Whale.io 🐳 | ⚽ English Premier League Season: 2026/2027

[igebotz]

But didn't the club and the manager parted ways with mutual consent?  Doesn't that negate the demands of both getting sacked and resigning?

I think that's where the issue is...  And when Chelsea saw that a rich club is willing to get Maresca in, they were prolly saying 'hey let's get some cheddar cheese'.  Lolol. 

The words " mutual consent" doesn't always mean there are not financial issues- both sides agreed to end the contract early but compensation and other things can still be finalized behind the scenes 

If the move were in danger, we'd likely have seen some reports linking City to alternative candidates by now. He could be announced in the coming days.

[JollyGood]

Do you think the first season will be successful for Manchester City when the Maresca era begins? He worked very hard to take Leicester City from the Championship to the Premier League in his first season. When Chelsea wanted to sign him., he left the Leicester City project and after that Leicester City became a failed team and were relegated.

While Leicester City were having their issues, Maresca was slowing building a good squad at Chelsea and winning the FIFA Club World Cup should have been the start of something special. Something went wrong between the manager and the board and it ended with Maresca leaving the club. Regardless of whenever it will be officially announced, Maresca will be at Manchester City but will he be a success?

[igebotz]

Do you think the first season will be successful for Manchester City when the Maresca era begins? He worked very hard to take Leicester City from the Championship to the Premier League in his first season. When Chelsea wanted to sign him., he left the Leicester City project and after that Leicester City became a failed team and were relegated.

While Leicester City were having their issues, Maresca was slowing building a good squad at Chelsea and winning the FIFA Club World Cup should have been the start of something special. Something went wrong between the manager and the board and it ended with Maresca leaving the club. Regardless of whenever it will be officially announced, Maresca will be at Manchester City but will he be a success?

I trust him to adapt quickly without any difficulties, he's PL proven and he knows the club and the system more than anyone else available on the market. He's going to do a better job there than he ever did at Chelsea for sure.

I read a report that Manchester city are getting frustrated at chelsea and Enzo Maresca situation; they didn't expect the situation to prolong this much.
_____
What's with Totteham? I'm getting jealous at the players they're signing - Zerbi is building something dangerous for next season

[JollyGood]

I trust him to adapt quickly without any difficulties, he's PL proven and he knows the club and the system more than anyone else available on the market. He's going to do a better job there than he ever did at Chelsea for sure.

I read a report that Manchester city are getting frustrated at chelsea and Enzo Maresca situation; they didn't expect the situation to prolong this much.

He will have everything at his disposal in order to be a success at Manchester City (far more than he had at Chelsea). Without doubt the reason Maresca has the obvious edge over any other potential manager is because he was at Manchester City assisting Guardiola before he moved to Leicester City. Some time has passed since then therefore he will not be familiar with all of the players but he knows the structure of the club.

What's with Totteham? I'm getting jealous at the players they're signing - Zerbi is building something dangerous for next season

I have not been focusing on the Premier League recently but your post has made me curious therefore I will have to take a look at the latest news (and the players Tottenham have signed) and get back to you 

[igebotz]

I have not been focusing on the Premier League recently but your post has made me curious therefore I will have to take a look at the latest news (and the players Tottenham have signed) and get back to you 

They've signed Senesi from Bournemouth; this is someone I've always wanted Chelsea to sign and also Van Hecke from Brighton; one of the best young defenders in the league, not to mention Robertson from Liverpool and now they're in discussion to sign Tonali from Newcastle United - Incredibly pull for a team that barely escaped relegation last season.

Totteham and Zerbi have been busy in the market in the past weeks, my guess is, they want to get everything done before the transfer window opens officially and they been getting some solid PL proven players to strengthen the team. Hope the Chelsea owners are watching how to improve a team and how to properly back a manager. Pathetic owners.

[JollyGood]

These are the teams that will participate in the 2026/27 Premier League:





As it will the full season De Zerbi will have at Tottenham, do you think he will be able to make an impression on his team and make them play the way he wants? The applies to Alonso at Chelsea, it will be his first season as manager therefore will he have enough time to get them to play the way he wants?

As many key players from both teams are in the World Cup, I am not sure both of them (De Zerbi and Alonso) will have a good start to the season. Having said that, even though Tottenham are making a statement with the new signings I think Alonso has more chances of being a success at Chelsea than De Zerbi will at Totenham.

