Analytics & Stats
Foden identifies the small shifts under Maresca at Manchester City
Foden says Maresca’s City is similar to Guardiola’s, but with key changes in defence and buildup.
Phil Foden has described the early changes brought in under Enzo Maresca, stressing that the new set-up remains close to what Manchester City knew before, even if there are clear adjustments in place.
Speaking before City’s second preseason friendly, Foden said: “It’s very similar to how we played under Pep, but there are still things that are a bit different,” Foden said prior to City’s second preseason friendly. “I don’t want give too much away of how we play. Maybe the defending’s a bit different the way we set up.
“We have different ideas about how to play out from the back. A different variety of things on the ball. Different things, but we are very comfortable because we want to build from the back and try to create, so I think it suits everyone really well.
“I’ve found it good, to be honest. All I have known is Pep Guardiola so to go to a new manager is a fresh start. I am enjoying it. I am enjoying the new coaching staff and I like the ideas and way we are playing. I am excited for the new season and hopefully we can have a really good year.”
City head into 2026-27 with the clear aim of reclaiming the Premier League title in Maresca’s first season in charge. The club have won the league six times in the past seven seasons, but have finished without the trophy in each of the last two.
For Foden, the challenge is twofold. He wants to return to the level that made him the Premier League’s best player when City last won the title in 2023-24, while also becoming a more senior voice in the dressing room.
“I think I have to be really [a leader],” Foden revealed. “Obviously I have been in the club for so long, I am one of the last remaining players to have been here for a long time. So I think have to be this season, one of the leaders, one of the captains or in and around it for sure. I am looking forward to that new responsibility and trying to take leadership [on].
“What [Maresca] wants from me at the moment is to be an example to the young lads on tour,” Foden added. “To try to train well, keep my head down and work hard and set a good example to the young lads. That’s what I have been trying to do, really.”
The squad has already lost some senior figures this summer. Bernardo Silva and John Stones departed, while Rodri could also move on as interest from Barcelona and particularly Real Madrid grows.
Foden, who captained City in their preseason opener against Inter Milan, is now 26 and far beyond the stage of being treated as a young prospect. After the inconsistency of the last two years, he knows 2026-27 must be a productive season rather than another missed opportunity.
His output has dropped from the level he hit during City’s dominant run, including the club’s first Champions League title in 2022-23. More recently, his role has been reduced, and although he made a strong start to 2025-26, he started only three of 14 Premier League matches from February until City were overtaken by Arsenal in the title race.
Across the last two seasons, he has scored 23 goals in all competitions and recorded 14 assists, numbers that underline how far he has to go to match his peak form again.
Analytics & Stats
The 10 Most Valuable Squads in World Football After the 2026 Summer Window
Squad values after the 2026 summer window show Real Madrid top, with City, PSG and Arsenal close behind.
The summer transfer window has closed, and the latest squad valuations offer a clear picture of which clubs have built the most expensive collections of talent in world football.
Using Transfermarkt’s figures, the 10 most valuable squads now reflect a market shaped by major spending across Europe, with the Premier League again heavily represented among the elite.
Real Madrid sit top of the list with a squad valued at $1.7 billion. A huge share of that figure comes from Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham, whose combined value is put at $581 million. Their summer business, including Yan Diomande and Marc Cucurella, was followed by further strength added through Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries and Bernardo Silva.
Manchester City are close behind on $1.66 billion. Their total has risen after moves for Enzo Fernández, Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi, with the trio carrying a combined valuation of $337 million, less than what City paid to bring them in.
Paris Saint-Germain are third at $1.58 billion, with continental success continuing to lift the value of their squad. João Neves, Vitinha, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are each valued at $116 million or more.
Arsenal are fourth on $1.55 billion, ahead of Barcelona on $1.47 billion. Lamine Yamal stands out at Barcelona, where he is worth $255.6 million on his own, alongside Raphinha, Pedri and Pau Cubarsí.
