2025/26 As the start of the Premier League season approaches, all top English teams are gearing up for the new campaign.
While a challenging domestic season looms, the 2026 World Cup is on the horizon, with Thomas Tuchel already focusing on preparations in the U.S.
Having experienced unease during his previous tenure at Chelsea, Tuchel seems to be facing a significant team dilemma for next summer.
Certain players, like captain Harry Kane, appear to have secured their positions, but many English players are eager to enhance their careers ahead of the upcoming tournament.
For some of the brightest stars of the Three Lions, summer holds a chance to rejuvenate their Premier League careers.
Jack Grealish – Manchester City
There was a buzz around Manchester’s Etihad Stadium in summer 2021, yet the 29-year-old Jack Grealish struggled to find his place following his record £100 million transfer from Aston Villa.
Though he has won three Premier League titles and participated in Man City’s memorable European victory in 2023, Grealish tallied just 12 league goals over four years.
Pep Guardiola has praised him publicly, but Grealish disclosed this summer that he was overlooked for the Club World Cup squad and does not figure in Guardiola’s plans.
The final five appearances of the 2024/25 season featured just one minute in Premier League play for the capped international, indicating a potential exit from Manchester.
Napoli, the recent Italian champions, may struggle to match Grealish’s reported weekly wages of £300,000, but manager Antonio Conte is a big fan and believes Grealish could reignite his career there.
“Naples has £45 million earmarked for either Jack Grealish or Alejandro Garnacho, but they won’t take both.”
Could Jack Grealish be heading to Naples? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/rgwo2mvvmc
– Sky Sports News (@skysportsnews) June 16, 2025
Jadon Sancho – Manchester United
Even though Jadon Sancho was part of Chelsea’s Europa Conference League triumph in May, coach Bruce is keen to make the 25-year-old’s time in London a permanent move.
Sancho’s return to Manchester United looks short-lived, as Enzo Maresca’s side is reportedly paying a £5 million fee to send him back.
Since joining United in 2021 from Borussia Dortmund for approximately £73 million, the young forward has expressed a lack of interest in reviving his career at Old Trafford, struggling to make an impact.
Currently, Reuben Amorim, in the final year of his contract, seems uninterested in bringing Sancho back into the fold, and he’s expected to skip preseason training.
Napoli had expressed interest in the winger, but Juventus is now positioned as the frontrunner for Sancho, making Turin his preferred destination this summer.
After finalizing the Jonathan David deal, Juventus re-engaged with Manchester United and Jadon Sancho this week.
Fenerbahce is no longer in the race, and Juventus is looking to discuss the terms.
More clubs are reaching out to Sancho’s camp. pic.twitter.com/itngf479qb
– Fabrizio Romano (@fabrizioromano) July 2, 2025
Marcus Rashford – Manchester United
After spending the latter half of the 2024/25 season on loan at Aston Villa, Marcus Rashford finds himself in a position similar to Sancho, struggling to maintain a connection with his childhood club.
The 27-year-old has indicated he sees no future with Amorim and intends to break from United, facing a significant crossroads in his career.
Recently, Rashford expressed a desire to explore opportunities outside the Premier League, particularly as Villa confirmed they would not activate the £40 million buy clause.
La Liga champions are currently engaging in strengthening their attack, especially since Nico Williams reversed his intended move to Barcelona.
Rashford, who linked to a move to Catalonia in January, is keen on securing a transfer to Camp Nou, with initial discussions already underway in recent months.
Barcelona wants to pursue Marcus #Rashford again.
With Lewis Diaz’s transfer looking unlikely, Barca has resumed talks with Rashford.
The 27-year-old winger is poised to leave Manchester United, where he’s under contract until 2028. It’s a waiting game for Rashford… pic.twitter.com/nobrns0oc2
– Florian Plettenberg (@plettigoal) July 6, 2025
**Fan Take:** The potential transfers of key players like Grealish, Sancho, and Rashford could significantly reshape the landscape of top European clubs. Fans should keep an eye on these developments, as they may drastically influence team dynamics and performance in both domestic and international competitions.
