The Premier League Top Four: Ranking where they stand ahead of the 25/26 season
- Christian Paris
- Jul 4
- 9 min read
Six weeks out from the 25/26 Premier League campaign, its entirely too early to be making judgements regarding last season's top four, right? Wrong.
Here we are, gauging where our most recent Premier League top four stands a month into the summer transfer window. Liverpool have looked steadfast and assured in their approach, with swift business making them undeniably top of the pile in these rankings.
It’s behind them that was more difficult to order. Manchester City will want their lacklustre 24/25 season to be firmly in the rear-view mirror, with the Citizen’s themselves impressively bolstering their squad with significant additions, despite their FIFA Club World Cup duties.
Unlike City, Chelsea remain in that competition, with a Quarter-Final to come on Saturday against Brazilian outfit Palmeiras, though likewise have been eager to build on a steady first campaign under Enzo Maresca.
Arsenal undoubtedly have the most to lose this upcoming season, and therefore the most pressure to overcome. Runners-up for a third successive time is by no means a disaster, but with aspirations for a first title since 2004, and without a trophy since 2020, Mikel Arteta and co will require a near perfect window to get over the line at last.
It must be said, this is not a prediction of where they will finish, though it would not look too dissimilar, whilst these rankings are more grounded from their performance last season, and their existing circumstances.
Liverpool
Is it much of a surprise to have Arne Slot’s Premier League champions at the top of the pile in these entirely too premature rankings? Having already touched on their impressive business thus far; it is important to note why it has been such a statement ahead of the beginning of the new campaign.
Winning the title at a relative canter in 24/25 in Slot’s first season after Jurgen Klopp’s departure, the Dutch manager made what looked to be gigantic shoes to fill look tiny.
A ten-point buffer to runners-up Arsenal in the end, and in fairness, a significant drop in level after they secured the honour at the end of April meant it could have been a lot more, though their consistency and effectiveness throughout the season, led by Virgil Van Dijk’s immense leadership and Mohammed Salah’s historic campaign on a personal note meant Liverpool were the cream of the crop, and by a distance.
Fans will be pleased that both Van Dijk and Salah have penned new deals, whilst Alisson Becker’s elite consistency will remain at least for 25/26, it has left Slot with rock solid foundations to build upon.
Slot’s capacity to entrust the existing squad in his first season at Anfield was bold but admirable, and made the success even more stately, whilst it has allowed the Liverpool boss to identify where he feels his squad needs to improve, with the swift business already completed a clear signal of intent – they want to remain on their perch.
Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz both in from Bayer Leverkusen, the latter of which has arrived for a British record transfer fee look to be nailed on additions, whilst Milos Kerkez’ arrival from Bournemouth helps to challenge Andy Robertson and bring exceptional physical qualities down that flank.
With reports of an interest in more transfer activity, particularly in a centre-back with Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace high on the list, and a centre-forward, notably with Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike a common name linked with a move, fellow contenders for the Premier League crown next season are on notice.
Being number one last season does not come without some doubts, however. Liverpool’s dominance last time out was commendable, but Arsenal’s inability to cover for injuries to key players and a general drop in recent standards aided a relatively smooth run to the title for the Reds.
City were much below-par after four consecutive titles and well off the pace, we should expect a greater challenge from Pep Guardiola’s men, whilst Liverpool’s new additions potentially signal a change in setup, which could take time to adopt.
Arsenal
Torn at who to put at number two saw the Gunners edge it out, with a more established foundation defensively that the side below them having been the best outfit in that regard for the past two seasons in the Premier League.
Real encouragement following on from successive title battles with City in 22/23 and 23/24 saw Arteta’s side tipped to go again in search of a first league triumph since 2003/04, though a multitude of issues saw Arsenal fade amidst Liverpool’s surge to the summit.
The 2-2 thriller at the Etihad early last season looked to signal a real show of intent from Arsenal against the side that had edged them out to the title twice before, but significant injuries to Bukayo Saka, Gabriel and Kai Havertz throughout the season saw the Gunners struggle for continuity and consistency throughout.
A key theme from 24/25 was Arsenal’s lacklustre frontline, with many attributing it heavily to their distance away from Liverpool in the end. Havertz had never been a killer in front of goal though his presence certainly is valuable in other areas, whilst without Saka in key periods and Martin Odegaard’s inconsistency meant creatively Arsenal left much to desire in the final third.
The onus on Arteta and Sporting Director, Andrea Berta in the market to identify the attacking players of the quality to make the difference is nothing short of critical, though it has not stopped Arsenal from doing other business in the meantime.
Revamping the midfield was perhaps to be expected with Jorginho and Thomas Partey both departing. Martin Zubimendi was expected to arrive well before the summer window opened having already agreed to join earlier in 2025, whilst Christian Norgaard is an astute pickup for the reported £11m from Brentford to provide cover.
It meanwhile feels the time to not challenge, but win major honours has arrived for this project with Arteta, and whilst necessary business has been conducted thus far, the question is do they move them closer to the title, I would argue not quite.
