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Football Muse’s Premier League End-of-Season Awards bring together the standout performers of the 2025/26 campaign, with Bruno Fernandes, Rayan Cherki, and Igor Thiago among the headline names.

Moment of the Season: David Raya’s save vs West Ham

Arsenal found themselves under pressure late in the campaign, with Declan Rice’s defiant “It’s not over” message after consecutive defeats to Manchester City being seen by some as posturing rather than genuine conviction. By the time the Gunners faced West Ham in May, they had regained composure, but their opponents, fighting for survival, were eager to exploit any weakness.

The late VAR controversy dominated the discussion at the London Stadium, but David Raya’s crucial save from Mateus Fernandes arguably defined the season. In a tense goalless moment, his one-on-one stop preserved parity and set the stage for Arsenal to claim a vital victory.

Player of the Season: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)

Once again, Bruno Fernandes stood far above his teammates and has now been recognised as the finest footballer in the league. While some may argue that the accolade should have gone to a player from Arsenal’s title-winning side, the best individual performer is not always part of the best team.

Fernandes topped the Premier League charts for assists, expected assists, chances created, open-play chances created, and big chances created — crowning a record-breaking season. His leadership and creativity have guided Manchester United back into the Champions League, a competition they have long considered their rightful stage.

Young Player of the Season: Rayan Cherki (Manchester City)

The race for this award came down to Rayan Cherki and his Manchester City teammate Nico O’Reilly, with the honour often leaning towards homegrown prospects. Yet, it’s easy to overlook that Cherki was only 21 when the season began, given how seamlessly he adapted to life at the Etihad.

A true entertainer, his flair and unpredictability have made him must-watch viewing. Beyond the highlights, his productivity has been stellar — contributing a goal or assist every 109 minutes in the Premier League. Cherki’s combination of artistry and efficiency marks him as a special talent.

Manager of the Season: Regis Le Bris (Sunderland)

Sunderland began the season tipped for relegation but ended it celebrating European qualification for the first time in over half a century. Their summer spending was significant, yet necessary for a club that had been in League One just four years earlier and finished 24 points off automatic promotion last season.

Under Regis Le Bris, their journey from Championship play-off winners to Europa League participants has been nothing short of remarkable. Le Bris’s tactical vision and leadership have earned him widespread acclaim.

Goal of the Season: Harry Wilson vs Crystal Palace

Harry Wilson rarely scores ordinary goals, and his wonder strike against Crystal Palace was proof of that. The Welsh winger, who produced several spectacular finishes throughout the 2025/26 campaign, delivered a stunning effort following a slick exchange with Raul Jimenez — a moment of pure quality.

Save of the Season: Jordan Pickford vs Newcastle

Though David Raya’s stop earned the season’s defining moment, Jordan Pickford’s save against Newcastle rightly claims the Save of the Season honour. Sandro Tonali’s strike was hit with ferocious precision, but Pickford’s reflexes matched the challenge, keeping Everton in the contest with a world-class intervention.

Best Transfer: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United)

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s move to Leeds United last summer came at a crossroads in his career. After years blighted by injuries and inconsistency at Everton, he sought a fresh start — and found one. His free transfer has turned into one of the season’s biggest success stories.

Calvert-Lewin scored 14 league goals — just one fewer than his total from his final four seasons combined at Everton — and his performances earned him an England recall in March after a five-year absence. Without his contributions, Leeds might have been fighting relegation.

Worst Transfer: Yoane Wissa (Newcastle)

Following Alexander Isak’s departure, Newcastle desperately needed to get their striking options right. However, a drawn-out transfer saga saw them overpay for Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa. The latter, expected to be a proven Premier League asset, suffered a pre-season injury and never regained form.

Wissa finished his debut campaign with just one league goal and has not started a Premier League match since February. At £55 million, his signing has proven costly, and a summer exit now seems inevitable.

Biggest Surprise: Igor Thiago (Brentford)

Recovering from an ACL injury is no easy feat, and doing so in a new league makes it even tougher. Igor Thiago’s first season at Brentford yielded only 168 Premier League minutes, but he’s more than made up for lost time this year.

With an outstanding haul of 22 goals, Thiago finished as runner-up for the Golden Boot and secured a place in Brazil’s World Cup squad. The nation’s number nine — a shirt once worn by legends like Romario and Ronaldo — now plays his club football at Brentford.

Biggest Disappointment: Liverpool

After Arne Slot’s sensational debut season — where he succeeded Jurgen Klopp and led Liverpool to the Premier League title — expectations were sky-high. However, the Dutchman’s second season has been a stark contrast.

Despite a major summer overhaul, Liverpool’s title defence unravelled, with the team barely scraping into the Champions League places and finishing far adrift of the leaders. Nineteen defeats across all competitions mark a dramatic fall from grace for the Reds.

Premier League Team of the Season

Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, O’Reilly; Semenyo, Rice, Fernandes, Cherki; Thiago, Haaland.