10) Nousair Mazroui (Manchester United) – 6.89 rating
Right-back is an area that Erik den Haag has looked to improve in the summer, and Nousair Mazrouei has come into his own at Manchester United. In fact, the Morocco international is seventh in tackles in the Premier League this season (21). As United struggled for summer signings, the ex-Bayern Munich man found an adequate place under Den Haag at Old Trafford. Time is on the side where they will miss Mazroi in his prime.
9) Nikola Milenkovic (Nottingham Forest) – 6.91 rating
Defensive reinforcements were a must as Nottingham Forest scored 67 league goals last season, fifth in the division. Nikola Milenkovic joined from Fiorentina for £12m and looks like a steal every week. Only Liverpool (2) have conceded fewer goals than Forest (6) in England's top tier, and Milenkovic is seventh in aerial battles won per game (3.3), which is key to their defensive resolve.
8) Savinho (Manchester City) – 6.97 rating
Joining from Trois after a successful loan spell with Girona, Savinho has taken the rigors of Premier League football with ease. The Brazil international has two assists from four league starts for Manchester City and only Jeremy Toku (16) has completed more trebles for the champions than the 20-year-old (9). He is another attacking wild card that Pep Guardiola is happy to use.
7) Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal) – 6.99 rating
Riccardo Calafiori had a baptism of fire for his full Premier League debut. 2-2 draw at Manchester City. The Italy international moved to Arsenal on the back of an excellent Serie A season that culminated with a starting spot. Azzurri In Euro 2024. Although he is not guaranteed a starting place – only three of his five appearances have been from the start – Calafiori has put in a series of solid displays when called upon by Mikel Arteta.
6) Facundo Buonanotte (Leicester) – 7.04 rating
Leicester have scored nine more league goals this season than Newcastle (8) and Manchester United (5), and a key reason behind their sound offensive displays has been the performances of Facundo Buonanot. The young Argentine joined from Brighton on loan in August and went on to directly contribute to four goals, scoring twice. The 19-year-old is also a hard worker on the ball, as evidenced by his average of 2.9 tackles per 90.
5) Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace) – 7.11 rating
Crystal Palace are winless in the Premier League this season, but they have been relatively solid at the back, conceding the same goals as sixth-placed Brighton (10). Maxence Lacroix ranks 23rd in the division with 3.8 tackles per game. It is early days for Lacroix in south London but early signs suggest he will form a good understanding with his teammates in Palace's three-man defence.
4) Iliman Ndiaye (Everton) – 7.17 rating
Everton have had a slow start to the season, but a three-game unbeaten run – including a first win of the campaign against fellow strugglers Crystal Palace – suggests they have turned a corner. Not only did Sean Dyche's decision to move Dwight McNeill infield benefit the team, but so did summer addition Iliman Ndiaye. The 24-year-old makes 2.2 tackles per 90 and provides extra defensive protection on the left, while he's not afraid to take his marker when he wins the ball, as evidenced by his 2.8 successful dribble returns per 90.
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3) Tara O'Shea (Ipswich) – 7.18 rating
Tara O'Shea proved a shrewd piece of business with the Tractor Boys before the international break in a 4-1 defeat against West Ham. The 25-year-old is winning more aerial duels per game (4.8) than any other defender in the Premier League and has yet to be on the winning side for Ipswich following his arrival from Burnley, which is a matter of time. They could claim their first win since their return to the top flight.
2) Dominic Solange (Tottenham) – 7.22 rating
Tottenham's big-money striker has taken his time to fire blanks in his opening three appearances, but Dominic Solange is still in the spotlight up front. The former Bournemouth forward has scored twice and provided an assist for Angej Postgolko's side in the Premier League, although the latter was disappointing on Sunday. 3-2 loss to Brighton. Nevertheless, Solange is starting to see the north London side as she aims to justify the decision to spend big to secure her services.
1) Jadon Sancho (Chelsea) – 7.32 rating
In just four appearances, Jadon Sancho matched his best assist of the Premier League season, setting up three league goals for Chelsea following his arrival from Manchester United. Whether the Blues need another winger is a debate for another day; The truth is that Sancho started life well at Stamford Bridge. Only West Ham's Mohamed Quds (3.3) has completed more trebles per 90 than the 24-year-old (3) in the 2024-25 Premier League campaign as Sancho proves United wrong to point him to an Old Trafford exit.
