Premier League’s 20 unexpected standout stars : The game-changers who defied expectations

The Premier League’s 2024-25 season has unveiled a remarkable collection of unexpected heroes who have defied pre-season expectations. These players have emerged from the shadows to become vital components of their teams’ campaigns, transforming their careers and fortunes in the process. While established stars typically dominate headlines, this season has been defined by those who seized unexpected opportunities and delivered performances few could have predicted.

In Short

Midfield maestros redefining their roles

Ryan Gravenberch has silenced his critics at Liverpool with a remarkable transformation. When Arne Slot failed to secure Martín Zubimendi last summer, many questioned whether Liverpool had adequate defensive midfield options. Gravenberch stepped into this pivotal role alongside Alexis Mac Allister and has flourished beyond expectations. The Dutchman ranks third for interceptions (54) and fourth for possession won in the midfield third (97) this season, proving instrumental in Liverpool’s title challenge.

At Manchester City, Mateo Kovacic has shouldered immense responsibility following Rodri’s season-ending ACL injury in September. Despite City’s struggles without their Spanish anchor, Kovacic has performed admirably in mitigating the damage. With five goals and an impressive 92.9% pass completion rate—second-best among Premier League midfielders—his impact is undeniable. City’s win percentage jumps dramatically from 27.3% to 61.9% when he starts, highlighting his crucial influence.

Meanwhile, Fulham’s Sasa Lukic has emerged as an unexpected midfield enforcer. Following João Palhinha’s departure to Bayern Munich, many expected new signing Sander Berge to fill the void. Instead, Lukic has established himself as Fulham’s midfield heartbeat. Despite leading the league with 12 yellow cards, his tenacious tackling and composed possession play have propelled Fulham up the table this season. Statistical models indicate teams facing Fulham have consistently produced fewer expected goals when Lukic patrols the middle, a testament to his disruptive presence.

At Aston Villa, Youri Tielemans has been nothing short of phenomenal. After starting just 17 league games last season, the Belgian midfielder has become indispensable, missing only two of Villa’s 50 matches across all competitions. Amadou Onana’s £50m arrival last summer might have threatened his position, but Tielemans responded brilliantly. His recent goal against PSG in Villa’s historic European campaign marked his fourth consecutive match with a goal contribution, cementing his status as one of the Premier League’s elite central midfielders.

Defensive stalwarts and tactical revelations

Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s career rejuvenation at West Ham deserves significant attention. After departing Manchester United in search of consistent playing time, the right-back has discovered his best form. While his defensive prowess was never questioned, his attacking contributions have surprised many. Wan-Bissaka ranks third for key passes (27) among West Ham players and leads the entire Premier League in interceptions (57), demonstrating his exceptional reading of the game.

Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella has silenced his critics with a remarkable turnaround. After initially struggling following his move from Brighton, Cucurella’s confidence soared after winning Euro 2024 with Spain. Under Enzo Maresca’s guidance, the left-back has flourished in a more attack-minded role, contributing four league goals—a tally only four Chelsea players have surpassed. His technical ability and positional intelligence have made him undroppable in Chelsea’s recent resurgence.

At Tottenham, teenage sensation Archie Gray has demonstrated versatility beyond his years. After his move to Brentford collapsed, Spurs swiftly secured the Leeds youngster, who has since excelled across multiple positions. Whether deployed at right-back, central defense, or holding midfield, the 19-year-old has performed with remarkable maturity. Gray’s composed performances during Tottenham’s injury crisis, particularly at center-back, have established him as one of the Premier League’s most promising young talents.

Another defensive revelation has been Keane Lewis-Potter at Brentford. Originally signed as a forward in 2022, the 24-year-old has reinvented himself as Brentford’s first-choice left-back. Starting 30 of 32 league games this season, Lewis-Potter has maintained his attacking instincts while developing defensively, ranking third for successful dribbles (35) among Brentford players. This tactical adaptation demonstrates both the player’s versatility and Thomas Frank’s coaching ingenuity.

From fringe players to frontline heroes

Arsenal’s Mikel Merino has proven invaluable amid the Gunners’ striking crisis. With Gabriel Jesus absent since January and Kai Havertz suffering a torn hamstring in February, Merino stepped into an unfamiliar forward role with remarkable effectiveness. The Spanish midfielder has netted six league goals—second only to Havertz’s nine—including crucial strikes against Leicester, Chelsea, and Fulham. What makes this achievement even more impressive is that Merino hadn’t played as a striker since he was nine years old.

Bournemouth’s Justin Kluivert has blossomed into a complete attacking force this season. After a modest debut campaign, the Dutchman has emerged as the Cherries’ primary attacking threat following Dominic Solanke’s departure. Kluivert leads Bournemouth in both goals (12) and assists (6), dramatically improving on last season’s seven goals and single assist. His January hat-trick against Newcastle—his father Patrick’s former club—showcased his finishing ability and proved he can deliver in high-pressure situations.

At Everton, Beto has seized his opportunity to lead the line. The Portuguese striker made just nine league starts in his debut season but has established himself as Everton’s first-choice forward amid Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury struggles. Though he’s scored only six league goals, most of these have come since February when he became a regular starter. His performances have coincided with Everton’s remarkable revival under David Moyes, with predictive models suggesting the Toffees’ survival chances have increased significantly with Beto leading the attack.

Newcastle’s Jacob Murphy has completed a formidable attacking triumvirate alongside Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon. Murphy has provided 11 assists this season—second only to Mohamed Salah’s 18—with seven of those creating goals for Isak. This makes them the Premier League’s most prolific assist-to-goalscorer combination, a statistical advantage that betting enthusiasts might have leveraged for significant returns throughout the season.

As the Premier League season approaches its conclusion, these unexpected standouts have not only transformed their teams’ fortunes but also reminded us that prediction models and pre-season expectations often fail to account for human determination and tactical innovation. Their performances demonstrate why the beautiful game remains gloriously unpredictable, rewarding those who recognize emerging talent before the mainstream.