Following the relentless action of the World Cup and the endless-feeling monotony of the off season, the Premier League finally returns on Friday as the reigning champions Arsenal host the second-tier champions, Coventry City, as the visitors play in the top flight for the first time in twenty-five years.

As the season is upon us, this article will assess each and every Premier League club ahead of the upcoming season, as well as their strengths, weaknesses, new signings and what they can expect in the new campaign.

AFC Bournemouth

The post-Iraola era begins for Bournemouth this weekend, but unlike last summer, the playing squad has not been pillaged. The Cherries had their greatest ever top-flight season last campaign, with a sixth-placed finish, and suffering no defeats from January onwards – brushing off any suggestions that they would struggle following the sale of Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City.

Whilst adaptation may be slow – with a new manager, an injury to Kroupi as well as Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester United in their first eight fixtures, it seems unlikely that Bournemouth will face any threat of being dragged into the relegation dogfight this season.

They maintain one of the most exciting young squads in the league. Antonio Silva is one of the most exciting young central defenders in Europe and should be a seamless replacement for Marcos Senesi, Alex Scott was one of the most impressive midfielders in the league towards the end of last season, and Rayan was instantly exciting upon his arrival in January. Add to that Kroupi following his return from injury, as well as the talent possessed by Evanilson and Justin Kluivert, both looking for career rejuvenations following disappointing campaigns last season, and Bournemouth will be one of the most exciting teams to watch once again.

Season aim: Adapt to a new manager and European football without a drop in performance

Arsenal

The reigning champions have finally broken their Premier League duck after twenty-two years of hurt, and following the departures of Pep Guardiola, Rodri and Bernardo Silva from closest challengers Manchester City, the popular belief is that the Gunners will retain their crown. However, almost every season the reigning champions enter the following season as favourites; we only have to review last season, where Liverpool were hotly tipped for the crown to stumble to a fifth-placed finish, to showcase this. So can Mikel Arteta become just the fourth manager, after Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho and Guardiola, to retain a Premier League title?

The arrivals of Bruno Guimaraes, Christos Tzolis, and prospected signing of Ezri Konsa all add depth and quality to an already stacked squad, meaning that the fitness struggles of William Saliba, Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka can be negated, and Arteta can afford to rotate more. Their defence remains the best in class, while Guimaraes is a significant upgrade in midfield and Odegaard looked back to his best in the Community Shield.

Question marks remain surrounding the Gunners’ attack, however a combination of their improvements and question marks surrounding their closest rivals mean they are still firmly the ones to beat. The question may quickly become whether or not they can avenge their agonising Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain; yet will a superstar attacker be needed to achieve this?

Season aim: Go one better and finally bring home the Champions League

Aston Villa

Aston Villa, just like Arsenal, experienced one of the greatest nights in their club’s history in May, reigniting memories of 1982 as they dismantled Freiburg 3-0. However, despite a respectable performance in the UEFA Super Cup last week as they were defeated 2-1 by PSG, the Villans enter this season somewhat unrecognisable.

Morgan Rogers was sold to Chelsea for a mammoth £117 million, Manchester United triggered Youri Tielemans’ £35 million release clause, and Lucas Digne returned to PSG. However, the departures may not end there. Emiliano Martinez has been angling for a departure for years and it seems this summer he will get his move, Ollie Watkins has reportedly agreed personal terms with Al-Hilal, and the aforementioned Konsa looks set to move to Arsenal. Whilst signings such as Johan Manzambi, Joao Gomes and Zion Suzuki are exciting, they do not replace the magnitude of players to depart, and further investment is desperately needed.

However, it would be a mistake to underestimate Unai Emery. Villa were sixteenth when Emery joined, and in his four seasons they have not finished below seventh. It seems unlikely that they will repeat the heights of last season, with fourth place and a trophy, but this rebuilding season will not be catastrophic either.

Season aim: Match Emery’s ambition in the remainder of the transfer window, and keep performance levels high in a rebuilding season

Brentford

Brentford were one of last season’s surprise packages. Following the departures of Thomas Frank, Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa and Christian Norgaard, the majority had them in last season’s bottom five before a ball was kicked. However, Keith Andrews surpassed Frank’s level at the club and Igor Thiago shouldered the goalscoring burden as they only narrowly missed out on European football for the first time in their history.

