Whale.io 🐳 | ⚽ English Premier League Season: 2025/2026

[igebotz]

They spent £72 million on Hojlund when he was 22 years old. Amorim has stuck with him but if does not score he will be sold at a massive loss for the club. Arsenal did not really threaten the goal though had a much improved second half. If Arteta is not careful, they could be in danger of watching Nottingham Forest overtake them in the Premier League table.

It was a panic buy, just like the rest of the guys they bought at a higher price; one good season and United believed he was worth £75m; they're so awful at business, and every club in Europe knows it--they're in massive debts while still giving away free money to mediocre players.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe criticised Hojlund, Sancho, Antony, and some other players' prices in his recent interview, which is not the correct thing to say in public, but the club is bleeding and is not profiting from player sales. netSpend is a lot worse.

Caciedo ain't worth the amount we got him for but I can't complain because Liverpool late interest was the reason we got him that amount.

[JollyGood]

It was a panic buy, just like the rest of the guys they bought at a higher price; one good season and United believed he was worth £75m; they're so awful at business, and every club in Europe knows it--they're in massive debts while still giving away free money to mediocre players.

Their experiment was wrong, they bought a young unproven striker with potential by overpaying in the hope of getting something back if they sold him. It was truly awful business. I like Hojlund, he is 22 years old and seems to always make the right moves and runs but the service to him is bad. When he does get an opportunity he has failed to score. Last season I think he scored in six consecutive Premier League games last season but this season has been a difficult.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe criticised Hojlund, Sancho, Antony, and some other players' prices in his recent interview, which is not the correct thing to say in public, but the club is bleeding and is not profiting from player sales. netSpend is a lot worse.

Criticising players in public is a mistake but some of the things were correct such as some players are not good enough and some are overpaid.

Caciedo ain't worth the amount we got him for but I can't complain because Liverpool late interest was the reason we got him that amount.

Brighton paid £4.5 million to buy him then just two years later sold him for a British record. He is a good player lots of potential but he is not worth anything close to £115 million that he will cost Chelsea. He is only 23 years old therefore he has time to adapt to the Chelsea system.

[tokeweed]

Manchester City were outplayed by a determined Nottingham Forest team. Manchester City had lots of possession and were close to breaking through but the Nottingham Forest defence was extremely efficient. The goal was stunning, how many of us thought Hudson-Odoi would try to score at thee near post from that angle? they deserved the win.

What are the chances of Nottingham Forest finish the season in a Champions League spot but Manchester City missing out?

I wouldn't be surprised if they don't get in the top 4.  But it will also depend on Chelsea now...  They haven't been that consistent either.  And I guess Nottingham Forest with just 4 points away from Man City aren't out of the woods yet.  But I'm rooting for them.  Good to see smaller clubs make great feats.  It's good for football and good for the supporters of all EPL clubs overall.

There are some good matches this weekend besides City vs Brighton...  Bournemouth vs Brentford is a decent mid table scrap, Arsenal vs Chelsea and another decent mid table match up with Fulham vs Tottenham.

[JollyGood]

Chelsea and Newcastle United will make life difficult for Manchester City If five Premier League clubs are selected for the Champions League and Manchester City still miss out, then that has to be the end of the road for Guardiola. He is not the same manager that he was when he was riding high on success. He might have won six Premier Leagues but he will never reach the numbers by Ferguson.

Slot, Arteta, Maresca, Santos and Howe are getting better and better with their teams therefore Manchester City and Guardiola will not have any more easy Premier League titles to add. If he does not leave at the end of the season, I will not be surprised if he does not win another trophy with Manchster City again until he resigns or is sacked.

I wouldn't be surprised if they don't get in the top 4.  But it will also depend on Chelsea now...  They haven't been that consistent either.  And I guess Nottingham Forest with just 4 points away from Man City aren't out of the woods yet.  But I'm rooting for them.  Good to see smaller clubs make great feats.  It's good for football and good for the supporters of all EPL clubs overall.

There are some good matches this weekend besides City vs Brighton...  Bournemouth vs Brentford is a decent mid table scrap, Arsenal vs Chelsea and another decent mid table match up with Fulham vs Tottenham.

[igebotz]

Their experiment was wrong, they bought a young unproven striker with potential by overpaying in the hope of getting something back if they sold him. It was truly awful business. I like Hojlund, he is 22 years old and seems to always make the right moves and runs but the service to him is bad. When he does get an opportunity he has failed to score. Last season I think he scored in six consecutive Premier League games last season but this season has been a difficult.

Not only him, but many under-21 players who have recently gained confidence and playing time in their clubs appear to be on the move for more money these days, which ends badly--it has more to do with their agents, who are pushing these kids up for money rather than developing their careers.

