Nine things we’re excited about for the 2025/26 season

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The Football Faithful

·15 August 2025

Nine things we’re excited about for the 2025/26 season

Football is back, and the 2025/26 season promises to be another campaign to remember.

As the action prepares to get underway, here are nine things we’re looking forward to during the 2025/26 season.

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Nine things we’re looking forward to this season:

Thomas Frank making Tottenham tough to beat

Look, we had a lot of time for Ange Postecoglou. The authentic Aussie gave us plenty of memorable moments, and we’re glad he headed off into the sunset with the Europa League trophy. But let’s be honest, Spurs were terrible in the Premier League last season. Ange was a stubborn sod and chose to fall on his sword in North London.

Daniel Levy has replaced Ange the ideologist with Thomas Frank, in a cultural change. Frank has won plenty of plaudits at Brentford, with the Dane hyper-focused on micro-details that might just make the difference. Pre-season footage revealing long-throw auditions was a glimpse into what we can expect. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but Spurs could be more effective this season.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Galactico

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave Liverpool has muddied his legacy, but from a neutral’s perspective, it will be fascinating to watch him at Real Madrid. The right-back took his fair share of flak for defensive lapses at Liverpool and now finds himself in the most hostile environment in club football.

But there’s a reason Real Madrid chased his signature. Alexander-Arnold is as close to a Galactico right-back as you can find, one capable of spectacular moments and who has genuine goals to challenge for a Ballon d’Or.

Watching him ping laser-like passes across the Bernabeu to Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe should be a treat.

Florian Wirtz

From one Liverpool outgoing to an incoming. The Premier League champions loosened up the purse strings to sign Florian Wirtz this summer, breaking the British transfer record to land the German. Wirtz arrives recognised as one of Europe’s best talents, with the 22-year-old voted the Bundesliga’s best by his peers in each of the last two seasons.

The midfielder is a player who glides across the pitch with adhesive control and an ability to thread passes through seemingly narrow gaps. English football might have a new favourite.

Florian Wirtz plays football in the Premier League today 🤤
– Friday, 15 August 2025

The Tyne-Wear Derby

It’s been almost a decade since Sunderland and Newcastle last clashed in the Premier League, but the former are back after nine years away.

Sunderland have spent big in a bid to consolidate, while Newcastle have been transformed into a Champions League team since the Black Cats were last on this stage.

The North East will pause for this one.

Big ol’ number nines being back in fashion

Football purists will be delighted by a trend that has brought big number nines back into fashion.

Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Everton have all signed centre-forwards this summer, the shortest of which stands at 6ft 2in. Over in Napoli, the Italian champions have brought in 6ft 7in Lorenzo Lucca to feature alongside the bulldozing Romelu Lukaku, in what could be a throwback tactic.

With Wolves, Manchester City, and Nottingham Forest among the clubs already spearheaded by ‘big men’, the traditional number nine is back in favour.

Gian Piero Gasperni’s Roma revolution

Atalanta have been one of Europe’s most watchable sides in recent seasons. Gian Piero Gasperini has overseen overachievement after overachievement with the Bergamo-based side, all achieved with an attractive, fluid style.

After almost a decade, Gasperini has taken on a new challenge. The 67-year-old will hope to lead a renaissance at Roma, as the capital club look to get back among Serie A’s best.

“I need a significant challenge,” Gasperini said in an interview released by Roma. “I really believe all the conditions are in place to do good work.”

Victor Osimhen at Galatasaray, part two

Victor Osimhen’s time at Galatasaray was one of the most fascinating tales of last season. An opportunistic loan move evolved into a genuine love affair, as the Istanbul outfit took Osimhen to their hearts.

Somehow, Galatasaray have reached an agreement to bring Osimhen back on a permanent basis, obliterating the Turkish Süper Lig record in the process. After 37 goals in 41 games last season, the Turkish champions have landed an elite option at a time when Europe’s top leagues often hoover up the best talent.

– Tuesday, 12 August 2025

Galatasaray are assured of a place in the Champions League’s league phase this season, and a trip to Rams Park will be no easy task.

Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace in Europe

Forget all the squabbling, CAS cases, and back-and-forth between Forest and Palace for one moment, and let’s celebrate two overachieving teams in Europe this season.

Sure, Palace will feel incredibly hard done by to have been demoted to the Conference League, with Forest having taken their place in the Europa League. For Forest, it’s a first European campaign since 1995 and a modern generation of fans will get to finally watch the two-time European champions against continental opponents.

Palace are still smarting by their punishment for alleged breaches of multi-club ownership rules, but the Eagles can still look forward to European football for the first time. A silver lining for the South Londoners might be that they’ll start among the favourites for a tournament that Premier League teams have dominated.

Jack Grealish off the leash at the Hill Dickinson Stadium

Let’s be honest, Jack Grealish’s move to Manchester City delivered trophies but also saw the wings of one of the Premier League’s most watchable players clipped.

Pep Guardiola’s unrelenting demand for possession can be risk-averse, a juxtaposition to the adventurous football Grealish built his reputation on.