Premier League's Lowest Rated Players Revealed for 2025/26 Season
A look at the Premier League players who have statistically struggled this season reveals some surprising names. Based on WhoScored's average match ratings, each club's lowest-performing regular starter has been identified, with a minimum threshold of 12 starts or 24 total appearances to ensure relevance. This list offers a data-driven snapshot of individual form across the league.
The Criteria and Methodology
The analysis focuses on players who have had a significant role in their team's campaign, not just occasional substitutes. The requirement of 12 starts or 24 appearances filters out bench players who rarely feature. The ratings are updated weekly and reflect performance up to matchday 32 of the 2025/26 season. It's a pure statistical view, though context like injuries, team performance, and specific roles is important.
- Data Source: WhoScored.com average match ratings.
- Minimum Involvement: 12 starts OR 24 total appearances.
- Snapshot Date: Matchday 32 of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
Club-by-Club Breakdown
Here is the player with the lowest average match rating at each Premier League club, according to the data.
Arsenal: Gabriel Martinelli (6.36). The Brazilian winger has shown his quality in cup competitions but his league form has been below his usual standard.
Aston Villa: Lamare Bogarde (6.13). His versatility is valued by manager Unai Emery, but his statistical output has been low.
Bournemouth: David Brooks (6.37). With one goal and two assists in 27 games, his rating isn't catastrophically low.
Brentford: Rico Henry (6.28). The defender's rating is likely impacted by his long-term injury struggles, though he has managed enough games to qualify.
Brighton: Carlos Baleba (6.26). Speculation suggests a failed transfer to Manchester United may have affected his focus and performance.
Burnley: Loum Tchaouna (6.17). The relegated club's struggles are reflected in individual metrics.
Chelsea: Liam Delap (6.28). Highly sought-after last summer, the striker has failed to live up to expectations at Chelsea.
Crystal Palace: Will Hughes (6.33). The midfielder's propensity for yellow cards is noted alongside his rating.
Everton: Thierno Barry (6.40). The forward has been statistically outperformed by teammate Beto this season.
Fulham: Josh King (6.28). Despite the low rating, the young player is seen as promising for the future.
Leeds United: Lucas Perri (6.30). The goalkeeper's position was lost to Karl Darlow during the season.
Liverpool: Curtis Jones (6.45). The midfielder was a candidate to leave in January and may depart in the summer.
Manchester City: Tijjani Reijnders (6.68). Even at the top of the table, City has its lowest-rated regular performer.
Manchester United: Leny Yoro (6.44). The defender is no longer a guaranteed starter when the squad is fully fit.
Newcastle United: Anthony Elanga (6.26). His hefty £55 million transfer fee is currently looking like a poor investment.
Nottingham Forest: Dan Ndoye (6.39). A marginal offside decision in a match against Fulham negatively impacted his score.
Sunderland: Wilson Isidor (6.31). Initially the main striker, he has since become a backup to Brian Brobbey and Eliezer Mayenda.
Tottenham Hotspur: Randal Kolo Muani (6.30). Only one goal in 25 league appearances is a poor return, though it was scored against Arsenal.
West Ham United: Callum Wilson (6.30). His season highlight was scoring the winner against Tottenham.
Wolves: Hwang Hee-chan (6.14). Wolves' collective poor season, which ended in relegation, makes it hard to blame any single player.
Key Takeaways from the Data
This statistical exercise highlights several interesting points about the season.
- Context is Crucial: A low rating doesn't necessarily mean a player is 'bad'. Injuries (Rico Henry), team collapse (Wolves), or specific tactical roles can heavily influence the numbers.
- Transfer Pressure: For some players like Carlos Baleba and Anthony Elanga, external factors like transfer speculation or a high price tag appear linked to underwhelming performances.
- Attackers Under Scrutiny: Many names on the list are forwards or attacking midfielders (Martinelli, Delap, Kolo Muani, Wilson), where output is more easily measured and criticized.
- The Relegation Factor: Players from relegated clubs (Burnley, Wolves) naturally feature, as poor team results drag down individual metrics.
- Rating is a Snapshot: The WhoScored rating is a moment-in-time statistic. A player's form can change dramatically, and past performance doesn't dictate future results.
Ultimately, these ratings are a single metric in a complex sport. They identify players who, statistically, have not performed to the level of their teammates this season. For fans and analysts, it's a starting point for discussion, not a definitive judgment on a player's ability or future.
— Editorial Team
