Premier League teams' strongest lineups: Each club's best starting XI after end of 2025 summer transfer window

The Premier League is once again in full swing for the 2025/26 season, as the most visible and financially powerful domestic competition in the world is back in action.

The English top flight is largely considered the deepest league in the world, with the most talent across the board across all 20 clubs involved.

While that means every game is chock full of watchable and exciting players ready to dazzle across every 90 minutes, it also means the stakes are extremely high and clubs feel pushed to spend big just to maintain their top-flight status.

Case in point, Liverpool won the title last season and still managed to massively overhaul the squad, feeling the pressure from other giants Arsenal, Manchster City, Chelsea, and Manchester United amongst others. Even the likes of Newcastle United and Tottenham welcomed big new signings.

The Sporting News takes a look at every Premier League club's squad now that the summer window has closed, and details what looks to be each team's strongest starting lineup based on the managers' apparent preferences.

JUMP TO: Arsenal | Aston Villa | Bournemouth | Brentford | Brighton & Hove Albion | Burnley | Chelsea | Crystal Palace | Everton | Fulham | Leeds United | Liverpool | Manchester City | Manchester United | Newcastle United | Nottingham Forest | Sunderland | Tottenham | West Ham | Wolves

Premier League teams' strongest lineups 2025/26

Arsenal

Arsenal's depth chart is a bit more complicated than just a two-deep squad. Noni Madueke was brought in primarily to back up Bukayo Saka on the right, but he may also see time on the left if Gabriel Martinelli continues to regress. Kai Havertz can be deployed across multiple positions, including both striker and midfield, as can new signing Eberechi Eze.

The club brought in defenders Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera in the transfer window, which proved essential as William Saliba suffered an early injury. Saka also went down with yet another muscle issue, forcing Mikel Arteta to get creative. The emergence of young star Max Dowman has been a boon in that regard.

Striker Viktor Gyokeres is the crown jewel of the summer transfer window. Gabriel Jesus could factor in once he returns from a serious knee injury, but he will have to earn his place in a crowded and revamped Arsenal attack.

Arsenal best starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Raya (GK) — White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori — Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice — Saka, Gyokeres, Eze

Arsenal second XI: Kepa (GK) — Timber, Mosquera, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly — Merino, Norgaard, Nwaneri — Madueke, Havertz, Martinelli.

Other players in the mix: Leandro Trossard, Max Dowman, Gabriel Jesus

Aston Villa

Aston Villa made some changes in the summer but largely stuck with what worked last season under Unai Emery. They managed to bring Jadon Sancho on loan from Manchester United and sign his old teammate Victor Lindelof on a free transfer, while Harvey Elliott arrived from Liverpool late in the day. Jacob Ramsey netted a pretty penny from Newcastle, and Leon Bailey left for Roma, but otherwise the core of the squad remains.

The team is deep along the back line as well as in central areas, where Elliott and Emiliano Buendia will battle for minutes behind starting second striker Morgan Rogers, and Ross Barkley will try to carve out a role. Yet they are thin on the wing, meaning the aforementioned trio may occasionally be forced to play out wide while the squad rotates.

Aston Villa best starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Martinez (GK) — Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne — Kamara, Tielemans — Malen, Rogers, Sancho — Watkins

Aston Villa second XI (4-3-3, right to left): Bizot (GK) — Garcia, Bogarde, Torres, Maatsen — McGinn, Onana, Barkley — Elliott, Guessand, Buendia

Other players in the mix: Victor Lindelof, Triston Rowe, Travis Patterson, Jamaldeen Jimoh

Bournemouth

Bournemouth found themselves with flush with riches this summer, but a firesale of talent could leave them thin on the pitch. The Cherries offloaded Dean Huijsen, Illia Zabarnyi, Milos Kerkez, and Dango Outtara for a massive lump of cash. They brought in Dafode Diakite, Djordje Petrovic, Ben Doak, and Amine Adli, but were left with a significant net positive cash flow.

It remains to be seen how deeply this turnover will affect them on the field, and if it will be enough to push them into a relegation battle. While they are thin at the back thanks to the summer overhaul, they remain potent up front, able to threaten any back line. Justin Kluivert and new signing Adli are exceptional squad players, while Enas Unal should be back from his ACL injury before too long.

