HARDCORE Dream Team managers know that it’s never too early to start planning.
The dust has only just settled on the 2024/25 campaign but nothing drums up excitement for next season like the transfer window.
Several deals concerning Premier League clubs have already been complete and the rumour mill promises many more fresh faces in the coming months.
So how will this summer’s transfer activity impact Dream Team in 2025/26?
Matheus Cunha signed for Manchester United on June 1st and it will be interesting to see how popular he will be come Gameweek 1.
The Brazilian forward averaged 8.2 points-per-game this season, a rate only bettered by Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland, but his ownership stayed low (approximately 3%) throughout, not helped by some disciplinary issues.
For all the Red Devils’ problems in recent years, they remain one of the biggest and most supported clubs in the world.
There’s every chance Cunha will go from one of Dream Team’s most underrated assets to one of the most selected individuals in the game.
The 26-year-old may be joined at Old Trafford by Bryan Mbeumo.
The Cameroon international was nothing short of outstanding this season; he banked 337 points via 20 goals and 10 assists.
Only Bruno Fernandes and Cole Palmer amassed more points among midfielders.
However, Dream Team bosses will be aware that Man United have not qualified for Europe and so their players will have a relaxed schedule compared to counterparts at Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle, etc.
Speaking of the newly-crowned champions, the Reds wasted no time in replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold with Jeremie Frimpong.
There aren’t many defenders more attack-minded than Real Madrid’s new Galactico but the Dutch wing-back is one of them.
A key player for Bayer Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso, Frimpong registered 63 goal involvements over the last three seasons!
Whether he will be Liverpool’s starting right-back in a back four remains to be seen but his attacking pedigree is likely to make him a popular man from the get-go.
Arne Slot may acquire another Leverkusen gem in Florian Wirtz, if an astronomical fee can be agreed.
The 22-year-old has racked up goals and assists for fun in the last two years and gaffers didn’t shy away from backing him in Dream Team Euros last summer, when he impressed in tandem with Jamal Musiala for Germany.
Adding a natural talent like Wirtz to this successful Liverpool team would certainly be a tempting prospect but he is likely to warrant a high starting price for Gameweek 1 if the transfer happens.
Much like with Alexander-Arnold, Dream Team managers will be sad to see Kevin De Bruyne go – both players have provided lorry-loads of points in recent years.
It will be very interesting to see what size waves a new-look Manchester City midfield will make in 2025/26.
If rumours are to be believed, Tijani Reijnders is on his way from Milan with Lyon winger Rayan Cherki said to be another target for Pep Guardiola.
The former is an all-rounder in the middle of the park who has the attributes to be a keen bonus point collector while the latter is very much a final-third threat – he’s coming off 32 goal involvements in 2024/25.
Elsewhere, Liam Delap’s switch to Chelsea is an intriguing one.
The 22-year-old scored 12 goals in the top flight this term, a decent effort as the spearhead of an Ipswich outfit not equipped for the brutal demands of the Premier League.
He can expect plenty more service at Stamford Bridge as the Blues ranked third for shots and xG in the league.
Add in European commitments and Delap could score plenty but only if he establishes himself as the regular starting striker, which isn’t guaranteed at this stage.
Gaffers may be spoiled for choice up top if Benjamin Sesko and/or Viktor Gyokeres arrive on these shores.
Arsenal are keen on a proper No9 while Liverpool and Man United may also be interested in more firepower, depending on their other business.
Gyokeres in particular has been obscenely prolific for Sporting CP having scored 97 goals in all competitions across the last two seasons!
Dream Team managers will have new options between the sticks too.
Caoimhin Kelleher will be Brentford’s first-choice goalkeeper next season following his move from Anfield, with Mark Flekken having gone to Leverkusen.
The Irishman averaged an impressive 5.3 points-per-game this season when Alisson was unavailable.
He may be a busy boy in West London as Flekken was forced to make more saves (159) than anyone else this term.
A stone’s throw away, Mike Maignan is being linked with a transfer to Chelsea.
Enzo Maresca is desperate for a reliable keeper and France’s No1 may fit the bill.
Needless to say, we will take a closer look at the most notable new arrivals closer to the Gameweek 1 deadline.
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