⚽ Premier League 2026/2027 Discussion Thread ⚽

[Stavri]

It is very funny for you to start concluding that Arsenal is not going to win the title this season, which is about to start. If anyone were to predict the favorite team to win the Premier League title, almost everyone would go for Arsenal because they are the defending champions.But I don't know the reason why you are saying that Arsenal is not going to win the Premier League title. Maybe you are one of Arsenal's rivals. If not, you can't be making that conclusion at a time when the league has not even started yet.If we look at the Arsenal team and the players they have signed, I don't expect anyone to be doubting Arsenal at this early stage.

Arsenal finished the season as champions. they had been pushing it to the very end only to lose it to City on the final stretch for the last 3 4 seasons. ok we can say they finally made it. but if you ask me, they didn't deserve to be champions at all. but Liverpool and City deserved it even less...
just think about the player of the season is chosen as their goalkeeper and center back 

Arsenal deserve to be the champion seeing how other teams performed last season but in this current season all I can say that anything is possible and I'm not disrupting anyone though Gunners have better chances because the majority of the other big teams changed management but still might not change anything because two seasons back a new manager, Arne Slot lifted the EPL title but we all can agree that this season will be more competitive.

Arsenal won the championship as the least undeserving team in a pool where no one really deserved it... they ground out most of their matches 1-0, grabbing 3 points thanks to corner kick goals from players like Gabriel, Merino and Zubimendi.

[Amphenomenon]

Arsenal deserve to be the champion seeing how other teams performed last season but in this current season all I can say that anything is possible and I'm not disrupting anyone though Gunners have better chances because the majority of the other big teams changed management but still might not change anything because two seasons back a new manager, Arne Slot lifted the EPL title but we all can agree that this season will be more competitive.

Arsenal won the championship as the least undeserving team in a pool where no one really deserved it... they ground out most of their matches 1-0, grabbing 3 points thanks to corner kick goals from players like Gabriel, Merino and Zubimendi.

Arsenal deserves it in as much as I hate to agree, it's not like the two seasons back EPL title lifting from Liverpool was actually good, they were just the least undeserving also.

Gunners tried aside from the fact that though they have been almost getting it in recent seasons and failing, and last session was no different but others were slacking more and even with the pressure they were champions.

[Ndabagi01]

I have trust in Xavi Alonso that he will make a very good change compare to what others have not bring, I don't expect Xavi Alonso will bring disappointment like Maresca did during is time. Let's see how their next match will be but despite that I haven't seeing any sign of decline from them.

Enzo Maresca was never a bad manager, he did all he can and made Chelsea achieve some of the things they’ve won before like the club FIFA World Cup. Chelsea management was not just patient with him, I’m sure he would finishing revamping Chelsea by now. He was still the best man for the job even when he was sacked. After his dismissal, see how worst Chelsea has become and how their performance has retarded. I hope that Alonso will try and bring Chelsea back to who they are again.

Arsenal won the championship as the least undeserving team in a pool where no one really deserved it... they ground out most of their matches 1-0, grabbing 3 points thanks to corner kick goals from players like Gabriel, Merino and Zubimendi.

You may hate this team and that’s stopping you from speaking the fact that Arsenal was deserving of the trophy last season. They have been playing well in the premier league since few seasons ago and this has given them the chance at the title. They worked hard to achieve the trophy and that’s a big show of accolades to them. Even though their win margins are not big and won most of their goals through corners, I will still congratulate them for a job well done and well deserving of their efforts in the game for several seasons now.

[Sarah Azhari]

I have trust in Xavi Alonso that he will make a very good change compare to what others have not bring, I don't expect Xavi Alonso will bring disappointment like Maresca did during is time. Let's see how their next match will be but despite that I haven't seeing any sign of decline from them.

Everyone believes Alonso is going to perform well at Chelsea, let’s wait and see how he will perform when the season start, but I believe Chelsea will perform well when the season start. Chelsea might not win their next preseason match, I know Alonso will try out something new again, I can’t just wait for the season to start.

Xabi Alonso really needs to prove that he can turn Chelsea around for the better, since the management has spent a lot of money signing players he wanted. So there’s no excuse for Xabi if he can’t improve Chelsea’s performance this season. His goal might not be to win the Premier League title, since this is his first season. But if Chelsea fails to qualify for the Champions League, that would be absolutely unacceptable. He might even get fired, perhaps.

