The five most disappointing stars of the 2025-26 Premier League season so far

Some high-profile players who entered the campaign on the back of strong 2024-25 seasons have instead delivered muted returns, failing to live up to expectations so far.

Here are five such stars whose performances, statistics and impact have so far fallen short of what was anticipated.

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Last season, Mohamed Salah was the league’s living headline: double-digit goal involvements virtually every month, end-of-season awards and the sort of output managers build attacks around.

This term, however, the numbers tell a quieter story. Salah has started slowly, registering just four Premier League goals and two assists in his 11 appearances so far in 2025-26, a steep drop from the remarkable 2024-25 haul that made him the division’s standout performer.

Liverpool’s rhythm has suffered when their talisman hasn’t been reliably decisive.

Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

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Ollie Watkins’ 2024-25 season was quietly superlative – a forward who could carry Villa through tight moments and finish chances consistently.

This season, though, he’s been a shadow of that efficiency. Watkins has managed only a single Premier League goal to date in 2025-26, a long way off the 16 goals and eight assists he produced last term.

The striker is misfiring in the box and oddly peripheral in Villa’s build-up play at times. Whether it’s a change in how opponents defend him, a tactical tweak at Villa Park or simply a confidence lull, the result is the same – a proven goalscorer who hasn’t been producing when his side need him most.

Jorgen Strand Larsen (Wolves)

After a promising 2024-25 campaign that convinced Wolves to back him as a key frontman, rejecting a £55 million summer bid from Newcastle, expectations were that Strand Larsen would step up again.

Instead, the Norway striker has barely registered in 2025-26, with just one league goal from nine appearances so far. And it’s not just the meagre goals return that is troubling.

His movement, presence in the box and the clinical edge that defined his breakout have been absent. Wolves have missed that threat up front.

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Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest)

Gibbs-White arrived at Nottingham Forest with a reputation for creativity and end-product, and 2024-25 underlined that promise with a high combined goals and assists total.

This season, though, the numbers show a marked slowdown. Gibbs-White has contributed just three combined goals and assists in 2025-26 so far – a long way short of the double-digit involvement fans had come to expect.

He still flashes the odd moment of invention and can turn a game in a flash, but consistency has deserted him. Forest have needed more regular influence from their attacking engine.

Carlos Baleba (Brighton)

Brighton’s young midfielder was the subject of summer interest from Manchester United after a stellar 2024-25 campaign in which he showed control and aggression in midfield.

This season, though, Baleba has failed to translate that early promise into the tangible returns many expected. Perhaps distracted by the Red Devil rumours, he has thus far fallen short of the standards of performance he set for himself last term.

How to watch the Premier League in Canada

Soccer fans in Canada can watch every Premier League match during the 2025-26 season on DAZN.

With Fubo Sports on DAZN, Canadians can catch Premier League action as well as Serie A. Additionally, DAZN is the home of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Bundesliga and more.

For pricing information and to sign up to watch, click here.