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Pre-Season Review: Wins, Losses, and Transfers in the Premier League

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Pre-Season Review: Wins, Losses, and Transfers in the Premier League
Arsenal's team photo against Athletic Club during their pre-season Emirates Cup fixture


Premier League pre-season review: Check out the wins, losses, and transfer news from top clubs, including Chelsea, Man City, Spurs, and West Ham.


Team like Chelsea and Manchester City limited schedules may have allowed them to conserve energy and focus on preparations for the upcoming season...



Liverpool's pre-season has been a resounding success, with the Reds winning four out of five matches before contesting the Community Shield against Crystal Palace. They defeated Preston North End 3-1, thrashed Stoke City 5-0, and beat Yokohama F. Marinos 3-1 in Asia. Although they lost 4-2 to AC Milan in Hong Kong, they bounced back with a 4-1 and 3-2 victory over Athletic Club in a double-header at Anfield. The Community Shield match ended 2-2, but Palace won 3-2 in penalties.


Other Top Teams' Performances

Arsenal: Started their pre-season with a 1-0 win over AC Milan in Singapore, followed by a 3-2 victory over Newcastle. However, they lost 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur in Hong Kong and 2-3 to Villarreal at the Emirates Stadium.

Manchester City: Kicked off their pre-season campaign with a 3-0 win over Palermo in Sicily.

Chelsea: Had a strong showing with a 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen and a 4-1 victory over AC Milan at Stamford Bridge.

Tottenham Hotspur: Drew 1-1 with Newcastle in Seoul and lost 4-0 to Bayern Munich in Munich.

Manchester United: Drew 0-0 with Leeds United in Sweden, won 2-1 against West Ham and 4-1 against Bournemouth in the Premier League Summer Series, but drew 2-2 with Everton.


Key Takeaways

As the Premier League season approaches, teams are fine-tuning their squads and strategies. Liverpool's pre-season form has been impressive, but they'll need to maintain their momentum to defend their title. Other top teams like Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea have also shown promising signs in their pre-season friendlies.


Crystal Palace showed remarkable resilience, coming from behind twice to equalize and force the match into a penalty shootout. Ultimately, the Eagles proved more clinical from the spot, emerging victorious in the shootout and claiming the Community Shield title.


Liverpool's Pre-Season Analysis, Wingers' Impact and Defensive Vulnerability


Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez consistently provided width on the right and left flanks, respectively, in Liverpool's pre-season games. However, the Reds struggled to defend against counterattacks down the channels, particularly in the 4-2 loss to AC Milan and the Community Shield match against Crystal Palace. This vulnerability will likely be a key area of focus for Arne Slot in the coming weeks.


Ekitike's Contribution and Team's Interplay

Hugo Ekitike's performance in the Community Shield will have given Arne Slot cause for optimism, and the striker's contribution was a positive note in the match. More broadly, Liverpool's interplay and passing sequences were often excellent in their pre-season wins, showcasing the team's attacking potential. The wins over Preston, Yokohama F. Marinos, and Athletic Club demonstrated the team's ability to create scoring opportunities and control games. However, there are still areas that need improvement as the team prepares for the new season.


Manchester United's Unbeaten Run

Manchester United has indeed turned their pre-season fortunes around under Ruben Amorim's leadership. After a disappointing 1-0 loss to the ASEAN All-Stars, the Red Devils went on an impressive unbeaten streak. They secured wins against Hong Kong (3-1), West Ham (2-1), and Bournemouth (4-1), showcasing their attacking prowess. Additionally, they earned draws against Leeds (0-0), Everton (2-2), and Fiorentina (1-1, winning 5-4 in penalties), demonstrating their resilience and ability to grind out results.


Manchester United's attack is set for a major overhaul with the additions of Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha. Sesko's signing from RB Leipzig until 2030 brings a fresh dynamic to the squad, while Cunha's £62.5 million deal from Wolves adds firepower to the team. Mbeumo's potential transfer from Brentford, reportedly worth around £60 million, will further bolster the team's attacking options.




Potential Lineups:

Option 1: Mbeumo as right-sided No.10 and Cunha on the left, with Joshua Zirkzee as central striker. Bruno Fernandes would play a supporting role, with Manuel Ugarte handling defensive midfield duties.

Option 2: Cunha as a striker, replacing Zirkzee, with Fernandes in a No.10 role. This lineup would utilize Cunha's occasional experience as a striker at Wolves.

Option 3: Cunha in midfield, leveraging his dribbling and vision skills. This would allow for an attacking lineup with Fernandes and potentially Amad Diallo starting at right wing-back.


Manchester United's defense has shown some signs of improvement under Ruben Amorim's management, although they have only managed to keep one clean sheet across their pre-season games. In the 0-0 draw against Leeds, United dominated possession and created numerous scoring opportunities, with 19 attempts on goal and 37 touches in the Leeds box. Despite their attacking prowess, they were unable to capitalize on their chances, highlighting areas for improvement as the new season approaches.


