⚽ Premier League 2025/2026 Discussion Thread ⚽

[Silence Scream]

Noni Madueke's arrival wasn't to replace Saka, but rather as a backup player to ease Saka's burden and fill in for him when he's injured.

I don’t think anyone will even think Madueke will replace saka, what is Madueke playing that will make him replace saka, which player will Arsenal even be signing that will replace saka for now? I don’t think there is any player, Madueke is just a backup player, and am sure they won’t be using saka frequently again, matches which they known that it won’t really be difficult for them, am sure they will bench saka and use Madueke, or maybe when Arsenal are already winning confidently, then they will bring Madueke into the match.

Madueke will be a force for good, that's for sure. Bukayo Saka didn't quite live up to expectations last year. Furthermore, he suffered an injury, which affected Arsenal significantly. I think Madueke, along with Saka, will be the player who will shoulder Arsenal's goalscoring burden. I don't know which one will be in the starting lineup and which on the bench; perhaps the manager will want to use both. We'll see how the tactics he implements come the season. He'll be expected to recoup the transfer fee, and we'll see how he impacts Arsenal.

[Oluwa-btc]

I don’t think anyone will even think Madueke will replace saka, what is Madueke playing that will make him replace saka, which player will Arsenal even be signing that will replace saka for now? I don’t think there is any player, Madueke is just a backup player, and am sure they won’t be using saka frequently again, matches which they known that it won’t really be difficult for them, am sure they will bench saka and use Madueke, or maybe when Arsenal are already winning confidently, then they will bring Madueke into the match.

What sort of analysis is this? Nobody expects that to happen but the over dependency on Saka will eventually reduce. I can remember how Arsenal struggled with productivity from that flank during his absence due to injury,  that is all gone now. Also, squad who have won the league in the last three to four seasons had a quality sqaud depth. I also think Mikel Arteta can use Noni Madueke the way Hansi Flick did with Raphinha.

[Velvet78]

Petrovic is potential goal keeper, but he's so reluctant in competing in Chelsea for the number one. It's wise for him leaving from blues, then join Bournemouth to get minutes. He's flinch to be at Chelsea, and so this is his best decision. Selling him is also helping Chelsea to bail out UEFA's sanction. It's a win - win solution for both of sides.

He got a new club, and blues got almost 15m profit + release from UEFA sanction. It sounds good, right?

He could have actually got the shirt from Robert Sanchez if he was more patient. Or am I thinking wrong? Because I don't know how Chelsea's attitude was against him.

I want to believe that Petrovic won't turn out to be a goalkeeper like Kepa later on.    He also played for a season at Bournemouth and didn't end up well after. For now, Petrovic seems more promising than him...

[qurbanshah02]

Petrovic is potential goal keeper, but he's so reluctant in competing in Chelsea for the number one. It's wise for him leaving from blues, then join Bournemouth to get minutes. He's flinch to be at Chelsea, and so this is his best decision. Selling him is also helping Chelsea to bail out UEFA's sanction. It's a win - win solution for both of sides.

He got a new club, and blues got almost 15m profit + release from UEFA sanction. It sounds good, right?

He could have actually got the shirt from Robert Sanchez if he was more patient. Or am I thinking wrong? Because I don't know how Chelsea's attitude was against him.

I want to believe that Petrovic won't turn out to be a goalkeeper like Kepa later on.    He also played for a season at Bournemouth and didn't end up well after. For now, Petrovic seems more promising than him...

That is why they say to work with patience and hard work so that there is no mistake and regret it later and in the same way this player must be regretting his haste that if he had not been like that, maybe he could have achieved what he haste for. Chelsea is a good team and I know that if Chelsea is telling someone something for the better, he will do it for his player and not to look down on him.

If he improves his effort and goal-scoring ability, I believe he can become a better player because there is a difference between effort and performance, some have less and some have more, but we can increase it, for which we need effort. You can also say that that player is not playing well to improve any team, while he could not do anything good in such a good team, then what will he do in other teams?

[asriloni]

Madueke can't be used in Saka's position much. I agree. While you have a talent like Saka there is no way for that! I wonder what Arteta thinks about the situation after this signing.

He can be used on the left wing too as long as he manages to cut Martinelli. If they are paying that much for Madueke then Arteta should really be thinking of using him in the starting eleven...

I think you're wrong. I rated Madueke a bit lower than Saka. He's both footed, but much more better when he used his left foot. Having him in Arsenal's squad has the purpose to increase the club's depth.

I remind you when Saka was injury, and none in Arsenal was competent enough to play at his position. It makes Arsenal's attack lacked of consistency. So, it's good having madueke as Saka's backup.

