Who was the best No.10 in the Premier League so far this season?
The main role of a No.10 often depends on the team. And the formation. It can be a sole No.10 in a 4-2-3-1 or similar formation, or a dual No.10 setup with a 3-4-2-1. But as a generalisation, No.10s need to be both creative and a goal threat themselves.
We’ve used our Squawka Score to pick out top five No.10s in 2025-26, among players with at least 1,710 minutes played in the Premier League — that’s 50% of the season. Our rating system takes into account a variety of statistical categories, both defensive and offensive.
The 2025-26 campaign is over
We’re in 2026, and Rayan Cherki is the best No.10 in the Premier League right now, with a Squawka Score of 78%.
- Rayan Cherki (Man City) – 77%
- Phil Foden (Man City) – 68%
- Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd) – 67%
- Bryan Mbeumo (Man Utd) – 66%
- Mikkel Damsgaard (Brentford) – 61%
NB: Only players to have played for 1,710+ minutes across the season so far are considered.
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5. Mikkel Damsgaard
- Team: Brentford
- Squawka Score: 61%
Mikkel Damsgaard wasn’t as creative as we know he can be in 2025-26. But he still did well. The Dane sat in the 80-95th percentile among attacking players for his 0.53 big chances created per 90 minutes and 6.74 penalty area entries. Damsgaard was also a key player in Brentford winning the ball back up the pitch, scoring well for his possessions won in the attacking third and tackles won. In fact, Damsgaard is in the 80-95th percentile among his positional peers for the latter.
4. Bryan Mbeumo
- Team: Man Utd
- Squawka Score: 66%
Bryan Mbeumo played across a variety of positions for Manchester United in 2025-26, owing to the change in managers and systems. But he largely found himself in central positions. The Cameroonian sat in the 80-95th percentile among his positional peers for his 0.38 goals per 90, from 1.1 shots on target. Mbeumo also ranked well for his 0.21 through balls completed per 90 and 0.41 non-penalty post-shot Expected Goals, as well as a lack of dispossessions.
3. Bruno Fernandes
- Team: Man Utd
- Squawka Score: 67%
Bruno Fernandes did not play as a No.10 all season, and it was to Man Utd’s detriment. The Portuguse midfielder thrived when being pushed further forward, leading to him breaking the single-season Premier League assist record — at 21. Fernandes sat in the 95th percentile and above for his 0.59 intentional assists per 90, from his 0.97 big chances created and 0.4 Expected Assists. He also ranked there for his 9.57 penalty area entries per 90 and 0.44 through balls completed, truly showing his creativity across the campaign.
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2. Phil Foden
- Team: Man City
- Squawka Score: 68%
Manchester City spent a lot of the season with a very attacking 4-1-4-1, so they essentially had two No.10s. One of those was Phil Foden. The Englishman ranked well for a lot of key metrics, including penalty area entries (7.17), through balls completed (0.3) and 1.73 crosses completed. Foden also averaged 0.82 shots on target per 90 and 0.3 goals scored.
1. Rayan Cherki
- Team: Man City
- Squawka Score: 77%
It seemed to take him a little while to really get settled in the Premier League, but Rayan Cherki was still the best No.10 in the competition. And it wasn’t even close. The Frenchman sat in the 95th percentile and above for his 0.5 intentional assists per 90, from 0.48 xA and 0.96 big chances created. He also averaged 0.55 assists from open play per 90, with 0.66 through balls completed and 8.57 penalty area entries. All, again, placing him in the 95th percentile and above. He’s a creative demon, but Cherki ranked in the 80-95th percentile for touches in the opposition box and take-ons completed per 90.
How do Squawka’s ratings work?
Squawka’s new player rating system is completely stats-based. Player scores are based on the numbers they put up across a range of on-ball events, from goals scored to tackles won.
Using extensive research and our expertise, we tailored each score to the players’ respective positions. For example, forwards are rated on metrics like shots on target, touches in the opposition box and big chances created. Meanwhile, centre-backs are rewarded for winning aerial duels, making blocks, successful long-range passes and so on.