We’re just a few weeks into the year 2025 and there will be plenty of surprises in the world of football through the next 12 months.
However, we have stepped out on a limb and taken a stab at the five biggest moments we think will shape ‘The Beautiful Game’ this year.
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Biggest transfer: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool to Real Madrid
It seems inevitable that Trent Alexander-Arnold, perhaps the most gifted right-back in the world today, will swap the all-red of Liverpool for the all-white of Real Madrid once the 2024-25 season is all wrapped up. Though his positional awareness and one-one-one defending are – how can we put this kindly? – sub-optimal, TAA’s ball striking, passing and dead-ball ability more than makes up for it. And besides, defenders aren’t actually expected to defend at Real Madrid… they simply score more goals than the opposition.
Biggest managerial sacking & appointment: Ange Postecoglou gets the axe at Tottenham and is replaced by Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola
Though he has generally been a breath of fresh air at Tottenham Hotspur, Ange Postecoglou’s refusal to compromise on the ‘principles’ of his tactics will ultimately see him axed – likely at the end of the current campaign. The man to replace him will be Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, whose ability to better balance establishing a playing identity with a pragmatic grit has helped the Cherries become one of the best pound-for-pound teams in the Premier League.
Biggest surprise triumph: Inter Milan win the UEFA Champions League
Though it has been 15 years since an Italian team won the UEFA Champions League, we’re going to back the same Serie A club that last claimed the top continental prize – Inter Milan in 2010 – to go all the way and lift the trophy in Munich in late May. The Nerazzurri were so close to glory two years ago against Manchester City, but fell just short. They are a better, more rounded team this season and manager Simone Inzaghi has a knack for success in cup competitions.
Biggest relegation in a major league: Valencia to drop out of La Liga
Champions League finalists in 2000 and 2001, La Liga winners in 200s and 2004, UEFA Cup (now Europa League) champions in 2004, and Copa del Rey winners as recently as 2018-19, Valencia are undoubtedly a storied and successful club. However, Los Che have fallen on hard times and find themselves on course to drop down to the second tier of Spanish football for the first time since 1986.
Biggest player impact: Victor Osimhen to turn Manchester United or Arsenal into true title contenders
Victor Osimhen’s surprise loan move to Galatasaray is only a temporary solution to his dispute with Napoli and manager Antonio Conte. Thus, the Nigerian superstar will move in mid-2025 to a Premier League team – likely Manchester United or Arsenal, both of whom would be enormously improved by the addition of a world-class striker – and his arrival will turn either the Red Devils or the Gunners into true title contenders.
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