Stability, and a lack of Europe, will aid Brentford when it comes to domestic football. Mamadou Sangare will be a real talent in the midfield, and Jaidon Anthony was a smart pickup from relegated Burnley. However, their most important summer business was retaining their most prized talents; namely Thiago, Mikkel Damsgaard, Kevin Schade and Michael Kayode.

Season aim; Go one better than they managed last season and achieve European football

Brighton and Hove Albion

Brighton returned to Europe last campaign with an eighth placed finish despite a final day defeat, and their summer business falls into their typical pattern. Star centre back Jan Paul van Hecke and talisman Danny Welbeck were lost to Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, but were replaced with two extremely exciting new signings in Luka Vuskovic and Promise David.

Whilst a top-half finish will always be on the agenda, it feels as if Brighton’s season will be defined by their performance in the Conference League. As a team that have never won a major trophy, they are unlikely to have a better opportunity; just ask West Ham or Crystal Palace!

Season aim: Win the UEFA Conference League

Chelsea

Last season, as with the whole Clearlake era, was a tumultuous one for Chelsea. They began it as the World Champions, dismantled Barcelona, and were second at Christmas. However, they parted ways with Enzo Maresca in the New Year and following an initial run of good form, their season tanked, culminating in an FA Cup final defeat and missing out on European football altogether.

However, their is much reason to believe this will change. Xabi Alonso was a managerial coup, especially as Chelsea have the squad to play his system. Furthermore, Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson add reliable, Premier League proven quality to the squad, while Marco Palestra, Valentin Barco and Geovany Quenda are all exciting talents to add to the squad.

Yet Chelsea’s main weapon in the Premier League this season may be their lack of European football. As Manchester United proved last season, a poor run of form is never permanent, and playing one game a week can be a major advantage. Combine this with the quality already at the club and the question marks surrounding many of the top clubs and a return to Europe’s elite competition should be the minimum expectation at Stamford Bridge.

Season aim: Qualify for the Champions League

Coventry City

The return to the Premier League for Coventry after twenty-five years is one of the most compelling storylines for this season’s return to the Premier League, and it could not have been a more satisfying title win, sealing it at a canter. Now their mission is even more difficult; to stay in the top flight.

Frank Lampard has previous in surviving relegation with Everton in 2022, and based on last season’s evidence, the Sky Blues should have the best chance of survival amongst the promoted sides. However, despite Taiwo Awoniyi and Carl Rushworth being good signings, it is difficult to imagine that their current squad will not be struggling to survive the drop.

Season aim: Avoid relegation

Crystal Palace

After winning the FA Cup, Community Shield and Conference League in the space of twelve months, Oliver Glasner has departed Crystal Palace, replaced by Pierre Sage, formerly of Lens. Glasner is not the only departure; since their FA Cup win Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi and Maxence Lacroix have departed, while Jean-Philippe Mateta, Adam Wharton and Daniel Munoz are consistently linked to an exit.

However, Palace are often adept at signing replacements. Jaydee Canvot and Chadi Riad are promising talents at centre back, Jorgen Strand Larsen is a proven Premier League goalscorer, and they have kept Ismaila Sarr amidst reported foreign interest. Balancing Europe and the Premier League with a new manager and their current squad will be a difficult task, so one will need to be prioritised come the latter stages of the season.

Season aim: Go on a deep European run while avoiding the relegation battle

Everton

The ending of last season may have been disappointing for Everton as their European dream slipped away. However, the fact that the most competitive relegation battle in years did not feature them in any way, shape or form illustrates the progress that the Toffees’ have made since they narrowly avoided their first ever drop from the Premier League in consecutive seasons in 21/22 and 22/23. Mirroring the job he did at West Ham, David Moyes offers stability and a guarantee of Premier League status, but may reach a solid ceiling of mid-table.

Everton’s main asset is their defensive stability, with Jordan Pickford, James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite once again poised to be crucial. However, the full-back area has, once again, been ignored despite glaring need for investment. Vitalii Mykolenko often frustrates and Jake O’Brien is not a natural in that position, while talks for Celtic’s Alistair Johnston appear to have stalled. This will make it the 21st summer in a row that Everton have not invested in the right-back position, dating back to Phil Neville’s arrival from Manchester United in 2005 – and even he was arguably a midfielder!

