Since the Premier League’s launch in 1992, the competition has showcased some truly unforgettable sides — teams so dominant and memorable that they’ve secured permanent places in football history. Manchester United remain the most decorated club of the modern era, claiming the title 13 times during two hugely successful decades.
In more recent years, Manchester City have emerged as the dominant force in English football, collecting eight league crowns and establishing their own period of superiority. Elsewhere, clubs such as Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool have also produced title-winning teams that remain cherished by their supporters.
However, simply counting trophies doesn’t necessarily determine which champions were the greatest. Comparing them is far more complicated. To help settle the debate, we turned to artificial intelligence. By analysing factors like playing style, points totals and overall achievements, ChatGPT helped compile a ranking of the 10 best Premier League title-winning teams ever.
10 Leicester City – 2015/16
What AI said: “Biggest underdog story in football history. 5000/1 odds to win the league.”
Few sporting stories rival the shock delivered by Leicester City during the 2015/16 season. After narrowly avoiding relegation the year before, the Foxes dismissed manager Nigel Pearson and appointed Claudio Ranieri, who was best known in England for his earlier spell at Chelsea.
Ranieri assembled an unlikely title-winning squad. N’Golo Kante arrived from Caen for just £5.6 million, Riyad Mahrez had previously joined for only £400,000 from Le Havre, and alongside players such as Jamie Vardy, Robert Huth and Kasper Schmeichel, Leicester produced one of the most astonishing triumphs football has ever seen. Starting the season as 5000/1 outsiders, they defied every expectation to become Premier League champions.
9 Blackburn Rovers – 1994/95
What AI said: “One of the few teams to disrupt the big clubs and win a Premier League title.”
Long before Leicester’s fairy tale, Blackburn Rovers stunned English football by winning the 1994/95 title under Kenny Dalglish. The Lancashire club certainly had quality — particularly Alan Shearer, who scored an incredible 34 goals that season and would later become the Premier League’s all-time top scorer — but they were far from a collection of global superstars.
Players like Tim Sherwood, Colin Hendry, Graeme Le Saux and Chris Sutton were dependable performers rather than headline-grabbing names. Nevertheless, that squad produced an unforgettable campaign that transformed them into legends at Ewood Park.
Their title success was confirmed in dramatic fashion on the final day with a 2–1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield. For years afterwards, the result was used as a painful reminder for Reds supporters, especially given Dalglish’s legendary history with the club. Blackburn’s triumph served as an early example of an underdog breaking the established order, coming just as Manchester United were beginning a period of sustained dominance.
8 Manchester City – 2018/19
What AI said: “Beat Liverpool by 1 point and won a domestic treble (PL, FA Cup, League Cup).”
The 2018/19 title race between Manchester City and Liverpool remains one of the most thrilling in Premier League history. Pep Guardiola’s relentless City side narrowly beat Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool by a single point — 98 to 97 — despite the Reds losing only once all season.
That solitary defeat proved decisive. In their pivotal clash at the Etihad Stadium, John Stones produced a dramatic goal-line clearance after a mix-up with Ederson, preventing what would have been a Liverpool equaliser by a margin of just 11 millimetres. City ultimately won the match 2–1, a moment that perfectly illustrated how fine the margins were that season.
From there, Guardiola’s team finished strongly with 14 consecutive victories, showing remarkable composure during the run-in. They also recorded 10 clean sheets during that stretch, effectively shutting down Liverpool’s hopes of overtaking them.
7 Manchester United – 2007/08
What AI said: “Won the Premier League and Champions League; Ronaldo scored 31 goals.”
Manchester United’s 2007/08 title-winning campaign combined attacking flair with defensive solidity. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side topped the table with 87 points, finishing two ahead of Chelsea. Their forward line of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez caused problems for defences throughout the season.
Ronaldo in particular enjoyed a remarkable year, scoring 31 league goals to claim the Golden Boot as well as the European Golden Shoe and the first of his five Ballon d’Or awards. United’s counter-attacking threat, tactical organisation and relentless energy made them both exciting and ruthlessly effective.
At the back, they were just as formidable. The central defensive pairing of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic proved one of the finest in Premier League history, while Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick provided tireless protection in midfield. United conceded only 22 league goals all season — the best defensive record in the division — with Edwin van der Sar offering calm leadership from goal. Ferguson lifting the trophy was becoming a familiar sight too, as it marked the third consecutive title for the club.
