By OkayGoal 
It has been another intriguing Premier League season with several stand-out narratives, including champions Arsenal and surprise European qualifiers Bournemouth and Sunderland, to name but three.
Individually, it was a memorable campaign for the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Declan Rice and Gabriel but it was not plain sailing for everyone.
Here, we take a look at our Premier League worst XI for the 2025/26 season:
GOALKEEPER
Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham)
Key stat: Had a Premier League-worst -5.5 goals prevented compared to xGOT conceded. In layman’s terms, he conceded 50 goals when he should have conceded just 44.5.
One of the main ingredients in a recipe of disaster for Tottenham, who had to wait to the final day to preserve their top-flight status. Underwent a hernia operation in March and failed to make it back into the team ahead of the rejuvenated Antonin Kinsky. His save percentage of 62.4% was also among the worst in the division.
DEFENDERS
Jeremie Frimpong (Liverpool)
Key stat: Made just 11 tackles all season, won less than half his ground duels and didn’t manage a single block
Arrived last summer for £30million and was tasked with filling the boots of the departed Trent Alexander-Arnold. Came with a reputation as a flying full-back who would fill the creative void left by the England international. Ended the season with no goals and one assist.
Cristian Romero (Tottenham)
Key stat: One of just two players to be shown two red cards this season
Selected as much for his negative influence as for his performances. The Spurs captain symbolised the problems they had all season, repeatedly criticising the club while failing to deliver on the field. Was due to skip the final-day game with Everton before a public outcry led to a late change of heart. Made just 23 league appearances through injury and suspension, and won possession back for his side 88 times. By comparison, Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi was the leading centre-half in this category with 154.
Max Kilman (West Ham)
Key stat: Won a mere 44% of his ground duels
Was dropped after an error-strewn start to the season and, having been given a chance against Leeds in the FA Cup, committed another mistake that saw the Hammers crash out at the quarter-final stage. A £40m signing from Wolves, Kilman still has five years left on the lucrative seven-year contract he signed in 2024. If ever a signing demonstrated a club’s mis-management…
Dan Burn (Newcastle)
Key stat: Had a successful open play pass completion rate of 79.3%
One of the great mysteries of England’s World Cup squad, Burn was a key member of a Newcastle defence that shipped 55 goals in 38 league games with only five teams conceding more. Not good at defending, must be good on the ball then? Er, no. Burn managed to complete just 79.3% of his passes in open play, way down the rankings. That figure drops to 52.1% in the final third.
MIDFIELDERS
Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City)
Key stat: Had just one Premier League goal involvement in 2026
A £46million signing from AC Milan last summer, Reijnders started the season superbly with a goal and an assist at Wolves on the opening day but then tailed off to being nothing more than a regular bench warmer. Is already believed to be considering his options.
Manuel Ugarte (Manchester United)
Key stat: Zero goals and zero assists in this Premier League season
You could argue that stat is a touch misleading given the Uruguay international is predominantly a defensive midfielder, and the fact that of Ugarte’s 22 league appearances, 14 came from the bench. But he was largely utilised in a back-up role to Casemiro, who managed nine goals and two assists. United may want to consider dipping into the transfer market to replace the departing Brazilian.
Carlos Baleba (Brighton)
Key stat: Managed just two through balls in 31 appearances and zero crosses
Baleba was heavily linked with Manchester United last summer and may well get a move prior to next season. It is unlikely Brighton will spend much time in trying to persuade him to stay given his attacking output. Even as a defensive midfielder, two through balls all season is difficult to fathom.
FORWARDS
Liam Delap (Chelsea)
Key stat: Scored one single goal in the Premier League and has under-performed his xG by 3.47
It’s inevitable that if your transfer model is to sign players with promise, some will flop. And for every Willian Estevao there is bound to be a Liam Delap. Has looked woefully short of quality and has the worst goals v xG in the top flight for recognised strikers apart from Evanilson, who offers more to Bournemouth in terms of approach play.
Yoane Wissa (Newcastle)
Key stat: Failed to score in the Premier League in 2026 and managed just one goal all season
The absolute definition of a panic buy. Having belatedly sold Alexander Isak to Liverpool last summer, Newcastle needed attacking reinforcements and quickly. That led them to spend £55m on Wissa, despite him having just 12 months left on his Brentford contract. Suffered a knee injury on international duty in September and never really looked fit or interested on his return.
Alexander Isak (Liverpool)
Key stat: Managed just six shots on target all season
Signed for a British record £125m last year, Isak’s season was essentially a write-off. Having finally got himself fit, he was just beginning to regain his Newcastle form when he sustained a broken leg in the act of scoring at Tottenham. Flitted in and out over the remainder of the season.