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HARDCORE Dream Team managers know that it’s never too early to start planning.The dust has only just settled on the 2024/25 campaign but nothing drums up excitement for next season like the transfer window.Summer shake-upCredit: Dream TeamSeveral deals concerning Premier League clubs have already been complete and the rumour mill promises many more fresh faces in the coming months.So how will this summer’s transfer activity impact Dream Team in 2025/26?Matheus Cunha signed for Manchester United on June 1st and it will be interesting to see how popular he will be come Gameweek 1.The Brazilian forward averaged 8.2 points-per-game this season, a rate only bettered by Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland, but his ownership stayed low (approximately 3%) throughout, not helped by some disciplinary issues.For all the Red Devils’ problems in recent years, they remain one of the biggest and most supported clubs in the world.There’s every chance Cunha will go from one of Dream Team’s most underrated assets to one of the most selected individuals in the game.The 26-year-old may be joined at Old Trafford by Bryan Mbeumo.Old Trafford bound?Credit: Shutterstock EditorialThe Cameroon international was nothing short of outstanding this season; he banked 337 points via 20 goals and 10 assists.Most read in FootballOnly Bruno Fernandes and Cole Palmer amassed more points among midfielders.However, Dream Team bosses will be aware that Man United have not qualified for Europe and so their players will have a relaxed schedule compared to counterparts at Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle, etc.Speaking of the newly-crowned champions, the Reds wasted no time in replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold with Jeremie Frimpong.There aren’t many defenders more attack-minded than Real Madrid’s new Galactico but the Dutch wing-back is one of them.A key player for Bayer Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso, Frimpong registered 63 goal involvements over the last three seasons!Whether he will be Liverpool’s starting right-back in a back four remains to be seen but his attacking pedigree is likely to make him a popular man from the get-go.Wirtz is said to be keen on LiverpoolCredit: GettyArne Slot may acquire another Leverkusen gem in Florian Wirtz, if an astronomical fee can be agreed.The 22-year-old has racked up goals and assists for fun in the last two years and gaffers didn’t shy away from backing him in Dream Team Euros last summer, when he impressed in tandem with Jamal Musiala for Germany.Adding a natural talent like Wirtz to this successful Liverpool team would certainly be a tempting prospect but he is likely to warrant a high starting price for Gameweek 1 if the transfer happens.Much like with Alexander-Arnold, Dream Team managers will be sad to see Kevin De Bruyne go – both players have provided lorry-loads of points in recent years.It will be very interesting to see what size waves a new-look Manchester City midfield will make in 2025/26.Go Dutch!Credit: GettyIf rumours are to be believed, Tijani Reijnders is on his way from Milan with Lyon winger Rayan Cherki said to be another target for Pep Guardiola.The former is an all-rounder in the middle of the park who has the attributes to be a keen bonus point collector while the latter is very much a final-third threat – he’s coming off 32 goal involvements in 2024/25.Elsewhere, Liam Delap’s switch to Chelsea is an intriguing one.The 22-year-old scored 12 goals in the top flight this term, a decent effort as the spearhead of an Ipswich outfit not equipped for the brutal demands of the Premier League.He can expect plenty more service at Stamford Bridge as the Blues ranked third for shots and xG in the league.Add in European commitments and Delap could score plenty but only if he establishes himself as the regular starting striker, which isn’t guaranteed at this stage.Delap should benefit from increased service at ChelseaCredit: GettyGaffers may be spoiled for choice up top if Benjamin Sesko and/or Viktor Gyokeres arrive on these shores.Arsenal are keen on a proper No9 while Liverpool and Man United may also be interested in more firepower, depending on their other business.Gyokeres in particular has been obscenely prolific for Sporting CP having scored 97 goals in all competitions across the last two seasons!Dream Team managers will have new options between the sticks too.Caoimhin Kelleher will be Brentford’s first-choice goalkeeper next season following his move from Anfield, with Mark Flekken having gone to Leverkusen.The Irishman averaged an impressive 5.3 points-per-game this season when Alisson was unavailable.He may be a busy boy in West London as Flekken was forced to make more saves (159) than anyone else this term.Kelleher will be a popular pick next season if priced fairlyCredit: RexA stone’s throw away, Mike Maignan is being linked with a transfer to Chelsea.Read More on The SunEnzo Maresca is desperate for a reliable keeper and France’s No1 may fit the bill.Needless to say, we will take a closer look at the most notable new arrivals closer to the Gameweek 1 deadline. 