Arsenal kicks off the 2025/26 Premier League season with a challenging trip to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Super Sunday, August 17. The match is scheduled for a 4:30 pm kickoff and will be live on Sky Sports. This fixture marks one of the toughest openers, with both teams having a difficult start to the season based on the finishing positions of their opening six opponents.


Tough Start for Both Teams:

Manchester United faces Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea in their first five games, making their start particularly demanding.
Arsenal has a similarly tough start, playing against Manchester United, Leeds United, and Liverpool in their first three matches.


Arsenal's Successful Transfer
 Window Under Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta's transfer window for Arsenal has been highly successful, with several key signings strengthening the squad. The Gunners have acquired talented players, including:


Strikers:

Viktor Gyokeres: Signed from Sporting Lisbon for £55.5 million, Gyokeres is expected to bring significant firepower to Arsenal's attack.


Midfielders:

Martin Zubimendi: Signed from Real Sociedad for £55.8 million, Zubimendi is a holding midfielder with excellent skills.

Christian Norgaard: Signed from Brentford for £10 million, Norgaard adds depth to the midfield.


Forwards:
 
Noni Madueke: Signed from Chelsea for £48.5 million, Madueke brings speed and skill to the wing.

 

Defenders:

Cristhian Mosquera: Signed from Valencia for £13.1 million, Mosquera provides quality and depth to the defense.


Goalkeepers:

Kepa Arrizabalaga: Signed from Chelsea for £5 million, Kepa serves as a reliable backup goalkeeper to David Raya.


These signings aim to bolster Arsenal's chances of winning the Premier League and making a deep run in the Champions League.


Viktor Gyokeres marked his Arsenal debut with a bang, scoring a powerful header in a 3-0 friendly win over Athletic Club. The Swedish striker capitalized on Martin Zubimendi's precise first-time cross, showcasing his aerial ability. The match showcased Arsenal's dominance, with the Gunners controlling possession and passing their way to victory. This performance could be an indication of things to come for the team under Mikel Arteta's management.




Arsenal's recent wins include a 1-0 victory over AC Milan and a 3-2 win against Newcastle. However, they've also faced setbacks, such as a 0-1 loss to North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and a 2-3 defeat to LaLiga's Villarreal. These mixed results showcase Arsenal's competitive spirit and areas for improvement as they gear up for the new season.


Newcastle United's prospects for the upcoming season, which includes Champions League football, have been disrupted by speculation surrounding Alexander Isak's potential transfer. The 25-year-old striker, who scored 23 Premier League goals last term, has reportedly informed the club of his desire to explore other options. Liverpool's interest in Isak has been well-documented, with the Reds having already made an initial offer of £110m plus add-ons, which was rejected by Newcastle.


Transfer Saga Developments:

  • Liverpool's Bid: Liverpool are rumored to be willing to increase their offer, potentially meeting Newcastle's valuation of £150m.
  • Newcastle's Stance: Newcastle are determined to keep Isak but are open to selling him if they can sign two top-class strikers to replace him.




Potential Replacements: 
  • Newcastle have been linked with several strikers, including:
  • Yoane Wissa: Brentford's star forward, seen as a more affordable option. 
  • Nicolas Jackson: Chelsea Senegalese international, valued at around £80m.


The transfer speculation has undoubtedly added uncertainty to Newcastle's preparations for the season, and Eddie Howe's side will be keen to resolve the situation soon.


Newcastle United's pre-season has been underwhelming, with the team suffering a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Celtic and a 1-0 loss to a K League XI. Their only notable win came at the start of pre-season, a convincing 4-0 victory over Carlisle. Alexander Isak has been training solo, potentially due to injury or individual focus. Eddie Howe faces challenges in bolstering his squad, having missed out on several key transfer targets. The Magpies have secured Anthony Elanga on a permanent deal and Aaron Ramsdale on loan so far.


Newcastle's pre-season has been marred by inconsistent results, including defeats to Arsenal (2-3) and Atletico Madrid (0-2). These losses have added to the frustration, which wasn't alleviated by the draws against Tottenham (1-1) and Espanyol (2-2). The team's performances have been mixed, and the uncertainty surrounding Alexander Isak's future has likely added to the unease.


Chelsea's Impressive Pre-Season

Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca's management, has started the pre-season strongly with two convincing wins. They defeated Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 and followed it up with a 4-1 thrashing of AC Milan, showcasing their impressive form after winning the Club World Cup.




Chelsea's squad is looking formidable with the additions of Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato, Liam Delap, Estevao Willian, Dario Assugo, Mamadou Sarr, and Kendry Paez. These signings will undoubtedly strengthen the team and provide manager Enzo Maresca with a wide range of options.


