Liverpool: Winner
The main focus for Liverpool this Summer was on selling Darwin Nunez and buying Alexander Isak. A technically skilled Swedish striker can receive under pressure, turn quickly, and combine in tight areas. His first touch and ball manipulation in small pockets allow him to act as both a goalscorer and facilitator. Nunez, by contrast, is more raw technically. He thrives in open space and when running off the last defender, but his first touch and combination play can break down against compact blocks. Also, Liverpool’s decision to invest in Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike can be understood through a mix of strategic and financial logic. Under Arne Slot, the Reds are evolving from a heavy transition side into a more structured positional-play team. Luis Díaz is at his best in chaos, isolated duels, open-field running.
I'm not trying to disrespect Dominik Szoboszlai, but this performance from Florian Wirtz against Arsenal is not talked about enough. pic.twitter.com/G6FFLBmAxU
— ANDY🔴 (@thatLFCandy) September 3, 2025
Florian Wirtz performs in half-spaces, receiving between lines and unlocking deep blocks. Moreover, Liverpool needed a true positional playmaker for final passes following Trent Alexander-Arnold's departure. Also, after Dogo Jota's car accident, the club needed another centre-forward who could stretch defences, attack space, and play across the frontline. Ekitike can operate as a second striker or inside forward, giving Liverpool flexibility when one of the forwards rests or when Slot wants a more vertical runner next to Isak.
Konaté showing no mercy to Liverpool teammate Ekitike in France training 😅 pic.twitter.com/GRqJ3H5KlH
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) September 3, 2025
In recent years, the attack often became too dependent on Salah’s output. By redistributing creative responsibility to Wirtz and goal-scoring tasks to Isak/Ekitike, the team can sustain competitiveness even in a transitional time. The business was costly, but coherent and clearly connected with Slot’s positional play, featuring Jeremie Frimpong’s overlapping threat to stretch deep defences. Liverpool didn't just add talent; they diversified their routes to goal. [banner][/banner]
Arsenal: Winner
As for Arsenal, this Summer, they retained all of their key players while acquiring several more top-level talents. The arrival of Martín Zubimendi is essentially about control of the centre. For all Thomas Partey’s quality, his availability was inconsistent, and Jorginho’s age limited his long-term role. Zubimendi gives Arsenal a deep playmaker who can both recycle possession under pressure and control defensive transitions with positioning rather than physical recovery runs. Viktor Gyökeres was recruited because, at times, Arsenal lacked a penalty-box presence. Gabriel Jesus and Kai Haverz bring movement and energy, but neither offers the consistent goalscoring against mid-table teams.
I want everyone to pay close attention to Sweden this international break, because Viktor Gyökeres is “magically” going to look like one of the best strikers in the world again https://t.co/DFoyOiMdII pic.twitter.com/uekxsXThkl
— Stompey🇸🇪 (fan) (@stompey__) September 3, 2025
Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze add destabilising qualities against compact opponents. Madueke is direct and aggressive on the right, offering a contrast to Bukayo Saka’s more controlled creativity. Eze is a dribbling playmaker who can receive under pressure and drag opponents out of shape. Defensively, Piero Hincapié and Yerson Mosquera bring athleticism and balance. Hincapié is left-footed, comfortable stepping into midfield, and provides a natural replacement for Jakub Kiwior, while Mosquera offers raw physical tools and depth across the back line. Together, they make the defensive unit quicker and more adaptable in high lines.
🚨🔴‼️ If Arsenal reaches the Champions League quarter-finals, they could earn around £100 million from broadcast revenue and ticket sales.
Arsenal sees the signing of a player like Eberechi Eze as an investment that will pay for itself by strengthening the squad. (@IsaanKhan_) pic.twitter.com/tTXJ2xLLRi — Arsenal Zone (@ArsenalZNE) September 3, 2025
Oleksandr Zinchenko was a key part of the inverted full-back system, but his defensive vulnerability in transition became a recurring issue. Arsenal have improved their attack with more variety, enhanced creativity in midfield, and added better balance in defence.