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HERE at Dream Team HQ we’re still reflecting on the dramatic 2024/25 campaign.It’s only right we shine a light on the truly exceptional players and so we have assembled the best possible XI based on total points earned.Remarkably, TEN different Premier League clubs are represented in this team of outstanding performers.Cream of the cropCredit: Dream TeamGOALKEEPER: David RayaArsenal once again boasted the best defensive record in the top flight this season.The Gunners were the only team to concede fewer goals than games played in the league and their Spanish goalkeeper was huge contributor.Raya kept 19 clean sheets in all competitions and earned 18 bonus points – both the highest tallies among players in his position.He finished on 259 points for the campaign, 29 clear of Emi Martinez – Dean Henderson was the only other keeper to celebrate a double century.Raya received the Premier League Golden Glove award alongside Matz SelsCredit: GettyDEFENDERS: Daniel Munoz, Pedro Porro, Trent Alexander-ArnoldCrystal Palace’s rampaging wing-back amassed 305 points without European fixtures to bolster his schedule!Granted, Munoz benefited from the Eagles’ successful FA Cup run but he topped the defender rankings by excelling in both disciplines.The Colombia international contributed to 17 clean sheets and ranked second overall for tackles (152) while also chipping in with six goals and eight assists.Most read in FootballTottenham conceded far too many goals this season but Porro compensated with ten assists and 51 bonus points – he ranked joint-first in both metrics.Alexander-Arnold led the way in his position for most of the campaign but injuries and his much-discussed contract situation meant his playing time dipped at crucial moments.Still the Liverpool right-back racked up 294 points at a better average (6.7 per game) than any other other defender.He will be missed by Dream Team bosses.Alexander-Arnold won’t feature in Dream Team next season!Credit: GettyMIDFIELDERS: Bruno Fernandes, Cole Palmer, Bryan Mbeumo, Morgan RogersRumours of Manchester United’s captain seeking an exit will also distress gaffers.Fernandes scored 19 goals and provided 20 assists on his way to 443 points.The Portuguese playmaker ticked almost every box as he also ranked third in his position for bonus points and fifth for tackles.Palmer (339 pts) leapfrogged Mbeumo (337 pts) at the last available opportunity when he turned it on in the second half of the Conference League final.Chelsea’s talisman provided two assists against Real Betis to take his goal involvement tally for the season to 29.He may have faded after Christmas but his game-breaking form throughout the first half of the campaign shouldn’t be forgotten.Fernandes thrived individually despite Man United’s woesCredit: ShutterstockAs for Brentford’s main man, he deserves heaps of credit for rubbing shoulders with the big boys without European commitments or a substantial domestic cup run.In combination with Yoane Wissa, Mbeumo was incredibly effective in the bread-and-butter league fixtures – he was the only midfield asset to score 20 goals in 2024/25.Rogers completes our four-man midfield, perhaps the most unexpected inclusion.The ex-Middlesbrough man was a bit-part player for Aston Villa in 2023/24 but this season he was one of the first names on Unai Emery’s teamsheets.A natural dribbler (only Jeremy Doku registered more successful take-ons) Rogers scored 14 goals and provided 16 assists in all comps.To think he was available for just £2.5m prior to Gameweek 1…A Dream Team favouriteCredit: GettyFORWARDS: Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland, Alexander IsakNo surprises up top as these three scored 92 goals between them.Liverpool’s No11 was responsible for 34 of those and he also registered more assists (23) than anyone else.Salah’s obscene attacking output resulted in 503 points – a staggering number given only one other player (Fernandes) went past 400.Manchester City endured an uncharacteristically underwhelming season but their big No9 still managed 31 goals despite an injury lay-off.2024/25 was Haaland’s least productive campaign on English shores but a return of 367 points speaks for itself.As for Isak, he notched a whopping 340 points without European games – though he made hay in the Carabao Cup.Newcastle’s Swedish striker scored 27 goals in total and many Dream Team managers will be itching to see whether he can improve again next season upon the Magpies’ return to the Champions League.Read More on The SunThe undisputed kingCredit: AlamySo there you have it, the best XI of the season made up of players from ten different teams!Only Premier League winners Liverpool provided two representatives (Salah and Alexander-Arnold). More

