The 2024/25 Premier League campaign has been anything but dull. At the halfway mark, the league is giving us a mix of brilliant goals, last-ditch saves, and thrilling tactical matchups. The festive fixtures offered a glimpse of which teams might sustain their momentum, though it’s still anyone’s guess who will raise the trophy come May.
Here’s a closer look at the eleven standouts of 2024/25 so far, each deserving their spot in a combined XI. Let’s walk through what they bring to the table.
1. David Raya (Arsenal)
Arsenal’s ascension to the top end of the table has much to do with the steadiness of David Raya. He sits second in the Golden Glove race with seven clean sheets and has logged nearly 600 successful passes.
Many keepers in a possession-heavy system would see plenty of the ball, but few look as composed as Raya when the high press comes calling. He’s even earned praise from pundits who didn’t see him as a top-flight starter a year ago. Though a handful of minor errors have crept into his game, he’s shown resilience by quickly shaking off mistakes and refocusing.
2. Antonee Robinson (Fulham)
Antonee Robinson has emerged as one of the most reliable left-backs in the league, and his seven assists lead all Premier League defenders. He bombards opponents with penetrating runs out wide, then hustles back to break up counterattacks.
Robinson also posts an impressive tackle success rate, and he’s drawn interest from several clubs that may be willing to pay around $40 million for his services. Robinson is a direct threat, both attacking and tracking back with quick sprints on both ends.
3. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Some feared Van Dijk had lost his edge, but he’s proving otherwise. The Liverpool captain has organized a patched-up defense into one of the league’s tightest units, conceding just 17 goals so far. He’s winning most of his aerial battles, and his passing out from the back helps spark Liverpool’s attacking moves.
The Dutchman’s contract runs out at the end of the season, and while questions remain over his future, he’s more than settled at Anfield. The man is in total control, no matter who he faces.
4. William Saliba (Arsenal)
Arsenal’s backline features Saliba as its heartbeat. At 23, he’s commanding in the air and confident on the ball. He rarely switches off, which helps the Gunners sustain pressure high up the pitch. Opponents know how tough it is to beat him in one-on-one duels, and he’s also chipped in a few vital goals from set pieces.
5. Jurrien Timber (Arsenal)
Timber has announced himself this season after a serious injury cut short his previous campaign. He’s made 17 league appearances in which he often drifts into midfield to help dominate possession.
Meanwhile, he’s recorded an impressive tally of tackles and interceptions on the right. Timber’s tactical nous allows him to track back at crucial moments, cutting off passing lanes and halting promising counterattacks. He gets the call over Trent, who’s probably leaving for Real Madrid this winter anyway.
“I started the year still injured, I had just gone on the pitch, I think, at the beginning of 2024. So a bit of a rollercoaster but, at the end, also a special year, coming back from injury and playing for Arsenal,” said Timber.
6. Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea)
Following a rocky start, Caicedo has become the midfield fulcrum Chelsea hoped for. He’s notched one goal and three assists in 19 appearances while ranking among the league leaders in ball recoveries for midfielders. His energy is relentless, and he’s finally cutting out the miscommunications that plagued his early appearances.
The Ecuadorian’s ability to shield the back four and then quickly launch into attack has seen him win over skeptical fans and pundits.
7. Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)
Gravenberch is the story of a near-departure turned revival. Many expected him to leave in the summer, yet he stayed and claimed a larger role under new manager Arne Slot.
He’s played in 18 league matches, adding two assists. But his dynamic mix of pressing, distributing, and shielding the defense has Liverpool’s midfield humming. Slot has praised his knack for choosing the right moments to surge forward, while supporters applaud how he’s stabilized a position once in flux.
8. Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Palmer has racked up 18 goal involvements in 19 league games, including a memorable four-goal first half against Brighton. He earned plaudits last season, but he’s reached new levels of consistency and productivity.
Whether slipping a clever pass through a crowded midfield or taking defenders on, he rarely looks overwhelmed by the physicality. He has quickly become a pivotal figure in Chelsea’s front line, blending intelligence with unpredictable creativity. So cold.
9. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Saka has produced five goals and ten assists, and he continues to be the difference-maker in Arsenal’s attack. He can slow the game to draw defenders out, then burst into space to whip in a dangerous cross or drive into the box for a clean finish.
Although a recent injury sidelined him, his return is crucial for Arsenal’s title hopes. His calm composure under pressure belies his age, and many call him the Gunners’ most consistent threat in the final third. Spicy, indeed.
10. Alexander Isak (Newcastle United)
He is said to be worth $150 million for the Magpies. Isak has tallied 12 goals and four assists in 17 appearances, earning a place among the top scorers this season.
He can drop deep to link play, then dart into the box to finish off moves. Newcastle’s attack looks sharp whenever he’s on the pitch, and he’s scored crucial goals that’ve kept them in the hunt for a Champions League spot.
11. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Salah remains the centerpiece of Liverpool’s offense. He has 17 goals and 13 assists, remarkable totals by this stage of the season. His incredible output makes him a strong candidate to win the Ballon d’Or.
Few opponents have found a way to neutralize him for 90 minutes, which is why Liverpool sits at or near the top of the table. Salah is the ultimate threat.
