Premier League season preview: Each club's pre-season preparations analysed ahead of new campaign's kick-off this Friday
Football hasn't stopped this summer, so to make sure you're up to speed with how every Premier League team is shaping up ahead of the new season we've taken a look at their preparations for the new campaign.
From new managers and new signings to pre-season form and emerging talents, here's the lowdown on how the top 20 are looking...
Arsenal: Tzolis could prove a bargain
A lot of Arsenal's transfer talk has surrounded Vinicius Junior and Bradley Barcola this summer, but has Christos Tzolis given Mikel Arteta a reason to think differently?
There was not a great deal of fanfare when the Greek winger moved for £34m from Club Brugge early in the window, but Tzolis has shown quite a lot of threat since arriving.
In six pre-season games, Tzolis has six assists and one goal - including making two in the Community Shield against Man City. He is by no means flashy - he completed none of his dribbles in the win in Cardiff, for example - but he is very effective.
That pre-season form mirrored his form last season - getting 51 goal contributions in 52 games for Club Brugge. A set-piece threat too; if he gets anything close to those numbers in the regular season, then Arsenal have found themselves a £34m bargain.
Sam Blitz
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Aston Villa: Turbulent summer at Villa Park
The doom and gloom mood of pre-season following the departures of Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans was momentarily lifted with the performance of Aston Villa against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup final.
New signing Joao Gomes and 17-year-old Brian Madjo have impressed in pre-season and stood out once again against PSG, despite the loss.
However, Unai Emery was dealt another blow when reports emerged of injuries for both players as they approach the season opener against Brighton. They will now join both Amadou Onana and new signing Johan Manzambi on the sidelines.
It has been a summer of change at Villa Park and navigating key player exits is difficult enough. Injuries and the absence of any form of pre-season for Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins due to their extended World Cup breaks now mean both the line-up and performance itself could throw up a few surprises at the Amex Stadium.
Pat Rowe
Bournemouth: Settled summer offers promise for biggest-ever season
After a free-scoring pre-season under new head coach Marco Rose there are hopes that life after Andoni Iraola can be just as bright for Bournemouth despite a first season in Europe to contend with.
The Cherries' succession plan is as strong for players as it is for managers and Rose will tinker with rather than overhaul Iraola's work and getting their transfer business done early has helped his squad settle ahead of their most testing season.
An injury to Eli Kroupi Junior's foot injury will stop him from carrying on his superb form from last season for the foreseeable but there is already intrigue about the prospect of Alvaro Rodriguez, a summer arrival from Elche.
There are concerns over a lack of depth in central defence, especially with 22-year-old Antonio Silva expected to slot straight in to replace Marcos Senesi. But the ex-Benfica man has plenty of pedigree, making 20 appearances for Portugal already and 41 in the Champions League.
Ron Walker
Brentford: Hopes of going one better after European near-miss
Goal difference alone prevented the Bees from qualifying for Europe in May, but that's been forgotten now.
They've spent over £60m this summer, breaking their transfer record to sign Mali international midfielder Mamadou Sangare from Lens, while also adding proven Premier League players Callum Wilson and Jaidon Anthony to bolster the attack.
Keith Andrews' side blew Eintracht Frankfurt away with a 7-0 win at the Gtech last Saturday, which set tongues wagging about what might be possible this term. Reaching Europe is sure to be the target internally - and this could well be the campaign they go one better.
Dan Long
Brighton: Conference League or bust for Seagulls
It was a blow to Brighton to lose Danny Welbeck in the summer - but few fans will begrudge him the move at this stage of his career after he gave a lot to the club. Likewise, Brighton will feel they got brilliant money in for Jan Paul van Hecke and Carl Rushworth - the latter of which could be challenging James Trafford for the England jersey in the coming years.
In terms of incomings, it's the usual case of 'trust the process' with Brighton's recruitment team. The incredible hit rate has slowed a little in recent times, but the club have generally rebuilt pretty well year on year.
Aims for the season? Nothing matters other than winning the Conference League. Having watched Crystal Palace lift the trophy last season, anything other than victory in Istanbul in June would be disaster.
Simeon Gholam
Chelsea: Work to do to replicate Alonso style
Xabi Alonso appears to be replicating his successful 3-4-3 formation, which delivered the Bundesliga title for Bayer Leverkusen, at Chelsea after testing the system in pre-season.
Alonso had fielded a 4-2-3-1 in their first three friendlies, but after switching to a back three against AC Milan - their best performance of the summer in a 3-0 win - it seems he could stick with it heading into their opening match against Fulham on Monday Night Football.
Maxence Lacroix was at the heart of the back three in their final pre-season game against Real Sociedad while Morgan Rogers started on the left of a dangerous frontline including Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer. Marco Palestra struggled at left-wing back with Pedro Neto operating on the other side. It remains a work in progress.
David Richardson
Coventry: Encouraging signs in pre-season
A friendly win over Monaco was an encouraging way to finish pre-season and a clean sheet for 'keeper Carl Rushworth, who has signed on a permanent deal after his impressive loan last year, will add confidence to the backline which was the meanest in the second tier.
