Five Premier League players who must step up in new season
The 2026-27 Premier League season kicks off on Friday with Arsenal in action against Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium.
Last season, some players failed to live up to expectations, and they will be hoping to shine in the new season.
FirstDailySports takes a look at five players who are under pressure to impress this season following a rather disappointing campaign last season.
Bukayo Saka
The English winger had a disappointing campaign last season, struggling for consistency despite the club being in the title race.
Saka produced just seven goals and five assists in 31 Premier League appearances for Arsenal, a return that is poor by his standard.
He will be hoping to get back to his best this season as the Gunners aims to defend the Premier League title.
Saka will aiming to better his best-ever season in the Premier League, when he recorded 16 goals and nine assists in the 2023-24 season. He has been unable to live up to that height.
Arsenal fans will expect much more from their assistant captain this season, hopefully he lives up to expectations.
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Alexander Isak (Liverpool)
Isak had the most disappointing season in his career last year after joining Liverpool from Newcastle United in a big-money move in September 2025.
However, a combination of poor form, lack of match fitness and injuries contributed to a poor return of just three goals and one assist in the Premier League.
In contrast to his impressive 23 goals for Newcastle United the previous season, it was a big let down for the Swedish striker after Liverpool fans expected him to take the goalscoring burden off Mohammed Salah.
With the departure of Salah, Isak is expected to shoulder the goal-scoring responsibility at Anfield.
Isak is fully fit now, he took part in the pre-season, and he is in a great shape physically.
Liverpool fans will expect him to live up to his price tag in the new season.
Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Palmer had an unforgettable season at Stamford Bridge last year, he contributed 10 goals and one assist in 26 appearances, five of which were penalties.
You could argue that he struggled with a groin injury but when he was fit, he looked out of sorts, and was clearly struggling to make things happen for his team.
Unlike the 2024-25 season, where he produced 15 goals and 11 assists.
By his standard, the 2025-26 campaign was disappointing, he will be hoping to put it behind him as Chelsea targets a successful first season under Xabi Alonso.
In his defence, Palmer had his first full pre-season in four years after missing out of the 2026 World Cup. He looked sharp and ready to go in pre-season.
Chelsea fans will be expecting more from Palmer in the new season.
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Phil Foden (Man City)
Foden flattered to deceive at the Etihad Stadium last season, producing a meagre return of seven goals and five assists in 33 appearances.
He struggled to maintain his usually high standards with underwhelming performances for Manchester City.
In the last two seasons, Foden has been playing below his standards, in the 2024-25 season, he recorded just seven goals and two assists.
In the 2023-24 season, Foden had an impressive season with 19 goals and eight assists.
Man City fans will be hoping he can rediscover his 2024 form under new coach, Enzo Maresca following the departure of Pep Guardiola.
The club has shown faith in him by offering him a new four-year deal ahead of the new season, it is now left to Foden to repay the club with impressive performances and improve his stats.
It will be a defining season for Foden at the Etihad Stadium.
Florian Wirtz (Liverpool)
Wirtz was another big-money signing for Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen last season, the deal cost the Reds a whopping £100 million.
Unfortunately, The German playmaker failed to live up to the price tag to endure a poor first season in the English top-flight.
Wirtz produced five goals and three assists for Liverpool in 33 Premier League appearances last season as the club endured a topsy-turvy campaign under Arne Slot.
That was the lowest output he has ever recorded in his entire career.
In his last season at Bayer Leverkusen before joining Liverpool, he scored 12 goals and recorded 22 assists.
Liverpool fans were disappointed with his performances last season, following the appointment of Andoni Iraola, they will be hoping the Spanish coach can revive his confidence and get him to repeat his Bayer Leverkusen numbers.
Football fans will be hoping that these players can rediscover their best form in the new season.
