependable, top-level keeper week in, week out.
Crystal Palace – Ismaïla Sarr
With Eberechi Eze expected to be sold, Palace will look to Ismaïla Sarr to help fill the attacking void. After showing his quality last season with 8 goals and 6 assists, Sarr proved he can make an impact — but now he’ll need to take his game to another level.
The question is: can he build on those numbers and become a consistent match-winner under Oliver Glasner? Palace’s attacking success may depend on it.
Everton – Beto
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin leaving, the responsibility up front now falls to Beto. After scoring just 3 goals in his debut Premier League season, he showed improvement with 8 goals in his second — but Everton need even more if they’re to climb out of the bottom half under David Moyes.
Strong, physical, and capable in hold-up play, Beto now needs to add consistency and killer instinct. Can he push into double figures and become the reliable striker Everton have lacked for years?
Fulham – Emile Smith Rowe
After joining Fulham to reignite his career, Emile Smith Rowe delivered a decent return with 6 goals and 3 assists last season. But with Fulham lacking consistent creativity, there’s pressure on the 25-year-old to push on and become a key figure.
Technically gifted and dangerous between the lines, Smith Rowe now needs to stay fit, find consistency, and elevate his numbers if Fulham are to break into the top half.
Leeds United – Lucas Perri
After a shaky season from Illan Meslier, Leeds have turned to Lucas Perri, a highly rated goalkeeper arriving from Lyon, to bring more consistency between the posts. With Premier League survival the top priority, Perri’s shot-stopping and composure will be under the spotlight from day one.
Leeds fans will be hoping he can step up and deliver the stability Meslier couldn’t — and become a reliable presence in their return to the top flight.
Liverpool – Florian Wirtz
Signed for a Premier League and club-record fee, Florian Wirtz arrives at Liverpool with immense expectations. The 22-year-old German playmaker lit up the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, but now he’ll need to step up to his £115m price tag and prove he can deliver at the highest level.
With Klopp gone and Arne Slot ushering in a new era, Wirtz will be expected to add creativity, goals, and control in midfield. All eyes will be on him to show the world he’s worth every penny.
Manchester City – Phil Foden
Despite being firmly in the spotlight, Phil Foden’s 2024/25 season fell below expectations, with just 9 goal involvements — his lowest return in five years. With Kevin De Bruyne now gone, City need Foden to raise his attacking output and help fill the creative void.
Often deployed in advanced roles, Foden’s ability to deliver goals and assists will be crucial if Guardiola’s side are to reclaim their dominance in the Premier League.
Manchester United – Bryan Mbeumo
After a superb season at Brentford with 20 goals, Bryan Mbeumo arrives at Manchester United as a key part of Ruben Amorim’s attacking rebuild. United desperately lacked firepower last season — with Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes joint-top scorers on just 8 goals.
Mbeumo’s pace, movement, and finishing could offer the cutting edge United have missed. Alongside fellow new signing Matheus Cunha, he’ll be expected to hit the ground running and help drag United back toward the top four.
Newcastle United – Anthony Elanga
Signed for a significant fee of £55m after an impressive season at Forest, Anthony Elanga joins Newcastle with high expectations. With Champions League ambitions and a need for more depth in wide areas, Elanga will be under pressure to deliver immediately.
Blessed with pace and directness, the question now is whether he can add consistency and end product to become a key contributor in a top-six side.
Nottingham Forest – Callum Hudson-Odoi
Despite playing 36 games last season, Callum Hudson-Odoi managed just 7 goal involvements — a modest return for a player of his talent. With Forest now competing in Europe, they’ll need far more consistency and impact from the former Chelsea winger.
Still only 24, Hudson-Odoi has the tools to be a difference-maker. This season is his chance to step up and prove he can deliver at a high level week in, week out.
Sunderland – Habib Diarra
Sunderland broke their transfer record to sign Habib Diarra, signaling their intent to compete at Premier League level. The highly rated 21-year-old midfielder arrives with energy, drive, and huge upside — but he’ll need to adapt quickly to the physical demands of top-flight football.
For a newly promoted side, Diarra's ability to control the midfield and contribute at both ends could be crucial to survival. Sunderland are backing him in a big way — now it’s his turn to deliver.
Tottenham – Mohammed Kudus
Signed from West Ham as Spurs' second-most expensive transfer after Solanke, Mohammed Kudus arrives in North London with high expectations. He showcased his flair, creativity, and goal threat in flashes at West Ham — but now he’s expected to do it on a bigger stage.
With Heung-min Son likely to leave, Kudus may be tasked with leading the Spurs attack under Thomas Frank. The talent is undeniable — but this season will test whether he can deliver consistently and become the club’s new star.
West Ham United – Lucas Paquetá
After a difficult 2024/25 season clouded by FA betting allegations, Lucas Paquetá is set to be cleared — and West Ham will need him fully focused. With the team finishing 15th for goals scored, Paquetá must bring both creativity and goal threat back to a midfield that lacked spark.
Under Graham Potter, he’ll be expected to lead by example, link play, and step up in the final third. If West Ham are to climb the table, Paquetá has to deliver the quality he’s very well capable of.
Wolves – Jhon Arias
With Matheus Cunha departure, Wolves have turned to Jhon Arias to help fill the creative and attacking void. Signed after an impressive spell at Fluminense, Arias brings flair, dribbling, and vision — but adapting to the Premier League won’t be easy.
Replacing Cunha’s influence is no small task, and Arias will need to settle quickly and produce end product if Wolves are to avoid slipping into another relegation battle.
Summary
The 2025/26 Premier League season, kicking off on Friday, 15 August, promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory — and for every club, there’s at least one player who could make or break their campaign.
Whether it’s a club-record signing like Florian Wirtz at Liverpool, a returning leader like Martin Ødegaard at Arsenal, or rising stars with a point to prove like Kevin Schade and Lucas Perri, each name on this list carries the weight of expectation. Some are tasked with replacing departed stars, others must justify big transfer fees, while a few simply need to rediscover the form that once made them undroppable.
These players won't just be filling roles — they’ll be defining narratives. In a league where small margins decide titles, European places, or survival, their performances could shape the outcome of the entire season.
One thing’s certain: the spotlight is on — now it’s time to deliver.