The pressure will truly mount on Arteta and this group this campaign to deliver, whilst the need to bring in quality options in forward areas will be decisive on where their season will go. Noise of interest in strikers Benjamin Sesko and Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres will need to accelerate, along with Rodrygo of Real Madrid, who would be a statement addition that is ultimately needed.
Manchester City
Narrowly missing out on the top two is Guardiola’s Citizens, who after a disappointing 24/25 campaign by the standards they had set previously, six titles in eight years, including a treble firmly established City as one of the great sides England’s topflight has seen, though a troubling season has set cause for change at the Etihad.
It became quickly apparent City needed a refresh. Sustaining such dominance over an extended period with the same group would eventually reach the end of its cycle, and it has. Several stars from that crop have either dropped a level or reached an age where physically they have less success competing weekly.
Kevin De Bruyne fits into that, or so it showed, and after a sublime ten years, the Belgian departed to join Napoli. Kyle Walker has lost a yard and joined AC Milan on loan in January, whilst the likes of Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, John Stones, Nathan Ake and Mateo Kovacic are all in their 30s.
Finishing just three points behind Arsenal in third could have been considered somewhat of a relief after a horrid winter period. City finished the campaign strong after the additions of Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Nico Gonzalez in January.
The spending has not stopped, with Guardiola keen to bolster his squad ahead of a push for another title. Before July the Citizens had already made three additions, Rayan Cherki looks to be a steal at sub-€40m to help alleviate the loss of De Bruyne’s creativity.
Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves provides Guardiola with an outright left-back, perhaps the position the Spaniard has not had recognised personnel in since Benjamin Mendy. Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan looks to be a terrific pickup, not only to help ease the returning Rodri back into the fray, but the two could provide a sublime balance in midfield together.
All three signings critically fit the mould of the intention to make the squad younger, and physically more dominant. Ait Nouri’s attacking instincts and ability to act as a winger at times could help to provide different dynamics with the likes of Jeremy Doku, Marmoush or Phil Foden, whilst Reijnders’ superb capacity to carry the ball over long distances provides a necessary profile to a midfield that was frankly stagnant at times last season.
There is meanwhile something to be said on City’s defensive frailties, an area I feel requires addressing ahead of the new season. Walker’s physical presence played a huge role in appeasing Guardiola’s like to hold a high defensive line, though at 35 the right back looks to be on his way out.
Rico Lewis and Manuel Akanji have both played there at times and to a good standard, though with it seems an unlikely deal to be made with Newcastle United for the services of Tino Livramento, City will likely look elsewhere.
It also remains unclear as to the effects of City’s participation in the Club World Cup, and how it could impact preparations for 25/26. It has allowed Rodri to gain minutes earlier than usual after his long-term injury and help to bed in new signings in a competitive setting, though how much will fatigue set in long-term despite only making the Round of 16? Time will only tell.
Chelsea
Placed in the final spot perhaps unsurprisingly is Chelsea. A solid first season under Maresca came as a shock to the majority, with his limited experience managing at the top level, and a squad marred with chaos and uncertainty.
It looked like a daunting task to take on for Maresca, though the Italian in fairness has taken it on in stride despite difficult spells. A fourth place-finish is certainly respectable, and something to build on in 25/26.
Liam Delap was a decent bit of early business and helps to provide depth with Nicolas Jackson the only recognised centre-forward at the club, whilst the speedy signing of Joao Pedro in recent days provides a different dynamic, with the Brazilian imminently set to join the squad for the remaining round of the Club World Cup.
Their midfield is a major strength, and an area that requires little adjustment frankly. Moises Caicedo at once had his standout season at Stamford Bridge following his move that was clouded by a huge fee, Enzo Fernandez likewise in that regard had a particularly strong second half of the season, whilst Romeo Lavia’s biggest problem was his ability to stay fit.
Cole Palmer had an indifferent campaign by the magic standards he has set over the past two seasons. An effective start to the season was followed by a difficult spell after the new year, though a strong end especially having a telling impact in the UEFA Conference League final win against Real Betis could be a preview for a return to his sparkling best next season, and Chelsea will need it to potentially put up a more consistent challenge to the three sides above them.
This Chelsea side meanwhile have great upside. An average age of 23.4 should get fans excited about the future, Delap and Pedro both add to that at the front end of the pitch alongside the likes of Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto, whilst the unknown around the talented duo of Estevao and Geovany Quenda, the latter of which due to arrive next summer, is intriguing.
The imminent addition of Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund certainly adds to this but raises potentially the need for departures at that end with such a number of attacking talent.
We saw Maresca’s men shock the league in the first half of the campaign, where the Blues impressed with distant shouts of an unexpected title challenge potentially on the cards before slipping away in the latter months of 2024.
That lack of consistency will be an area of concern from last season, and their reliance on Palmer for productivity. When his form dropped, the team’s overall effectiveness did too, Chelsea cannot expect improvement if it remains that way.
Defensive lapses of concentration remain a worry, as does the quality of the centre backs and particularly Robert Sanchez in between the sticks. Concrete talks of a move for Mike Maignan of AC Milan looked to accelerate, though that move broke down, therefore uncertainty remains.
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