They've signed Senesi from Bournemouth; this is someone I've always wanted Chelsea to sign and also Van Hecke from Brighton; one of the best young defenders in the league, not to mention Robertson from Liverpool and now they're in discussion to sign Tonali from Newcastle United - Incredibly pull for a team that barely escaped relegation last season.

Totteham and Zerbi have been busy in the market in the past weeks, my guess is, they want to get everything done before the transfer window opens officially and they been getting some solid PL proven players to strengthen the team. Hope the Chelsea owners are watching how to improve a team and how to properly back a manager. Pathetic owners.

[JollyGood]

These are the first sets of games taking place in the new Premier League season. Arsenal host newly promoted Coventry City, what a fantastic way to start the Premier League 

Friday 21st August
Arsenal vs Coventry City

Saturday 22nd August
Hull City vs Manchester United
Everton vsCrystal Palace
Ipswich Town vs Sunderland
Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United
Brentford vs Tottenham Hotspur

Sunday 23rd August
Brighton and Hove Albion vs Aston Villa
Manchester City vs Bournemouth
Newcastle United vs Liverpool

Monday 24th August
Fulham vs Chelsea

[JollyGood]

Maresca has been officially announced as the next Manchester City head coach. His post is "head coach" and not manager. The most interesting part of the story was the statement released by Chelsea:

Chelsea FC appreciates the 2025/26 season was a hugely disappointing one for the club and its supporters. A major contributing factor was the disruption caused as a result of changes that the club was forced to make to the head coach position over the Christmas period.

Due to recent developments, we consider that it is important to explain to our supporters what happened and why our former head coach left the club on 1 January 2026.

In Autumn last year, the club was informed by our former head coach that there might be an opportunity for him to succeed Pep Guardiola at the end of the season. It became clear to us that it was his strong desire to succeed Guardiola and that he was fully committed to pursuing the opportunity, despite the fact he was under a long-term contract which he had no right to terminate.

In December 2025, our head coach unexpectedly and abruptly resigned from his position. Obviously, we felt let down as we believed that his head and heart were focused on another club and another opportunity, despite having just arrived at Chelsea the year before.

No club wants to change its head coach midway through a season. However, in light of his decision not to continue fulfilling his responsibilities through to the end of the season, the club was left with no choice but to protect our players, our supporters, and the badge and accept his resignation.

In the circumstances and given the mutual respect between clubs, a confidential settlement has been reached with Manchester City, which includes the payment of compensation. A confidential settlement has also been reached with the former head coach under which he will pay compensation.

Looking forward to next season, in Xabi Alonso, we have a manager who has an exceptional football mind and is a professional of the highest integrity. He has all the attributes to deliver the success the club's supporters deserve and expect.

It seems Chelsea will receive £17 million in compensation from Manchester City and will also receive compensation directly from Maresca too. The way the story seems to have unfolded portrays Maresca as unprofessional and he seems to have treated Chelsea completely wrong. I doubt many Chelsea fans and neutrals will feel any pity for Maresca if he fails at Manchester City.

[igebotz]

Maresca has been officially announced as the next Manchester City head coach. His post is "head coach" and not manager. The most interesting part of the story was the statement released by Chelsea:
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It seems Chelsea will receive £17 million in compensation from Manchester City and will also receive compensation directly from Maresca too. The way the story seems to have unfolded portrays Maresca as unprofessional and he seems to have treated Chelsea completely wrong. I doubt many Chelsea fans and neutrals will feel any pity for Maresca if he fails at Manchester City.

Yeah he was very unprofessional the way he handled the whole situation; not only was he talking to another club behind our back, he left the club dried in the middle of the season when there was literally nothing left on the market. He made us believed he was leaving because the owners wouldn't give him what he wanted but all that was a performance so the fans wouldn't know the truth.

I can't believe I spent the entire season defending someone who literally left because he was promised a job somewhere else - what a professional would've have done in a situation like that is finishing the season with Chelsea and then make the move and not breach a long contract like that. Good compensation but not worth what we lost; CL football

He disrespected the club, the fans and players.

[JollyGood]

Do not feel bad about defending Maresca, many of us did the same. The truth is Maresca absolutely disrespected the club, the fans and the players.

During that final press conference he made it clear he felt as though the club were not giving him respect but he already knew at the start of the season that Guardiola would leave and he made it clear to Chelsea that he wanted that job.

