The Top 50 Players from the 2024/25 Premier League Season
At PFF FC, we grade every player involved in every event (both on & off the ball) with over 2,000 grades awarded per game across 25 different grade categories. Our team of analysts have used our unique grading system alongside event data metrics to highlight the top 50 players in the Premier League this season. This is looking at performances in the 2024/25 league season only, with injuries and playing time also a factor in final ranking decisions.
This article will be updated in five instalments, releasing ten players at a time from 50th to 1st. If you would like to learn more about how we grade players, click here.
50: Emmanuel Agbadou, CB, Wolves
A name many of you may not have expected on this list, but Emmanuel Agbadou’s impact for Wolves since arriving in the January transfer window has been immense.
His physicality and composure has brought much-needed stability to the Wolves backline that found their feet under new manager Vítor Pereira. Agbadou won an outstanding 29 out of 30 50/50 duels, and his 77.8 challenge grade ranks third on the team, behind fellow defenders Matt Doherty and Toti Gomes. When all three have started, Wolves have conceded just 1.0 goal per game.
Beyond his defensive contributions, Agbadou has played a key role in building possession from the back. Since February, he’s averaged 5.77 line-breaking passes per 90 (ninth among all center-backs) and 4.72 passes per 90 breaking the attacking line, tied for sixth in the league among his peers. His 26.13 passes under pressure per 90 ranks sixth among all CBs in the Premier League this season, highlighting his composure and importance to begin attacking phases for Wolves. Agbadou has adjusted to Premier League life instantly, something that is often overlooked and underappreciated during these ranking exercises.
49: Eberechi Eze, WAM, Crystal Palace
Eberechi Eze continues to grow in stature with a number of high-impact performances for Crystal Palace this season. He played 76% of available league minutes, finishing strong with 5 goals in his final 5 league matches.
Eze led the team in key creative metrics: chances created (56), key passes (49), and assists (7). He was also Palace’s most productive set-piece threat, creating 21 chances from dead-ball situations.
With a 77.1 Passing Grade (17th among his position group and 1st at Palace) and an 80.0 Shooting Grade (10th among WAMs and 2nd on the team) Eze delivered both playmaking and scoring efficiency. His shooting quality was further highlighted by 6.1% of his shots being deemed unsavable by the goalkeeper.
Transitionally, Eze was central to Palace’s build-up. He received 197 line-breaking passes, accounting for 21.0% of all his receptions — a clear indicator of how often he was targeted to drive progression, often on the receiving end of an Adam Wharton line-breaking pass.
Eze’s blend of availability, end-product, and transitional value underpins his spot among the league’s top 50 performers, could a move to an elite team be on the cards this summer?
48: Bukayo Saka, WAM, Arsenal
A pivotal figure in Arsenal’s campaign once again, Bukayo Saka’s absence for 12 games due to injury proved costly as the team’s title challenge waned in the second half of the season. Without that extended layoff, his ranking on this list would likely have been much higher.
From his preferred right-wing position, Saka showcased his elite creativity. His crossing grade of 86.4 ranks 4th overall and 2nd among wide attacking midfielders (WAM) in the league.
Renowned for cutting inside onto his stronger left foot, Saka was also the league’s most prolific in-swinging crosser, recording a league-best 35 completed in-swinging crosses this season. Unsurprisingly, his left-footed crossing grade of 89.3 is the best among players in his position. One particularly noteworthy metric is that eight of his crosses led to clear chances for teammates.
His dribbling was similarly penetrating, 27.1% of his dribbles progressed into dangerous areas, the highest rate in the league (minimum 15 dribbles).This, along with his impressive 80.3 tackle resistance grade, which ranks 4th in his position, highlights his directness and just how difficult it is for defenders trying to stop him.
Despite missing 12 matches, Saka recorded 16 goal involvements (6 goals and 10 assists) in 25 appearances, with 15 of those coming in the first 16 games before his thigh injury, a clear indicator of how devastating his injury was to their league campaign.
47: Jordan Pickford, GK, Everton
Jordan Pickford delivered a complete goalkeeping performance in the Premier League this season, combining elite shot-stopping with strong contributions in distribution and command of the box.
His 86.6 Shot-Stopping Grade ranked 2nd among all goalkeepers, registering 37 saves above expectation (3rd most in the league) and only 27.3% of his goals conceded were registered as “saveable” goals, also 3rd best among Premier League keepers. Out of 175 shot-stopping events, just three resulted in negative downgrades, and none were categorized as major errors, underscoring his reliability under pressure.
Pickford recorded 12 clean sheets and saved 2 penalty kicks, adding further value in high-leverage moments. His shot-stopping alone kept Everton in several tight matches, often bridging the gap for a team that struggled in possession.
Beyond his reflexes, Pickford was among the most proactive and well-rounded keepers in the league. He made 27 cross interceptions, ranking 2nd among goalkeepers. In possession, he posted a 59.3 Passing Grade — 4th best among his peers — and led all goalkeepers with 225 passes into the final third, highlighting his importance in launching attacks and bypassing pressure.
46: Elliot Anderson, CM, Nottingham Forest
Anderson was a crucial part of Nottingham Forest’s season, running the midfield and giving dependable performances every week. His grading profile displays this consistency, with above average grades in aerial duels, clearances, crossing, dribbling, 50/50 challenges and tackle resistance. He was the third-highest graded centre-midfielder in aerial duels (79.6) and 6th in dribbling (77.0), showing his prowess in both the defensive and attacking elements of the game.
