Premier League forwards barely feature among the 16 attackers on this year’s Ballon d’Or list. Only Bruno Fernandes and Erling Haaland appear, while Cole Palmer, a 2025 nominee, misses out after an injury‑plagued season. The league’s drift toward muscle and set‑piece play is starkly evident.
Arsenal’s midfield trio – Gabriel Magalhães, Declan Rice and William Saliba – provide the bulk of their defensive identity. The champions’ strikers failed to earn elite status, hampered by knocks to Ødegaard, Havertz and Saka. Neutral observers respected the solidity, but admiration was scarce. For my money, the lack of ambition after taking a 1‑0 lead cost them the Champions League final. Will next season’s influx of attacking talent finally restore Premier League flair?