Bournemouth best starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Petrovic (GK) — A. Smith, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert — Adams, A. Scott — Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo — Evanilson

Bournemouth second XI: Dennis (GK) — Hill, Milosavljevic, Bevan, Soler — Cook, Christie — Faivre, Tavernier, Adli — Unal

Other players in the mix: Julio Soler, Julian Araujo, Ben Doak, Eli Kroupi

Brentford

Brentford are in the process of a complete retool, having sold Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, and Christian Norgaard in the summer.

They brought in a few very young players who will take some time to come through the system, but for now the team is in the hands of some former Liverpool castaways like Caoimhin Kelleher, Sepp van den Berg, and Fabio Carvalho. They are extremely thin at striker, though, and will need to bring in further additions.

Brentford best starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Kelleher (GK) — Kayode, Van den Berg, Collins, Lewis-Potter — Yarmoliuk, Janelt — Ouattara, Damsgaard, Schade — Igor

Brentford second XI: Valdimarsson (GK) — Hickey, Pinnock, Ajer, Henry — Henderson, Jensen — Nelson, Carvalho, Donovan — Nunes

Other players in the mix: Benjamin Arthur, Frank Onyeka, Yunus Konak, Paris Maghoma, Antoni Milambo, Myles Peart-Harris

Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton have become a regular talent factory for bigger Premier League clubs, and the Seagulls are happy to sell high and replace them with more young potential.

They offloaded Joao Pedro, Simon Adingra, Pervis Estupinan, Julio Enciso, and Valentin Barco for big money, while replacing them with Charalampos Kostoulas, Maxim De Cuyper, Tom Watson, and Diego Coppola, three of whom are 21 or younger.

They are thin at right-back, but ageless James Milner can always fill in in a pinch.

Brighton best starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Verbruggen (GK) — Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, De Cuyper — Baleba, Hinshelwood — Minteh, Gomez, Mitoma — Welbeck

Brighton second XI: Steele (GK) — Wieffer, Boscagli, Coppola, Kadioglu — Ayari, Milner — March, Gruda, Watson — Kostoulas

Other players in the mix: Georginio Rutter, Stefanos Tzimas

Burnley

Burnley went on a spending spree upon moving to the Premier League, bringing in Lesley Ugochukwu, Armando Broja, and Bashir Humphreys all from Chelsea as well as securing a 35-year-old Kyle Walker from Man City.

They have an extremely deep squad and have recruited well, snatching castaway players from bigger clubs such as Hannibal Mejbri from Manchester United or former Spurs youth product Marcus Edwards. It remains to be seen whether it will be enough to stay in the top flight.

Burnley best starting XI (4-2-3-1, left to right): Dubravka (GK) — Walker, Ekdal, Esteve, Hartman — Ugochukwu, Cullen — Larsen, Mejbri, Anthony — Foster

Burnley second XI: Hladky (GK) — Sonne, Worrall, Beyer, Pires — Florentino, Pimlott — Tchaouna, Edwards, Tresor — Broja

Other players in the mix: Hannes Delcroix, Bashir Humphreys, Axel Tuanzebe, Connor Roberts, Josh Laurent, Jaydon Banel, Enock Agyei, Zian Flemming, Ashley Barnes, Zeki Amdouni

Chelsea

Chelsea have not only one of the biggest squads in the Premier League but also experienced the most turnover of any club during the recent transfer window. Thus, there are still plenty of questions to be answered as Enzo Maresca sorts through the litany of players at his disposal, many of them only recently arrived.

The Blues are thinnest at two positions: backing up Cole Palmer at the No. 10, and on the right wing. Both arrivals in the transfer window, Jamie Gittens and Alejandro Garnacho, are primarily better suited to the left wing, while last year's starter on the right, Noni Madueke, left for Arsenal. Only Pedro Neto and new signing Estevao are naturally good fits for that side, and Neto has also been deployed on the left by Maresca.

Facundo Buonanotte, who arrived on loan from Brighton at the transfer deadline, was left off the Champions League roster and will serve as Palmer's primary backup throughout the season. An injury to Liam Delap saw them recall Marc Guiu from his loan at Sunderland.

