Rio Ferdinand has claimed that only two teams will be capable of lifting the 2025/26 Premier League crown, just weeks after the 2024/25 campaign came to an end. Ferdinand, who won six top-flight English titles during his time at Manchester United, knows a thing or two about what it takes to sit at the summit of English football.
Liverpool surprised everyone by climbing to the top in Arne Slot’s debut season, ending Manchester City’s four-year reign of supremacy, while Arsenal have also been one step away from glory for three seasons running. However, Ferdinand believes that one of the trio will not even be in the running come the championship months of the next term.
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Speaking on the latest episode of Rio Ferdinand Presents, the former England international has claimed that the Gunners won’t have a chance of lifting the Premier League title, with the race to the top consisting of the Anfield and Etihad outfits in his mind.
Explaing his thoughts, the former TNT Sports pundit said:
“It’s only going to be between Liverpool and Man City next season. Arsenal might kick up a fuss for a couple of months – six months maybe – [but nothing more]. Arsenal’s signings right now look likely to be Norgaard, who is 31 years old, Kepa, who was a reserve keeper at Chelsea, and Martin Zubimendi, but the entire fan base is crying out for a centre forward or a left-winger.”
Though Ferdinand’s confidence in Mikel Arteta’s business wasn’t high, he was quick to praise Arne Slot’s ability in the market, saying: “I think what’s not being talked about enough is Liverpool’s ability to go and get a player that City were after, Bayern Munich were after and reportedly Real Madrid were also after. And Liverpool have come out on top in that.
“I can see it so clearly at the club right now, I can see their whole process and their vision – it’s so clear – and as a player, that’s what you want when you walk into the club and they’re pitching the project to you.
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“I can imagine Wirtz coming out of that meeting with Slot and saying ‘don’t take any calls from any of those other clubs, I’m going here.”