6 Liverpool – 2019/20
What AI said: “Ended a 30-year title drought with a record-breaking early title clinch.”
The success ended a 30-year wait for the league title, achieved through overwhelming dominance rather than a narrow finish. Liverpool possessed the league’s strongest defence alongside a devastating attack led by Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
Some critics have attempted to downplay the achievement due to the season’s COVID-19 interruption. Yet Liverpool were already 25 points clear when the campaign paused. Their title was never in doubt — it had effectively been secured long before football resumed. The pandemic delayed the celebrations, but it didn’t diminish one of the most commanding seasons English football has ever witnessed.
5 Chelsea – 2004/05
What AI said: “Most dominant defensive season ever (only 15 goals conceded).”
Chelsea’s 2004/05 title win under Jose Mourinho was built on tactical discipline and defensive brilliance. In his first season at Stamford Bridge, Mourinho transformed the Blues into a ruthlessly efficient machine, turning the phrase “defence wins titles” into undeniable fact.
Chelsea conceded just 15 goals all season — a Premier League record that still stands today. Mourinho masterminded the system, with John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho forming a dominant centre-back partnership, while Claude Makelele revolutionised the role of the defensive midfielder.
Although other managers have won the league in their first season, few have done so with such authority. Mourinho’s Chelsea combined organisation, resilience and confidence to produce one of the most complete campaigns the league has seen.
4 Manchester City – 2023/24
Pep Guardiola
What AI said: “First team in English top-flight history to win four consecutive league titles.”
Manchester City continued redefining success during the 2023/24 season. By winning 18 of their final 20 matches, Pep Guardiola’s side overtook Arsenal and secured the title — becoming the first English team ever to win the league four years in a row.
Phil Foden was named the Premier League’s Young Player of the Year, while Rodri later became the first Premier League-based Ballon d’Or winner since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008. By that stage, however, City’s success had become almost routine, with the sight of sky-blue ribbons on the trophy beginning to feel familiar.
3 Manchester United – 1998/99
What AI said: “Though not the best points tally, they won the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League in the same season. Ultimate achievement.”
The 1990s marked the start of Sir Alex Ferguson’s era of dominance at Manchester United. Their sharp white kits became symbolic of a team that would soon establish an unprecedented grip on English football.
The 1998/99 season delivered the famous treble — Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League — with stars such as David Beckham, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville forming the backbone of an extraordinary squad.
United lost just three league matches that season, although 13 draws kept the title race competitive. Ultimately, Andy Cole’s winner against Tottenham on the final day secured the club’s 12th league championship and cemented their growing dominance.
2 Manchester City – 2017/18
What AI said: “Broke multiple records – most points, wins, and goals in a single PL season.”
Manchester City’s 2017/18 team set new standards for attacking football. Pep Guardiola’s side collected 100 points, scored 106 goals and lost only twice, dropping just 14 points throughout the entire campaign.
Despite needing a late goal at Southampton on the final day to reach the century mark, their superiority had been clear for months. Heavy victories became commonplace, including a 7–2 win, a 6–0 triumph and multiple five-goal performances.
It was only Guardiola’s second season in charge, yet the transformation was dramatic. City quickly evolved from Manchester United’s neighbours into the Premier League’s most formidable force.
1 Arsenal – 2003/04
What AI said: “The only team to go an entire Premier League season unbeaten. Unique achievement in English football history.”
Many champions have experienced periods of dominance, but Arsenal’s 2003/04 “Invincibles” achieved something far rarer: an entire season without defeat. Their 12 draws have occasionally been used to question the scale of their brilliance, particularly given Preston North End had previously achieved an unbeaten season more than a century earlier.
But a team featuring an immortal backbone of Tony Adams, Patrick Vieira, and Thierry Henry – spearheaded by Arsene Wenger – were able to pick their fights and finish a 38-game season having never once let their opponents write the final script. The resilience and focus that must’ve taken will be a secret only those inside that legendary side will ever fully understand, even if we put them third in our own ranking away from AI.
Liverpool chiefs are already working on the club’s next signing after agreeing a shock deal to sign Victor Munoz from Osasuna, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The majority of Liverpool transfer links so far this summer have included wingers or midfielders, and they completed a transfer hijack out of everywhere to bring in one of the former, in Munoz.