Manchester City: Mixed
Manchester City’s 2025 Summer transfer indeed looked very different from the “superstar-infusion” years when Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, or Rodri were added. This year, signings included Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, and Rayan Aït-Nouri. The problem is that this kind of recruitment comes with risk. On the flanks, the balance is fragile. Aït-Nouri is adventurous going forward, but can be exposed when isolated in defensive transitions. In contrast, Matheus Nunes is very vulnerable in a 1v1 situation and looks nervous at the right side position.
Pep Guardiola on Rayan Cherki:
Top-class player. Brilliant in small spaces, incredible vision in the final third, equally strong with right or left foot. But forwards are judged by numbers (goals + assists). For success with Pep, Cherki must be open-minded & understand the… pic.twitter.com/TYK5PCf09v — Football Coaches Lyceum (@CoachesLyceum) September 4, 2025
That leaves City with wide channels that opponents can target when they create direct attacks, especially if Rodri is drawn higher up the pitch. In attack, Oscar Bobb offers technical skill but lacks the physical gravity to pin back deep blocks. Omar Marmoush has energy but not the precision to consistently penetrate organised defences. At the same time, it would be wrong to say the transfer campaign was poor. Guardiola has a proven record of transforming “mid-tier” signings into key players, as his system enhances specific strengths.
Last season, Tijjani Reijnders ranked among the top Serie A central midfielders for receiving progressive passes and led the league in carrying the ball into danger areas pic.twitter.com/m9t3xGaPqA
— markstats (@markrstats) August 16, 2025
Reijnders, for instance, is good under pressure and may grow into a reliable second-phase passer. Cherki, though inconsistent, gives City a dribbler who can unlock games if developed carefully. The risk is not whether these players are talented; it’s whether they can adapt quickly enough to maintain City’s dominance while other top-six rivals have recruited with more immediate impact.
West Ham United: Loser
West Ham's Summer should be assessed with one key fact in mind. They lost their most influential player, who had the ability to change the course of games single-handedly. Mohamed Kudus was their star, able to transform stagnant plans into dynamic attacks simply by beating defenders and disrupting opposing defences. Graham Potter excels at creating collective structures, but at Brighton, his strategies succeeded due to a balance of runners, ball progressors, and creators. At West Ham, the available players are less impressive.
A winger that wants to get it CRACKING 1v1.
Mohamed Kudus, I’m grateful to you. pic.twitter.com/VOk6SrVxqc — New Spurs Order (@NewSpursOrder) August 16, 2025
The squad remain solid, compact, and difficult to break down, but their margin for error in possession has become tighter. Instead of relying on a single dribble to break through, they now need to make four or five precise passes. That’s where the Summer feels underwhelming. Instead of investing in another impactful attacking profile, the club allocated resources to role players who can contribute but will not transform the team.
Crystal Palace: Loser
Crystal Palace’s transfer decisions can only be seen as a calculated weakening of their squad. Selling Eberechi Eze eliminated the one unpredictable element in their midfield and attack. He was the player capable of transforming a rigid and sterile possession phase into something dangerous with a quick turn or a dribble. Without him, Palace appear to be a side who move the ball methodically but struggle to break through the opposition's defence.
Eberechi Eze - Chance Creation and Assists
— AFC_Adi (@AFC_Adi06) August 27, 2025
The reasoning behind the sale makes sense from a business perspective. Eze was at his peak value, and reallocating wages and playing time to several players could theoretically reduce the squad's reliance on one individual. However, the reality of football is more complex. It’s not easy to replicate what Eze brought to the team. He can dribble past defenders in tight spaces, is calm under pressure, and has a talent for breaking down compact defences. After such a big transfer loss, and starting the season without a suitable replacement, it becomes harder for Crystal Palace to aim for a top-ten finish in the Premier League. [banner_third][/banner_third]