Chelsea best starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Sanchez (GK) — James, Colwill, Adarabioyo, Cucurella — Caicedo, Fernandez — Estevao, Palmer, Gittens — Pedro

Chelsea second XI: Jorgensen (GK) — Gusto, Chalobah, Badiashile, Hato — Lavia, Santos — Neto, Buonanotte, Garnacho — Delap

Other players in the mix: Josh Acheampong, Wesley Fofana, Dario Essugo, Tyrique George, Marc Guiu

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace fought hard against the riptide pull of bigger clubs, forced to sell Eberechi Eze but managing to keep hold of Jean-Philippe Mateta and, controversially, Marc Guehi.

To replace Eze, they brought in Yeremy Pino from Villarreal and Christantus Uche from Getafe, while bagging young Toulouse defender Jaydee Canvot. Palace kicked the can down the road a bit with Guehi and Mateta, but with a Europa League journey to manage alongside domestic competition, they will be glad to have such players aboard before those tough decisions are made next year.

Crystal Palace best starting XI (3-4-3, right to left): Henderson (GK) — Richards, Lacroix, Guehi — Munoz, Wharton, Lerma, Mitchell — Sarr, Mateta, Kamada

Crystal Palace second XI (4-3-3, right to left): Benitez (GK) — Clyne, Canvot, Riad, Sosa — Devenny, Hughes, Pino — Esse, Uche, Nketiah

Other players in the mix: Caleb Kporha, Rio Cardines, Kaden Rodney, Naouirou Ahamada, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi

Everton

Having survived some dark days, Everton seem to be on their way out of the doldrums with some quality recruitment and great managerial stewardship from David Moyes.

They made big splashes this summer in the transfer market, snatching promising young attackers Thierno Barry and Tyler Dibling who will have to earn their way into the starting lineup. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was a big pickup from Chelsea, too, as was Jack Grealish from Man City, and should elevate Everton back into a mid-table side.

Everton best starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Pickford (GK) — Patterson, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko — Garner, Gueye — Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish — Beto

Everton second XI: Travers (GK) — Coleman, O'Brien, Keane, Aznou — Iroegbunam, Alcaraz — Dibling, Rohl, McNeil — Barry

Other players in the mix: Justin Clarke, Coby Ebere

Fulham

Fulham did no business in the summer transfer window until deadline day but ultimately addressed most of their needs. A swoop for forwards Samuel Chukwueze from AC Milan and Kevin from Shakhtar Donetsk will provide an immediate boost, and they opted to keep Harry Wilson on the final year of his contract instead of bring Tyrique George in from Chelsea.

Last year's record signing Emile Smith Rowe still has not managed to lock down a starting role, as Marco Silva even preferred 18-year-old youth product Josh King at the No. 10 position before the arrival of the new signings.

There is a timeshare at the striker position as Raul Jimenez and Rodrigo Muniz jockey for playing time. U.S. international Antonee Robinson remains with the club as one of the best left-backs in the country.

Fulham best starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Leno (GK) — Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson — Lukic, Berge — Chukwueze, Kevin, Iwobi — Jimenez

Fulham second XI: Lecomte (GK) — Castagne, Cuenca, Diop, Sessegnon — Reed, Cairney — Traore, King, Smith Rowe — Muniz

Other players in the mix: Harry Wilson, Jonah Kusi-Asare

Leeds United

Leeds are hoping to re-establish themselves back in the Premier League after winning promotion back to the top flight. They are largely riding on the same players that got them back to the upper level, but they did bring in Noah Okafor from AC Milan, Anton Stach from Hoffenheim, and Sean Longstaff from Newcastle.

They are exceedingly thin in midfield, basically rotating through four players for three spots, but the attack should carry them through as they engage in a high-octane style of play.

Leeds best starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Perri (GK) — Bogle, Rodon, Strujik, Gudmundsson — Longstaff, Stach, Tanaka — Aaronson, Nmecha, Gnonto

Leeds second XI: Meslier (GK) — Justin, Bijol, Bornauw, Byram — Ampadu, Gruev, Chambers — James, Piroe, Okafor

Other players in the mix: Jack Harrison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Liverpool

Despite winning the Premier League title last season, Liverpool experienced a near-total attacking overhaul over the summer. After signing Mohamed Salah to a contract extension to ward off Saudi interest, they signed Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and Alexander Isak all for huge transfer fees.

It's unclear how those three will fit in alongside Cody Gakpo and Salah, but there are surely enough minutes to go around across all competitions. Ekitike enjoyed a strong start to the season but will likely cede the first-choice No. 9 position to Isak moving forward.