[Sally9256]

Chelsea got a big win today in their final pre season game, they played against Amorim AC Milan side, it was a good game from the blues, they were in charge all throughout the game, they played comfortably and scored 3 goals. Joao Pedro continues to flourish in his new club as he bagged a brace again today, welbeck started again today and shows why his experience is needed in the team.

Some Chelsea big boys are still yet to resume training, as they are still on break after the World Cup tournament. The like of James, Henderson, Enzo and LaCroix. The team really look more like a Alonso team, we saw some good link up play.

Congratulations also the Romeo Lavia for playing his first 90 mins for over 3years. Since he joined Chelsea he his yet to play a full 90min. Let hope he remain fit and injury free for the remainder of the season.

[shinratensei_]

Watched Chelsea's friendly against Milan, and a bit surprised they got a big win in this game. I've seen plenties of complaints about their lost to Juventus in the last game, but it seems Xabi aware about that and he's doing another experiment by changing his strategy from 442 to 343. He's also changing some players position and it's worked. The ball is more fluid than their game against Juve. So this proves how the judgement about him being a fail manager for Chelsea is just too early.

He needs to still mix and match his squad composition, and trial error what kind of tactic that can suit his team well. It's interesting to see what will be giving by Chelsea in the opening of EPL when they fight Fulham with Arbeloa as Fulham's manager.
I think i will start to raise my expectation to Xabi.

Any of you guys have watched this?

[Bitcoin_people]

In the club friendly match, Manchester United and PSG are playing a very competitive game. The two teams attacked a lot in the first half and were tied at 1-1 and they are competing a lot in the second half. Although the players will not play very strongly and hard in friendly matches, this match is still going to be a good attack. Based on the performance of the two teams, Manchester United is currently in a good attack, if they can beat PSG in today's match, it will be great for them. However, the performance of the PSG team and the speed of the game between the two good teams can stop the ball in the goal post of any team at any moment. However, Manchester United has come up in a very good position. The position in which the team was in before was very weak. However, they have returned to a very good form now, so Manchester United will continue to push their strength forward like this, but they will compete to win the title this season.

[IceLincoln]

Arsenal won the championship as the least undeserving team in a pool where no one really deserved it... they ground out most of their matches 1-0, grabbing 3 points thanks to corner kick goals from players like Gabriel, Merino and Zubimendi.

It is insulting and foolish to say Arsenal were undeserving for their efforts to win the league last season. You’re just putting together all their 38 games played and calling it thrash. Grinding out 1:0 is not nothing, the focus and energy they had to put in to win those games even with the corner kicks. Some of us also thought they won’t win it finally because of how they’ve been in the past but they didn’t disappoint this time around and won it.
Then you come and call that undeserving? For a while they were the best team in Europe last season!… mehn put some respect to people’s efforts.

P/S: I’m not an Arsenal fan.

[Livingleged]

Any of you guys have watched this?

Yea it’s weekend and I was free, so I got to watch the game. The match was totally dominated by Chelsea, and they got to win by 3 goals to nil. I like the fact that Xabi alonso is doing some experiments at the preseason now. I will not like those experiments when the league starts. From my observation the 3 back defense fits Chelsea and Xabi Alonso is also familiar with the formation already. It’s going to be an exciting season for Chelsea if they continue this way.
Chelsea has also won a lot of trophies with managers that adopt the 3 back men and that is exactly what I foresee in Xabi Alonso. Chelsea might go on to win the Premier League this season.

[HajiBagi]

Chelsea got a big win today in their final pre season game, they played against Amorim AC Milan side, it was a good game from the blues, they were in charge all throughout the game, they played comfortably and scored 3 goals. Joao Pedro continues to flourish in his new club as he bagged a brace again today, welbeck started again today and shows why his experience is needed in the team.

Some Chelsea big boys are still yet to resume training, as they are still on break after the World Cup tournament. The like of James, Henderson, Enzo and LaCroix. The team really look more like a Alonso team, we saw some good link up play.

