The opening weeks of a Premier League season can quickly transform expectations.
New signings can settle immediately, established stars can begin with a run of goals and previously overlooked players can become central to their teams. Five matches are not enough to determine how an entire campaign will unfold, but they provide the first meaningful opportunity to identify the competition’s standout performers.
The players below have been selected using goals, assists, chance creation, defensive contribution, goalkeeping performance and overall influence. The ranking considers what each player has contributed within the context of their position rather than focusing exclusively on attacking statistics.
All statistics reflect the first five matches of the 2026/27 Premier League season.
The Best Starts to the 2026/27 Premier League Season
Pascal Groß, Brighton & Hove Albion
Erling Haaland, Manchester City
João Pedro, Chelsea
Rayan Cherki, Manchester City
Bukayo Saka, Arsenal
Alexander Isak, Liverpool
Antoine Semenyo, Manchester City
James Tarkowski, Everton
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Leeds United
James Trafford, Leeds United
1. Pascal Groß, Brighton & Hove Albion
Pascal Groß has arguably been the Premier League’s most complete performer during the opening five matches.
The Brighton midfielder has produced three goals and three assists, giving him six direct goal contributions. He has also created more chances than any other player in the division.
Groß’s influence extends beyond the final pass. He helps Brighton control possession, provides accurate set-piece delivery and understands how to move into spaces from which he can affect the game.
His lack of exceptional pace has never prevented him from influencing Premier League matches. Groß compensates through awareness, positioning and the ability to make decisions before pressure arrives.
He is capable of receiving possession centrally, moving into wider areas or dropping deeper to help Brighton build from defence. That versatility makes him difficult for opponents to track.
His set pieces remain another major source of danger. Groß can…
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