Chelsea forward Joao Pedro and Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai have been named in the 2025/26 Premier League Team of the Season following a campaign that saw Arsenal secure their first league title in 22 years. Pedro, 24, justified his €63 million move from Brighton with 15 goals and five assists in 34 appearances, while Szoboszlai earned his place in the EA SPORTS FC 26 XI after an experimental shift to a right wing-back role produced six goals and five assists for the Merseyside club. These individual performances provided the backbone for their respective sides in a season dominated by tactical shifts and the clinical efficiency of Erling Haaland, who secured the Golden Boot with 26 goals.
Joao Pedro's Impact at Chelsea
Joao Pedro’s debut season at Stamford Bridge served as a rare point of stability for a Chelsea side navigating another period of transition. According to Premier League data, the forward’s 20 goal involvements made him the club's most productive outlet since his July 2025 arrival. His €63 million valuation, which initially drew scrutiny given Brighton’s historical tendency to sell at peak market rates, now appears conservative compared to the current market for versatile attackers. By comfortably outperforming his previous best Premier League tally of nine goals recorded at Brighton, Pedro proved his ability to lead the line for a top-six side, eventually being named Chelsea’s Player of the Season for 2025/26.
Szoboszlai's Tactical Evolution at Liverpool
Dominik Szoboszlai, 25, became one of the season’s most discussed tactical profiles after regular deployment as a right wing-back or right-back. Despite the defensive responsibilities, the Hungary international maintained elite creative output. Analysis by DAZN News noted that Szoboszlai "provided moments of brilliance from a position that may not even be his best," reflecting a broader trend of Premier League managers repurposing central midfielders into wider defensive roles. This evolution helped Liverpool maintain high-intensity pressing while securing defensive width. His inclusion in the Team of the Season underscores the success of this hybrid role, mirroring the tactical flexibility shown by Manchester City with Matheus Nunes in a similar defensive conversion during the same campaign.
With the transfer window approaching, focus shifts to whether Chelsea can retain Pedro amidst speculative interest from abroad and how Liverpool will further integrate Szoboszlai’s varied skill set into their 2026/27 tactical plans.