Premier League POTY Power Rankings: Top 10 Contenders For the Best EPL Player in 2026 (Ranked)

The incredible start to the English Premier League season 2025-26 gave fans some astonishing results, top-class goals, and players who have transformed the league with their grace and skill. Moreover, the race heats up for the Premier League POTY power rankings, as some players look to win the grand prize. A few names have already emerged as leaders with their exceptional attacking play and prowess. Moreover, these players remain crucial to their respective clubs in their pursuit of the Premier League title, Champions League qualification, or in saving the club from relegation.

After a rough season by his standards last time around, the Norwegian striker Erling Haaland has come back with a vengeance to propel Manchester City forward. The Citizens look like they are back, and they hope to win the Premier League title, yet again. Likewise, Declan Rice is the engine of Arsenal, as he too remains instrumental to their success. Hence, we take a look at the Premier League 2026 POTY ranking for this year.

Premier League 2026 POTY Power Rankings: List of Possible Top 10 Contenders

The Premier League POTY power rankings list comprises players from robust defenders to goal-scoring attackers and midfielders who can do it all. Whenever you start a season, the Premier League player of the year power rankings become a hotly talked-about subject. Therefore, in this list, we rank the Top 10 Premier League 2026 POTY power rankings list from descending to ascending order of the best players of the season. Note: The average ratings are based solely on Sportsdunia's stats section for the Premier League.

Criteria Behind Premier League Player of the Year Power Rankings

For every EPL 2026 POTY power rankings, fans scrutinize these players with every single criterion, from on-field stats, impact on a team, and also the overall form of the player. In the top 10 Premier League 2026 POTY rankings, the rankings of the players are based on three criteria: Individual Performance Metrics, Overall Form, and Impact on Team Success. Hence, here are some of the thoughts behind the reasoning of the Premier League POTY power rankings.

• Individual Performance Metrics: These metrics provide the basic statistical framework for players of all rankings. Goals, assists, progressive passes, or even tackles come to the forefront to determine a player's ranking. Hence, the Premier League 2026 POTY ranking remains based on these statistics and their impact.
• Overall Form: If a player has five goals in 11 games but has an overall rating of 6.5, that doesn't paint a pretty picture. The consistency of footballers remains crucial in selecting the Premier League Player of the Year power rankings.
• Impact on Team Success: Many players from the lower levels have a significant effect on the team, from top to bottom. Therefore, this criterion helps identify players who impact the team in multiple ways, as it contributes to determining the Premier League 2026 POTY power rankings.

Note: The statistics are sourced from Sportsdunia, FB Brief, and FotMob, and only include the Premier League, not any other competitions.

Premier League POTY Power Rankings: Potential Top 10 Contenders Revealed

The Premier League POTY power rankings feature players who have made a significant impact this season with their exceptional gameplay. These footballers have made a significant impact on the team from the front with their skill set and leadership, and hope to lead the EPL 2026 POTY power rankings going forward. Here are the Top 10 Premier League 2026 POTY rankings, with some statistics taken per 90 minutes.

10. Bryan Mbeumo (26/Cameroon)

When one of the most successful Premier League clubs, Manchester United, signed Bryan Mbeumo, they knew they received a top-class winger who had an eye for goal. He cuts inside from the right wing, a position Man United lacked an effective player for years. Hence, Mbeumo appears to be the real deal for United, scoring goals and providing for his teammates.

So far, he has scored five goals and one assist in this campaign, creating 1.79 chances. With 4.90 touches in the opposition box, Bryan Mbeumo provides quality in the final third and is a dangerous player. Yet, United is 7th in the table, and there are other sensational performers in the Premier League.

9. Jurrien Timber (24/Netherlands)

Ben White came to Arsenal and made the right back position his own. But since Jurrien Timber went to the club, he's made that spot his own. He's a combative defender who shows aggression in tackles and on the ball, but possesses immense mental control.

Going forward, he has scored two goals this season, but his defensive prowess is particularly notable. He has 3.47 tackles in a game and wins 56.3% of his duels. He's a dual-rounded threat going forward, but the Dutch star stands out for his defensive prowess. If Arsenal has to win the Premier League, Timber plays a crucial role.