Every young player's dream is to play at the highest level and for top clubs, but decisions have consequences--in the past, young ballers never moved to a top club in their early 20s, but now, even at U17, they want to play in the senior squad, which always ends bad for them.

Criticising players in public is a mistake but some of the things were correct such as some players are not good enough and some are overpaid.

He needs to STFU too and not acting like he didn't know what he was investing his money in.. He's only there for profit that ass old man..

[Akbarkoe]

Chelsea and Newcastle United will make life difficult for Manchester City If five Premier League clubs are selected for the Champions League and Manchester City still miss out, then that has to be the end of the road for Guardiola. He is not the same manager that he was when he was riding high on success. He might have won six Premier Leagues but he will never reach the numbers by Ferguson.

...........................

The 4 teams that qualified for the Champions League this season are Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Aston Villa. Currently the Champions League is almost entering the last 8. While Arsenal City was eliminated early in the qualifying round, followed by Liverpool who were eliminated in the last 16, so that currently only Arsenal is certain to advance to the next round, and regarding Aston Villa it still depends on the final result of the second match against Club Brugge, but with the advantage they currently have, it seems that Aston Villa will definitely advance to the next round.

Meanwhile for next season, the 4 teams representing the EPL in the Champions League, there will be a little change as you said. and if you look at Aston Villa in the EPL standings, it seems impossible for them to return to the Champions League, unless Aston Villa can achieve the best results in the UCL this season. Meanwhile for Liverpool and Arsenal, I think they will compete again in the Champions League next season, and regarding Manchester City they are still in the grey area to be able to compete again in the Champions League next season, because considering that at this time the competition in the top 4 of the standings is quite tight, but if the team coached by Pep Guardiola can appear more consistent to continue to win points, they still have a chance to be able to compete again in the UCL next season.

[JollyGood]

Not only him, but many under-21 players who have recently gained confidence and playing time in their clubs appear to be on the move for more money these days, which ends badly--it has more to do with their agents, who are pushing these kids up for money rather than developing their careers.

Is that what happened with Arsenal kids Chido Obi-Martin and Ayden Heaven that were signed by Manchester United?

Keeping aside the failed drugs test and subsequent ban that Mudryk faced, he was one of several players Chelsea signed on long contracts. Chelsea signed him on an seven year contract in the hope he could be sold at some stage (and to try to play around FFP rules). The transfer was a complete failure as the player has zero confidence and the managers have zero confidence in him. Mudryk was 22 years old when he was signed, he still is young but his career has stalled.

Meanwhile for next season, the 4 teams representing the EPL in the Champions League, there will be a little change as you said.

I was under the impression for next season only, there will be five teams from the Premier League that will qualify for the Champions League.

[tokeweed]

Chelsea and Newcastle United will make life difficult for Manchester City If five Premier League clubs are selected for the Champions League and Manchester City still miss out, then that has to be the end of the road for Guardiola. He is not the same manager that he was when he was riding high on success. He might have won six Premier Leagues but he will never reach the numbers by Ferguson.

Slot, Arteta, Maresca, Santos and Howe are getting better and better with their teams therefore Manchester City and Guardiola will not have any more easy Premier League titles to add. If he does not leave at the end of the season, I will not be surprised if he does not win another trophy with Manchster City again until he resigns or is sacked.

And I wouldn't count out Brighton and Aston Villa too.  Eddie Howe has a tendency to fade near the end of the season.  Not really sure what it is with him.  He's a good manager but seems to come up short at the most critical moments.  As for 'the end of Guardiola'...  Lol maybe.  But nah.  I wouldn't worry about it that much.  As I've said before, even the best clubs could have good bad seasons from time to time...  Especially in the EPL. 

It was never easy for Guardiola even tho the results showed to the contrary.  And as for not winning any trophies for the rest of his tenure, sure it could happen...  But I also wouldn't be surprised if he won the league next year.

[JollyGood]

I am convinced Guardiola will leave at the end of the season. I cannot explain why I am confident that he will quit but it cannot be denied he and his Manchester City team have lost the element of fear that opponents used to have. Teams no longer sit back and allow Manchester City to attack, instead they are being brave and taking the initiative.

It was never easy for Guardiola even tho the results showed to the contrary.  And as for not winning any trophies for the rest of his tenure, sure it could happen...  But I also wouldn't be surprised if he won the league next year.

[Akbarkoe]

Meanwhile for next season, the 4 teams representing the EPL in the Champions League, there will be a little change as you said.

I was under the impression for next season only, there will be five teams from the Premier League that will qualify for the Champions League.

Yes, it is possible, or even the EPL could send more than that, as long as the teams currently competing in the UCL can bring home the trophy, and so do the teams currently competing in the UEFA Europa League.