The talented trio of James Garner, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Iliman Ndiaye will once again be pivotal as they aim to replicate their impressive form last season. However, Everton’s summer business will do little to inspire belief that they can meaningfully progress from last campaign. A lack of striker signings will mean that the Everton faithful’s hopes rest on Thierno Barry and Beto offering a far better campaign this time around, and while Christian Norgaard and Hayden Hackney will add a blend of experience and youth to their midfield, Brennan Johnson’s arrival is symbolic of a desperate need for a career revival, showcased by the nature of his arrival in a swap deal from Crystal Palace.

Season aim: Progress to the European places

Fulham

Fulham were the epitome of stability under Marco Silva, transcending popular belief that they would head straight back down following their promotion in 2022, and establishing themselves as a secure Premier League side, finishing 10th, 13th, 11th and 11th in their four seasons back. However, this is set to radically change in 26/27.

Silva, as well as last season’s star player Harry Wilson and their main striker Raul Jimenez, have all departed Craven Cottage. The pragmatism of Silva’s style of play, as well as their typically Premier League-proven transfer model, have all been discarded, replaced by exciting young manager Alvaro Arbeloa from Real Madrid, with prodigy Gonzalo Garcia coming in as Jimenez’s replacement, as well as fellow youngsters Cesar Palacios and Shea Charles making the Cottagers a side with an exciting future.

However, we have seen solid Premier League sides fall by the wayside following an attempt to become a more progressive and forward-thinking outfit; just ask Stoke City after sacking Tony Pulis, Burnley after sacking Sean Dyche and West Ham after sacking David Moyes. Therefore, stability in a transition season must be the goal for a Fulham side that have been tipped by many to struggle this campaign.

Season aim: Steer clear of the relegation fight while adapting to Arbeloa’s style of play

Hull City

Following a whirlwind 25/26, the unfancied Hull City have made their return to the Premier League for the first time in almost a decade, kicking off their return by hosting Manchester United in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off. The Tigers only escaped relegation to League One on the final day of the 24/25 season and were hit with a transfer ban in the following summer, so their promotion, provided by a last minute goal in the play-off final, was the end of an unscriptable story.

However, their work is firmly cut out to keep themselves in the top tier. While their promotion attracted dreams of ‘doing a Sunderland’ – expensively revamping the entire squad with the aim to best guarantee survival – this has not happened, and their squad is, at least on paper, the weakest in the division. However, as we are often reminded, football is not played on paper, and who could back against Hull City following last season’s heroics?

Season aim: Pull off the great escape

Ipswich Town

Ipswich are the only ones of the promoted sides with recent experience in the top flight, having spent one season in the Premier League in 24/25, and despite a spirited start to the season, they were eventually comfortably relegated alongside the other two promoted sides of that season, Leicester City and Southampton.

While this summer they lost the man who masterminded three promotions, in Kieran McKenna, they have shown their intent in the transfer market with an outlay of £150 million spent on players such as Julio Enciso, Emersonn, Abdul Fatawu, Sasa Lukic and Issa Diop. Once these players have bedded in, could Ipswich go one better than two years ago and survive the drop?

Season aim: Avoid relegation

Leeds United

Leeds’ return to the top flight was a roaring success. Daniel Farke, whose job was under threat before the season even started, turned Elland Road into a fortress as Leeds confirmed their survival with games to spare. Their defence became rock-solid by the end of the season, while the signings of Anton Stach and Dominic Calvert-Lewin proved inspired.

Leeds’ transfer business this season appears equally shrewd. Harry Wilson, one of the stars of last season, has been picked up on a free from Fulham, while last season’s defence has been further strengthened by the arrivals of Tarik Muharemovic and Nico Elvedi. However, their most impressive signing looks to have been James Trafford from Manchester City, tipped by many as Jordan Pickford’s heir apparent between the sticks for the England national team.

Leeds’ stability amongst the managerial and playing squads, combined with their impressive summer business, are cause for significant optimism amongst fans. While survival was the goal last season, this season Leeds appear set to consolidate themselves as a Premier League outfit, and push for top-half football.

