The 2025/26 season of the Premier League brought about the signing of many blockbuster players of the striker position but not all of them have been able to justify the high value of their price tags. It is only eight matchdays in, thus, the challenge of these new goal-getters in the league is just becoming evident.
Joao Pedro (Chelsea) started off five games elegantly by scoring and assisting in three of them, infusing his Club World Cup momentum right into the league. Yet, a run of nine games without scoring has revealed that he is not really a typical No. 9. Grade: C+
Benjamin Sesko (Manchester United) came as a surprise last minute of the transfer window from RB Leipzig, and the deal was valued at £74 million. The Slovenian had a slow beginning but now he is in good shape and has scored twice in four games under Ruben Amorim. Grade: B
Nick Woltemade (Newcastle United) has shocked everyone with his performance after being bought from Stuttgart for £69 million. The 6’6″ striker has been able to score five times in eight games and hence he has proven himself as a legitimate successor to Alexander Isak. Grade: A
Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal) was the chosen one to lead Mikel Arteta’s forward line. Although he has failed to maintain consistency at the start, but a brace in the recent Champions League match againt a top side like Atletico Madrid suggests taht he is getting comfortable in the Gunners’ playing style. Grade: B-
Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool) fired three goals in three games and then got his momentum halted by a red card and subsequent rotation of the team. Nonetheless, he did not stop showing brilliant flashes from time to time. Grade: B
Alexander Isak (Liverpool) at a fee of £125 million was the most expensive player in Britain and yet he has managed to have a terrible start — no wins in six Premier League starts and just one goal in the EFL Cup. Grade: D
It is still early in the season, and therefore some of these star forwards still have time to make a comeback — however, others are merely running out of excuses.
