Anticipation for the New Premier League Season
As the anticipation builds for the new Premier League season, fans are treated to a fresh narrative fueled by new transfers, managers, and teams. However, a deeper examination of the recent season’s data from 2024-25 sheds light on potential tactical evolutions for the 2025-26 campaign.
Emerging Tactical Trends
One notable trend is the increasing practice of defenders taking goal kicks, a strategy that has gained traction in recent years. While this tactic isn’t exactly new, it continues to gain popularity as teams seek to enhance their play from the back during goal kicks. Brighton & Hove Albion has been at the forefront of this approach, with 158 instances of outfield players taking goal kicks last season under the guidance of Fabian Hurzeler. This method allows teams to create space and facilitate smoother transitions when pressed by opponents, such as in Brighton’s match against West Ham, where they capitalized on gaps by fluidly moving the ball upfield.
Liverpool also showed significant engagement with this tactic, recording 140 goal kicks taken by outfield players. Unlike Brighton’s focus on building from within their half, Liverpool’s approach often involves bypassing the midfield to exploit counter-attack opportunities, exemplified by Virgil van Dijk’s strategic passing to goalkeeper Alisson, who then launched an attack against Newcastle.
This increased usage of outfielders in goal kick situations has been remarkable; following a 2019-20 rule change permitting players to pass to teammates within the penalty area, outfielders accounted for nearly one-third of all goal kicks last season. With pressing tactics becoming ever more sophisticated, it raises the question of whether we will see an even greater reliance on this tactic in the upcoming season.
Shifting Management Strategies
Management strategies are shifting as well, particularly with figures like Pep Guardiola acknowledging a growing emphasis on transitional play. According to the stats, teams such as Manchester City and Arsenal reflect a more dynamic approach, evidenced by their low possession rates but high efficiency in penetrating opposing defenses. Guardiola pointed out that modern football, exemplified by teams like Bournemouth and Newcastle, demands adaptability and quick transitions, departing from fixed positional play.
In light of this, both Manchester City and Arsenal have acquired new players—such as Viktor Gyokeres and Jeremy Doku—intended to thrive in a transitional game environment. With these roster changes, the two clubs might adopt a style that mingles traditional possession with fast-paced counter-attacking play.
Resurgence of Direct Play
As the trend for maintaining possession has dominated the Premier League for the last decade, a resurgence of direct play has been observed at kick-off, with teams now sending over 40% of their opening passes deep into the attacking third. Clubs like Brentford have effectively harnessed these tactics, as demonstrated by their ability to convert quick restarts into scoring opportunities. Following Brentford’s former set-piece coach Keith Andrews to Tottenham, manager Thomas Frank aims to replicate this success in set-piece situations, including long throw-ins, which produced more chances than any other team last season.
With new officiating regulations set to penalize goalkeepers for delaying play, clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United, known for their defensive vulnerabilities at corners, may need to sharpen their awareness and responsiveness. Indeed, the chances of witnessing a rise in set-piece goals could skyrocket next season, particularly as teams evolve their strategies around this facet of the game.
Tactical Evolution with Inverted Wingers
Moreover, the tactical landscape continues to evolve with the prominence of inverted wingers—players who operate on the opposite flank of their dominant foot. This trend has gained momentum in recent seasons and shows no signs of waning, as clubs bolster their squads with players capable of executing this role. In the upcoming season, with players like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo entering the mix, both Manchester United and Tottenham are poised to embrace this tactical nuance. Simultaneously, traditional wide play is making a comeback, hinting at a multifaceted approach that could strike a balance between preserving the old and embracing the new.
