The Premier League Returns: Which Clubs Are Best Prepared?

The Premier League is back! This time welcomed by a new reigning champion, a new intro song and even more chaos.

After almost three months out, we finally have weekends full of dodgy VAR calls and last-minute winners, fantasy football and hot takes, manager sackings and title six-pointers – buckle in.

Whilst the lengthy wait had most of us bored and lifeless, it gave all 20 teams a chance to mould their squads into the best state possible for the new campaign. But which teams have prepared the best?

Chelsea

Chelsea have had a statement summer, advertising their intentions and vigour to the other Premier League 19. Winning all your pre-season fixtures is enough to ask for any fanbase, but doing that after conquering the FIFA Club World Cup adds a colossal thrust of confidence.

Maresca’s men buried last season in fourth place with a Champions League spot in the bag, alongside a monumental win in the UEFA Conference League final. Since that triumph, their squad has bolstered in quality, having acquired ten players for a combined tally of £250 million.

(Chelsea Signings 2025/26: Transfermarkt)

One of these fruitful signings includes former Brighton attacker Joao Pedro, who joined the Blues at the start of July and already made his mark by becoming an influential presence in Chelsea’s Club World Cup campaign.

In the tournament, Pedro scored three goals in three games for the West London outfit. The Brazilian has also carried that scoring form into his last two friendlies, with another two goals.

Chelsea have lost just one game this summer. A tricky group-stage game against Flamengo was their only downfall, but barring that the Blues have won every other match out of the nine, scoring a staggering 23 goals in the process.

Their scoring habits have helped them to beat the likes of AC Milan, PSG and Bayer Leverkusen. But their next hurdle is Crystal Palace at the Bridge on Sunday afternoon.

Working towards #CHECRY. 😤 pic.twitter.com/fFOVWOIZZu

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 15, 2025

Liverpool

The summer transfer window of champions, ironically. It’s fair to say Liverpool’s red-ribboned Premier League Trophy has attracted the odd international superstar this transfer window, as Arne Slot has only gone and secured some of Europe’s most promising young talent.

The Reds have well and truly invaded the Bundesliga, with youthful trio Hugo Ekiteke, Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong all having been handpicked from the Merseyside outfit.

Of course, the latter two names have already worked together for the past four seasons, going unbeaten and winning the German Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen back in 2024, as well as tallying up a combined 95 goals and assists for the last two campaigns.

(Wirtz and Frimpong Stats 2023/24 & 2024/25: FotMob)

Frimpong and Wirtz have rapidly become one of football’s household duos and will now hopefully set the world alight in the famous red of Liverpool.

Overall, Slot’s men have sailed through pre-season, winning the majority of their games and displaying the same towering standard they finished with last term. However, their only blip came in arguably their most important game of the summer – the Community Shield.

The Reds entertained FA Cup winners Crystal Palace to a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes last Sunday. Unfortunately, the Wembley arch then looked down on three Liverpool penalty misses in the shootout, handing a second item of silverware to their South London opposition.

Sunderland

It has quickly become the Premier League’s archetype for all three newly promoted sides to face the drop in their first season. Leeds and Burnley especially know to keep one eye open at all times when re-entering the top flight, but as for Sunderland, this is their first time back after a lengthy hiatus.

The Black Cats were last in the Premier League eight years ago now and whilst there are many clubs who have endured longer absences from the first tier, not many have taken a four year visit down to League One in the meantime.

Finally catching their well-deserved break, Sunderland are clearly trying to grab this Premier League opportunity with two firm hands. Regis Le Bris has orchestrated some tidy business this summer, bringing in a catalogue of future talent and proven experience.

The likes of Marc Guiu, Granit Xhaka, Arthur Masuaku, Enzo Le Fée and Simon Adingra have all travelled to the North East, ready to ignite the season.

(Sunderland Signings 2025/26: Transfermarkt)

However, as we have seen time and again, populating the Premier League is never just as easy as dipping your hand into your pocket and Sunderland will sure notice that sooner or later.

That being said, the Mackems are certainly on the right track and could be on for a good season should everything go to plan. There is not much more motivation Le Bris’ men can get than walking out into a jam-packed Stadium of Light on Saturday against West Ham.