The highly anticipated Premier League season is set to kick off on Friday, August 15, with reigning champions Liverpool going head-to-head against Bournemouth at Anfield.
Under the guidance of manager Arne Slot, Liverpool enters the season as front-runners for another title. Meanwhile, Arsenal is looking to turn around three successive second-place finishes. Manchester City aims to recover from a surprisingly lackluster season under Pep Guardiola, and Chelsea, fresh off their FIFA Club World Cup triumph, hopes to build on that momentum.
Al Jazeera Sport delves into the key contenders for the 2025 season.
Liverpool
Last season, Liverpool clinched a joint-record 20th Premier League title, finishing a comfortable 10 points ahead of Arsenal while enduring a winless four-match run as the season wrapped up.
This summer, they welcomed German midfielder Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for a staggering $156 million, alongside French forward Hugo Ekitike and Dutch winger Jeremie Frimpong. Frimpong is expected to step in as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s replacement, following his transfer to Real Madrid, and to support Mohamed Salah, who will leave midseason to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Retaining both Salah and defensive stalwart Virgil van Dijk was significant, especially given Salah’s previous links to the Saudi Pro League. After finishing as the league’s top scorer last season with 29 goals, his departure would have been a monumental loss.
With Van Dijk solidifying the defense since his 2018 arrival from Southampton, attention turns to Aleksander Isak from Newcastle United. If Liverpool secures another bid, he could address the striking needs after demonstrating his mettle with 23 goals last season.
Slot remarked, “Every Premier League team is investing heavily, but we should be seen as favorites not just for our spending but for our past success.”
The tragic passing of Diogo Jota in a car accident in Spain last July looms over the team; his absence will be profoundly felt on and off the pitch.
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal is exhausted from three consecutive second-place finishes and is hungry for change. The club has made significant signings to end their 22-year title drought.
Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres, brought in from Sporting Lisbon for £63 million ($85 million), is seen as crucial for closing the gap with Liverpool. Meanwhile, the addition of Noni Madueke from Chelsea has sparked mixed reactions among fans. Madueke will enhance a forward lineup that sorely needed depth, given that the team’s leading scorer from last season managed just nine goals.
Bolstering the midfield, Martin Zubimendi—who clinched Euro 2024 with Spain—has joined from Real Sociedad, poised to enrich Arteta’s tactical blueprint.
Chelsea
Chelsea enters the new season riding high after their remarkable FIFA Club World Cup victory against Paris Saint-Germain, where they won 3-0.
Coach Enzo Maresca’s squad is eager to translate that triumph into Premier League success. Joao Pedro, who scored three crucial goals in the tournament, validates his £60 million ($80.7 million) transfer from Brighton, while fellow strikers Liam Delap and Estevao have also joined the ranks.
Recent years have been tumultuous for Chelsea, following their last Premier League title in 2017, with questions lingering about their consistency. Maresca’s ability to unite the team post-CWC will be pivotal as the season unfolds.
Manchester City
Can Pep Guardiola’s side reclaim their former glory after last season’s struggles? A significant factor in their challenges was the injury to Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, who will miss the start of this campaign, compounding the team’s worries.
Last season’s struggles were surprising for a squad that previously clinched five trophies in 2023 alone. The departure of Kevin De Bruyne signifies a transition phase for the club, alongside summer acquisitions like Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Ait-Nouri that have pushed their spending over £300 million ($403.5 million).
“I expect it to be a strong season, but there won’t be any easy matches,” Guardiola stated. With the backdrop of ongoing investigations into financial conduct, their trajectory remains under scrutiny.
Manchester United and Others
Manchester United, despite facing financial hurdles, has revamped their front line with new signings including Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, as well as a high-profile acquisition of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.
Captain Bruno Fernandes criticized the team’s lackluster performance in preseason, emphasizing the need for more reinforcements. Heeding to internal strife, key players like Luke Shaw have called out a “toxic” environment under manager Ruben Amorim. The timing of positive results may define Amorim’s tenure at the club.
Newcastle narrowly missed out on a top-four finish last season and is now faced with uncertainty regarding star player Isak, especially with Sesko joining United. Their progress from last season could hinge on Isak’s future.
Aston Villa also aims to break into the Premier League elite, bolstered by their Champions League appearance two years prior. They have recruited Ivory Coast winger Evann Guessand from Nice, while rumors swirl about striker Ollie Watkins potentially moving before the transfer window closes on September 1.