Welcome back to The Alternative Premier League Table, a new series you can enjoy on The Athletic every Thursday during the season. We all know how compelling it is to stare at standings. Whether your team is in the middle of a winning run or mired in terrible form, five minutes looking at the table can convince you…
One team has installed three rows of new seats, another has a new corner-taker and one side began the 2025-26 campaign by deliberately smashing the ball out of play. Yes, the Premier League is back and on the opening weekend we asked our reporters in addition to covering the games and the new signings to…
One swallow allegedly does not make a summer. One football match does not make club owners rush out and spend millions of pounds on new players… or does it? You may think the people who run the team you support are professional, sensible and rational. They don’t read social media, they don’t run a business…
Cristiano Ronaldo was given a hero’s welcome Tuesday as he played a pivotal role for Saudi side Al Nassr in Hong Kong — where great rival Lionel Messi became public enemy number one last year for failing to play. The 40-year-old former Manchester United and Real Madrid ace Ronaldo got an assist in a 2-1…
Chelsea have kicked off the 2025-26 Premier League season fresh off their triumph in the first revamped edition of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, setting expectations sky-high among fans. With the Blues viewed as legitimate contenders for the league title, former Chelsea midfielder and Champions League winner Ramires weighed in on their chances, while…
Gianluigi Donnarumma is one of the best goalkeepers around, but he would struggle playing in the Premier League. That’s the view of European football expert Andy Brassell, with the Italian international of interest to Manchester City this summer. 4 Donnarumma could leave PSG despite just winning the quadruple with PSGCredit: Getty talkSPORT understands City will…
Shirt numbers — they shouldn’t matter that much, but they do. From new signings taking iconic numbers to youngsters being given their first jersey for the senior team, there are always notable changes before a new season. Here, The Athletic’s Premier League writers analyse how shirt numbers have changed at your club, and their significance….
Benjamin Lecomte is undoubtedly a fine goalkeeper. The 34-year-old Ligue 1 stalwart of Lorient, Monaco and Montpellier fame arrives in the Premier League with a wealth of experience and with the promise of doing a fine job warming Fulham’s bench for most of the season. However, with the greatest of respect due to Lecomte, for…
Mikel Arteta has challenged Arsenal to keep digging for gold as they prepare to start their latest bid for a first Premier League title since 2004 against revamped Manchester United on Sunday. Arteta’s side have finished as Premier League runners-up for the last three seasons, sparking criticism of their failure to get over the line…
The Premier League season is right around the corner, with the action kicking off on Friday. Reigning champions Liverpool will host a Bournemouth side that will break in a new defense under Andoni Iraola. After an active summer that has brought in five new players to the squad, will Liverpool be able to repeat as…