[BlackBoss_]

That is why they say to work with patience and hard work so that there is no mistake and regret it later and in the same way this player must be regretting his haste that if he had not been like that, maybe he could have achieved what he haste for. Chelsea is a good team and I know that if Chelsea is telling someone something for the better, he will do it for his player and not to look down on him.

If he improves his effort and goal-scoring ability, I believe he can become a better player because there is a difference between effort and performance, some have less and some have more, but we can increase it, for which we need effort. You can also say that that player is not playing well to improve any team, while he could not do anything good in such a good team, then what will he do in other teams?

Chelsea have been improving in latest seasons and this title in FIFA Club World Cup can be a milestone for this player generation's maturity and they have shown off their readiness to win big titles in future. Beating the strong PSG is not easy but Chelsea did won very big in the final match, that is like a slap to PSG and their pride.

Many clubs in Premier League will look at Chelsea win against PSG and do more analysis about the tactics used, players they have in order to figure out some possible solutions for constraining Chelsea in a next season. Chelsea will not humbly look at top four in Premier League but will try to win this title.

I remind you when Saka was injury, and none in Arsenal was competent enough to play at his position. It makes Arsenal's attack lacked of consistency. So, it's good having madueke as Saka's backup.

Saka is talented and very important with Arsenal but the club have overused Saka for a long time, in many latest years. Saka has started to get more injuries in two latest seasons and it's more than strong warning to Arsenal on how they should use and protect this player. They need Saka with his best body and fitness for a long career and development of the club, so they must have better plans on using this player as well as defending him against physical exhaustion and injuries.

[DaNNy001]

Madueke can't be used in Saka's position much. I agree. While you have a talent like Saka there is no way for that! I wonder what Arteta thinks about the situation after this signing.

He can be used on the left wing too as long as he manages to cut Martinelli. If they are paying that much for Madueke then Arteta should really be thinking of using him in the starting eleven...

I think you're wrong. I rated Madueke a bit lower than Saka. He's both footed, but much more better when he used his left foot. Having him in Arsenal's squad has the purpose to increase the club's depth.

I remind you when Saka was injury, and none in Arsenal was competent enough to play at his position. It makes Arsenal's attack lacked of consistency. So, it's good having madueke as Saka's backup.

Well it's always a good plan to have back up in whatever position you are to play so that if injury does rock the team you won't be all that affected and this is simply the right thing but as for madueke roll in the arsenal squad, I think am still optimistic if actually he can meet up to expectation because before arteta is so keen on getting him to the squad he might be seeing excess potential in for him to add value to Arsenal.

[Velvet78]

We are reading Arsenal - Gyökeres news every day. I'm also tired of talking about it.    I wonder what's their plan B is in case they don't manage to sign him? They say Leipzig want much more for Sesko for example.

No matter what a reliable CF is a must for them...

I think you're wrong. I rated Madueke a bit lower than Saka. He's both footed, but much more better when he used his left foot. Having him in Arsenal's squad has the purpose to increase the club's depth.

I remind you when Saka was injury, and none in Arsenal was competent enough to play at his position. It makes Arsenal's attack lacked of consistency. So, it's good having madueke as Saka's backup.

I assume they meant Madueke wouldn't be preferred by Arteta in the starting lineup as long as Saka is healthy.

I agree with you. He would be a really good backup. 

[Volgastallion]

How is gonna feel the Arsenal fans now. I mean I know this is not a super main tournament but Chelsea again win a international trophies and they can't win anything when they already have one of their best teams in years.

Another bad year for an Arsenal fan.

The good news? We are only 1 month away from the start of premier league.

[Distraction]

3 transfers have been made by Manchester City so far: Reijnders, Aït-Nouri and Cherki. Yan Couto, De Bruyne and Walker are the leavers meanwhile.

Do they need more transfers you think? Truthfully I think like every area of the squad is in nice condition now. The squad depth is quite okay. Maybe they might go for a right-back as there is no natural alternative to Rico Lewis left.

Guardiola doesn't want to spend too much money anymore as far as I know.

[SmartCharpa]

Noni Madueke's arrival wasn't to replace Saka, but rather as a backup player to ease Saka's burden and fill in for him when he's injured.

In my opinion, Noni Madueke hasn't impressed much so far, and he hasn't fully established himself in the Premier League. However, he likely has the potential to develop in the long term, and we'll see whether Mikel Arteta makes the right decision, considering this is a controversial decision and one that many Arsenal fans disagree with.

