20 Worst Players in the 2025-26 Season Based on Stats

The Premier League season is almost at the halfway stage. While the table is beginning to take shape and many players have shown their quality, there have been lots of underwhelming performers so far this term.

Arsenal lead the way in the title race, but two of the Gunners’ regular starters last season have lost their place in Mikel Arteta’s best XI, and that’s justified by the stats. Both men have made the list of the 20 worst players of the Premier League season to date.

To compile a list of the poorest performing players, we’ve taken a look at WhoScored’s average ratings. Only players with at least 10 appearances in the competition are eligible, and there are some big names.

20 – 16

The first two names to make the list are Leeds United goalkeeper Lucas Perri and Brentford midfielder Mathias Jensen. The former has played 12 of the Lilywhites’ 17 matches to date. The 18 goals he’s shipped have resulted in a 6.24 rating.

Jensen, meanwhile, was a regular starter under Thomas Frank but has lost his starting place this season to Jordan Henderson. The Dane has netted two league goals, including a long-range effort against Man Utd, but has mainly been limited to substitute appearances.

Elsewhere, a pair of electric wingers have flattered to deceive this term. Anthony Elanga and Gabriel Martinelli have impressed with their incredible speed in previous years, but both have dropped down the pecking order at Newcastle and Arsenal, respectively.

Charly Alcaraz, who has only registered one assist in 14 games for Everton, is another attack-minded player who hasn’t reached the heights expected. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is firmly ahead of the Argentine under David Moyes. His 6.22 average rating shows exactly why.

15 – 11

Big things are expected of 18-year-old Josh King at Fulham. The youngster thought he’d opened his Premier League goalscoring account with a goal at Stamford Bridge, only to be controversially denied by VAR.

Since then, he’s gone off the boil slightly. With a 6.22 rating this term, and no goals to his name, King has had to settle for 15-20 minute cameos in recent weeks.

Lamare Bogarde and Simon Adingra have both failed to force their way into the starting XIs at Aston Villa and Sunderland so far. Both men have only registered 6.20 ratings, putting them among the division’s worst performers.

Another of Arsenal’s main men last season, Myles Lewis-Skelly features on this list. The left-back has lost his place to Riccardo Calafiori this term and is yet to make a league start.

Meanwhile, Tolu Arokodare has very little to show for his efforts this season other than a shock goal at the Emirates. Wolves are cemented to the bottom of the table with only two points, meaning it’s no surprise to see one of their players on this list.

10 – 6

Two players who have been heavily linked with exits from their clubs are William Osula and Kobbie Mainoo. The former isn’t likely to force his way past Nick Woltemade at St James’ Park, while Mainoo has been urged to escape Manchester United by club legend Paul Scholes.

Their performances haven’t helped either of their cases. Justin Devenny of Crystal Palace recently bagged his first Premier League goal from the penalty spot, but the young Scot has disappointed when given chances by Oliver Glasner and has registered a 6.15 rating.

Burnley are another club struggling in the fight for survival. Scott Parker’s men have picked up just 11 points from a possible 51. Hannibal Mejbri and Josh Laurent, being among the worst players in the league this season, haven’t helped the Clarets’ cause.

5 – 1

Yet another Turf Moor resident cracks the top five. Armando Broja could be about to turn his fortunes around after netting his first goal of the season in the recent draw at Bournemouth. But for now, the Albanian centre-forward hasn’t made the most of his 312 Premier League minutes.

Jack Harrison is yet to win Leeds fans over after he was actually booed by his own supporters after returning from a two-year loan spell at Everton. The winger is joined on a 6.10 rating by Wolves’ Hwang Hee-Chan. Between them, the pair have one league goal in 23 appearances.

Adama Traore and Dan James share the mantle of ‘worst Premier League player of the season’ as the wingers both have 6.09 average ratings. In fairness, neither has been a regular starter for their club, but they also haven’t done anything to justify more minutes. Traore has been in Fulham’s XI once, while James has started only four games in the league for Daniel Farke. They have no goals or assists between them.

Statistics courtesy of WhoScored and Transfermarkt. Correct as of 22-12-25.