8. Dominik Szoboszlai (25/Hungary)

For some, he's the Hungarian Kevin De Bruyne. He's got a unique way of hitting the ball, and his eye for a pass is terrific. Even after a dip in the form of Liverpool, one man who could walk with his head held high is Szoboszlai.

With a pass accuracy of 86.9%, the Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has taken his team to the next level through his passing ability. His underrated dribbling ability often goes unnoticed to the naked eye, as evidenced by his 60.0% success rate in dribbling. With the club's position down in eighth, the Hungarian remains at the bottom of the ladder.

7. Jeremy Doku (23/Belgium)

One of the most improved wingers in world football, Jeremy Doku breathes life into games. He terrorizes full-backs with his dribbling and his tricky wing play. Therefore, he's slowly developed into a potent threat in the final third for one of the best football clubs in the world, Manchester City.

With one goal and three assists, Doku propelled Man City to second position. His dribbling stands out, with those shimmies becoming more effective, resulting in 4.91 dribbles per game. Doku takes the defensive shape apart, which allows Erling Haaland to get space and score goals.

6. Granit Xhaka (33/Switzerland)

Nobody believed Sunderland when they announced intentions to sign Granit Xhaka. They were dumbfounded when he actually signed for the club. Since then, he's slowly transformed Sunderland at the heart of the midfield with his passing abilities.

A leader from the get-go, Xhaka helped Sunderland to take the fourth spot in the Premier League. He has one goal and three assists, and with an average rating of 7.3, he's the torchbearer of this side. Unless they have a freefall, Xhaka and Sunderland will stay up.

5. Declan Rice (26/England)

In the engine room of Arsenal, when Declan Rice plays well, Arsenal play well. He effectively links the defense to the attack and drives the ball forward with his massive frame. Influential from the middle of the park, Rice can do a bit of everything, and he's kept Arsenal on top.

He scored two goals and two assists and delivered incredible balls from corner kicks. With a 70.0% dribble success rate, Declan Rice remains one of the best midfielders in the world right now, who carries Arsenal forward.

4. Antoine Semenyo (25/Ghana)

Just wow. That's the only word to describe the tricky winger from Ghana who plays for Bournemouth, Antoine Semenyo. At this rate, he would leave for a bigger club in the future, with all due respect to the Cherries.

The tricky winger scored six goals and three assists and carried AFC Bournemouth on his shoulders at times. He's taken the Cherries to as high as ninth place despite all the stars in defense they lost in the summer.

3. Gabriel Magalhães (27/Brazil)

The Brazilian defender has been one of the best defenders in the Premier League this season, after Virgil Van Dijk and Ruben Dias' uncharacteristic struggles. Gabriel has marshalled Arsenal's defense well, with solid aerial play and causing a ruckus in his own box, as well as the opposition's box, particularly in set pieces.

He scored one goal and created two assists for a center back who has an underrated ability on the ball. With a pass accuracy of 90.0% and being effective in playing out of the back, the Gunners' centre-back, Gabriel Magalhães, defensive ability that complements his stats. Winning 3.45 aerial duals won, Gabriel's a beast.

2. Moisés Caicedo (24/Ecuador)

How everyone wishes they had paid £115 million for Moises Caicedo of Chelsea. Struggling in his first season, he's come back with a bang and looks like a man possessed. Although Declan Rice has had a terrific season, Caicedo is the single reason why Chelsea is as high as third.

Besides his three goals and one assist, he intercepts 2.48 times and tackles the life out of the opposition player when they attack. His ability to read the game and anticipate remains unparalleled. Chelsea's midfield stalwart runs the show for the club and hopes to take them forward.

1. Erling Haaland (25/Norway)

Are there any doubts? Erling Haaland could receive the award right now as the Premier League POTY power rankings. It's incredible to see how Pep Guardiola has made him the leading man now, and the team's sole ability is just one thing: to create chances for Haaland.

He's scored 14 goals with a 31.8% shot conversion rate. Apart from his goal-scoring prowess, he has improved his link-up and hold-up play, and looks a potent threat in the front line. With 7.12 touches in the opposition box, one chance is all he needs to put the ball into the back of the net.