Premier League: Players who have exceeded the expectations

• Over the course of this Premier League season, a number of stars have out performed the expectations.

Modern football is sometimes criticized for being overly predictable, but this season’s Premier League has delivered a good share of unexpected events.

Over the course of this Premier League season, a number of stars have out performed the expectations.

Here are the players who have suprised us this season.

Dominic Solanke

Dominic Solanke. Photo/ Optus Sport.

Dominic Solanke is starting to reach his full potential as a forward, and his early difficulties in the Premier League are starting to fade from his mind.

Prior to this season, Solanke has only scored 10 goals in 96 Premier League games, including six during the Cherries’ 2022–2023 comeback to the league. Solanke had two strong Championship seasons, but there were whispers that he wasn’t quite ready for the highest level.

With 15 goals in 28 league games this season, he has decisively addressed such doubts for Andoni Iraola’s team. With the goals coming easily and adding to the composure and presence that characterized Solanke’s game, the 26-year-old has become one of the division’s most remarkable all-around number nines.

Though he was regrettably left off of England’s team in March, if he keeps up this form going forward, Gareth Southgate will have him on his radar come summertime.

Rodrigo Muniz

Rodrigo Muniz Photo/ Evening Standard

When Aleksandar Mitrovic left Fulham in the summer, Fulham supporters thought the worst since the riches of the Saudi Pro League had drawn the team’s top scorer from the previous campaign. For Fulham during the previous five and a half seasons, Mitrovic had scored 111 goals in 205 games—a kind of return that is difficult to duplicate.

A meager £5 million was spent by the west London team to get Raul Jimenez from Wolves as their only Mitrovic investment. Although he has shown promise at Fulham, the Mexican, who turned 33 before the season is up, was unable to score a goal in the league the previous year.

But Fulham may have discovered among their own ranks a Mitrovic replacement. Few could have predicted that Rodrigo Muniz, a Brazilian who returned from an unimpressive loan spell at Middlesbrough, would become a cult figure this season.

Prior to the start of the new year, the 22-year-old had only started three league games, but in 2024, he put Fulham on the map. In his last seven games, Muniz has scored seven goals, putting Marco Silva’s team in contention for a European spot.

Being the Premier League’s top scorer since February, Muniz is a dynamic, physically intimidating, and important player to center the team around. He will save Fulham millions in the transfer market this summer if he keeps up his present performance.

Cole Palmer

The fact that a £42.5 million deal can be viewed as a surprise package speaks much about the state of the transfer market right now. When Cole Palmer was signed by Chelsea for that kind of money last summer, many people felt Manchester City had gotten fair value for a player who had only been given three league starts at the Etihad.

Palmer had an ultimatum from City following their desire for a loan move: remain or depart forever. Palmer made the latter choice, and after an incredible season at Stamford Bridge, it was the right one. The 21-year-old has made 12 goals and scored 14 goals in all competitions, earning him a spot in the senior England team.

Manchester City may be a little sorry about the hasty sale of the technically skilled attacker, who is perhaps the Young Player of the Season in the Premier League thus far. Palmer has been a bright spot in an otherwise poor campaign with the way he has pushed himself on an erratic Chelsea squad.

Kobbie Mainoo

Kobbie Mainoo. Photo/ Sky Sports

Despite having made very few senior club games, 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo has become well-known very quickly, with suggestions for his inclusion in England’s Euro 2024 team.

Mainoo has solidified his position in Erik ten Hag’s squad since making his Manchester United debut in the team’s victory over Everton in November. He provides composure in the face of mayhem and keeps more seasoned players out of the lineup.

Mainoo exhibits ease receiving the ball in challenging parts of the ground because to his superb first touch and ability to escape midfield bustle. Despite his youth, Gareth Southgate has made the decision to be the captain of the Stockport-born youngster for the March international series.

Mainoo’s incredible journey may come to an end on Saturday when he makes his senior England debut against Brazil.