New Signings:

Joao Pedro: Brighton forward worth around £70 million, with Newcastle also interested in signing him

Jamie Gittens: Borussia Dortmund winger targeted by Chelsea

Jorrel Hato: Ajax left-back who can also play as a centre-back, with a transfer fee of around £40 million

Liam Delap: Ipswich striker signed for £30 million

Estevao Willian: Brazilian forward who impressed in a match against Chelsea, worth £77 million according to the CIES Football Observatory, more than double his original transfer fee of £29 million

Dario Assugo: New signing with potential to strengthen the midfield

Mamadou Sarr: Young defender with promise

Kendry Paez: Talented young player who will likely be loaned out to gain experience


With these talented players, Chelsea is poised for a successful season under Maresca's leadership.




Manchester City's Low-Key Pre-Season

Manchester City had a relatively quiet pre-season, playing only one match after their Club World Cup campaign, a 3-0 win over Palermo. This limited schedule may have allowed them to conserve energy and focus on preparations for the upcoming season.


Pep Guardiola likely wasn't thrilled about Manchester City's exit at the hands of Al Hilal, a Saudi Pro League side. The loss might still impact the team's form this season. However, City has been proactive in bolstering their squad.




New Signings:

Midfielders:
  • Tijjani Reijnders: Signed from AC Milan for £46.5 million, Reijnders brings creativity and energy to the midfield.
  • Rayan Cherki: Joined from Lyon for £30.5 million, Cherki is expected to fill the void left by Kevin De Bruyne's departure.
  • Sverre Nypan: Signed from Rosenborg for £12.5 million, Nypan adds versatility to the midfield.


Defenders:

Rayan Ait-Nouri: Acquired from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £31 million, Ait-Nouri provides quality and depth at left-back.


Goalkeepers:

  • James Trafford: Latest signing to join City's squad.
  • Marcus Bettinelli: Signed from Chelsea, Bettinelli offers experienced backup goalkeeping.

These strategic signings aim to strengthen Manchester City's squad for a successful season.


Tottenham's Pre-Season Performance and Upcoming UEFA Super Cup Match

Tottenham Hotspur's pre-season has been marked by mixed results, including a 4-0 loss to Bayern Munich, which Thomas Frank attributed to a “bad combination” of factors, citing the team's lack of energy. Despite this setback, Frank remains optimistic about the team's prospects. The Spurs have shown promising signs in their other pre-season matches, with two wins and three draws.




Upcoming UEFA Super Cup Match Against PSG

The team is gearing up for the UEFA Super Cup match against Paris Saint-Germain, where they'll face a formidable opponent. Thomas Frank's Tottenham squad will need to elevate their performance to compete against the French champions. One significant concern for Spurs is the injury to James Maddison, which could impact their creative midfield options.


Injury Update and Potential Lineup

Maddison's absence might give opportunities to other players, such as Lucas Bergvall and Yves Bissouma, to step up. Thomas Frank's tactical approach and player selection will be crucial in determining the team's success in the upcoming match. With a talented squad, including players like Dominic Solanke, Guglielmo Vicario, and Cristian Romero, Tottenham aims to make a strong impression in the UEFA Super Cup.


Tottenham's pre-season has been marred by a significant blow: James Maddison's injury is expected to sideline him until the latter part of the season. The midfielder suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in a friendly against Newcastle United, which will require surgery and a lengthy recovery period, potentially lasting up to 12 months. Thomas Frank described the injury as “devastating” for both the team and Maddison himself.



Changes in the Squad:

Son Heung-min's Departure: After 10 remarkable years, Son Heung-min has left Tottenham, leaving a significant void in the team's attacking lineup.


New Signings:

  • Joao Palhinha: The midfielder has joined from Bayern Munich and made a promising debut in a friendly match.
  • Mo Kudus: The talented winger has signed from West Ham, bringing fresh talent to the team's attack.



West Ham United's pre-season has been decent, with manager Graham Potter likely pleased with their overall performance. The Hammers secured four wins, including a 3-1 victory over Grasshopper Zurich, 2-1 win against Everton, and a 2-0 triumph over Bournemouth. They also earned a win on penalties against Lille after a 1-1 draw. However, their pre-season wasn't flawless, as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United. Potter's team has shown promise, and these results will likely give them confidence heading into the new season.


Premier League Teams' Pre-Season Performance and New Signings

Brighton & Hove Albion has had an impressive pre-season, remaining unbeaten with three wins and a draw. Their latest signing, El Hadji Malick Diouf, is expected to strengthen their left side. Other notable additions include goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, right-back Kyle Walker-Peters, and veteran striker Callum Wilson.



Other Unbeaten Teams:

Brentford FC: With two draws and a win, Brentford has also maintained an unbeaten streak. Recent results include a 2-2 draw against Borussia Monchengladbach and a 1-1 draw against Gil Vicente Barcelos.
Leeds United: Leeds has had three consecutive draws, showcasing their consistency in pre-season matches.
Fulham FC: Fulham is off to a strong start with two wins from two matches, including a 1-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt and a 3-1 win against Nottingham Forest.


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