Newcastle United thought they were about to land the £34m Spain international, but the Reds have swooped in to agree a deal instead, with the player set to sign a six-year contract at Anfield after completing a medical.
The 22-year-old becomes the first signing of the Andoni Iraola era on Merseyside, but he is unlikely to be the last as Liverpool target another winger, this time to play on the right, with Munoz preferring to feature from the left.
In addition, one report claims that the Reds will also target a new central midfielder, right-back and potentially even a centre-back, even though Jeremy Jacquet will officially arrive at Anfield this summer after they agreed a deal for the French defender in the January transfer window.
Liverpool have squad gaps to fill, following the exits of Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate, who has just been announced as a new Real Madrid player.
Romano: Liverpool ‘Working’ on Next Signing
via Reuters
Liverpool may have agreed a deal to sign Munoz, but they are still looking to recruit their long-term Salah replacement on the right, meaning another winger is set to arrive at Anfield.
The Reds have been heavily linked with a move for RB Leizpig forward Yan Diomande in recent weeks, with the 19-year-old exploding onto the World Cup scene with a man-of-the-match performance in the Ivory Coast’s win against Ecuador in their opening group game.
The Merseysiders are also admirers of Paris Saint-Germain star Bradley Barcola, who could be allowed to leave if the Champions League holders bring in a new attacker, with the Ligue 1 giants incidentally also keen on Diomande.
Issuing an update on his YouTube channel on Liverpool’s transfer business after their deal to sign Munoz out of nowhere, Romano said:
“It’s important to mention, many Liverpool fans are asking me after I dropped this bomba on my channels, does this mean that the deal is closing doors to signing another winger?
“My answer is no. My answer is that in the plan of Richard Hughes, they are doing an excellent job, Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards, in planning their signings and keeping things a secret until we have the exclusive bomb, like today, but they are working behind the scenes also to add at least one more winger to the squad.”
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Which Winger Will Liverpool Sign?
Gonzalo Fuentes via Reuters
Unless Liverpool pull another surprise rabbit out of the hat, then it does appear to be a two-horse race between Diomande and Barcola as the club’s next big winger signing.
Club chiefs believe that he wants to move to Anfield, despite interest from PSG, but the major hurdle is Leipzig’s asking price, with the Bundesliga outfit demanding in excess of £100m for the teenager.
Meanwhile, as contract negotiations between PSG and Barcola continue to stall, the likelihood of him leaving the Parc des Princes this summer rises.
Arsenal are also keen on the France international, who scored in his nation’s opening win against Senegal at the 2026 World Cup.
Liverpool appear to be edging towards Diomande, but if they are unable to agree a deal, then don’t be surprised if they pivot to Barcola instead.
The end goal at every World Cup is simple: finish the tournament with your hands on the trophy. Very few footballers will ever be able to say they’ve won the sport’s ultimate prize, with Brazil (five), Germany and Italy (four), and Argentina (three) accounting for the majority of World Cup triumphs throughout history.
Yet, even fewer players will end their careers having won the Golden Boot. Awarded to the tournament’s top goalscorer, it’s one of football’s most coveted individual honours and presents a unique set of challenges. Unlike lifting the trophy, winning the Golden Boot isn’t solely dependent on the strength of the team around you – a clinical striker can carve out their own place in World Cup folklore, regardless of how far their nation goes.
Heading into the 2026 World Cup, there’s no shortage of elite forwards capable of filling their boots. From established superstars that have won it before, to emerging talents, the race to finish as the tournament’s leading marksman looks as open as ever. But to save ourselves some of the guesswork, we’ve turned to AI to estimate which players have the best chance of taking home the Golden Boot.
Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz are in the same boat at the moment – they seem capable of turning out for their country, while Liverpool fans have seldom seen them provide the goods at Anfield over the last 12 months. While the former was a shared recipient of the Euro 2024 Golden Boot, the latter was unfortunate not to have got on the scoresheet in Germany’s 7-1 opening win over Curacao.
He did get an assist, and he is projected to add three goals to his tally somewhere later into the tournament. That’s the same amount predicted for his compatriot Jamal Musiala, as well as Brazil’s Rodrygo. Carlo Ancelotti has a lot to ponder between now and his side’s second match against Haiti, and figuring out how to get the bets out of his attack following a 1-1 draw with Morocco will be top of his to-do list.