You are right that Madueke's arrival at Arsenal was not to replace Saka; the player is not at the level to bench Saka in an important match, but Arteta recruited the player as a backup for Saka in a situation where the player is not in good shape to play. We saw how much Saka absence impacted their performance previous season, since they were unable to defend any titles. I said before the start of last season that Arsenal were in need of a left winger to replace Saka so that he could play at his best for the rest of the season.

However, Saka absence has had an impact on their games, even though they have Ethan Nwaner, Arsenal fans are upset that the team bought Madueke since he has never played at that level for the money they paid. But if Saka is unable to play, can Madueke bench Ethan Nwaner? I'm just curious, and I hope Arsenal wins a title next season with the players they're gathering.

[slapper]

3 transfers have been made by Manchester City so far: Reijnders, Aït-Nouri and Cherki. Yan Couto, De Bruyne and Walker are the leavers meanwhile.

Do they need more transfers you think? Truthfully I think like every area of the squad is in nice condition now. The squad depth is quite okay. Maybe they might go for a right-back as there is no natural alternative to Rico Lewis left.

Guardiola doesn't want to spend too much money anymore as far as I know.

Honestly, you cannot look at this window in isolation. Last January was nuts. Marmoush, Nico González, plus two more that barely get a mention, nearly £300m out the door in 2025 if you count both windows. This is a total reboot, not a patch job

I get the "depth is fine" take, but two big issues are flying under the radar: injury history and leadership. Ait-Nouri has had injuries and missed games 22 different times over the last three years. Cherki broke his leg badly a while ago and was out for a long time. And now the club has to rely on its medical and fitness team to keep everyone healthy all season. Then you've got Dias, Rodri, Silva, Haaland as the new leadership group. None of them have ever run the room like Walker or KDB did

I would honestly watch out for how City handle the homegrown quota if Grealish or McAtee gets an offer. That could force a panic buy or a risky youth promotion at the last minute, especially with UEFA rules. This reset looks clever on paper, but if Pep really wants calm, he might still need a surprise move late on, just to keep the machine running smooth

[Dunamisx]

Noni Madueke's arrival wasn't to replace Saka, but rather as a backup player to ease Saka's burden and fill in for him when he's injured.

I don’t think anyone will even think Madueke will replace saka, what is Madueke playing that will make him replace saka, which player will Arsenal even be signing that will replace saka for now? I don’t think there is any player, Madueke is just a backup player, and am sure they won’t be using saka frequently again, matches which they known that it won’t really be difficult for them, am sure they will bench saka and use Madueke, or maybe when Arsenal are already winning confidently, then they will bring Madueke into the match.

Hello wasn't actually talking about replacement either, but the coming was to complement Saka in case of any injury or absence, there's no how a team will be without having a backup substitute for each player, they all have their own contribution and way they could perform well, don't be surprised that Noni Madueke may one day proof everyone wrong a f rewrite the narratives, score goals and from there also pick up by taking the challenge the way the likes of Saka did to be where they are today.

[HajiBagi]

Noni Madueke's arrival wasn't to replace Saka, but rather as a backup player to ease Saka's burden and fill in for him when he's injured.

I don’t think anyone will even think Madueke will replace saka, what is Madueke playing that will make him replace saka, which player will Arsenal even be signing that will replace saka for now? I don’t think there is any player, Madueke is just a backup player, and am sure they won’t be using saka frequently again, matches which they known that it won’t really be difficult for them, am sure they will bench saka and use Madueke, or maybe when Arsenal are already winning confidently, then they will bring Madueke into the match.

Madueke coming to Arsenal will never affect any Arsenal players or Arsenal attackers, Madueke will always be a back up player whenever saka have injury or any attackers had injury, Madueke can not play as a left winger because that is another reason why he decided to leave Chelsea and join Arsenal, Arsenal sign Madueke to be a back up for Saka rest Saka in some games because it has been more than 3 seasons Arsenal did not have any back up player that can assist Saka when he got injured.

There will be a lot of challenges next season for Arsenal because the new signings Arsenal will have many attackers, Arsenal will have 3 strikers, Jesus, Kai Havertz and Gyokeres and those players are all good players but with I think one of them will leave after next season and it will be Gabriel Jesus because he has not been good enough to help the team since they signed him, injury has made Arsenal lost their confidence in Jesus.

[Velvet78]

Chelsea literally finished the season with more trophies than Liverpool. 

- Chelsea: Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup
- Liverpool: Only the Premier League

Actually the Premier League is more valuable than both but it just sounds interesting you know. Liverpool had a superb performance during most of the season but ended up losing their chances in all other tournaments...

