Back
London [UK]: Premier League players have once again showcased their dominance, with several stars making the cut for the prestigious 2026 Ballon d’Or nominations. Opta statistics from the 2025/26 season highlight a series of remarkable performances that have caught the attention of football pundits worldwide.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has set a new benchmark, recording an astounding 22 assists in the Premier League during the 2025/26 campaign – a new competition record. His creative genius didn't stop there, as he also crafted 142 chances, the highest across Europe's top five leagues.
Manchester City's prolific striker Erling Haaland continued his goal-scoring spree, reaching 100 Premier League goals in a mere 111 appearances by December 2025. He netted an impressive 38 goals in 52 appearances across all competitions for City in the same season.
Arsenal's defensive stalwarts also made their mark. Gabriel Magalhães led the league with 17 clean sheets, the most by any defender, and contributed to 24 clean sheets across all competitions for the Gunners. His teammate William Saliba showcased exceptional passing accuracy, completing 67 passes per 90 minutes, the highest among Arsenal players. Arsenal's win rate significantly improved with Saliba on the field, jumping from 57% to 71%.
Midfielder Declan Rice was instrumental for Arsenal, contributing five goals and nine assists across all competitions. He created 96 chances, the most by any English player in Europe's top five leagues. Other notable nominees include Manchester City's Rodri and Chelsea's Marc Cucurella, further underscoring the Premier League's strong representation in these elite awards.
Disclaimer: This story is sourced from a syndicated agency feed and has been refined using artificial intelligence to improve readability. Please note that this article was published automatically and has not undergone a human editorial review.