That belief could be tested with an extremely difficult opener at Arsenal on Friday night but after 25 years away expect Coventry and their fans to relish their Premier League return.
They'll hope the creative Gustavo Hamer and powerhouse Taiwo Awoniyi can give Frank Lampard's side threat at the other end to cheer. But can they continue their front-foot approach at the highest level?
Peter Smith
Crystal Palace: World Cup hits preparations for 'tinkerman' Sage
Crystal Palace started pre-season with a new manager in Pierre Sage, but the Frenchman's attempts to implement a new playing style have been hampered as a host of first-team players were focused on the World Cup, rather than an opening 5-1 win over Swindon Town.
The reappearance of Matheus Franca, a forgotten Brazilian youngster, has been one of the rare positives as he scored a hat-trick against Swindon and has featured regularly.
A 3-0 loss to Bromley would not have offered much optimism to Sage, who then had to endure a stinging defeat by the same scoreline to former club RC Lens in a swift reunion at the Como Cup. Palace defeated FC Famalicao on penalties before scoring their first goals of the tournament, albeit in a consolation 3-0 victory over Saudi side Alula SC.
The returning Ismaila Sarr should be a key player for Sage, and he was on target with Franca in a 2-1 win over Fulham, but a 3-0 loss to Freiburg has left the new Palace boss to admit that he needs to temper his desire to tinker.
Richard Damerell
Everton: Right-back a problem... but right back in the mix for Europe?
Everton's summer business has been steady with the addition of highly rated Hayden Hackney plus Christian Norgaard from Arsenal offering extra bite and quality in midfield.
But strength in depth remains an issue elsewhere with the potential requirement of Jake O'Brien or even James Garner to cover at right-back for another season unless the Toffees can add some more quality at right-back.
They were linked with Daniel Munoz and expressed an interest in Djed Spence before his move to Inter Milan, but have yet to get a new face through the door. That has not been a problem on the right of their attack, where Brennan Johnson has added some extra pace which the counter-attack minded David Moyes will look to exploit at every opportunity.
Can Everton put their end-of-season drop behind them to reach Europe this time around? Moyes might not always be flavour of the month at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but you can never rule it out with him around.
Ron Walker
Fulham: The Los Blancos of London under Arbeloa?
Alvaro Arbeloa's arrival from Spanish giants Real Madrid has injected some Castilian culture into Craven Cottage. Rather than looking to the domestic market to fill the void left by Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez, Arbeloa tapped into La Fábrica, Real Madrid's renowned youth academy.
In a stunning double transfer, Fulham completed a £42.8m deal for two of Real Madrid's brightest young players: striker Gonzalo Garcia and attacking midfielder Cesar Palacios. In behind them, £30m signing Shea Charles will provide a solid anchor in midfield. Fulham are evolving their squad nicely.
Arbeloa has also looked to put his Spanish stamp on the team's tactical identity. In pre-season, they've adopted a high-intensity, high-pressing approach. This new style of play has excited Fulham fans. But with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United among their early opponents, Los Blancos will need to settle into their new identity pronto.
James Cole
Hull: Will goals stop Tigers from roaring?
Hull were shock play-off winners in the Championship last season, defying the odds and a transfer embargo to seal a return to the Premier League.
Once again, they have their doubters this summer but predicting how they will fare has been further complicated by a flood of new arrivals - and with more expected in the final days of the window.
An injury to one of those new additions, goalkeeper Jack Butland, is a major blow, with the former England stopper likely out until Christmas due to arm surgery.
But the Tigers will hope they have secured some savvy buys, a la Sunderland last season, with Nobel Mendy, Konstantinos Tzolakis and 18-year-old Aussie centre-back Lucas Herrington ones to watch. Goals, though, could be an issue - they hit the net just once in their final three friendlies.
Peter Smith
Ipswich: Proven quality over Championship potential on top-flight return
Ipswich return to the top flight looking a very different entity to the one which was relegated in May 2025. Victories in their last three pre-season fixtures have featured encouraging displays from new additions and a hint at how they will potentially set up with a back three under new boss Gary O'Neil.
Experienced Premier League players rather than upcoming domestic and Championship talent have been targeted, while Daizen Maeda's arrival from Celtic comes after goalscoring feats north of the border.
Brazilian striker Emersonn is still largely an unknown quantity despite two goals in his last two pre-season starts. There are potentially more additions to come before Sunderland visit Portman Road on Saturday.
Adam Williams
Leeds: Can Calvert-Lewin push Farke's side forward again?
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been on fire in pre-season, with three goals and two assists - is he set for an even better season than he had last term?
The Leeds striker had a pretty good campaign last time out with 14 Premier League goals - but it was even more impressive because he didn't have a pre-season, as he completed his Elland Road move on the eve of last term.
Having had a relatively full pre-season and with his injury woes behind him, plus the likes of Harry Wilson now in the team to support Leeds' attacking threat - is Calvert-Lewin going to lead Daniel Farke's wish for the Whites to be more competitive?
