Premier League clubs have a low representation among the 16 attacking players on this year’s Ballon d’Or shortlist. Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland are the only two included. Cole Palmer, a nominee in 2025, is absent after an injury-affected year.
This limited presence reflects a previous season where English football reportedly shifted towards physicality and set pieces. Arsenal, the league champions, had no forwards make the cut, with their nominated players – Gabriel Maghalhães, Declan Rice, and William Saliba – all being defensive-minded. Injuries to players like Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, and Bukayo Saka reportedly affected Arsenal's attacking fluency.
However, the current campaign shows signs of a change. The first three weeks of the season have seen a quicker pace of play. Lawmakers have introduced new rules, including a five-second countdown for goalkicks and throw-ins, and a 10-second limit for substitutions, aiming to reduce timewasting. The average ball-in-play time has increased from 55 minutes 23 seconds in 2025-26 to 57 minutes 14 seconds this season, according to Opta. Delay times have also decreased. Additionally, the percentage of goals from set pieces, excluding penalties, has dipped from 27.5% to 23.5%.
There has also been an increase in fast breaks per game, shots per game via fast breaks, and goals from fast breaks per game. Teams like Chelsea, Liverpool, and Newcastle are reportedly playing with more pace and transitional styles. Last Sunday's match between Arsenal and Chelsea, which was described as breathless, also suggested a willingness for end-to-end play from both sides.