Best Premier League Players of 2025: Super Eagles stars snubbed as Semenyo and Mbeumo take spotlight

As the Premier League unveils its official standout performers of 2025, Nigerian supporters have been left bewildered by a glaring omission.

Despite Fulham's impressive Nigerian contingent enjoying resurgent campaigns, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Samuel Chukwueze have all been overlooked in favour of Ghana's Antoine Semenyo and Cameroon's Bryan Mbeumo for the coveted African representation spots.

The snub feels particularly harsh given the transformative impact of Fulham's Nigerian three throughout the calendar year.

Chukwueze, who arrived on loan from AC Milan last September, has been nothing short of revelatory, his recent brace in a pulsating 5-4 thriller against Manchester City epitomising his electric form.

Iwobi has undergone a complete metamorphosis, reinventing himself as a commanding midfield orchestrator, whilst Bassey's defensive statistics mark him as one of the league's most improved players in 2025.

Yet their collective excellence proved insufficient. Fulham's mid-table standing, currently languishing in 11th position, could have ultimately undermined their claims, with the final list overwhelmingly favouring performers from the current ‘Big Three’ of Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United.

Whilst Nigeria's contingent faced disappointment, two African superstars have emphatically reinforced their world-class credentials:

Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth/Ghana): Ranked fourth overall, the two-footed winger has emerged as English football's most sought-after attacking talent.

His 21 goal involvements throughout 2025 represent the highest return from any Ghanaian player in a single calendar year since the legendary Tony Yeboah's 25 contributions for Leeds United back in 1995.

Operating outside the traditional elite, Semenyo has outscored all but Erling Haaland when penalties are excluded, a staggering achievement for a player plying his trade at Bournemouth.

Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United/Cameroon): Following his lucrative summer transfer from Brentford, Mbeumo has seamlessly adapted to Old Trafford's elevated expectations.

The 26-year-old has amassed 16 goals and six assists throughout the year, establishing himself as the Premier League's third-most productive player behind only Haaland and Mohamed Salah.

His 8.6 expected assists, second solely to Bruno Fernandes, suggests teammates haven't consistently capitalised on the chances he manufactures.

Already embarking upon his fifth Premier League campaign, Mbeumo's trajectory positions him amongst the competition's greatest African imports.

Whilst Semenyo and Mbeumo's selections are individually merited, the absence of any Super Eagles representation feels conspicuous given their collective renaissance.

Chukwueze's explosive recent form, Iwobi's midfield mastery and Bassey's defensive solidity deserved greater recognition.

Perhaps the lesson is harsh but clear: individual brilliance alone proves insufficient when operating outside the established elite.

Until Nigerian stars secure transfers to clubs challenging for silverware, their contributions, however exceptional, risk being overlooked when the year's honours are distributed.

For now, Ghana and Cameroon celebrate their representatives' inclusion amongst England's finest. Nigeria's supporters, meanwhile, are left contemplating what might have been.

1. Declan Rice (Arsenal) - The undisputed engine driving Arsenal's midfield, ranking fourth for chances created (65) despite beginning his career as a centre-back

2. Erling Haaland (Man City)- A staggering 27 league goals in 2025, ten clear of nearest challenger Jean-Philippe Mateta

3. Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest) - Leading all players for duels won (266) and possession recoveries (273)

4. Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) - Twenty-one goal involvements despite operating outside title contention

5. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) - The league's premier playmaker, topping charts for assists (12) and chances created (103)

6. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - Twenty-four total goal involvements, instrumental in Liverpool's title triumph

7. Daniel Munoz (Crystal Palace) - Eleven goal involvements representing the highest return amongst defenders

8. Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United) - Twenty-two goal contributions following his summer transfer

9. Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) - Leading the Premier League with ten open-play assists

10. David Raya (Arsenal) - Fifteen clean sheets establishing him amongst Europe's elite shot-stoppers

11. Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal) - The cornerstone of the division's most formidable defence