His crossing ability was one element of his game he brought a lot of value in, a majority of them from set-pieces. 29.60% of his crosses were into a dangerous area (creating a dangerous position, half chance or a chance). He was the 9th highest in the league in this category and the only centre-midfielders who had a higher percentage of crosses into a dangerous area were Sasa Lukic (34.8%) and James Garner (28.8%).
He broke into the England U21 set up this season and will be hoping to continue impressing to earn himself a place in Thomas Tuchel’s senior squad in a World Cup year.
45: Jean-Philippe Mateta, CF, Crystal Palace
Operating as a lone striker, Mateta’s ability to hold up play under pressure is crucial and he does it as well as anyone. His tackle resistance grade of 82.4 ranks 1st among all centre forwards, highlighting his strength. What’s unusual for a player of Mateta’s physique is his ability with his feet, his dribbling grade of 82.4 ranks 2nd among players in his position, and his 67.9% dribble completion rate ranks 5th overall (minimum 15 attempts), showing that he can combine his strength with surprising finesse.
In front of goal Mateta has been red hot, his 80.8 shooting grade ranks 12th among all centre forwards, with 11.6% of his shots being deemed ‘unsaveable’ by the goalkeeper. His decision making has also improved, with there being a better option 20.3% of the time Mateta shoots, which is below the positional average for strikers.
The departure of key playmaker Michael Olise to Bayern Munich last season was a blow to Palace, but didn’t slow Mateta down as he still managed to rack up 14 goals in the Premier League and scoop the club’s Goal of the Season award for his audacious lob against Arsenal.
44: Max Kilman, CB, West Ham
Max Kilman’s 2024/25 campaign is a good example of why grading every event from every player matters. While West Ham had a disappointing season and struggled, switching systems midseason, Kilman’s individual performances stood out through consistent grading and elite defensive metrics.
He recorded a 70+ grade in six different categories, peaking with an 87.8 Challenge Grade (4th highest in the Premier League).
Kilman was dominant in the air, winning 62.8% of his aerial duels overall and an impressive 76.7% when contesting duels from an opponent’s pass or cross. Notably, among all centre-backs with at least 1,800 minutes played, he was the only centre-back not to receive a single negative grade when defending set-pieces — a testament to his reliability in high-pressure moments and a very important stat for a team often on the back foot.
In ground duels, Kilman was equally effective, winning 73.6% of his 50/50s (39 out of 53). He also displayed strong anticipation and positioning, intercepting 176 passes over the season. Of those, 42 cut out line-breaking passes — the 5th most among centre-backs. Additionally, his 82 cross interceptions ranked 3rd league-wide among central defenders.
43: Mateo Kovacic, CM, Manchester City
Mateo Kovacic brought some much needed stability to a Manchester City side that struggled mightily at times this season, as the team navigated a transitional phase and dealt with the absence of Rodri.
Statistically, Kovacic’s contributions were among the league’s elite. His 86.0 Passing Grade ranked 5th among all central midfielders and 2nd within the City squad. He excelled in transition play, leading the entire league in line-breaking ball carries (40) and topping the City ranks with 251 line-breaking passes, a clear indicator of his intent to disrupt opposition shape and push play forward.
Kovacic’s progressive mindset was further underlined by the fact that 7.1% of his passes entered dangerous areas — the highest rate among any City central midfielder.
Defensively, he remained solid, earning a 74.8 Challenge Grade, second-best at the club, showing his two-way value in both pressing and regaining possession.
Quietly consistent and tactically vital, Kovacic proved himself to be an indispensable part of City’s engine room this season.
42: Lewis Hall, FB, Newcastle United
The 20-year-old had an impressive season, cementing his spot on the left for Newcastle with 27 appearances before sustaining an injury to a bone in his foot.
Hall had a massive impact for Newcastle while going forward this season. His 81.4 Crossing Grade ranks 4th among FBs and 12th overall. He delivered 34 crosses into dangerous positions, good for 6th among FBs, with 18.8% of his crosses being positively graded (4th best among FB’s). Hall amassed 5 assists and created 35 chances, with 16 of them coming from set-pieces.
He also had a strong defensive showing, Hall ended the season with a Tackling Grade of 85.5 (5th among all players) and won 48.2% of tackles, 3rd among FBs. His Tackling Grade puts him ahead of Virgil van Dijk and William Saliba, not bad for a 20-year-old. His off ball defending was also outstanding, ending the year with 1.3 positional mistakes per 90 minutes, which is 6th best among FBs.
Defensively sound and a threat providing crosses going forward, Hall seems to be the perfect fit for Eddie Howe’s system.
41: Liam Delap, CF, Ipswich Town
One of the lone bright spots for the tractor boys, Liam Delap showed this year that he is ready for an extended stay in the Premier League. With just a £30 million release clause, Chelsea and Manchester United are reported to be interested in the 22 year old.
Delap was asked to do a lot of the heavy lifting this season scoring 12 goals, which was 33% of Ipswich’s total tally. He was able to do this with very little service, averaging 2.98 possessions in the penalty area p90. Ranking 29th out of 37 qualified CFs (700 minutes played).
Regardless of the service provided by his teammates, Delap generated an 82.3 Shooting Grade (10th among CFs), above Matheus Cunha, Jean-Philippe Mateta, and Nicoals Jackson. 17.6% of Delap’s shots were positively graded (4th among CFs), showing that 12 goals might be his floor as a Premier League CF.
Operating as a lone striker, Delap was tasked with holding the ball up before transitioning play; he faced 242 tackles this season, winning 145 of them (59.9%), ranking 2nd among CFs. He won 52 fouls (3rd among CFs), resulting in 4 yellow cards for the opposition.
As mentioned earlier, this Top 50 will be released in five instalments from 50th to 1st, so be sure to revisit this article for the full list in a few days time.
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