Chelsea are sixth at $1.26 billion, with Bayern Munich seventh on $1.21 billion and Michael Olise valued at $197.5 million. Liverpool follow in eighth on $1.2 billion after the late addition of Bradley Barcola.
Manchester United are ninth at $1.08 billion after their midfield overhaul, while Tottenham Hotspur complete the top 10 on $941.6 million after a particularly active summer in the market.
Analytics & Stats
Opta’s post-window Premier League forecast points to Arsenal on top
Opta’s new forecast has Arsenal first, City second and Tottenham under pressure after the window closed.
The Premier League’s 2026 summer transfer window is shut, and after a record outlay across the division, Opta’s supercomputer has delivered its first full forecast for the season ahead.
Spending across the league reached about $4.4 billion (£3.3 billion), the highest figure on record. Among the headline moves were Morgan Rogers’s switch to Chelsea, Bradley Barcola’s move to Liverpool, and Manchester City’s signings of Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernández. Arsenal added Bruno Guimarães, while Manchester United rebuilt their midfield with Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. Tottenham also strengthened on Deadline Day by bringing in Chelsea pair Mykhailo Mudryk and Tosin Adarabioyo.
Based on current form and the completed window, Opta sees Arsenal as the clear favourite for the title. The Gunners, who have started with wins over Coventry City and Aston Villa and have kept two clean sheets, are projected to finish first with 76.17 points and a 47.40% chance of lifting the trophy again.
Manchester City are forecast to finish second for a second straight season, with 71.39 points and a 27.22% title chance. Chelsea are placed third on 60.41 points, while Liverpool are fourth on 59.76. Manchester United complete the top five on 57.32 points after an uneven start and a quiet end to the transfer window.
The model suggests the top five will also secure Champions League football. Chelsea’s projection is notable after their 10th-place finish in 2025-26, which left them outside European competition this season. Newcastle are next in line, just a point behind Manchester United in sixth, with Brighton and Brentford also in the mix but needing exceptional runs to break into the top five.
At the other end, Tottenham are projected to finish 14th despite adding to their squad, with a 23.83% relegation chance. Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Ipswich Town sit just above them, while Crystal Palace are highlighted as a side with real danger attached to them, carrying a 29.55% chance of ending up in the Championship.
Analytics & Stats
Opta’s early 2026/27 table sees Arsenal on top after opening weekend
Opta’s early table has Arsenal first, City second and United sliding after a shock opening defeat.
The first weekend of the 2026/27 Premier League season has already prompted the familiar rush to judge the race, and Arsenal’s opening win has placed them at the head of Opta’s latest projection.
Arsenal began the campaign as they ended the last one, with a comfortable victory, and the supercomputer now expects them to finish first on 74.80 points. That gives the Gunners a 45.18% chance of retaining the title, with Opta also suggesting they could become champions for the first time in 92 years. Manchester City are forecast to stay close but still finish second on 68.44 points, while Liverpool complete the top three on 61.42.
Chelsea’s 3-2 win over Fulham in Xabi Alonso’s first league match in charge has lifted them into fourth place in the model, on 58.48 points. Manchester United, after their shock defeat to Hull City, have slipped to fifth on 55.34 points. Brighton & Hove Albion are also sitting strongly in sixth, just behind United on 55.21.
Opta’s picture for Champions League qualification continues beyond that, with Newcastle, Aston Villa, Brentford and Everton occupying the next places in the top 10. The model gives five of the league’s ‘Big Six’ a place in the top five, reflecting the expectation that the battle for the 2027-28 Champions League spots will again be tight.
At the other end of the table, the supercomputer sees Tottenham Hotspur avoiding another collapse by finishing 12th, despite their opening-day loss to Brentford. Crystal Palace are projected 14th, while newly-promoted Ipswich Town are 15th and Nottingham Forest 16th. Coventry City, Hull City, Fulham and Sunderland are forecast to occupy the relegation places, with Hull’s opening win over Manchester United not enough to alter their long-term outlook.
It is, as ever, only one weekend in. But Opta’s early read is clear: Arsenal lead the way, City remain close, and the pack behind them is already beginning to take shape.
