Every season produces a mix of established superstars and fresh breakout names worth building your viewing schedule around. Here’s who to keep an eye on throughout 2026/27.
## Erling Haaland
The reigning Premier League Golden Boot winner remains the standard by which every other striker in the division is measured. Even amid Manchester City’s shaky start under new manager Enzo Maresca, Haaland’s individual output has stayed remarkably consistent, and our Golden Boot tracker follows his pursuit of a fourth scoring title.
## Martin Ødegaard
Named player of the match in Arsenal’s dominant Community Shield win over Manchester City, Ødegaard continues to be the creative heartbeat of a squad with genuine title ambitions this season.
## Bruno Guimarães
Newcastle’s decision to commit £75million to keeping their star midfielder speaks to just how central he’s become to the club’s ambitions. Expect him to be a fixture in conversations about the league’s best all-around midfielders all season.
## Sergio Martinez
Not yet a household name, but the 19-year-old who completed his move to Real Madrid Castilla from Racing Santander could become one of Spanish football’s most exciting long-term prospects.
## Julian Alvarez
Whichever club eventually completes his signing, Alvarez’s quality is not in question. His situation remains one of the most closely watched sagas in football, and wherever he ends up, expect an immediate impact.
## Why These Names Matter This Season
Each of these players connects directly to a bigger storyline: a title race, a transfer saga, or a genuine breakout narrative. For the full picture on how individual form is shaping the wider season, our Premier League table and title race breakdown and Champions League top scorers guide both dig deeper into the numbers behind these names.
## Final Word
Football seasons are ultimately remembered through individual moments as much as final standings. These are the players most likely to provide them in 2026/27.