The Reds are a bit thin at centre-back thanks to a failed deadline-day deal for Marc Guehi, meaning they will turn to 18-year-old new signing Giovanni Leoni if needed. Dominik Szoboszlai officially backs up Wirtz at the No. 10 but has the versatility to fill in at multiple positions and thus will likely see near-regular playing time all over the pitch.

Liverpool best starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Alisson (GK) — Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez — Gravenberch, Mac Allister — Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo — Isak

Liverpool second XI: Mamardashvili (GK) — Bradley, Gomez, Leoni, Robertson — Endo, Jones — Chiesa, Szoboszlai, Ngumoha — Ekitike

Other players in the mix: Rhys Woodman, Stefan Bajcetic, Trey Nyoni

Manchester City

Pep Guardiola has a mish-mash of attackers at his disposal but has yet to truly solidify his best XI, preferring instead to mix and match which has delivered inconsistent results.

The only natural right-back on the roster is Rico Lewis, who has lost playing time thanks to inconsistent performances, so Guardiola has stuck Matheus Nunes in the spot to mixed results.

Omar Marmoush will see plenty of football in the first XI, but he also represents a good alternative to Erling Haaland as a No. 9.

Man City best starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Donnarumma (GK) — Nunes, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol — Rodri, Silva — Foden, Reijnders, Marmoush — Haaland

Man City second XI: Trafford (GK) — Lewis, Khusanov, Ake, Ait-Nouri — Nico Gonzalez, Kovacic — Savinho, Bobb, Doku — Marmoush

Other players in the mix: Nico O'Reilly

Manchester United

Ruben Amorim's hyper-specific 3-4-2-1 formation has required a massive overhaul of the Manchester United squad, with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sekso coming aboard over the summer while Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho left.

Still, there are things that don't quite fit. Amorim has been forced to plug Amad Diallo in at right wing-back just to get him on the pitch, and he has struggled in that role, preferring to play further up the field and more centrally. Sesko doesn't yet appear to be a favourite of the manager, who prefers to play Bruno Fernandes in central midfield, with Mason Mount further forward in support of Cunha.

They are hopeful that Lisandro Martinez can return from his ACL tear before the new year, but there is a wealth of defensive depth in the squad to plug the gap.

Man United best starting XI (3-4-2-1, right to left): Lammens (GK) — Yoro, De Ligt, Martinez — Mazraoui, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot — Mbeumo, Mount — Cunha

Man United second XI: Bayindir (GK) — Heaven, Maguire, Shaw — Dorgu, Ugarte, Mainoo, Leon — Zirkzee, Diallo — Sesko

Other players in the mix: Tyler Fredericson, Chido Obi

Newcastle United

The Magpies kicked and screamed to keep hold of Alexander Isak but ultimately saw their talisman striker move to Liverpool for a record transfer fee. They replaced him with Nick Woltemade, huge premium for the relatively unknown German forward.

Newcastle also moved for Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa to help cover for Isak's departure and the exit of Callum Wilson, seeing nearly a complete turnover up front. They remain settled at the back but brought in Malick Thiaw from AC Milan to add defensive depth. That allows manager Eddie Howe to mix up his tactical approach week by week, deploying a 5-3-2 some games while also shaping back to a more traditional 4-3-3 on occasion.

Newcastle best starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Pope (GK) — Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn — Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton — Elanga, Woltemade, Wissa

Newcastle second XI: Ramsdale (GK) — Krafth, Lascelles, Thiaw, Livramento — Ramsey, Willock, Miley — Murphy, Osula, Barnes

Other players in the mix: Lewis Hall

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest made a controversial change at manager as they sacked Nuno Espirito Santo and brought in Ange Postecoglou. It remains to be seen how the Australian will set the team up.

They tied down Morgan Gibbs-White to a new contract in the summer, which was an important step in maintaining their level, while bringing in attackers Omari Hutchinson, Dan Ndoye, Dilane Bakwa, James McAtee, and Igor Jesus to create an extremely bloated front line meant to withstand the rigors of European football.

