5 Premier League players who are quietly becoming world-class this season

Last Updated on 21 November 2025

The Premier League is filled with superstars whose brilliance dominates the headlines. But every season, a handful of players elevate their game to cross the threshold into true world-class territory without the fanfare they deserve.

These aren’t the usual names in every Premier League debate. But, perhaps, they should be.

They’re the players who have taken subtle but significant leaps. Sharpening their decision-making, carrying teams in big moments, and adding new dimensions to their game.

5 – Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)

The most obvious player on the list, Marc Guehi’s rise over the last couple of seasons has been undeniable.

However, after a failed move on deadline day to Liverpool, Guehi has truly established himself as one of the best defenders in the league, if not the outright best.

As per WhoScored, Crystal Palace are the 9th highest rated team during the 2025/26 campaign in all of Europe. Their best player? Marc Guehi with a 7.23 rating.

But you don’t need to check stats to see his impact. The 25-year-old is a leader and he’s anchored Oliver Glasner’s revolution at Selhurst Park. There’s a reason every top European club is linked with him and could get him on a cheap in January.

4 – Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth)

Another player who was denied a move in the summer window, Antoine Semenyo, has been arguably the best player in the league, this season.

Semenyo had 16 goal involvements for the Cherries in the league, last season, and already has more than half with 9 in the 2025/26 campaign.

He’s been key to Andoni Iraola’s side, scoring and assisting crucial goals throughout the campaign. Easily, one of the most electric players in the league, Semenyo has added consistency to his game.

Like Guehi, Semenyo is linked with top clubs in the Premier League, after details on his release clause were revealed, recently.

3 – Jeremy Doku (Manchester City)

Jeremy Doku made his mark on the international stage, showcasing his superb dribbling skills in the Euro 2020.

However, for all his threat, Doku signficantly lacked output in the final third. Even after sealing a move to Manchester City, the Belgian looked like a handful but rarely scored and assisted.

This season, though, has been a different story altogether. Doku has seven goal involvements for City, already, including a screamer against the champions, Liverpool.

He’s definitely made the leap and now the only thing standing between Doku and the top-tier is consistency.

2 – Iliman Ndiaye (Everton)

Aged 25, Iliman Ndiaye’s footballing journey is unique in many different ways. Less than five years ago, he was plying his trade with a semi-professional club, Hyde United.

But, this season, Ndiaye’s been Everton’s best player by a country mile. He’s their most important outlet and by all accounts, the Senegalese is a fun player to watch.

He netted nine times in his debut campaign for the Toffees, and he already has five goal involvements as well as an assist to his name in the 2025/26 season.

1 – Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest)

If Antoine Semenyo has been the undisputed best attacker in the league, then Elliot Anderson has to be head and shoulders above any other midfielder in the Premier League.

To be as consistent as Anderson has been, for a team that has had three managers take charge in less than a dozen Premier League games, is truly remarkable.

No player has won more possessions and duels than Anderson, and he also leads all other central midfielders for most passes completed and most passes into the final third.

He was awarded with an England cap for his incredibly rich vein of form. And Anderson’s already been slapped with a £100m price tag as interested clubs circle ahead of the January window.