The dust has settled on the Champions League final, where Paris Saint-Germain claimed their historic title by defeating Inter with a score of 5-0. However, it’s already time to start contemplating the next season’s candidates. Although the league phase slots are not completely filled yet, it’s traditionally the teams qualifying automatically through their league standings that achieve the title, rather than those needing to go through playoff matches.

Despite an unexpected final featuring PSG and Inter in 2024-25, the predictions for the upcoming season still favor the historical powers of England and Spain.

Incomplete: Real Madrid

The addition of Alexander-Arnold aims to mitigate Madrid’s issues regarding playmaking, but concerns about balance remain. New coach Xabi Alonso faces the challenging task of ensuring that stars like Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior do not crowd the same spaces during offensive plays. With a midfield to negotiate and more signings anticipated, it’s uncertain what form Real Madrid will take, making it complicated to rank them as top contenders yet.

5. Liverpool

In response to Alexander-Arnold’s exit, Liverpool must address their defensive dilemmas. Nevertheless, the team is loaded with creativity, particularly after a stellar season from Mohamed Salah. With Florian Wirtz on the verge of joining and the previous acquisition of Jeremie Frimpong, Liverpool aims to uphold their competitive edge and improve further under new manager Arne Slot in their second season together.

4. Arsenal

Arsenal’s strong defensive game gives them a significant advantage, but their offensive capabilities must improve to compete with best clubs globally. An urgent need for a top striker has been identified as essential to elevate the squad’s performance.

3. Barcelona

Lamine Yamal, only 17, symbolizes Barcelona’s future potential. His development alongside Pedri and others like Raphinha lends much promise to their attacking front, while Robert Lewandowski’s experience continues to be crucial, despite concerns about age. The return of Marc Andre Ter-Stegen after injury likewise boosts their defense.

2. Paris Saint-Germain

Fresh off their first Champions League title, PSG is expected to remain a favorite for the upcoming season. Their youthful roster, including talent such as Joao Neves and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, suggests they’ll continue excelling under Luis Enrique’s guidance.

1. Manchester City

Even if this recent season was among their worst led by Pep Guardiola, the ability to finish in the Premier League’s top four underscores their strength. With reinforcements on the horizon and midfield solidity from Rodri, City’s reputation as a formidable side in Europe remains intact.