Congratulations also the Romeo Lavia for playing his first 90 mins for over 3years. Since he joined Chelsea he his yet to play a full 90min. Let hope he remain fit and injury free for the remainder of the season.

Chelsea need that win keep them in good shape before the league games begin, they have lost their last two games that no one expected them to lose, and it they fail to beat Ac Milan, the fans will not believe in them, Alonso made a very good decision that will help the team, he has played with the formation of 4-4-2 and the formation did not work, then he tried and switched it to the formation he was using in Leverkusen by using 3-5-2 formation, using three center backs helped Chelsea in the game, and i believe he will repeat that formation if the formation wins games for him.

I expected Chelsea to concede a goal but they did not concede a goal, which makes be believe that the formation Alonso used made the defense look very strong. Chelsea should not think of selling Jackson, he can give Chelsea what they want with any striker, his performance against Ac Milan shows that he is better than Delap.

[Cryptoprincess101]

Xabi Alonso really needs to prove that he can turn Chelsea around for the better, since the management has spent a lot of money signing players he wanted. So there’s no excuse for Xabi if he can’t improve Chelsea’s performance this season. His goal might not be to win the Premier League title, since this is his first season. But if Chelsea fails to qualify for the Champions League, that would be absolutely unacceptable. He might even get fired, perhaps.

Xabi Alonso has no excuse to give if he fails to improve the team's performance because since his arrival, the club made 5 new signings so that he can have enough players to manage and get the job done. Going by the preseason games, he hasn't really explored the players perfectly but I believe that before the season begins proper he should be able to be conversant with the players. Chelsea played against AC in an international friendly match today, though they won by 3:0 but there are still some positions that needs improvement.
       Finishing in the Champions League positions may not be hard for Xabi Alonso but winning the Premier League will be difficult because almost all the big teams were busy in the transfer market to solidify their squad with new talents which is to signal that there will be a tough competition for the title race.

[Franctoshi]

Xabi Alonso really needs to prove that he can turn Chelsea around for the better, since the management has spent a lot of money signing players he wanted. So there’s no excuse for Xabi if he can’t improve Chelsea’s performance this season. His goal might not be to win the Premier League title, since this is his first season. But if Chelsea fails to qualify for the Champions League, that would be absolutely unacceptable. He might even get fired, perhaps.

I don't really support this notion that if a manager comes into a club, he must turn things around just in his first season. Let's be realistic for once. No doubt it's possible, but a manager needs at least two seasons before you start to count on them because they need to study their players and know what works, where, and when to use them. Yes, if he revives Chelsea's team in his first season, then fine, but it's not something he must do because of the players he has signed.

Xabi Alonso has no excuse to give if he fails to improve the team's performance because since his arrival, the club made 5 new signings so that he can have enough players to manage and get the job done. Going by the preseason games, he hasn't really explored the players perfectly but I believe that before the season begins proper he should be able to be conversant with the players. Chelsea played against AC in an international friendly match today, though they won by 3:0 but there are still some positions that needs improvement.
       Finishing in the Champions League positions may not be hard for Xabi Alonso but winning the Premier League will be difficult because almost all the big teams were busy in the transfer market to solidify their squad with new talents which is to signal that there will be a tough competition for the title race.

[SmartCharpa]

Xabi Alonso really needs to prove that he can turn Chelsea around for the better, since the management has spent a lot of money signing players he wanted. So there’s no excuse for Xabi if he can’t improve Chelsea’s performance this season. His goal might not be to win the Premier League title, since this is his first season. But if Chelsea fails to qualify for the Champions League, that would be absolutely unacceptable. He might even get fired, perhaps.

If Chelsea does not win the Premier League this season, they must qualify for the Champions League. Xabi Alonso has no excuses for any failure this season. The management provided the squad he needed to go for every trophy next season. The fans may not be disappointed if he fails to win the Premier League because it is going to be his first time managing a Premier League team. Chelsea is a team that always wants to be at the top every season.

Chelsea got a big win today in their final pre season game, they played against Amorim AC Milan side, it was a good game from the blues, they were in charge all throughout the game, they played comfortably and scored 3 goals. Joao Pedro continues to flourish in his new club as he bagged a brace again today, welbeck started again today and shows why his experience is needed in the team.

