Former England international Michael Owen has delivered a striking verdict on the upcoming 2025-26 Premier League season, confidently ruling Manchester City out of the title race. His bold prediction suggests that despite their recent dominance, the Sky Blues are “almost unrecognisable” and will struggle to contend, instead tipping three other clubs to battle for the coveted championship.
Owen’s assessment follows a challenging period for Pep Guardiola’s side, who experienced one of their least successful seasons in recent memory. Finishing third and relinquishing the league title for the first time in five years, Manchester City concluded the campaign with 71 points and a surprising nine defeats, including a dismal run of four consecutive losses during the winter months.
In stark contrast, Owen firmly backs Liverpool to be at the forefront of the Premier League title charge, believing they are poised for back-to-back success. He highlighted Liverpool’s commanding performance last season, where they secured the league by a significant margin, even easing off in their final games. Owen anticipates that Liverpool FC will be even stronger in the coming season, making them a formidable force.
Despite significant summer reinforcements for Manchester City, including the acquisitions of French attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki, Algerian left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, Owen remains unconvinced. He suggested that the sheer volume of new players introduced over the past year means the team is “almost unrecognisable,” and it will take considerable time for these additions to properly integrate and gel.
The return of last year’s Ballon d’Or winner, Rodri, from an ACL injury, might offer some hope to Manchester City fans, but Owen quickly dismissed its potential impact on their title aspirations. He stressed that a return from a serious injury offers no guarantees and reiterated his conviction that Pep Guardiola’s side will not be fighting for the Premier League crown, regardless of Rodri’s presence.
Instead of Manchester City, Owen identifies Liverpool as his clear favourite. For any potential upset, he points to two other strong contenders: Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal and, as a significant outsider, Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea. This suggests a shift in the perceived power dynamic at the top of English football, with Owen believing that City cannot recover quickly enough from their recent setbacks.
Arsenal, who finished just ten points behind Liverpool last season, are expected to be serious challengers once again. The Gunners faced their own challenges, including an injury crisis that highlighted a crucial need for a new striker. Their recent £64m acquisition of Viktor Gyokeres, who takes on the iconic No. 14 shirt, places significant pressure on the Swedish forward to deliver and propel Arsenal FC into contention.
Owen’s comprehensive analysis underscores a belief that the Premier League landscape is set for an exciting season, with familiar faces vying for the top spot while a traditional powerhouse faces an unexpected period of transition. His insights provide a fascinating preview of the battle for the Premier League title, highlighting key players and team dynamics that will shape the upcoming campaign.
Leave a Reply