Liverpool

Last season was nothing short of a disaster for Liverpool. After the reigning champions spent just shy of half a billion pounds on the likes of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, the title appeared in their grasp. However, their new signings failed to adapt, their established stars’ performance declined, and Arne Slot paid with his job just twelve months after winning the Premier League.

Slot was replaced by Andoni Iraola, one of the most exciting young managers in the league, but it appears this will be a rebuilding season for Liverpool. Club legends Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson will prove colossal boots to fill, while losing Ibrahima Konate on a free to Real Madrid, just a year after Trent Alexander-Arnold made the same move, will leave a sour taste in the mouth.

Much of Liverpool’s season will depend on the transfer business they have yet to complete. Victor Munoz is a talented player but reinforcements in the wide positions are desperately needed, especially with Cody Gakpo repeatedly linked with an exit to Tottenham; the Reds have been consistently linked to PSG’S star Bradley Barcola, but the price of that deal is expected to be high, and they have also been linked to Yankuba Minteh of Brighton. Ronald Araujo has arrived to mixed reception to replace Konate, while the issues of a lack of depth at full-back and central midfield are yet to be addressed.

Therefore, what to make of Liverpool ahead of this campaign? At this stage, it is little more than a guessing game. You have to assume that Isak and Wirtz will show more quality than they did last season, yet what to make of the Reds’ defence? An ageing Van Dijk continues to shoulder much of that burden, and we saw the speed of Salah’s decline last season. Could similar happen? Only time will tell. But Iraola is a quality manager, and Liverpool will be more tactically sound than they were under Slot.

Season aim: Qualify for the Champions League

Manchester City

The Pep Guardiola era has ended at Manchester City. Following a decade of unprecedented success for the Sky Blues, including six Premier League titles and a Champions League victory, their manager has departed, with club stalwarts Rodri, Bernardo Silva and John Stones also departing. In steps Enzo Maresca, who despite being the closest stylistic recreation of Guardiola, will have a huge job to do.

However, with Manchester City, transfer ambition will never be an issue. Elliot Anderson arrived from Nottingham Forest for a nine figure sum, while the Cityzens have been linked to both Ayyoub Bouaddi and Enzo Fernandez for similar fees. These incomings look likely to be funded by the sales of Tijjani Reijnders, Omar Marmoush and Savinho, meaning attacking reinforcements may also become necessary.

Whilst these may appear bad signs, City’s squad remains amongst the world’s best. Erling Haaland is the only player in the league that guarantees of goals, while Antoine Semenyo, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki all had breakout seasons last campaign. City’s defence will also benefit from the returns of Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias, both injured for the latter half of last season.

Therefore, despite the need to rebuild – illustrated by their poor performance in last Sunday’s Community Shield – City are more than capable of challenging for the top honours once again. They were not at their best for large spells of last season, and still came so close to the domestic treble. Enzo Maresca will view Arne Slot’s triumph in his first season at Liverpool, while replacing a legendary manager, as inspiration that he can do the same.

Season aim: Challenge for the Premier League title

Manchester United

Last season was a season of two halves for Manchester United. Following the inconsistency of their year under Ruben Amorim, he was sacked in January, and replaced by Michael Carrick on an interim basis. The Red Devils’ form since was markedly improved, as Kobbie Mainoo was restored to the lineup while Bruno Fernandes was returned to his natural position in attacking midfield to great effect as the Reds secured third place on 71 points. This earned Carrick the job on a full-time basis by the end of the season.

There is plenty to be excited about with United’s squad. The world-class Fernandes is coming off a record-breaking season, while the attacking signings of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko all adapted to United seamlessly as they each posted 10+ Premier League goals. While Casemiro will be a big miss in United’s midfield following his free transfer to Inter Miami, he has been replaced by a £150 million outlay on Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, Andrey Santos at Chelsea and the projected transfer of Carlos Baleba from Brighton.

However, question marks remain. United’s defence has remained largely untouched, and while left back transfer links remain, it looks set that Luke Shaw will once again start the season as United’s left back. Furthermore, their excellent form in the back end of last season coincided with them having no other competitions to play, while their direct rivals were still in Europe and made longer runs in the domestic cups. Therefore, it remains to be seen whether this iteration of Manchester United can maintain their level while playing two games a week.

