Arsenal: Solving the Spine, But Flanks Remain a Concern
Problems Addressed: Arsenal have finally injected both ruthlessness and composure into key areas. The addition of a top-class striker and defensive midfield reinforcement has reshaped their core.
Players In:
Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting CP for around £55 million (rising to £64.2 million) – a clinical goalscorer.
Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace for up to £67.5 million – creative attacking midfielder.
Noni Madueke from Chelsea for £48.5 million (+ add-ons) – pacey winger.
Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad ~£55–56 million – defensive-minded midfielder.
Christian Nørgaard from Brentford for ~£15 million – tough-tackling midfielder.
Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia for £13 million – versatile defender.
Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea for £5 million – experienced goalkeeper.
Piero Hincapié on a season-long loan from Bayer Leverkusen – youthful center-back.
Players Out:
Jorginho (free to Flamengo), Kieran Tierney (free to Celtic), Nuno Tavares (to Lazio ~£4–7 million), Marquinhos (undisclosed to Cruzeiro), Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu released; plus multiple loans (e.g., Reiss Nelson to Brentford, Zinchenko to Nottingham Forest).
Lingering Loopholes: Their attack’s depth especially on the wings remains thin. An injury to one of the new wingers could expose them. And while Zubimendi bolsters the midfield, more physicality could still be needed to handle aggressive opponents.
Chelsea: Youthful Injects with Tactical Flexibility, but Leadership Still Lacking
Problems Addressed: Chelsea have strengthened their fluid system with direct goal threat and versatile defensive options, while resolving financial suits via sales.
Players In:
João Pedro from Brighton for £60 million – prolific forward.
Estêvão Willian from Palmeiras for £56 million – skillful winger.
Jamie Gittens from Dortmund for £51.5 million – promising striker (youth).
Liam Delap from Ipswich for £30 million – powerful forward.
Jorrel Hato, Dário Essugo, Mamadou Sarr, Kendry Paez – talented youngsters across defense and midfield.
Alejandro Garnacho from Man United for £40 million – dynamic winger.
Players Out:
Noni Madueke (to Arsenal), Kepa (to Arsenal), João Félix (to Al-Nassr ~£43.7 million), plus numerous academy and squad departures (e.g., Djordje Petrović, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall).
Lingering Loopholes: Despite exciting youth, leadership and composure under pressure remain a concern. The midfield still needs a physical enforcer capable of controlling high-intensity games.
Liverpool: Attack Reboot with Record Spending, Defensive Depth Still a Question
Problems Addressed: A new dimension in attack via marquee signings to refresh their frontline.
Players In:
Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen ~£116 million – creative midfield talisman.
Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt ~£79 million – promising centre-forward.
Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Giorgi Mamardashvili – reinforcements in defense and goal (~£40 million, £29.5 million, £29 million respectively).
Plus Armin Pecsi, Freddie Woodman, Giovanni Leoni.
Alexander Isak from Newcastle for a record £125 million (plus add-ons) – widens squad depth.
Players Out:
Luis Díaz to Bayern ~£65 million; Darwin Núñez to Al-Hilal; Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid; Kelleher, Quansah among others moved.
Lingering Loopholes: Defensive depth remains a concern especially at centre-back Marc Guehi deal collapsed on deadline day despite successful medicals. And while flair is present in midfield, the absence of a strong, physical ball-winner could be exploited in tougher contests.
Manchester City: Elite Refinement, Left-Back Depth Under the Microscope
Problems Addressed: City focused on fine-tuning depth and creativity, staying at the top.
Players In:
Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan (£46.3 million) – midfield quality.
Rayan Aït-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, Sverre Nypan, James Trafford – balance and future-proofing. Donarumma completed a deadline day transfer to be the main man in goal for Pep side.
Players Out:
Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Gundogan, Ederson, Akanji, plus various loans and squad exits.
Lingering Loopholes: Their squad depth remains elite, but lacking a true specialist right-back could be a vulnerability if top-tier opponents exploit that flank.
Manchester United: Attacking Overhaul, Midfield Balance and Defense Still Uneven
Problems Addressed: Addressing well-known goal drought via transfers for pace and finishing and premier league proven talents.
Players In:
Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford ~£71 million – wing/forward threat.
Matheus Cunha from Wolves ~£62.5 million – agile centre-forwards.
Benjamin Šeško from RB Leipzig ~£73.7 million – towering striker.
Diego León, Senne Lammens – added depth in defense and goal keeping positions.
Players Out:
Alejandro Garnacho to Chelsea (£40 million), Marcus Rashford loaned to Barcelona, plus multiple retirements and loans.
Lingering Loopholes: Despite bolstering the attack, their midfield still lacks a dominant defensive anchor, and defensive consistency remains a concern.
Real Madrid: A Defensive Rebuild, But Midfield Depth a Concern
Problems Addressed: Real Madrid invested heavily to rejuvenate their defense for longevity and stability.
Players In:
Dean Huijsen (€50 million), Franco Mastantuono (€10 million) – all strengthening backline and depth.
Lingering Loopholes: While the defense is refreshed, reliance on aging midfield stars remains. Without established backups, injuries could expose midfield weaknesses. Additionally, attacking depth beyond their superstars could be stretched over a long season.
Barcelona: Smart, Frugal Moves—But Depth and Financial Fragility Loom
Problems Addressed: Under financial pressure, Barcelona made shrewd, targeted signings to reignite wide play and depth.
Players In :
Roony Bardghji (€2.5 million) – FC Copenhagen
Marcus Rashford (Loan) – Manchester United
Joan Garcia (€25 million) – Espanyol
Alex Valle (Loan) – Como
Lingering Loopholes: Limited funds have resulted in a thin squad. Injuries could derail their season. A defensive midfield presence is still missing, and much rides on youth performance and adaptability.
Summary Table
Club Key Additions Key Departures Main Strength Lingering Issue
Arsenal Gyökeres, Eze, Zubimendi, Norgaard, Kepa, Hincapié Tierney, Jorginho, others Improved spine (attack & DM) Wing depth, physicality
Chelsea João Pedro, Estêvão, Gittens, Delap, Garnacho Madueke, Kepa, Félix, many youth losses Youth, flexibility, firepower Lack of leadership, defensive steel
Liverpool Wirtz, Ekitike, Kerkez, Frimpong, Mamardashvili Isak, Díaz, Trent, others Offensive power, creativity Defensive depth, physical midfield presence
Man City Reijnders, Cherki, Aït-Nouri, Trafford De Bruyne, Walker, others Squad quality, flexibility Real left-back specialist lacking
Man Utd Mbeumo, Cunha, Šeško Garnacho, Rashford (loan), others Revamped attack Midfield stability, defensive consistency
Real Madrid Huijsen, Carreras, Mastantuono, Alexander-Arnold — Future-proofed defence Aging midfield, depth concerns
Barcelona Bardghji, García Little data publicly confirmed Shrewd youth moves Depth, finances, defensive midfield gap
