14 World-Class Footballers in the Premier League Right Now

The Premier competition, which is often regarded as the most competitive football competition, is teeming with amazing talent and is arguably the best league in the world. There are top players like Jamie Vardy, Jordan Pickford, and Matheus Cunha even at the bottom of the competition.

However, there are relatively few and highly esteemed football players in England who are truly world-class. In fact, it might be said that only 14 players are currently competing at that level. GIVEMESPORT has disclosed which stars currently make the cut and why in light of this.

Ranking Elements
When placing these players in rank, the following primary considerations were made:

Current ability: While historical quality will be considered, a player who is past his prime, like Kevin De Bruyne, will no longer be considered World Class.
Contribution to the team can be categorised as goals, assists, clean sheets, or simply being a valuable member of the squad. To be regarded as world-class, you don’t have to score every goal or dish out every assist.
Best in their position: It should go without saying that a player must rank at least in the top five in their position on the field in order to be regarded as a world-class player.
Goals: Obviously, goals win games. To qualify for the top bracket, a top player may need to score at least 20 goals in a single league season.
Contributes: Much like goals, being able to regularly support your teammate can put you in the elite group. These days, players need to be able to deliver in the latter third and have outstanding distribution.
Clean Sheets: It should come as no surprise that a goalie must be able to keep the ball out of the net and be dependable when your teammates need you most.

Manchester City Erling Haaland and Rodri

Only two of Pep Guardiola’s players are regarded as world-class, which may surprise some given how dominant Manchester City has been over the past ten years and their record-breaking fourth consecutive Premier League triumph last season. They need to rebuild before they can get back to the top, based on their performance this season.

The problem is that a lot of important historical figures now seem to be past their prime. Kevin De Bruyne was one of the finest in the world for a long time, but he is 33 years old and will be leaving City in the summer due to MLS rumours.

Other players like midfield virtuoso Bernardo Silva (30) and Kyle Walker (34), who is currently on loan at AC Milan, have similar stories. Previously, this list would have contained all three.

Despite suffering an ACL injury since accepting the 2024 Ballon d’Or, Rodri remains one of the greatest football players of the contemporary era. The Spaniard, who is currently 28, should have a few more years to dominate.

Right now, there isn’t much that can be said about Erling Haaland that hasn’t already been said by almost everyone with any football knowledge. Since moving to England in 2022, the Norwegian has been a goal-scoring sensation, completely shattering Premier League defences and setting a league record for the most goals in a season. In both of his seasons at the Etihad, he has ended as the league’s top scorer and is still unstoppable.

Premier League Statistics for Man City’s Elite Players in 2024–2025

Name

Matches

Objectives

Helps

Rodri

2.

0

0

Haaland, Erling

28

21

3.

Liverpool
Virgil Van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Alisson Becker

Liverpool has four elite players on their roster and is likely to win the Premier League in 2024–2024. Undoubtedly, players like Virgil Van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, and Alisson Becker can all be included in that elite group; Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, on the other hand, are unlikely to be left out.

It is impossible to overestimate Alisson’s influence on Liverpool after he joined the team and the amazing improvement he brought. The Brazilian is among the greatest goalkeepers in Premier League history and has excelled during his time with the Reds.

Even though Alexander-Arnold has his detractors, he is genuinely amazing, and any midfielder would be jealous of his future inventiveness, vision, and playmaking skills. Although his defensive prowess isn’t quite as great as that of other top full-backs in the league, his forward skills are what really set him apart, which is why he’s heading to Real Madrid in the summer. His delivery is unmatched, and he holds the record for the most assists in the Premier League for a defender.

Since joining Liverpool from Roma in 2017, Salah has been without a doubt the team’s top player and has continuously been ranked among the best in the world. His impact on the club and goal-scoring record have been extraordinary. Regarding Van Dijk, commentators are starting to run out of praise for the Dutch centre back. When either departs the club, it will be a devastating blow.

World-Class Players at Liverpool: 2024–2025 Premier League Statistics

Name

Matches

Objectives

Helps

Sheets of cleanliness

Becker, Alisson

21

0

0

9.

Arnold, Trent Alexander

28

2.

6.