Nottingham Forest best starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Sels (GK) — Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams — Sangare, Anderson — Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi — Wood

Nottingham Forest second XI: Gunn (GK) — Savona, Boly, Cunha, Zinchenko — Luiz, Dominguez — Jota, McAtee, Hutchinson — Igor Jesus

Other players in the mix: Morato, Zach Abbott, Ryan Yates, Dilane Bakwa, Arnaud Kalimuendo, Taiwo Awoniyi

Sunderland

Newly promoted back to the top flight in dramatic fashion, Sunderland went for it this summer and are in big for a long-term stay in the big time. Midfielder Granit Xhaka is a key addition, while manager Regis Le Bris moved new signing Nordi Mukiele from Paris Saint-Germain to centre-back.

The Black Cats also identified Brian Brobbey, Enzo Le Fee, Simon Adingra, and Chemsdine Talbi to bolster the attack, which leaves a bloated squad with lots of options but few definite answers when it comes to a first-choice XI.

Sunderland best starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Roefs (GK) — Geertruida, Mukiele, Alderete, Reinildo — Diarra, Xhaka, Le Fee — Talbi, Brobbey, Adingra

Sunderland second XI: Patterson (GK) — Hume, Ballard, Alese, Masuaku — Diarra, Neil, Sadiki — Traore, Mayenda, Mundle

Other players in the mix: Joe Andereson, Luke O'Nien, Dennis Cirkin, Leo Hjelde, Timothee Pembele, Abdoullah Ba, Chris Rigg, Wilson Isidor, Ahmed Abdullahi

Tottenham

After finishing 17th but qualifying for the Champions League with their own European triumph, Tottenham have experienced significant change both in the squad and the front office. They were one of Europe's biggest spenders over the summer, with the arrival of Randal Kolo Muani, Mohammed Kudus, Joao Palhinha, and Xavi Simons plus the loan deal of Mathys Tel made permanent.

Seemingly reacting to last season's historic injury crisis, the squad this season is exceedingly bloated, with a host of positions three-deep or more. Kolo Muani may expect to be the starter, but Richarlison and Dominic Solanke have first-choice pedigree, and the Brazilian was named by manager Thomas Frank as his first choice. They're extremely deep on the wing, so much so that there was no choice but to leave Tel off the Champions League roster.

A long-term injury to James Maddison in preseason left them without their first-choice No. 10, while there is little natural cover for Pedro Porro at right-back.

Tottenham best starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Vicario (GK) — Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie — Maddison, Palhinha, Bentancur — Kudus, Kolo Muani, B. Johnson

Tottenham second XI: Kinsky (GK) — Spence, Danso, Dragusin, Davies — Bergvall, Gray, Simons — Kulusevski, Solanke, Richarlison

Other players in the mix: Yves Bissouma, Pape Sarr, Mathys Tel, Dane Scarlett, Wilson Odobert, Kota Takai

West Ham

West Ham had a rough start to the season, but Graham Potter has enough talent to work with that he will be tipped to turn things around. Still, a big key will be getting Niclas Fullkrug going up front as last summer's big-money swoop has crashed and burned so far. They brought Callum Wilson in from Newcastle to step in if the German can't find a goal-scoring stride.

The departure of Mohammed Kudus hurts up front, but the midfield is deep with Mateus Fernandes, wide player El Hadji Malick Diouf, and Soungoutou Magassa having joined.

West Ham best starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Hermansen (GK) — Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Diouf — Soucek, Ward-Prowse — Bowen, Paqueta, Fernandes — Fullkrug

West Ham second XI: Areola (GK) — Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Igor, Scarles — Magassa, Rodriguez — Guillherme, Irving, Summerville — Wilson

Other players in the mix: Freddie Potts, George Earthy, Callum Marshall

Wolves

Wolves are hoping to keep themselves in the Premier League a little longer, but it will be difficult given their thin squad. They were quiet in the transfer window, managing to keep Jorgen Strand Larsen despite heavy interest while bringing in Club World Cup star Jhon Arias from Fluminense.

Still, this is a relegation contender and Vitor Pereira will have his hands full just pushing for top-flight status another season.

Wolves best starting XI (3-5-2, right to left): Sa (GK) — S. Bueno, Mosquera, Toti Gomes — Tchatchoua, Andre, J. Gomes, Munetsi, H. Bueno — Larsen, Arias

Wolves second XI: Johnstone (GK) — Krejci, Agbadou, Hoever — Doherty, Bellegarde, Lopez, Munetsi, Wolfe — Hwang, Arokodare

Other players in the mix: Rodrigo Gomes, Tawanda Chirewa, Enso Gonzalez, Nathan Fraser, Mateus Mane, Sasa Kalajdzic