The biggest surprise stars of the Premier League season so far

The Premier League season has reached its halfway stage, with Arsenal still leading the way at the top of the division, but there's a closely fought battle below them in what's been a fascinating campaign so far. 

The league's biggest names, such as Erling Haaland, Declan Rice and Morgan Rogers, have taken centre stage, but alongside them have been some of the surprise stars of 2025-26. 

DAZN News looks at five of the unlikely heroes of the first half of the season. 
 

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United) 

A deadline day signing that felt like a last-minute move from Leeds, but boy, has it paid off for both the player and club. 

After a slow start to life in Yorkshire, while he built up his fitness, Calvert-Lewin exploded into action during the winter months and looks as though he's put his injury perils behind him for now. 

Leading the Leeds attack, the striker scored in six consecutive games across November and December, with all the goals coming inside the penalty box, proving what a deadly finisher can do for a side. 

Those goals have helped Daniel Farke's side put a buffer between them and the relegation zone and seen calls for Calvert-Lewin to get an England recall. 

"You've got to give a massive shout-out and respect to Dominic Calvert-Lewin," Jermaine Pennant exclusively told DAZN News, thanks to casino.org, who help people in finding mobile slots, when asked about the striker. 

"The things he's gone through because of his injuries, he never really got a good run in, never stayed fit.

"We know he's in a handful, especially for teams that are direct and love getting balls in the box. That's his game, but his all-around game is good. If he were a player who had a few seasons injury-free, he would be at a big club, without a shadow of a doubt."

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Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City) 

Too many Manchester City academy names have slipped through the club's net in search of first-team football, but Pep Guardiola had been adamant that Nico Reilly would not follow the same path, and we're now seeing why he was so keen to keep him. 

Having seen flashes of the midfielder last season, O'Reilly has been deployed at left-back this season and has made the position his own for club and now possibly country, too. The adaptable 20-year-old has shown his football intelligence in working successfully in Guardiola's system, and outside the leading lights of Erling Haaland and Phil Foden, has been the club's best player this season. 

His transformation to starting left-back could now see him occupy the same space when England kick off against Croatia at this summer's World Cup. 

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Granit Xhaka (Sunderland)

Sunderland cleverly went about their recruitment over the summer and their strategy has been a proven success given the current standing in the league, but arguably their best purchase has been the signing of the veteran Swiss. 

Adding his wealth of experience to the Black Cats' young side has given the club the perfect blend and Xhaka has been the controlled and calming influence in the middle of the park. 

He's been so good, former Sunderland man Michael Grey believes he's been the league's best deal in 2025-26.

"He's been a joy to have around the club. Just what an incredible signing he's been," he exclusively told DAZN News, thanks to CasinoBernie. 

"There was a lot of money spent in that summer window. Ekitike is probably up there as one of the best signings for Liverpool as well. Other than that, you're scratching around thinking who's done better than Granit Xhaka?

"For the money he came to Sunderland for, and you think he's a league winner in Germany and he's came back to the Premier League and they absolutely adore him in the North East now. Full credit as well, he's been outstanding and he's the signing of the season in the Premier League." 

George Wood/Getty Images

Igor Thiago (Brentford)

When Brentford sold both Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa last summer, many feared for the Bees and wondered where the goals would come from for the West London side. 

Well, step forward, Igor Thiago. After injury ruined his first season at the club, the Brazilian scored his first goal for Keith Andrews' men in the win over Nottingham Forest and hasn't looked back since.

His five goals in four games across November saw him win the Premier League Player of the Month and he has now racked up twelve goals so far this season. 

Thiago's performances have already seen him linked with a move to one of the league's big boys, but for now, he's focused on being the focal point of Brentford's attack. 

Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images

Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool) 

When Liverpool went about their incredible summer spending in 2025, most of the spotlight fell upon their star recruits in Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, but it's been the French striker who has so far been the club's most successful signing this season. 

Ekitike was expected to be somewhat of a backup to Isak, but as the Swede has struggled for form and fitness, his number two has shone. After scoring on his debut for the club in the Community Shield, the forward followed it up with a goal on his Premier League bow and is already into double figures for the season. 

His eleven goals make him the Reds' top scorer this season and with Isak expected to be out for the next couple of months, even more emphasis will be put on the 23-year-old to continue his impressive start.  

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.