In the EPL champions league there are still Arsenal and Aston Villa who have now made it to the last 8, while in the UEFA Europa League there are Tottenham Hotspur and Menchetser United, and now both teams are fighting to qualify for the next round. Both teams face a fairly difficult match, especially Tottenham Spurs who are still 1 goal behind AZ on aggregate.

[JollyGood]

The top four places in the Premier League will automatically qualify for the Champions League but under the current UEFA rules it seems possible a maximum of seven Premier League clubs could play in the Champions League next season. That number is astounding and highly unlikely to happen although it remains a mathematically possibility.

Yes, it is possible, or even the EPL could send more than that, as long as the teams currently competing in the UCL can bring home the trophy, and so do the teams currently competing in the UEFA Europa League.

[tokeweed]

I am convinced Guardiola will leave at the end of the season. I cannot explain why I am confident that he will quit but it cannot be denied he and his Manchester City team have lost the element of fear that opponents used to have. Teams no longer sit back and allow Manchester City to attack, instead they are being brave and taking the initiative.

That's fine.  I've had those feelings too.  Some of them were right and some of them weren't.  But for how I 'feel' and considering the Man City back room with Ferran Soriano and Txiki...  And their deep relationship with Guardiola, I think Guardiola will leave after next season with or without the EPL trophy.  That leaves one year from his contract unfulfilled as his contract is up to 2027.

I don't think it's in his character to leave after a bad year.  He's gonna want to bounce back and try one more time.  But then again maybe just finish his contract since it's gonna be just one more year.

[igebotz]

Is that what happened with Arsenal kids Chido Obi-Martin and Ayden Heaven that were signed by Manchester United?

Many more of them like that - kids don't do loans anymore, it's either you give them a first team playing time or lose them for free.

Keeping aside the failed drugs test and subsequent ban that Mudryk faced, he was one of several players Chelsea signed on long contracts. Chelsea signed him on an seven year contract in the hope he could be sold at some stage (and to try to play around FFP rules). The transfer was a complete failure as the player has zero confidence and the managers have zero confidence in him. Mudryk was 22 years old when he was signed, he still is young but his career has stalled.

I watched him play for his former team and was pleased with the deal, but little did I realise he was a systematic player who only progressed at particular clubs/leagues- the EPL was clearly not for him. 

The whole drug thing is messy and about to ruin his career and put us at a huge loss on investment.

[JollyGood]

These are the games taking place today Saturday 15th March:

Everton vs West Ham United
Ipswich Town vs Nottingham Forest
Manchester City vs Brighton and Hove Albion
Southampton vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Bournemouth vs Brentford

Brighton should tale something from the game. A win might be difficult but a draw away at Manchester City is more than possible. Nottingham Forest can send another strong message to the teams fighting for a Champions League place bu beating Ipswich and moving up to just one point behind 2nd place Arsenal.

I don't think it's in his character to leave after a bad year.  He's gonna want to bounce back and try one more time.  But then again maybe just finish his contract since it's gonna be just one more year.

Maybe he will see his contract out or even extend it. It is all speculation unless/until he makes an announcement  

Many more of them like that - kids don't do loans anymore, it's either you give them a first team playing time or lose them for free.

I think agents have a lot to do with it, they want to make money as soon as possible and moves usually result in a financial windfall. Also, some very young players are 100% certain they should be playing for the first team therefore go elsewhere if they are being selected by their manager. I do not know why Chido Obi-Martin and Ayden Heaven left Arsenal but having watched Heaven play For Manchester United against Real Sociedad, he was fantastic for an 18 year old.

I watched him play for his former team and was pleased with the deal, but little did I realise he was a systematic player who only progressed at particular clubs/leagues- the EPL was clearly not for him.  

The whole drug thing is messy and about to ruin his career and put us at a huge loss on investment.

Mudryk certainly had a lot of potential when they signed him but now his time at Chelsea has to be over. Antony is flourishing at Real Betis after having a disastrous time at Manchester United. Maybe Mudryk needs to leave Chelsea in order to give his career another chance.

[tokeweed]

I don't think it's in his character to leave after a bad year.  He's gonna want to bounce back and try one more time.  But then again maybe just finish his contract since it's gonna be just one more year.

Maybe he will see his contract out or even extend it. It is all speculation unless/until h makes an announcement  

That I pretty much doubt or at least pretty much I don't 'feel'.  Lolol.  I think Guardiola is done with City after his current contract.  We already heard that he wanted go leave before his extension but Ferran Soriano and Txiki talked him into extending for a couple more years.  He prolly only agreed due to their friendship.  Guardiola does owe Soriano and Txiki as they were the only guys who gave Guardiola his big break at Barca.  He was pretty much 'not tested' as a manager before that.  But after his Barca stint the rest is history.

So yeah...  And he already won everything he could ever win with City and also got the 'domestic treble'..  Would be funny if he got lucky and won 4 trophies in a season.