Some Chelsea big boys are still yet to resume training, as they are still on break after the World Cup tournament. The like of James, Henderson, Enzo and LaCroix. The team really look more like a Alonso team, we saw some good link up play.

Congratulations also the Romeo Lavia for playing his first 90 mins for over 3years. Since he joined Chelsea he his yet to play a full 90min. Let hope he remain fit and injury free for the remainder of the season.

Chelsea performance was impressive against AC Milan, unlike what they did against Juventus and Tottenham Spurs. Chelsea were the better side throughout the match. It was a big win for Chelsea, but I will consider them as a strong side after they play against Manchester United or Manchester City. Injuries have affected Lavia since he joined Chelsea. If he returns from injury and plays for 45 minutes, he will get another injury and be out for several weeks. Lavia will be a key player for Xabi Alonso next season if he is free from injuries.

[9ja Amaka]

The purpose of pre-season is to learn from your mistakes and gain as much experience as possible before the start of the season so that players and coaches don't have to struggle in the main season. Pre-season matches are rarely valuable, but there is no reason to be too serious about pre-season matches.

Even the team's key players are not put on the field during pre-season, but young and new players are given the opportunity to play so that they can adapt to the team and understand the coach's strategy. After the defeat against Juventus, Xabi Alonso will definitely be able to identify his mistakes and will have a chance to correct them. Arsenal also struggled against Real Betis, trailing 3-1 in the first half

That’s right, but team mentality is usually built from preseason games, and this preseason is the time to test new players and bond them into the team as well. I am not saying that winning is necessarily, but trying to adjust after first mistake is a good thing for any manager that’s why I wasn’t expecting this second defeat even though it was against Juventus.

Nevertheless, I trust Alonso, and I believe the management trusted him as well and if he is given long period of time, he can make the team great again.

Coaches select players to play for fitness and to understand each other in pre-season games. I don't think it is to boost mentality. The preseason games are not important because the result doesn't matter. Coaches use preseason games to test the players who are ready and fit to start the league phase once the season starts. Poor connection from the players will determine the next step for the coach to take for a better season. 

The preseason games are mostly important for coaches, not for players if we exclude fitness. As players get fit during preseason, coaches use the period to make decisions.

[Hyphen(-)]

Coaches select players to play for fitness and to understand each other in pre-season games. I don't think it is to boost mentality. The preseason games are not important because the result doesn't matter. Coaches use preseason games to test the players who are ready and fit to start the league phase once the season starts. Poor connection from the players will determine the next step for the coach to take for a better season. 

Why are coaches trying different players in the preseason games, is it not to boost the players mentality towards the biggest challenge facing them? They use almost all the players they have to give the players confidence before the season starts, and if they lose match, they are always bad because winning that match will boost their mentality and make them have more confidence as they approach other games. Losing is never what any coach wanted, they are also not happy when their team losses, and they are always happy and have more confidence in the players of their team win all their pressing matches.

The preseason games are mostly important for coaches, not for players if we exclude fitness. As players get fit during preseason, coaches use the period to make decisions.

Yes, for coaches to test their new players and to blend them together and to also introduce their football tactics of various coaches, yet, winning is what they are always after.

[LGD2Business]

It is insulting and foolish to say Arsenal were undeserving for their efforts to win the league last season.
Then you come and call that undeserving? For a while they were the best team in Europe last season!… mehn put some respect to people’s efforts.

Yeah I agree, saying Arsenal didn't deserve it is a huge diss to the entire team. This success wasn't a fluke, not only did they win the Premier League, but they also reached the Champions League final. It's no coincidence.
You can't explain this by scoring goals from corner kicks and matches that ended 1-0. So why couldn't other teams do the same?

They've finalized Bruno Guimaraes transfer. They'll pay Newcastle United £75 million. I think Guimaraes along with Rice and Odegaard will form Arsenal's midfield for the new season. Gary Neville focused on the financial side of the transfer, but fans don't care about that. Did they sign a top-quality player? They did. And that's what the fans care about. Besides that, 28 yrs isn't old anymore, players are having much longer careers. If Arsenal decides to sell him, they probably won't lose money on the next deal.

[Stable090]

Xabi Alonso has no excuse to give if he fails to improve the team's performance because since his arrival, the club made 5 new signings so that he can have enough players to manage and get the job done.