Elsewhere, Rafael Leao is also tipped for three goals this tournament. He didn’t start Portugal’s first match and, when he came on, he looked a shell of his usual confident self. Loose touches and no attacking intent suggest he could struggle this summer, but he must pick his head up and kick on if he is to audition himself for a move away from AC Milan as he intends ahead of next season.
AI Predicts 2026 World Cup Top Goalscorers (3 goals)
Player
Country
Florian Wirtz
Germany
Cody Gakpo
Netherlands
Jamal Musiala
Germany
Rodrygo
Brazil
Rafael Leao
Portugal
4 Goals
AI believes six players will finish the tournament on four goals, which would represent a respectable return given that some nations will play only three matches before bowing out at the end of the group stage.
Antoine Griezmann is a player that always seems to score with ease for France, no matter what his club form might suggest he’s capable of – meanwhile, Lautaro Martinez is the complete opposite, and will be hoping to finally turn up for Argentina and provide his other attacking teammates with an extra arrow to their quiver.
Julian Alvarez is next up, while Cristiano Ronaldo could probably count himself lucky that he will reach the four-goal tally at the rate he’s going. Against DR Congo, during which Portugal drew their opener 1-1, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner struggled to make an impact, having now gone 10 consecutive major tournament games without scoring for his country.
Rounding off this group is Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham. The England duo are certainly better known for their creation, with a certain other Three Lions being tasked of scoring the majority of Thomas Tuchel’s side’s goals – but that should take nothing away from the fact they are still capable of huge moments under pressure, with Bellingham’s bicycle kick at Euro 2024 the ultimate evidence.
AI Predicts 2026 World Cup Top Goalscorers (4 goals)
Player
Country
Antoine Griezmann
France
Lautaro Martinez
Argentina
Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal
Julian Alvarez
Argentina
Bukayo Saka
England
Jude Bellingham
England
5-7 Goals
Lionel Messi, still among the best footballers in the world, needed just three goals to draw level with Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup record of 16 – and he achieved that in his first match, scoring a hat-trick against Algeria. AI predicts he will only manage another three goals for the rest of the summer, though, which would put him behind one other players.
With it being predicted that Messi feathers the throttle after such a fast start, it’s surprising that projections expect the same from Harry Kane, with four more goals from him seeing him finish on the same tally, bringing his season total to a stunning 73 goals for both club and country.
Kylian Mbappe has been up there with the very best players in recent World Cups, having helped France win it in 2018, before scoring a hat-trick in the final four years later. He’s predicted to notch seven goals this time around, which would put him out in front in the race for the Golden Boot.
Erling Haaland, noted down by AI as a ‘goal machine’ follows in fourth with five goals – Norway’s opening match against Iraq was expected to help him reach that benchmark, and it proved correct with the Manchester City frontman scoring twice. The last player in this section, also on five goals, is Vinicius Jr, with the likes of Lamine Yamal completely missing out after AI updated its predictions.
Lionel Messi’s family have issued a heartfelt statement on social media after his father, Jorge Messi’s, health situation emerged following Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria in the 2026 World Cup at the weekend.
The 38-year-old was seen holding back tears during the opening victory, with manager Lionel Scaloni appearing to console him on the touchline. In a statement released on Thursday night, the Messi family wrote (see the full statement below):
“The Messi family informs that Jorge Messi is currently going through a health situation. At this time, he is under medical supervision, recovering and progressing favorably within the condition he is experiencing.
In light of the reports, rumors, and speculation that have circulated in recent hours, the family wishes to express its deep concern regarding the lack of sensitivity, respect, and discretion with which some individuals have treated a strictly private family matter.”
They continued: “The family would also like to clarify that only Jorge’s immediate family has real and accurate information regarding his condition. Therefore, any version, statement, or information that does not come directly from the family and its official channels should not be considered valid or truthful.
“At times like these, we ask for responsibility, prudence, and humanity. A person’s health and the peace of mind of their loved ones should not be the subject of speculation or irresponsible media attention.
“We sincerely appreciate the expressions of affection, respect, and concern we have received, and we ask that Jorge’s privacy, confidentiality, and personal space – as well as that of his entire family – be respected throughout this process. Any relevant updates will be communicated in due course by the family and through the appropriate channels. “Thank you for your understanding.”