Sam Blitz
Liverpool: How will Iraola cope with new level of scrutiny?
Andoni Iraola has probably been under more scrutiny during pre-season at Liverpool than in three years in charge of Bournemouth. From recruitment to the balance of the squad, from the style of play to the ability to maintain it for 90 minutes, eyes are on him.
Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz will surely improve, but it still feels like a rebuild. The Liverpool fans are ready to embrace his rock and roll football. But can Iraola, coaching in Europe for the first time in his career, deliver the results that will sustain that support?
Adam Bate
Man City: Maresca wants to use throwback wingers - but there's a problem
Much of Man City's tactical approach under Enzo Maresca will mirror that of predecessor Pep Guardiola. They share similar philosophies. But a key change can be seen in how the Italian wants to use his wide players as more traditional wingers. Throwback to a bygone era of Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane and it's something close.
Maresca has got two of the best wide ball carriers in the league in Antoine Semenyo and Jeremy Doku; the intention is to use them as such. But an issue has arisen. Does Maresca have a midfield capable of servicing this system?
It was clear against Arsenal in the Community Shield that they do not. Semenyo landed five assists in pre-season but cut an isolated figure in that palling 3-0 defeat. With Bernardo Silva gone and Rodri's exit close, City's midfield reshuffle needs some serious work in order to get the team functioning and flowing as Maresca wants.
Laura Hunter
Man Utd: Progression on the pitch - but new personnel still required?
Manchester United ended their Premier League preparations with a 4-2 defeat to AC Milan, but the good news for Michael Carrick and United is that two players, in particular, have stood out in pre-season.
Having perhaps looked a bit tired towards the end of last season, Carrick will be purring to see Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo back to their electric selves.
It was quite clear last season that United would largely defend on the edge of their own box. What we've seen in pre-season has been a deviation - or, perhaps, progression. United are pushing higher and working harder to press and counter-press the opposition.
The game was a perfect illustration of why United need to invest seriously in a left-back: not just because Luke Shaw will need to be rotated with the increased number of games that comes with European competition, but also due to the way United clearly want to play going forward.
Danyal Khan
Newcastle: What awaits Jaissle after another tough summer?
Eddie Howe called for this summer to be different for Newcastle. It certainly has been, though not quite how he intended.
The now ex-head coach had hoped for early incomings and strong investment in a side which suffered after a messy transfer window 12 months ago but instead the loss of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali left the Magpies playing catch-up again while Bruno Guimaraes' departure was the final straw for Howe to walk.
Matthias Jaissle, another graduate of the Red Bull franchise, replaced him with an expectation of attractive, attacking football but his more pressing concern will be that four of his five new signings, costing almost £140m combined, are aged 20 or under.
That loss of experience on the pitch and in the dugout suggests another season of transition on Tyneside, but with the club still maintaining aims of a Premier League push within four years Jaissle and his players will have to come good sooner rather than later.
Ron Walker
Nottm Forest: Tricky Trees pruned to Glasner's wishes
Oliver Glasner arrives at Nottingham Forest having won three trophies in two seasons with Crystal Palace and is looking to put his stamp on things at the City Ground. Forest have switched to his favoured system and are quietly reshaping the squad to his needs.
Ousmane Diomande appears to be the standout signing and - for now at least - the key men remain. Forest fans would settle for Premier League progress after their European adventures but do not rule out fireworks from owner Evangelos Marinakis late in the window.
Adam Bate
Sunderland: Few new additions despite European demands
Sunderland spent over £180m revamping their squad for their return to the Premier League last summer - and there was method in the madness. The Black Cats stepped up admirably, qualifying for Europe for the first time in over half a century.
A year on, the only first-team signing they've made so far is that of 34-year-old Belgium right-back Thomas Meunier on a free from Lille, though Dayann Methalie is also set to join and become their record signing for £25.7m. That has been more than paid for already, with in excess of £30m recouped from the sales of fringe players.
The most significant moment of the summer, however, was when Granit Xhaka opted to stay at the club despite interest from Chelsea, who tabled an £8m bid for him to reunite with his former Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso. Their captain was pivotal in 2025/26 and will be going forward, too.
Dan Long
Tottenham: New signings impress as captaincy decision looms
An unbeaten pre-season for Tottenham has maintained optimism around Roberto De Zerbi's side after a big summer of spending.
The six new arrivals have all impressed in pre-season, with the new £185m midfield pairing of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes both scoring.
New defenders Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke looked a solid centre-back pairing in Saturday's clean-sheet win over Hoffenheim - and their display was even more encouraging considering Micky van de Ven did not play a pre-season minute, raising concerns he might not be fit for the Brentford trip.
Pedro Porro, Mohammed Kudus and Destiny Udogie also failed to feature in pre-season, meaning new left-back Andy Robertson, who impressed against Hoffenheim, should start this weekend.
With Porro's late World Cup-winning arrival means Archie Gray could be set to start at right-back, where he has played all of pre-season.
