Ian Darke’s Premier League stars: Haaland, Caicedo, Zubimendi

Sport defies predictions, and seasons take unexpected twists and turns. It was only a few weeks ago, after a run of dramatic late wins, that everyone was handing the Premier League title to Liverpool; now, Arsenal look to be strong favorites. But things can change again, and the movers and shakers often turn out to be unexpected ones. Here is my selection of players who have been big hits in the 2025-26 season.Martín Zubimendi is proving a class signing. The Spain international sits at the base of the midfield, dictating play and allowing Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze to assume more attacking roles in midfield. In contrast to some other big-money summer arrivals, he has needed no settling-in period and has even provided a goal threat from set pieces.It looked like Dominik Szoboszlai might lose his place at Liverpool when Florian Wirtz arrived for £100 million in the summer, but perhaps sensing that situation, the Hungary international has been his team’s best player, whether in his traditional midfield role or as an emergency right back, scoring that superb winner against Arsenal on Aug. 31. He has made it impossible for manager Arne Slot to leave him out.Craig Burley discusses Florian Wirtz’s current form with Germany and how that’s linked to his move to Liverpool.Unpredictable and youthful, Chelsea need the immense midfield presence of Moisés Caicedo, who has put a shaky start at Stamford Bridge well behind him to become the commanding powerhouse he was at Brighton. Every club in the league could use him. Meanwhile, Pedro Neto has been the pick of Chelsea’s collection of wingers.One entirely predictable “main man” has been striker Erling Haaland, with 32 goals in 20 games for Manchester City and Norway this season. He also has an incredible 99 Premier League goals in 108 appearances, putting him on the verge of beating Alan Shearer as the fastest to the landmark figure of 100 goals. His conversion rate of chances is off the charts and, frighteningly, he seems to be getting even better.Spurs have a diamond in Micky van de Ven, a defender with Olympic speed and six goals to his name, including a memorable solo effort against FC Copenhagen in the UEFA Champions League last week. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is having a good season too, playing especially well in the 0-0 draw at Monaco.- O’Hanlon: Ranked: Europe’s 10 worst transfers from this summer — and the 5 best – Who would win the 2026 World Cup if it kicked off today? – Olley: What happened to the summer of strikers?Midfielder Granit Xhaka looks like the signing of the season. His team have shocked everyone since returning to the top flight — including his old club, Arsenal, on Nov. 8 in that 2-2 draw. An insight into the standards Xhaka demands from teammates came in an interview after the 1-1 draw with Everton on Nov. 3. Asked why his team had started badly, he said: “We trained poorly the day before and took that into the match. We have to train like we want to play.”