If Maresca stayed focused on his job, Chelsea could have finished in a Champions League position. That £17 million will not help Chelsea recover the opportunities they lost because of Maresca. If Manchester City have a bad start to the season, Maresca might be replaced before the new year.

Yeah he was very unprofessional the way he handled the whole situation; not only was he talking to another club behind our back, he left the club dried in the middle of the season when there was literally nothing left on the market. He made us believed he was leaving because the owners wouldn't give him what he wanted but all that was a performance so the fans wouldn't know the truth.

I can't believe I spent the entire season defending someone who literally left because he was promised a job somewhere else - what a professional would've have done in a situation like that is finishing the season with Chelsea and then make the move and not breach a long contract like that. Good compensation but not worth what we lost; CL football

He disrespected the club, the fans and players.

[igebotz]

Do not feel bad about defending Maresca, many of us did the same. The truth is Maresca absolutely disrespected the club, the fans and the players.

During that final press conference he made it clear he felt as though the club were not giving him respect but he already knew at the start of the season that Guardiola would leave and he made it clear to Chelsea that he wanted that job.

If Maresca stayed focused on his job, Chelsea could have finished in a Champions League position. That £17 million will not help Chelsea recover the opportunities they lost because of Maresca. If Manchester City have a bad start to the season, Maresca might be replaced before the new year.

All the provocative interviews he was granting and speaking ill of the owners was just an attempt to provoking the owners into sacking him so he could walk away with full compensation - that wasn't an honorable thing to do.

Fuck Chelsea; are you guys seeing what Totteham are recruiting for the upcoming season? Where is the money coming from ?

[JollyGood]

The owners promised De Zerbi to spend money on players and it seems as though they have spent £237 million.

Tottenham have signed Martin Dubravka, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers. These are excellent players that will add a wealth of experience to the Tottenham squad. They have paid £52 million to buy Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton, £85 million for Mateus Fernandes and £100 million for Sandro Tonali.

De Zerbi is strengthening the Tottenham squad with players that want to play for him. Will Tottenham end the season with a top four finish?

are you guys seeing what Totteham are recruiting for the upcoming season? Where is the money coming from ?

[igebotz]

The owners promised De Zerbi to spend money on players and it seems as though they have spent £237 million.

Tottenham have signed Martin Dubravka, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers. These are excellent players that will add a wealth of experience to the Tottenham squad. They have paid £52 million to buy Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton, £85 million for Mateus Fernandes and £100 million for Sandro Tonali.

De Zerbi is strengthening the Tottenham squad with players that want to play for him. Will Tottenham end the season with a top four finish?

Wait they got Senesi on a free transfer? One is the best goal scoring defender in league- how did Bounermouth bottled that.

If Maddison, Kulusevski, Johnson, and the new signings remain injury-free for 80% of the season, I believe they will qualify for Champions League football; they are top-tier players. The only issue would be keeping them fit, as Totteham struggles to keep their players injury-free.

Newcastle United is selling everyone; when will they begin building a decent team with all of their owners' money? What kind of club sells its best players each season to top clubs in the same league? It is ridiculous at this point.

[JollyGood]

Wait they got Senesi on a free transfer? One is the best goal scoring defender in league- how did Bounermouth bottled that.

If understand the situation correctly, Bournemouth signed Senesi on a four year contract in 2022. It is beyond belief if Bournemouth did not have an extension option in that contract, why on earth did they let him leave the club on a free transfer.

If Maddison, Kulusevski, Johnson, and the new signings remain injury-free for 80% of the season, I believe they will qualify for Champions League football; they are top-tier players. The only issue would be keeping them fit, as Totteham struggles to keep their players injury-free.

Tottenham suffered for most of last season because Maddison was injured. After Kane left for Bayern Munich, the focus was on Maddison as their star player. He seems down to earth, he deserves a season without injury to show the Tottenham fans what he is capable of doing on the pitch.

Newcastle United is selling everyone; when will they begin building a decent team with all of their owners' money? What kind of club sells its best players each season to top clubs in the same league? It is ridiculous at this point.

Newcastle United fans though they were going to win the league when the Saudi fund took over. Now it seems as though they will be fighting relegation and Howe might not be manager for much longer.

[tokeweed]

These are the teams that will participate in the 2026/27 Premier League:

Just noticed your poll and I'm the only voter.  Lol.  Let's get more guys in here and away from the spammy EPL threads.

