Isak, Sesko, Gyokeres struggle in the Premier League 2025-2026 season

The Premier League’s three most anticipated signings – Alexander Isak, Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres – entered the November pre-season with just six league goals between them, a figure that contrasts sharply with Erling Haaland, who has scored 14 league goals in just 11 games and 948 minutes.

Record context: lots of money but results not as expected

The Premier League has just experienced a vibrant summer of 2025, with total spending surpassing the £3 billion mark for the first time. The six notable strikers alone – Alexander Isak (Liverpool), Benjamin Sesko (Manchester United), Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal), Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool), Joao Pedro (Chelsea) and Nick Woltemade (Newcastle) – cost £471 million.

However, the performance of the attacking stars has not been commensurate. Isak, Sesko and Gyokeres – the trio with the most expectations – have only scored six goals in the national championship between them before November.

Alexander Isak – a thousand-pound burden in Liverpool

Liverpool broke the English football transfer record when they spent £125 million to sign Isak from Newcastle United. Last season, the Swedish striker had 29 goal involvements (goals + assists), second only to Mohamed Salah (47). Expectations were therefore skyrocketing, but the start was the opposite.

The deal dragged on until deadline day, leaving Isak training on his own for weeks as Newcastle tried to keep him, disrupting his preparations. He has played just 253 minutes in the Premier League in four appearances; his only shot on target came in a defeat to Manchester United. Liverpool are eighth after 11 games, eight points behind leaders Arsenal. With manager Arne Slot still searching for the optimal lineup and other new signings such as Florian Wirtz struggling, Isak’s strengths have yet to be fully exploited.

Concerns about his injury record have also been raised – at least two clubs have reportedly questioned Isak’s longevity at a record fee, with Liverpool therefore having to balance the need to make a big-money signing with managing the physical risk.

Benjamin Sesko – pressure at Manchester United

Man United focused their limited resources on a striker like Sesko, even though the midfield was the area that clearly needed strengthening. Arsenal had been monitoring and negotiating with Sesko's agent, but ultimately opted for the more experienced Gyokeres. Sesko arrived at Old Trafford with the expectation of immediately solving the scoring problem.

In fact, the 22-year-old’s two Premier League goals – against Brentford and Sunderland – were both close-range finishes. He had seven shots on target in 618 minutes, across 11 appearances. Ruben Amorim’s side lacked creativity last season and a new attack needs time to gel, making Sesko somewhat a victim of circumstance.

Hard work is a plus: Sesko has taken the initiative to extend training sessions as United look to get the best out of the Slovenia international. Manager Ruben Amorim admits:“He has more potential than I thought.”Man United rate Sesko's off-the-ball work as better than Rasmus Holjund (on loan at Napoli), but the striker lacks confidence at crucial moments – like the situation when he broke free in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur when Micky van de Ven closed him down and he couldn't finish cleanly.

Any interruption due to a knee injury will delay the acceleration he needs. The pressure will be greater with Amorim deprived of attacking options with Mbeumo and Amad Diallo away at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Viktor Gyokeres – scoring regularly but doubts remain

Grouping him with Isak and Sesko is a bit harsh, given Gyokeres has scored six goals in 14 games (four of them in the Premier League) and Arsenal are four points clear at the top of the table ahead of Manchester City. Manager Mikel Arteta has repeatedly praised the 27-year-old's all-round contribution.

Arsenal are still adjusting to get the most out of Gyokeres, though. His four Premier League goals (against Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and Burnley) and his Champions League double against Atletico Madrid have all come from close range. Breaking the “match-winner” myth – especially given his 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting CP – remains the next challenge.

Part of the reason Arsenal are leading at the moment comes from solid defense and set pieces, not the explosive attacking play revolving around Gyokeres.

Historical frame of reference: a slow start is not the end

Three months on is a bit premature, but that is the measure of top-flight football. New strikers are falling far short of the standards set by their predecessors: Alan Shearer scored seven goals and four assists in his first 10 games for Newcastle (1996); Mohamed Salah scored seven goals in his first 10 games for Liverpool; Sergio Aguero scored nine in his first 10 games for Manchester City.

There was a morale boost, though: Thierry Henry – one of the league's legends – scored just one goal in his first 10 games for Arsenal after switching from winger to centre-forward.

On the other hand, there are a few exceptions. Nick Woltemade (Newcastle) has six goals in 14 games, adapting faster than expected. Newcastle also spent 55 million pounds on Yoane Wissa. At Brentford, Igor Thiago scored eight goals in 11 games, only bettered by Haaland.

Haaland – an almost unreachable standard

There is no better measure of that than Erling Haaland. In the Premier League this season, he has scored 14 goals in just 11 games and 948 minutes. In all competitions for Manchester City and Norway, Haaland has 28 goals in 18 games.

That form has kept Manchester City in the top position for the title, and for Isak, Sesko and Gyokeres, the race is not just about adapting to their new environment but also about breaking free from the huge shadow of an almost unreachable standard.