Premier League's New Blood: Who Sparkled and Who Flopped in 2025-26

The summer of 2025 felt like a spending spree across the Premier League, with clubs flexing newly negotiated TV money and a post-World Cup buzz. Some moves were instant hits, others, well, let's just say their agents are earning their percentages.

Let's start with the undisputed steal of the season: Gabriel Medina to Brighton. The Seagulls shelled out a mere £22 million to Flamengo for the 22-year-old Brazilian winger, and he repaid them with 14 goals and 8 assists in his debut campaign. Medina's electric pace down the right flank tore defenses apart, culminating in a stunning hat-trick against Fulham in February. For that kind of production on a budget, it’s hard to argue with Roberto De Zerbi’s scouting team. Another mid-table masterstroke came from Crystal Palace, who picked up free agent striker Moussa Dembélé after his contract expired at Lyon. The veteran Frenchman, initially seen as a stop-gap, bagged 11 goals in 32 appearances, including key winners against Newcastle and West Ham, proving there's still plenty of life in his legs.

Then there's the big money moves that actually worked. Arsenal’s £75 million gamble on Sporting Lisbon's central midfielder, Pedro Gonçalves, paid off handsomely. Gonçalves, known as 'Pote,' dictated play from the engine room, finishing the season with 7 goals and 12 assists, helping the Gunners secure a Champions League spot. His long-range strike against Tottenham in October, a 30-yard screamer into the top corner, was a season highlight. Manchester United, desperate for a reliable center-back, forked over £60 million for Juventus' Gleison Bremer. The Brazilian quickly formed an impenetrable partnership with Lisandro Martínez, making 158 clearances and 48 tackles across 34 league games. His presence stabilized a backline that often looked shaky the season prior, though I still think they overpaid by about £10 million.

Not every big swing connected, though. Chelsea’s £90 million acquisition of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen was supposed to be the final piece of their title puzzle. Instead, Osimhen struggled with hamstring issues and a nagging ankle problem, managing only 6 goals in 18 appearances. When he was on the pitch, he looked isolated and frustrated, a far cry from his Serie A dominance. The pressure of the Stamford Bridge faithful clearly got to him. Similarly, Tottenham’s £45 million punt on Feyenoord attacking midfielder, Quinten Timber, fell flat. Timber, brother of Arsenal’s Jurrien, managed just 2 goals and 3 assists in 26 games, often looking overwhelmed by the physicality of the Premier League. He spent more time on the bench than on the pitch after Christmas, raising serious questions about Spurs' recruitment strategy.

Liverpool also had a mixed bag. Their £55 million signing of Lille winger Jonathan David, while not a complete disaster, didn't live up to the hype. David scored 9 goals but provided only 2 assists, often disappearing in big games. He’s got potential, sure, but for that price, you expect immediate impact, not just flashes. On the other hand, their £30 million move for Southampton's James Ward-Prowse was a quiet masterclass. Ward-Prowse’s set-piece delivery and tireless midfield running provided 5 goals and 10 assists, consistently creating chances and breaking up opposition play. He might not grab headlines, but his consistency was invaluable.

My hot take? The best signing of the season wasn't a goalscorer or a world-beater, but Aston Villa's acquisition of young French defensive midfielder, Manu Koné, from Borussia Mönchengladbach for £38 million. Koné quietly anchored Villa's midfield, making 98 tackles and an astonishing 174 ball recoveries in 36 games. He allowed the likes of Douglas Luiz to push further forward, transforming Villa into a genuine top-six threat. He's the kind of unsung hero every successful team needs, and his value will only skyrocket.

Looking ahead, I predict that next season, we’ll see at least two of this year's "flops"—Osimhen and David—rebound with double-digit goal tallies, simply because the talent is there, and they've had a year to adjust.