Anyway, voted for Liverpool.  Not really sure why but just looking at the clubs in the list, I think whole most guys are looking at City or Alonso at Chelsea, Liverpool will surprise everybody next season.  It's gonna be as if Klopp is managing the club, but maybe better. 

High octane football in Liverpool next season folks.

[JollyGood]

A Liverpool team managed by Iraola could be a successful partnership but I have high hopes for Alonso at Chelsea. The Chelsea team need an experienced and respected manager, I think they have found the perfect solution.

Just two votes at the moment. I hope igebotz manages to find time to vote too because maybe three votes is all the thread will receive for the whole season  

Just noticed your poll and I'm the only voter.  Lol.  Let's get more guys in here and away from the spammy EPL threads.

Anyway, voted for Liverpool.  Not really sure why but just looking at the clubs in the list, I think whole most guys are looking at City or Alonso at Chelsea, Liverpool will surprise everybody next season.  It's gonna be as if Klopp is managing the club, but maybe better.  

High octane football in Liverpool next season folks.

[igebotz]

Wait they got Senesi on a free transfer? One is the best goal scoring defender in league- how did Bounermouth bottled that.

If understand the situation correctly, Bournemouth signed Senesi on a four year contract in 2022. It is beyond belief if Bournemouth did not have an extension option in that contract, why on earth did they let him leave the club on a free transfer.

I've read some reports; Bournemouth did offer him a contract extension 3 consecutive times but he turned it down - wanted a good wages and Bounermouth could not afford it - he's in the final phase of his career and wanted to make the most out of it..

A new contract would have tied him to Bournemouth for the remaining days of his career.

You already know my answer.

[tokeweed]

^  K so wait...  If I voted for Liverpool and you voted for Chelsea, that means JollyGood voted for United..?    Aaawwwww shiieeet, you're not gonna hear the last of it Jolly.  

We're def gonna have a lot of fun teasing each other when the season starts.  Can't wait!  But hopefully this isn't just me getting excited before the season and when the season starts I stop watching after a couple of months.  Lolol.  

[igebotz]

^  K so wait...  If I voted for Liverpool and you voted for Chelsea, that means JollyGood voted for United..?    Aaawwwww shiieeet, you're not gonna hear the last of it Jolly.  

We're def gonna have a lot of fun teasing each other when the season starts.  Can't wait!  But hopefully this isn't just me getting excited before the season and when the season starts I stop watching after a couple of months.  Lolol.  

Jolly got exposed for the first time, at least we now know what team he supports to banter him   he kept that secret for far too long and don't tell me you randomly voted for Manchester United cause no way I'm believing that - you're a red devil fan  

Take care of Santos, we're now a selling club; I won't be surprised if we start the season without Enzo and Palmer.

[JollyGood]

I've read some reports; Bournemouth did offer him a contract extension 3 consecutive times but he turned it down - wanted a good wages and Bounermouth could not afford it - he's in the final phase of his career and wanted to make the most out of it..

He deserved the opportunity to play for a big club before retiring. As long as he gave 100% for Bournemouth before he left on a free transfer, there is nothing wrong with that. Every player can walk away from their club and sign for another club without any fees being paid between clubs after the contract expires and Senesi was no different in that respect.

^  K so wait...  If I voted for Liverpool and you voted for Chelsea, that means JollyGood voted for United..?    Aaawwwww shiieeet, you're not gonna hear the last of it Jolly.  

This season I voted for Manchester United based on how the teams ended the previous season.

For me, Liverpool have zero chance of winning the league as their new manager will need time to settle. If Alonso was already at Chelsea last season I would have voted for them. Arsenal will have every team in the league trying to beat them and will find it difficult retaining the title. As for Manchester City, they will find it difficult without Guardiola. There is not much sympathy for them anyway after the tactics Maresca had employed to leave Chelsea (in order to join Manchester City) were exposed.

That left just Manchester United as a viable option to vote for.

Jolly got exposed for the first time, at least we now know what team he supports to banter him   he kept that secret for far too long and don't tell me you randomly voted for Manchester United cause no way I'm believing that - you're a red devil fan  

I voted for Manchester City the season before last and then Chelsea last season. What does that tell you about me?  

Take care of Santos, we're now a selling club; I won't be surprised if we start the season without Enzo and Palmer.

I doubt the sale would have gone ahead unless Alonso sanctioned it. If Alonso did not want him then he should have been sold but if the sale was without his consent, I think it will strain the relationship with the owners before the first match is even played.