Former Socceroos captain Craig Foster anticipates the Premier League title race for the 2025-26 season will be one of the most fiercely contested in years. Having played for Crystal Palace and Portsmouth, Foster acknowledges Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea as teams with formidable squads capable of vying for the championship.
Liverpool clinched the 2024-25 title with a comfortable 10-point lead over Arsenal, but Foster is sceptical that they will replicate that success this season. Speaking on Nine’s Wide World of Sports, he praised Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, for stepping in as Jurgen Klopp’s successor and achieving remarkable results. Slot’s new approach has involved significant changes to the team, suggesting that fans will see a very different Liverpool this upcoming season. Notable signings include young star Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen and Hugo Ekitike from Germany.
Arsenal is also in contention. Foster highlighted the mounting pressure on manager Mikel Arteta as the club has finished second for three consecutive years and has not won the league since the 2003-04 season. Arsenal’s acquisition of striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon, who netted 54 goals last season, is seen as a significant move to bolster their attack.
Meanwhile, Manchester City, after dominating the league for four consecutive seasons, finished third last year. Foster expresses curiosity about how Pep Guardiola will adapt his strategies following their dip in form, particularly with the increasing pace and transition-focused play seen last season.
Foster, who has covered major European competitions, expressed excitement about bringing the Premier League to Australian audiences next season. He noted the league’s vast global reach, with an estimated 4 billion viewers and significant engagement through social media. This showcases the incredible popularity of the English Premier League, making it a major attraction for football fans worldwide.