Season aim: Consolidate their Champions League position while making better cup runs

Newcastle United

The optimism of their 2025 Carabao Cup triumph seems to have dissipated from Newcastle United, as their squad has been decimated since that day. The protracted, English-record sale of Alexander Isak last summer has been followed by the sales of Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal, Sandro Tonali to Tottenham and Anthony Gordon to Barcelona, while for the second summer running, the Toon have seen themselves rejected by many of their top transfer targets.

Furthermore, in the midst of pre-season, Eddie Howe walked away from the club after four and a half successful years in charge. His replacement, Matthias Jaissle, is a relative unknown, and Newcastle’s recruitment has been largely focused on youth.

This may suggest that all is doom and gloom for Newcastle. However, this may not be the case. Their squad has been stretched thin in recent years due to European commitments, and the removal of these, as well as a much needed refresh following stale performances last campaign, could be the catalyst for much-needed changes at St James’s Park.

Season aim: Rebuild the squad while steering well clear of relegation

Nottingham Forest

Last season was one of pure chaos for Nottingham Forest. Four managers, a Europa League semi-final, and their star player being refused a transfer despite his release clause being met would provide an entertaining Amazon All or Nothing documentary, however may have been less interesting for fans of the club, especially those who did not want Nuno Espirito Santo sacked in the first place, especially following him steering Forest to a seventh placed finish the season before.

While Elliott Anderson has departed, Forest’s ambitions should be much higher this season following the appointment of Oliver Glasner as manager, as well as keeping Morgan Gibbs-White. Following Glasner’s success at Palace, most notably their victories in the FA Cup and Europa League, there is reason to be optimistic.

Ousmane Diomande and Gustavo Sa are exciting signings, likely inspired by the development that Glasner extracted from Marc Guehi and Adam Wharton in his previous job. Furthermore, Forest’s first eleven has always been very strong, it was simply held back by the turmoil of last season combined with the increased games that a European run brings. Therefore, last season’s finish of sixteenth on 44 points is not representative of their potential this time around.

Season aim: Challenge for the European places

Sunderland

Sunderland were last season’s surprise packages. Following a promotion via the Championship playoffs, they rebuilt the squad under heavy outlay. However, it was to incredible success. Following the signings of Robin Roefs, Nordi Mukiele, Omar Alderete and Reinildo Mandava, their defence became one of the best in the league, while Granit Xhaka was arguably the signing of the season in their midfield.

This cumulated in a level of success that even the most diehard Sunderland fan could not have thought possible. Avoiding relegation was the aim, but qualifying for the Europa League was unthinkable; until it happened following a final day victory over Chelsea.

This, however, does bring increased demands on a squad that, in sharp contrast to last season, has seen no investment so far. Furthermore, Sunderland’s best run of form came at the beginning of the season, as they were second by November. Have Sunderland been found out, and can their squad maintain their level while playing in Europe?

Season aim: Balance the demands of Europe and the Premier League with their current squad

Tottenham Hotspur

Finally, we have quite possibly last season’s most talked about team, Tottenham Hotspur. For the first time, it appeared that a traditional ‘Big Six’ club would drop to the Championship, before the Lilywhites survived on the final day.

Off the back of consecutive seventeenth placed finishes, it would be easy to predict another dogfight for Spurs. However, it seems unlikely that this will be the case. Whilst they have overpaid for a majority of their targets, there is no doubt that Sandro Tonali, Matheus Fernandes, Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi drastically raise the level of the Tottenham squad. Their attack still looks weak, due to the fitness concerns surrounding Dominic Solanke, Mohammed Kudus, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, yet it appears that Spurs will rectify this before the window’s end as they remain strongly linked to Omar Marmoush, Savinho and Cody Gakpo.

This, combined with a managerial upgrade in Roberto de Zerbi, means that Tottenham are a much tougher prospect in the upcoming season. This combined with many question marks in the teams that qualified for Europe last season, means that returning to Europe’s elite is not an unrealistic proposition.

Season aim: Qualify for Europe, and challenge for the Champions League places

So that is the 2026/27 Premier League preview! It should be an exciting campaign as any other, and I hope we have a great weekend of action this weekend!