But I think next season will be different. I expect Arne Slot to get better with more trophies. Do you think the same?

[qurbanshah02]

Chelsea literally finished the season with more trophies than Liverpool. 

- Chelsea: Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup
- Liverpool: Only the Premier League

Actually the Premier League is more valuable than both but it just sounds interesting you know. Liverpool had a superb performance during most of the season but ended up losing their chances in all other tournaments...

But I think next season will be different. I expect Arne Slot to get better with more trophies. Do you think the same?

Both of these teams are quite good, but if you look at their performance in matches, they play up and down, which can give a fairly close estimate of their strength.

The league Chelsea has won is because of their strength and hard work, and Liverpool has succeeded in this league because of their strong and struggle.

Obviously the Premier League is an important league with mostly strong and fresh teams that are similar to other major leagues and winning it is like beating all the strong teams. They have learned a lesson from this that they try but they fail every time and do not improve themselves.

This season will be very interesting, as it will allow us to see the weaker teams improve, but we cannot say anything about who will be the most successful because a new season brings new hard work and success, which makes it difficult to make a decision.

[Stormisover]

This crossed my mind as I was reading another bad news in our country about the bad effects of gambling. So I'm asking fellow gamblers here,

Have You Ever Felt Like Gambling Was Affecting Your Life Negatively? And if so how?

It's just a self-reflection on my end, again, I felt sad that there are young gamblers taking someone's life because of their addiction. And then they disposed of the body just like that, but they surrendered to the authorities after a couple of days that lead to the discovery of the body of the driver. As for my experience, probably the worst for me, is maxing out my credit cards or borrowing money that it takes me sometime to pay. So it's hard to understand what's going in the mind of this 3 persons when they unalive a hapless man and get his money and then gamble.

Yes a Gamble addict must have disadvantage in one or two ways, their are some persons that can't spend a day without gambling and don't care either they win or they lose, their major problems is to satisfy that demonic desire that lives in them, I think when gambling gets to the point that one doesn't care about his family any more and focuse More in gambling or a student that is always funds of using his school fees to gamble, it is crystal clear that the game is having some negative effects on them and such person it only takes the grace of God to get them out of it, because at that point it's beyond advice, so I think they best way is to avoid being possessed, in order to this you really have to apply wisdom or else you live to regret it all through the days of your life.

[Velvet78]

Liverpool and Newcastle are having active hours about signings recently...

Arne Slot's team is prioritizing Alexander Isak. However Newcastle doesn't have an intention to let him go for a cheap price. No doubt they would expect an offer above 100 million euros.

Newcastle is after Hugo Ekitiké at the same time. Around an 80 million euros official offer has already been made. Both are great CFs. They had a similar productivity last season.  

[tygeade]

Chelsea literally finished the season with more trophies than Liverpool. 

- Chelsea: Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup
- Liverpool: Only the Premier League

Actually the Premier League is more valuable than both but it just sounds interesting you know. Liverpool had a superb performance during most of the season but ended up losing their chances in all other tournaments...

But I think next season will be different. I expect Arne Slot to get better with more trophies. Do you think the same?

I mean conference league and Chelsea was a mistake to start with. Chelsea was already bigger than any club there, and they were already shocking to play those level of teams, so it makes sense to see them win that. But club world cup was insane, the match ups or luck or whatever doesn't matter, they won it, that's what matters.

PSG was the biggest team of the season and everyone assumed (me included) Chelsea would be decimated, and yet they stood strong and took the game by storm at the first half hour and then they just defended very well and didn't need to do anything else. As long as they are that great, I am pretty sure that we can't really expect them to do anything else. We need to realize, Chelsea achieved so much, but winning premier league isn't a small achievement neither, that was great on Liverpool and I am sure they are happy too.

[SatoPrincess]

Noni Madueke's arrival wasn't to replace Saka, but rather as a backup player to ease Saka's burden and fill in for him when he's injured.

I don’t think anyone will even think Madueke will replace saka, what is Madueke playing that will make him replace saka, which player will Arsenal even be signing that will replace saka for now? I don’t think there is any player, Madueke is just a backup player, and am sure they won’t be using saka frequently again, matches which they known that it won’t really be difficult for them, am sure they will bench saka and use Madueke, or maybe when Arsenal are already winning confidently, then they will bring Madueke into the match.

The main purpose of Madueke’s signing is not to replace Saka as you say but to offer support as a backup for Saka next season. If you followed Arsenal progress last season you would have observed how they struggled when Saka incurred an injury late into the season resulting in many draws. Arteta is out to change such situations for the coming season. This is a good move in my opinion and I am excited the deal is happening!