Twelve

Salah Mohamed

31

27

17

N/A

Van Dijk, Virgil

31

One

One

13.

Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, and Bukayo Saka of Arsenal

It was obvious that Arsenal had some elite players after their successful title runs in the previous two seasons. Anyone who feels otherwise should probably start watching somewhere else. Bukayo Saka has repeatedly shown himself to be a valuable member of both the club and the country.

Declan Rice’s 2023 arrival, despite at a hefty cost of more than £100 million, was a major boost for the north London team. With Saka and Rice on the team, it’s difficult to dispute with Mikel Arteta’s team’s solid belief that major hardware is imminent, even if they don’t win a league title this season.

Among the top defenders in football right now are William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, who may have the best partnership in the league. When they start a game together, they almost never lose, much less give up. Although it is unfortunate that he did not make the list, club captain Martin Odegaard has fallen out of the top bracket due to a recent slump in form.

World-Class Players at Arsenal: 2024–2025 Premier League Statistics

Name

Matches

Objectives

Helps

Clean Sheets

Rice, Declan

29

2.

5.

9.

Saka Bukayo

18

6.

11.

N/A

Magalhaes, Gabriel

28

3.

3.

10.

Saliba, William

29

2.

0

11.

Manchester United

Bruno Fernandes

There are no two options: Ever since he joined the Red Devils, Bruno Fernandes has been at the top of his game. Since moving to Old Trafford back in 2020, the 30-year-old has played a crucial role for the team. Without the Portugal star carrying the load during a difficult time for the team, it’s difficult to see where they could have ended up. His exceptional talent would allow him to join almost any team in the globe.

It’s understandable that many supporters and commentators find his petty behaviour annoying, but it would be a mistake to allow that to overshadow any assessment of his exceptional football skills. The offensive midfielder has maintained his excellent play despite the team’s numerous problems. Any future success for Ruben Amorim’s troops will depend heavily on him.

2024–2025 Premier League Stats for Bruno Fernandes

Matches

30

Objectives

8.

Helps

10.

Chelsea Cole Palmer

Cole Palmer, a world-class football player who transferred from Manchester City to Chelsea, had a fantastic 2023–24 season. The young Englishman was vital to their success on the pitch the previous time out and flourished at Stamford Bridge. His impressive performance at Euro 2024 has only served to highlight the skill and strength he possesses behind his sophisticated left foot.

Palmer, who was born in Manchester, was bound to have another fantastic season after signing a new deal at Stamford Bridge that would keep him there until well into the 2030s. Even though his form has faltered a bit in 2025, his ability to score goals and generate numbers—managed amid the tumultuous atmosphere of Stamford Bridge—demonstrates that he is a top-tier player.

Cole Palmer’s 2024–2025 Premier League statistics

Matches

30

Objectives

14

Helps

8.

Villa Aston
Martinez, Emi

Due to Bernd Leno’s injury, Emiliano Martinez eventually made his way into Arsenal’s starting eleven before making the wise professional decision to join Aston Villa in 2020. He was instrumental in the penalty shootout that helped Argentina win the World Cup in December 2022. In addition, the Argentine number one prevented France from taking the victory at the last second of the World Cup final with an amazing last-ditch save.

He is without a doubt one of the top glovemen in the league because of his steady performances for Villa. Martinez was a key contributor to Unai Emery’s team’s recent tremendous overachievement, which saw them place in the top four and earn Champions League football. He had to make the squad because he was the only goalie to win the Yashin Trophy twice.

Emi Martinez’s 2023–2024 Premier League statistics

Matches

30

Sheets of cleanliness

4.

Objectives Given Up

42

Isak of Newcastle United

One of the top strikers in the world at the moment is Alexander Isak. He has scored numerous goals for Newcastle United, including the game-winning goal that helped the Magpies win their first trophy in seven decades when they defeated Liverpool in the League Cup final.

As a result, he is still being linked to teams like Arsenal and Liverpool, but he will want a price far above £100 million to get his club to sell. All you need to know about his level is that he has contributed more Premier League goals than Haaland this season while playing less games.

2023–2024 Premier League Stats for Alexander Isak

Matches

26

Objectives

20

Helps

5.