Aperçu Aduana Stars

With the new Premier League season now less than a month away from kicking off on August 21, pre-season friendlies are about to get into full swing as the majority of clubs jet off around the globe to ensure the best possible preparation for the 2026-27 campaign. However, due to the World Cup, a number of squads are far from full strength as those who reached the knockout rounds in North America enjoy some belated time off, creating opportunities for others to stake their claim for greater roles over the next 10 months.

Tottenham have left Dejan Kulusevski and Mohammed Kudus out of their pre-season tour of New Zealand and Australia, with the pair's recovery from long-term injuries continuing. Kulusevski has not played for the club since the 2024-25 season, while Kudus has been sidelined since January.

After finishing last season outside the European places, Chelsea have been rebuilding under new boss Xabi Alonso. They should not be underestimated.

For some football fans, the summer is the part of the calendar that they look forward to the most - and that's not just because it's filled by a World Cup every four years! Rather, it's because the end of the season means only one thing: It's time for transfers! The 2026 window is once again proving to be busy, with some huge names making big-money moves before deadline day on September 1.