In-depth analysis of the Premier League: team structure, star style and transfer trend

1. Team structure: The game between traditional tycoons and emerging forces

Championship Group: Arsenal leads, Liverpool has hidden dangers

After the first round of the Premier League in 2025-26, Arsenal temporarily ranked first with two consecutive victories and a goal difference advantage (6), and the joining of new aid Zhekelais has enhanced the forward firepower. As the defending champion, Liverpool rose to third with a 3-2 win over Newcastle, but the defensive end exposed hidden dangers - conceded 4 goals in two rounds. Connate's mentality fluctuated due to rumors of contract renewal, and Van Dijk was unable to support it. Manchester City beat Wolves 4-0 in the first round due to Rodri's injury and defensive reorganization, temporarily ranked sixth. It is worth noting that Manchester United fell into a trough under Amorin's coaching, losing 0-1 to Arsenal in the first round, ranking 16th, exposing the lack of midfield control and the stability of goalkeeper Onana.

Champions League qualification battle: Newcastle was blocked, Tottenham Hotspur recovered

Newcastle United continued to strengthen under Saudi investment, but failed to sign Sesco and Isak in the summer window, resulting in weak forward line and tied Villa 0-0 in the first round. Under the leadership of new coach Thomas Frank, Tottenham ranked second with the joining of Kudus and the innovation of set pieces in two consecutive victories, showing the potential of the dark horse. Brighton continues the tradition of "black store". Although he lost Mbewumo, he tied Fulham in the first round through high-pressure and wing breakthroughs, and maintained his competitiveness.

Relegation quagmire: The newly promoted team struggled, and among the three newly promoted teams in the Everton crisis

, Sunderland lost 0-3 to Tottenham in the first round, Ipswich continued his 2025 record, and Leicester City ranked last due to financial issues. Everton was sluggish in Beto's performance and aging in defense. He used temporary fullbacks in the first round and was deeply stuck in the brink of the relegation zone.

2. Star style: the alternation of the old and the value of the tactical core

Salah: the continuation of the king of counterattack

Salah leads the 2025 Premier League scorer list with 13 goals, and he still plays a key role in Liverpool's counterattack - in the first round against Bournemouth, he used his speed to tear the defense and contributed 1 goal and 1 assist. Despite being 31, the Egyptian maintained the efficiency of 2.1 key passes per game by reducing dribbling and increasing off-ball runs.

Haland: Although the all-around center in the transformation

Haland ranked fourth in the scorer list with 10 goals, his goal efficiency has slightly declined (1.2 goals per game vs 1.5 goals last season). Guardiola asked him to increase his retracement organization and face Wolves in the first round. He created a goal-scoring opportunity for Reindez through the role of fulcrum and showed tactical value.

New aid explode: Challenge between Wilz and Ekitic

Liverpool signed for £125 million Wierz performed mediocre in the first round, but completed key direct passes and assists against Newcastle in the second round and gradually integrated into the system. Ekitic became the core of the Reds' new front line with an efficient performance of 1 goal and 1 assist, and his speed and finishing ability made up for Dias's departure.

Midfield Hub: Reindez and Tonali's game

Manchester City new player Reindez contributed 1 goal and 1 assist in the first round, perfectly taking over De Bruyne's role. His long pass success rate (78%) and confrontation winning rate (59%) are both at the forefront of the Premier League midfielder. Newcastle's Tonali frequently retreated to the organization through the "Lavolpiana" tactic, creating space for Tripier to advance, and the success rate of the first round pass was as high as 89%.

3. Transfer Storm: The struggle between giants and financial fairness

Summer window betting king and tactical adaptation

Liverpool signed Wilz for 125 million pounds, intending to strengthen midfield creativity, but the Germans' Premier League adaptability still needs to be observed. Manchester United signed Cesco for £76.5 million, and its "children's dream" and fulcrum role were highly expected, but it only touched the ball 23 times in the first round, which was not up to expectations. Chelsea is subject to fiscal fairness policy. Although they sign Joao Pedro and Gittens, players need to be sold to advance the deal between Garnacho and Simmons.

Newcastle - Manchester United - Liverpool's series of games

Newcastle United offered 80 million euros to sign Sesco, but was intercepted by Manchester United for "Champions League qualification + Dream of Demon", resulting in the breakdown of the negotiations for Isak's team. Liverpool turned to buying Isaac, but Newcastle insisted on "sell first and buy", and the deal eventually failed, highlighting the complexity of the transfer market. This chain reaction directly affects Newcastle's Champions League qualification competition and Liverpool's forward depth.

Double-edged sword of fiscal fairness policy

Chelsea was fined €31 million for violating UEFA FFP, raising £226.7 million for selling players this summer, and was forced to "sell first and buy" in the transfer. Although Newcastle United has not violated Premier League PSR rules, UEFA FFP restricts its three-year losses from no more than £50 million, spending in the 2023-24 season will exceed £43 million, and future transfers will be restricted. In contrast, Manchester City avoided fiscal restrictions and continued to maintain competitiveness through related party transactions and commercial revenue growth.

4. Tactical innovation: From ball-handling to counter-attack revival, Liverpool introduced Flynnon and Kelkez to imitate Robertson's side-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-slim-s Arsenal formed a midfield triangle with Odegao through Zinchenko's acquisition, creating crossing opportunities on the wing. This tactical innovation has increased the number of assists per game by Premier League full-backs by 12% compared to last season.

3-4-2-1 The revival of the formation

Manchester United and Crystal Palace adopt this formation, suppressing the opponent's wingers through the wingbacks, while the two front midfielders (such as B Fee + Garnacho) are linked with the center. In the first round against Arsenal, Manchester United created 4 excellent opportunities through this system, but the lack of finishing efficiency led to a loss. Under Pereira's coach, Wolves have been promoted from relegation to mid-level through this formation, proving their tactical value..

The return of set pieces and long pass tactics

Under Frank, Tottenham Hotspur carried forward Brentford's out-of-bounds tactics, creating three threats through Kayode's powerful out-of-bounds ball in the first round. Brentford continues the tradition of "long passes and rushes". In the first round of attacks against Villa, 58% of the offense came from long passes, creating 1.2 Expected Goals. This revival of retro tactics reflects the coaches' pursuit of efficient football.

5. Future Outlook: Injuries, schedule and winter window variables

The health of key players

Rodri's comeback time will directly affect Manchester City's midfield control, and if Liverpool cannot solve Connate's mentality problem, they may suffer a big loss in the Champions League. Manchester United need to pray that Onana will recover its form as soon as possible, otherwise the goalkeeper position will become a fatal weakness.

The test of intensive schedules

Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham will face multi-line battles, especially after the grouping of the Champions League group stages is announced, how to balance the league and European competition has become the key. If Newcastle United cannot strengthen the front line in the winter window, it may repeat the failure of the weak in the second half of last season.

Potential deals in the winter window

Chelsea may restart Garnacho's negotiations in the winter window, while Manchester United may seek to acquire Frankfurt striker Muani to replace Hoylen. In addition, if Arsenal's injury worsens, he may re-quote Wolves winger Kilman.

The Premier League is at a crossroads of tradition and innovation: traditional tycoons maintain their status through fiscal advantages, emerging forces impact the pattern with tactical innovation, and the value of stars has been redefined in the wave of commercialization. The fierce competition in the 2025-26 season is not only a competition of team strength, but also a comprehensive game between tactical concepts, transfer strategies and financial management.