Crystal Ball Gazing: How the Big Six Could Line Up in 2026/27

The winter market has done its thing and now closed its doors. Dwight McNeil's £20m valuation proved as durable as a wet tissue, Crystal Palace managing to make a meal of that particular negotiation, but otherwise it was fairly standard fare.

With Arsenal seemingly destined to waltz through the league unless catastrophe strikes, West Ham rediscovering their identity, and the managerial merry-go-round slowing after January's fevered activity, the football calendar stretches into a period of relative predictability. So why not indulge in a spot of speculative team-building for next season?

Arsenal's Ambitions

The Gunners possess sufficient depth to field a Champions League-challenging side as their second XI, all whilst maintaining their peculiar gift for scoring from set-pieces. Yet their recruitment appetite remains constrained by an already well-stocked squad, particularly after that eye-watering £255m summer outlay.

The defence and goalkeeper stay put. Odegaard and the midfield remain intact despite some supporter grumbling. But the attack offers flexibility. Saka will continue patrolling the right until his hamstrings finally surrender. Gyokeres won't be jettisoned after one season as the club's leading marksman. Martinelli's position feels shakier, with Eze, Trossard and Madueke struggling to prove themselves as anything beyond rotation options on the left.

This scenario permits one marquee attacking addition. Between Rodrygo, Bradley Barcola and Julian Alvarez, Premier League experience becomes the tiebreaker for Arteta's missing piece.

Arsenal's projected XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Alvarez

Chelsea's Eternal Mystery

Predicting Chelsea's starting eleven at any point requires the mental fortitude of a philosopher confronting infinity. Liam Rosenior may well survive until summer, probably clutching a trophy if Chelsea's track record holds any truth. Whether he'll successfully manage the delicate business of ageing this expensively assembled collective remains another question entirely.

Nicolas Jackson carries an air of professional uncertainty, while Mike Penders has impressed at Strasbourg and could displace Robert Sanchez. Four signings are already confirmed for summer 2026, including a £42.1m forward whose Portuguese development has been disrupted by a fractured foot. Only the £206.8m midfield pairing feels genuinely settled, with everything else subject to whichever Brighton recruitment brain Chelsea have most recently poached.

Chelsea's projected XI: Sanchez; James, Van Hecke, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao, Palmer, Barcola; Joao Pedro

Liverpool's Slot Machine

Arne Slot will secure Champions League football on the final day, collect his £400m transfer budget, then get sacked after losing to Millwall in October. Such is the Liverpool way. His parting gift: Cody Gakpo guaranteed unlimited wasteful minutes on the left.

Dominik Szoboszlai inherits Mo Salah's right-wing berth, continuing his improbable transformation into the Hungarian James Milner. Jeremy Jacquet prepares for a season of Virgil van Dijk hand-holding, which actually means being screamed at whenever the captain's refusal to accelerate beyond a stroll costs them a goal.

Liverpool's annual Newcastle intimidation campaign will claim another prize, though the record-fee summer signing must prove himself against Hugo Ekitike for the centre-forward role.

Liverpool's projected XI: Alisson; Livramento, Van Dijk, Jacquet, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike

Manchester City's Succession Puzzle

City must simply decide who replaces Pep Guardiola when he departs season's end. They'll inherit a squad reinforced by reckless investment levels, somehow still featuring Bernardo Silva tucked away somewhere, and—inexplicably—Matheus Nunes at right-back.

Manchester City's projected XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, Ait-Nouri; Rodri; Semenyo, Reijnders, Gonzalez, Doku; Haaland

Manchester United's Expensive Gamble

Harry Maguire will feature. Luke Shaw will be injured outside major tournament years. A new midfield arrives at astronomical cost. Bruno Fernandes remains non-negotiable. Beyond that, chaos reigns.

Whether Michael Carrick wins his remaining fixtures out of sheer spite against Roy Keane remains to be seen. Marcus Rashford might squeeze in somewhere. Amad should. Jason Wilcox will eventually capitulate when Sir Jim texts about Michael Kayode's throw-in prowess for the hundredth time. Anderson arrives as the latest Ratcliffe obsession, commanding ridiculous fees whilst the club searches desperately for midfield solutions.

Manchester United's projected XI: Lammens; Kayode, Maguire, Martinez, Dorgu; Mainoo, Anderson, Fernandes; Mbeumo, Sesko, Cunha

Spurs' Unknowable Future

Cristian Romero will angrily post on social media about whatever happens next. Beyond that, your guess genuinely is as good as anyone's.