Set to a back drop of a near 2 billion summer spend, the most anticipated Premier League season is here. Last season, we saw Arne Slot pull the Jose Mourinho 04/05 Chelsea title win on the rest of the league. We witnessed Pep Guardiola’s side deep in form and their resurgence at the end of the season. We saw a new Chelsea – Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea, the Gunners third season at second. The curtain fell with the death of Liverpool star, Diogo Jota.
May his soul rest in peace. This season promises to be bigger, better, and more fascinating with the clubs gearing up to make big statements in the 2025/2026 Premier League season. Is this season going to be about a singular dominance, multi team rivalry, or unexpected breakthroughs.
With the summer transfer window characterized with unprecedented spendings and marquee signings – Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Šeško to name but a few.
Liverpool – A £250m Youth Revolution
Liverpool led the league in spending, splashing over £252 million in a transformative summer. The marquee signing is Florian Wirtz, secured from Bayer Leverkusen for an initial £100 million (rising to £116.5m), a player whose vision and creativity could redefine Liverpool’s attacking patterns. They bolstered the front line with Hugo Ekitike from Frankfurt in a deal worth up to £79 million, offering pace and movement in central areas, while Milos Kerkez (£40m) and Jeremie Frimpong (£29.5m) inject energy into the full-back roles. Giorgi Mamardashvili (£25m) provides elite competition between the posts. However, the departures were just as seismic—Luis Díaz (£60–65m to Bayern Munich), Darwin Núñez (£46.2m to Al Hilal), and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£8.4m to Real Madrid) mark the close of a chapter. This is a younger, more dynamic Liverpool—but one that must find chemistry quickly.
Manchester United – Firepower first.
United’s summer strategy was crystal clear: add goals and add them fast. Matheus Cunha arrived from Wolves for £62.5m, followed by Bryan Mbeumo (up to £71m from Brentford) and Benjamin Šeško (£66.3m from RB Leipzig), creating a front line brimming with athleticism and variety. Diego León, a teenage midfielder from Colombia, represents a nod to the future, but there’s no question that United’s focus has been on their attacking unit. Departures of senior figures like Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelöf underline the shift toward a younger, more mobile core. The question is whether these forwards can deliver consistently enough to close the gap at the top.
Arsenal – Spine strengthened, teeth shapperned.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal spent just under £193 million, carefully targeting the spine of his team. Viktor Gyökeres (£55m, potentially £63.5m) brings a physical, high-press forward option; Martin Zubimendi (£51–56m) adds control and composure in midfield; and Noni Madueke (£48.5m from Chelsea) injects wide flair. Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5–6m) arrives as a reliable No.2 goalkeeper. Outgoings include Jorginho and Kieran Tierney, signalling a move toward younger, more dynamic options. With this recruitment, Arsenal’s squad depth now looks far better equipped to handle the grind of a title race and Champions League.
Chelsea- Youth Movement 2.0
Chelsea’s summer was another reminder that they are doubling down on youth investment, with João Pedro (£60m) from Brighton and Jamie Gittens (£48.5m) among the headline names. They also snapped up prodigies like Estevao, and Dário Essugo, alongside Liam Delap from Manchester City. Noni Madueke’s sale to Arsenal and Kepa’s exit to the same club were the most notable departures. The Blues now boast one of the youngest squads in Europe but with that comes the risk of inconsistency. This season will test whether raw talent can mature quickly enough to deliver results.
Manchester City- Subtle but strategic
City’s spending around £153 million was targeted rather than flashy. Rayan Cherki arrives to provide creativity between the lines, Tijjani Reijnders strengthens midfield depth, and Rayan Aït-Nouri offers flexibility in the left-back slot. High-profile departures like Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker mark the end of an era, but Pep Guardiola appears to be quietly reshaping his squad to maintain dominance while lowering the average age. These changes could make City even more tactically unpredictable.
Tottenham – Adding goals and grit
Spurs invested around £106 million, headlined by Mohammed Kudus (£55–56m from West Ham) to add a direct goal threat and Mathys Tel (£30m from Bayern Munich) as an explosive forward option. Kevin Danso (£21m) shores up the back line, while Luka Vušković and Kōta Takai represent long-term defensive projects. With no major departures, Tottenham’s window has been about adding competition across the pitch. If Thomas Frank can integrate these pieces quickly, Spurs could become the league’s most dangerous disruptors.
With the amount of signings and level raisers acquired, Liverpool and Arsenal are seen as front runners for the title as Liverpool looks to defend the title and Arsenal prepared to take that extra step to clinch the title with Manchester City expected to bounce back. Chelsea on the other hand, renewed optimism with the FIFA Club World Cup triumph and fresh transfers.
With the acquisition of João Pedro, whose recent form has seen him net five goals in his last five appearances, Chelsea may have found their leading marksman—one capable of mounting a serious challenge to Erling Haalandand Mohamed Salah in the race for the Golden Boot. Similarly, Viktor Gyökeres, ranked among Europe’s elite strikers last season, poses a significant threat in the competition for the Premier League’s top scorer accolade.
Honourable mentions include Benjamin Šeško and Hugo Ekitike, both of whom possess the potential to spring a surprise. With the rise of prodigious talents such as Estevão Willian, Ethan Nwaneri, Max Dowman, and Rio Ngumoha, this Premier League campaign is poised to be one of the most remarkable seasons for emerging wonderkids in the competition’s history.
While the spotlight inevitably falls on the title contenders, the true magic of the Premier League often comes from the rest of the pack—clubs fighting for European qualification, battling for survival, or simply striving to punch above their weight. This season promises a fascinating mix of ambition, unpredictability, and high-stakes drama away from the traditional top six.
As the Premier League returns, the stage is set for a campaign brimming with intrigue, from blockbuster transfers and tactical reinventions to the emergence of a new generation of stars. Established icons will seek to cement their legacies, while ambitious challengers aim to disrupt the established order. With title battles, relegation fights, Golden Boot races, and the unpredictable magic that only English football delivers, this season promises drama from the first whistle to the last.