[JollyGood]

RESULTS:

Everton 1-1 West Ham United
Ipswich Town 2-4 Nottingham Forest
Manchester City 2-2 Brighton and Hove Albion
Southampton 1-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Bournemouth 1-2 Brentford

I was certain Brighton were going to make problems for Manchester City and the game was yet another where Guardiola saw his side drop more points. Nottingham Forest are now a point behind Arsenal and if Chelsea beat Arsenal tomorrow it will make the race for 2nd place very interesting.

I think Guardiola is done with City after his current contract.  

Manchester City could enter a decline after he leaves because trying to bring a formidable manager to replace him (and one the team will accept to play under) will be almost impossible.

[igebotz]

I think agents have a lot to do with it, they want to make money as soon as possible and moves usually result in a financial windfall. Also, some very young players are 100% certain they should be playing for the first team therefore go elsewhere if they are being selected by their manager. I do not know why Chido Obi-Martin and Ayden Heaven left Arsenal but having watched Heaven play For Manchester United against Real Sociedad, he was fantastic for an 18 year old.

They lost two academy players to us in free transfers last season, as well as one the year before.  I believe it has a lot to do with the manager; Arteta is not flexible with his selections and does not pay much attention to academy players, except when there is an injury problem in the main team.

Chelsea and Manchester United have one of the best academy programs in the country, and academy players are frequently selected for the first team or loaned out to top clubs for first-team football. Arsenal don't.

So yeah...  And he already won everything he could ever win with City and also got the 'domestic treble'..  Would be funny if he got lucky and won 4 trophies in a season.

Well, they spent €200m in January to improve the squad yet can't even manage a 2 goals early lead against Brighton. They're are so shit , can't remember how many times they've bottled from a good winning positions this season. Pep needs to go, the club needs a new face and a new philosophy for the future..

[JollyGood]

These are the games taking place on Sunday 16th March:

Arsenal vs Chelsea
Fulham vs Tottenham Hotspur
Leicester City vs Manchester United

They lost two academy players to us in free transfers last season, as well as one the year before.  I believe it has a lot to do with the manager; Arteta is not flexible with his selections and does not pay much attention to academy players, except when there is an injury problem in the main team.

Chelsea and Manchester United have one of the best academy programs in the country, and academy players are frequently selected for the first team or loaned out to top clubs for first-team football. Arsenal don't.

I think Arteta has given chances to several youth team players by selecting them for the first team. He might not be prolific but he has fielded young players such as Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly. In the end, if he does not have the talent coming through the ranks he cannot play them but when players such as Heaven are being sold to Manchester United you have to question what he is doing wrong (because that results in them leaving the club for teams such as Manchester United).

What about Sterling, he finally had some game time and provided two assists against PSV in the Champions League. However, when it matters most in the Premier League he is sitting on the bench and Arteta does not play him. Do you think he will he return to Chelsea when the loan deal expires or will he find a different club?

[igebotz]

I think Arteta has given chances to several youth team players by selecting them for the first team. He might not be prolific but he has fielded young players such as Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly. In the end, if he does not have the talent coming through the ranks he cannot play them but when players such as Heaven are being sold to Manchester United you have to question what he is doing wrong (because that results in them leaving the club for teams such as Manchester United).

Saka and Kai Havertz being out injured is the only reason Nwnaeri and Lewis are having some playing time and not because Arteta really wanted them. Let's see what happens to them when both Kai and Saka returns, let's see.

What about Sterling, he finally had some game time and provided two assists against PSV in the Champions League. However, when it matters most in the Premier League he is sitting on the bench and Arteta does not play him. Do you think he will he return to Chelsea when the loan deal expires or will he find a different club?

There's no place for him on the team, and his wages are way too high for someone his age who isn't a good asset to the club. We hope he does well with Arsenal, and that they activate the buy option at the end of the season, because we already have some bad wingers on our roster and can't afford to add another one.

[JollyGood]

RESULTS:

Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
Fulham 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Leicester City 0-3 Manchester United

Chelsea controlled massive amounts of possession but hardly had a shot on goal. I expected them to struggle without Palmer (because of injury) but to not cause problems for the Arsenal goalkeeper made it a pointless exercise. Chelsea looked good going forward in attack especially with Neto but most of the midfielders passed the ball back in the final third in order to keep possession.

I did not see anything spectacular from Arsenal that suggests they are guaranteed to finish as runners-up. Nottingham Forest will push them until the last game and could even overtake them.

Manchester United had a big win away at Leicester City. Hojlund and Garnacho scored a goal each after going many games without scoring, Fernandes scored the other goal. Their performances have been very good recently but Leicester City are facing relegation.

As for Tottenham, does anybody know what Postecoglou is doing? It really is time for him to be sacked before the end of the season. Congratulations to Fulham as they move to within four points of a Champions League place.