Gonzalo
The Premier League roared back into action this weekend, with reigning champions Liverpool launching their title defense against Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday night. The Reds, crowned English champions for a record-equalling 20th time last season, have undergone a dramatic summer overhaul under new manager Arne Slot — and the stage is set for one of the most compelling campaigns in years.
Few champions in Premier League history have changed so much after lifting the title. Slot’s Liverpool have spent heavily, splashing £100m on German playmaker Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, a deal that could rise to £116m. Wirtz joins new arrivals Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth), and Hugo Ekitiké (Eintracht Frankfurt), with whispers of an audacious move for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak still circulating.
Liverpool’s opener against Bournemouth was both emotional and thrilling. The night began with moving tributes to Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in July, including a stadium mosaic and the retirement of the number 20 shirt. On the pitch, Ekitiké announced himself with a debut goal before assisting Cody Gakpo for the second. Defensive lapses let Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, who was seemingly a victim of racial abuse, equalize with a quick-fire brace, but substitutes turned the tide — Federico Chiesa’s stunning volley and a stoppage-time strike from Mohamed Salah, who has continued his sacred ritual of scoring on opening day, sealed a 4–2 win.
Liverpool looked dangerous going forward but fragile at the back. The question remains: has Slot strengthened his team or disrupted a winning formula?
Arsenal, City, Chelsea: The Chase Begins
While Liverpool begin their defense, rivals have not been idle. Arsenal have finally addressed their striker problem, landing Viktor Gyökeres for £64m from Sporting CP. The Gunners also added Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad) and winger Noni Madueke (Chelsea), creating perhaps the most balanced squad of the Mikel Arteta era. Being second for three straight seasons and amassing the most points in that time may not be excuse enough if the trophy room does not have a new addition.
Chelsea, still basking in the euphoria of the FIFA Club World Cup triumph, have been equally aggressive. Manager Enzo Maresca now has João Pedro, Liam Delap, Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens, and Brazilian wonderkid Estêvão at his disposal. With attacking talent everywhere, and as long as the temperature in Stamford Bridge is "Ice Cold" Palmer, fans should be buzzing with optimism.
Manchester City, wounded after last season’s disappointment, have reloaded under Pep Guardiola. Out goes club legend Kevin De Bruyne to Italy, while exciting recruits Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, and Rayan Aït-Nouri bring freshness and dynamism. Guardiola has never gone more than one season without winning a league title and some may feel that his wife or the curse of Rodri may be the problem, but with a relatively quiet pre-season, silent strategies on-going, a fit and firing Haaland-Foden combo — expect a fierce response.
Across Manchester, the pressure is immense. United have invested over £200m in Benjamin Šeško (£73.7m), a young and unproven striker (some faithfuls will remember a certain Hojlund), Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha — forming a new-look attack. Manager Rúben Amorim has reshaped training and tactics, and early signs are positive. Moving from a Garnacho-Hojlund-Antony to a Cunha-Šeško-Mbuemo could be a major attack face lift. Yet, after a shocking 15th-place finish last season, failure is not an option. Many believe that if Amorim cannot spark a revival, no one can.
Tottenham enter the season with a very different look. Ange Postecoglou, despite winning the Europa League, was sacked in June and replaced by Thomas Frank, whose Brentford side thrived on pragmatism. Spurs now face an identity shift from gung-ho attack to controlled counter-attacks — a fascinating experiment for a club obsessed with “DNA.”
Elsewhere, Aston Villa and Newcastle United have had quieter summers, focusing on retaining their stars. Villa held onto Emiliano Martínez and Ollie Watkins despite interest from Man Utd, while Newcastle’s season may hinge on the future of Alexander Isak. Continuity, they hope, can be their secret weapon and their fans are still asking the question, will he stay or go?
Leeds United, Burnley, and Sunderland return to the top flight. All three have invested heavily — Sunderland most notably with Granit Xhaka and Simon Adingra, both EPL tested — as they attempt to avoid the fate of last year’s promoted trio, all of whom went straight back down. Toughest league in the world, some would say! Burnley’s remarkable record of conceding just 16 goals in the Championship last season suggests they may be the best equipped to survive.
The middle-class clubs have been raided once again. **Brentford** lost their manager and star forward Mbeumo. Bournemouth cashed in on Kerkez and others, while Crystal Palace, FA cup and Community Shield heros, face losing Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi. Nottingham Forest, after an exciting cinderella run to Europe, sold Anthony Elanga to Newcastle. Brighton saw João Pedro move to Chelsea but remain ambitious under Fabian Hürzeler, as they have always been.
One could say that the concentration of talent at the top suggests the gulf between the elite and the rest could widen even further this season.
New Rules, New Era
Fans can also expect fresh twists off the pitch:
Goalkeepers holding the ball for more than eight seconds will now concede a corner.
Only captains may approach referees, or risk a booking.
A quirky law allows penalties with accidental double touches to be retaken if scored.
Referee bodycams will be trialed, giving fans a unique replay perspective.
And from this season, Sky and TNT will show up to 270 live games a year under a new £6.7bn TV deal — the largest in UK sports history.
Could this be The Year of the No. 9?
Across the league, strikers are back in fashion. Gyökeres, Ekitiké, João Pedro, Delap, Šeško, — nearly every top club has turned to a classic centre-forward. The “false nine” era is giving way to a more traditional, physical style of attack. From Erling Haaland to Isak, Watkins, Wissa, Wood, Solanke, and Mateta, this could be remembered as the season when the true No. 9 once again defined the Premier League.
With Liverpool rebuilt, Arsenal reinforced, City refreshed, Chelsea ambitious, and United desperate, the 2025/26 campaign is brimming with intrigue. Add Spurs’ pragmatic revolution, Villa and Newcastle’s gamble on stability, and promoted clubs fighting for survival — and the ingredients for a classic season are all there.
Clearly, we are in for the first genuine four-way title race since 2013/14. and the question is simple: will this be the most exciting title race since 2013/14? If opening weekend drama is any indication, the answer could be a resounding yes.
Guest Author: Elvis Visinho
Photo Credit: Premier League