THE 2024/25 Dream Team season is officially done and dusted!Time to celebrate the players who topped the most important stats after 37 ultra competitive Gameweeks.It’s a numbers gameCredit: Dream TeamCLEAN SHEETS21 – Virgil van Dijk19 – David Raya18 – Trent Alexander-Arnold18 – Williams Saliba17 – Marc Guehi17 – Daniel Munoz17 – Ibrahima KonateFitting that Liverpool’s talismanic captain tops this metric as he was a man mountain at the back all season.Clean sheets require a team effort but it’s telling that Van Dijk registered the most among individuals as it speaks to his importance to the Reds – he is rarely afforded the luxury of a rest.Liverpool and Arsenal assets are to be expected here but it’s a credit to Crystal Palace’s defensive efforts that Guehi and Munoz make the cut given the Eagles finished 12th in the Premier League table.Munoz took Dream Team by storm this seasonCredit: GettySAVES159 – Mark Flekken155 – Emi Martinez132 – Matz Sels130 – Jordan Pickford127 – Dean Henderson127 – Andre Onana126 – David Raya126 – Aaron RamsdaleBrentford’s goalkeeper was a very busy man this season.Given all these statistics take into account all competitions, it’s rather alarming the Bees were so porous domestically but they made up for that with an incisive attack.Runner-up Martinez also finished second for total points among players in his position, with Raya claiming top spot.Most read in FootballSels was magnificent for Nottingham Forest, a key contributor to the club’s transformation from relegation battlers to European qualifiers. Flekken had a lot of saves to make as Brentford’s last line of defenceCredit: AlamyTACKLES177 – Noussair Mazraoui152 – Daniel Munoz141 – Idrissa Gana Gueye129 – Moises Caicedo128 – Joao Gomes126 – Casemiro125 – Bruno FernandesManchester United’s campaign might have been even bleaker had their Moroccan defender not put out a huge number of fires.Mazraoui’s unrivalled tackle count was a key reason he finished as the sixth-best performer in his position in terms of total points.In fact, three Red Devils make the top seven; evidence of the fact Ruben Amorim’s side were forced to do a lot more defending than they would have liked.Munoz was a beast this season, in defence and attack.Tackle machineCredit: RexBIG CHANCES CREATED33 – Mohamed Salah28 – Cole Palmer27 – Bruno Fernandes27 – Bukayo Saka25 – Declan Rice23 – Morgan Rogers21 – Kevin De BruyneNot the last time Liverpool’s Egyptian hero will top one of these stats.Salah has always scored shed-loads of goals but his immense creative output was a huge factor in him amassing 503 points by the time the fat lady belted out her final note.Palmer’s form dropped off after Christmas but his performances throughout the first half of the campaign should not be forgotten.Chelsea’s talisman leapfrogged Fernandes and Saka at the death with a clutch showing in the Conference League final.Somehow both a selfish goalscorer and selfless creatorCredit: GettySHOTS ON TARGET86 – Erling Haaland77 – Mohamed Salah57 – Cole Palmer55 – Alexander Isak53 – Alejandro Garnacho51 – Matheus Cunha51 – Ollie WatkinsManchester City’s No9 had to settle for just the 31 goals in all competitions this term.Despite his team’s under-performance and a spell on the sidelines, Haaland remained a persistent threat – he will be desperate to reclaim the Golden Boot in 2025/26.Garnacho is a somewhat surprising inclusion and the fact he only managed to convert ten of his shots on target into goals suggests he could do with some shooting practice. Compare that to Isak, who scored 27 goals from 55 shots on target – a keeper’s nightmare.Still the game’s leading poacherCredit: GettyBONUS POINTS52 – Ryan Gravenberch51 – Pedro Porro51 – Youri Tielemans51 – Aaron Wan-Bissaka50 – Bruno Fernandes47 – Jeremy Doku46 – Eberechi EzeA keenly-contested battle that went down to the wire was ultimately won by Liverpool’s midfield engine.Gravenberch made more interceptions than any other player this season and his dirty work allowed the likes of Salah and Luis Diaz to flourish in the final third.Huge credit to Porro and Wan-Bissaka as the only defenders to mix it at the top of a metric dominated by midfielders.Gravenberch’s efforts were recognised by Dream Team’s bonus point systemCredit: ReutersASSISTS23 – Mohamed Salah20 – Bruno Fernandes17 – Bukayo Saka16 – Morgan Rogers15 – Jacob Murphy15 – Ollie WatkinsStrong correlation with big chances created here, as one would expect.An impressive return from Newcastle’s long-serving winger, who has barely made a ripple in previous Dream Team seasons.Murphy ended up playing a greater role in the Magpies’ successful campaign than Anthony Gordon – who would have predicted that before Gameweek 1?Murphy stepped up for Newcastle this seasonCredit: EPAGOALS34 – Mohamed Salah31 – Erling Haaland27 – Alexander Isak20 – Chris Wood20 – Bryan Mbeumo19 – Bruno Fernandes19 – Yoane WissaThere are many ways to skin a cat in Dream Team but goals remain the primary currency.Salah slowed down in the last two months but 34 goals (plus 23 assists) is a phenomenal return.The 32-year-old became the first player in Premier League history to win the Golden Boot, Playmaker Award and Player of the Season.Lashings of credit for Wood who hit 20 league goals having scored 22 across his previous three top flight campaigns – a huge improvement that helped propel Forest to dizzy heights.Read More on The SunLastly, deserved praise for Brentford’s attacking duo who combined for 39 league goals.What could Mbeumo and/or Wissa achieve with additional European fixtures to fill out their schedule? 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