Honestly if Chelsea doesn’t perform well by next season, Alonso doesn’t have any excuse for that, because it’s surprising to see Chelsea signing players like this, so after spending this amount’s of money on player, Alonso should proof that Chelsea didn’t sign the wrong person. I didn’t expect much signing from Chelsea since they not going to play in the champions league, but we can see how they so serious signing players.

I seriously expect improvement from Chelsea by next season, and Alonso should be giving some time to adapt to the team, we don’t expect Chelsea to start win trophies by next season, it’s going to be difficult, Chelsea fans expectations shouldn’t just be too high, but Alonso is just going to perform well at Chelsea.

[Berry2d]

In the club friendly match, Manchester United and PSG are playing a very competitive game. The two teams attacked a lot in the first half and were tied at 1-1 and they are competing a lot in the second half. Although the players will not play very strongly and hard in friendly matches, this match is still going to be a good attack. Based on the performance of the two teams, Manchester United is currently in a good attack, if they can beat PSG in today's match, it will be great for them. However, the performance of the PSG team and the speed of the game between the two good teams can stop the ball in the goal post of any team at any moment. However, Manchester United has come up in a very good position. The position in which the team was in before was very weak. However, they have returned to a very good form now, so Manchester United will continue to push their strength forward like this, but they will compete to win the title this season.

The United team that faced PSG in today's friendly game did an excellent job from the first half till the end of the game. At first the game was all about Manchester united until PSG made some tactical changes that helped brought strength to there team but was still not good enough to bury the consistency of Manchester United's team in the game.
I will say the game never ended in favour of Manchester United because the united team and coaches just wanted it so. In the second have some most score chances where created but because of lacey's immaturity level was the only reasons he could not rap it up when those opportunities came.

[Amphenomenon]

Xabi Alonso has no excuse to give if he fails to improve the team's performance because since his arrival, the club made 5 new signings so that he can have enough players to manage and get the job done.

Honestly if Chelsea doesn’t perform well by next season, Alonso doesn’t have any excuse for that, because it’s surprising to see Chelsea signing players like this, so after spending this amount’s of money on player, Alonso should proof that Chelsea didn’t sign the wrong person. I didn’t expect much signing from Chelsea since they not going to play in the champions league, but we can see how they so serious signing players.

I seriously expect improvement from Chelsea by next season, and Alonso should be giving some time to adapt to the team, we don’t expect Chelsea to start win trophies by next season, it’s going to be difficult, Chelsea fans expectations shouldn’t just be too high, but Alonso is just going to perform well at Chelsea.

Chelsea is still far behind and I'm not kidding, to be honest we haven't done much to handle oye flaws seeing our squad depths many in key areas are still subpar and I have given up on them after some seasons and nothing has changed, I think it's better they move to another club while some others loaned and we sign better quality players.

Against the big teams our squad are still lacking for me, I need the days when our substitutes could make a scary team because even our starting Xi is still shaky or better still lack better consistency.

[Shineup]

Arsenal deserve to be the champion seeing how other teams performed last season but in this current season all I can say that anything is possible and I'm not disrupting anyone though Gunners have better chances because the majority of the other big teams changed management but still might not change anything because two seasons back a new manager, Arne Slot lifted the EPL title but we all can agree that this season will be more competitive.

Arsenal won the championship as the least undeserving team in a pool where no one really deserved it... they ground out most of their matches 1-0, grabbing 3 points thanks to corner kick goals from players like Gabriel, Merino and Zubimendi.

Arsenal deserves it in as much as I hate to agree, it's not like the two seasons back EPL title lifting from Liverpool was actually good, they were just the least undeserving also.

Gunners tried aside from the fact that though they have been almost getting it in recent seasons and failing, and last session was no different but others were slacking more and even with the pressure they were champions.

All I can only say is a well done to the Gunners for lifting the English premier League title last season, but this present season that is about to start, I can only advise them to double their hustle because it won't be an easy one for each and everyone of the teams, they are still in the competition no doubt but the opposition teams will definitely give them tough time if they are to win the English premier League title this season, I'm seeing Arsenal and Manchester United as the number one contenders this season.