Premier League Team of the Season: A Statistical Breakdown
The 2025-26 Premier League season has come to a close, with Arsenal securing the title in a thrilling final day, Tottenham surviving on the last matchday, and Sunderland making a late push to qualify for the Europa League. As the dust settles, discussions about the best performers of the season have taken center stage.
While pundits like Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville have their own opinions on the best XI, the statistical experts at Sofascore have released their own team of the season. This selection is based on the average performance of each player throughout the campaign, and it includes some unexpected choices that are sure to spark debate among fans.
Goalkeeper: Caoimhin Kelleher
The first notable inclusion is Brentford’s Caoimhin Kelleher between the sticks. Despite David Raya’s impressive 19 clean sheets, which helped Arsenal win the title, Kelleher was selected over the Gunners’ shot-stopper. With a Sofascore rating of 7.05, Kelleher outperformed several other goalkeepers in terms of individual performances, even though he managed only 10 clean sheets this season.
Defence: Gabriel Magalhaes, Virgil van Dijk, and Marc Guehi
In the defensive line, Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes joins Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and Manchester City defender Marc Guehi. All three players earned high ratings from Sofascore, with Magalhaes scoring 7.27, van Dijk 7.26, and Guehi 7.30. Van Dijk, despite being slightly below his usual standards, still delivered outstanding performances.
Midfield: Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson
Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson form the double pivot in the midfield. Rice, who played a crucial role in Arsenal’s success, earned a rating of 7.46, while Anderson, playing for Nottingham Forest, scored 7.34. Their inclusion is a positive sign for Thomas Tuchel, who plans to use them together for England at the upcoming World Cup.
Central Midfield: Bruno Fernandes and Bruno Guimaraes
Two more central midfielders were chosen by Sofascore: Bruno Fernandes and Bruno Guimaraes. Fernandes, who led Manchester United to third place, had an incredible season, earning a rating of 7.61. He broke the Premier League assist record, tallying 21 assists in the final match against Brighton.
Guimaraes, despite only playing 29 matches due to injuries, earned a rating of 7.45 for his efforts at Newcastle. His inclusion is a testament to his talent, even though the club struggled under Eddie Howe.
Attack: Bukayo Saka and Jeremy Doku
Bukayo Saka was another Arsenal player recognized by Sofascore, earning a rating of 7.24. While he didn’t have his best season in terms of goals and assists, his overall performances were impressive. On the opposite flank, Jeremy Doku was selected after a marked improvement at Manchester City, scoring a rating of 7.39.
Striker: Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland rounded out the team with a rating of 7.31, following another Golden Boot-winning season. He scored 27 goals in Pep Guardiola’s final season as manager, cementing his status as one of the league’s most formidable strikers.
Final Thoughts
Sofascore’s Team of the Season highlights the importance of consistent performances throughout the entire campaign. While some selections may surprise fans, they reflect the statistical analysis of each player’s contributions. As the new season approaches, these players will be under scrutiny to maintain their form and continue delivering top-tier performances.
