Premier League’s Big Six and Their Attacking Midfielders

The Premier League’s summer transfer window has once again highlighted the spending power of England’s top clubs. Tottenham Hotspur’s late £52 million capture of former RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons means every member of the so-called ‘Big Six’ now boasts at least one high-profile attacking midfielder.

Collectively, these elite sides have invested £387 million in players for this pivotal role, underlining the importance of creativity and goal threat in title-chasing campaigns. Yet, as always, expensive arrivals do not guarantee immediate success. How each club integrates their attacking midfielders could define their season.

Tottenham Hotspur – Xavi Simons

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has been forced into tactical reshuffles due to injuries to James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski. His interim solution was moving Pape Matar Sarr into a number 10 role. While Sarr’s physical presence, dribbling and link-up play have helped, he lacks the inventive spark and finishing ability that Simons offers.

The 22-year-old Dutch international, a La Masia graduate, arrives with significant European and international pedigree. Though versatile enough to operate from wide areas, his most effective position is as a central playmaker. Deploying him as the number 10 will allow Sarr to drop back alongside João Palhinha, strengthening the midfield base.

Frank’s philosophy prioritises tireless work out of possession, and with Palhinha, Sarr and Simons, Spurs have a dynamic, hard-working trio. Like many Red Bull academy products, Simons combines flair with relentless pressing. With Frank’s track record of elevating attacking talent, Simons should replicate his RB Leipzig productivity and help Spurs compete for a top-four finish and a Champions League run.

Manchester United – Matheus Cunha

Ruben Amorim’s adherence to a 3-4-3 system meant Manchester United needed a player tailored for the left-sided attacking role. Triggering Matheus Cunha’s £62.5 million release clause from Wolves delivered exactly that. Already familiar with the role, Cunha slotted straight into United’s line-up.

However, United’s struggles under Amorim threaten to blunt his impact. The Portuguese coach has a 24% win rate, with the side creating few high-quality chances. Cunha’s shot volume has dropped since moving from Wolves, limiting his ability to showcase his excellent ball-striking. Last season’s 15 league goals included several speculative efforts that cannot be consistently replicated without proper service.

United’s recent Carabao Cup embarrassment against League Two’s Grimsby Town has intensified pressure on Amorim. Should he depart, a new manager could unlock Cunha’s best qualities – direct running, tenacity, and unpredictability. At his peak, he has the attributes any top coach would value, but without systemic improvement, his effectiveness may remain limited.

Chelsea – Cole Palmer

Despite interest in Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez, Chelsea’s creative hub remains Cole Palmer. Since his £40 million arrival from Manchester City in 2023, Palmer has delivered an astonishing 74 goal contributions in 101 appearances, collecting a Club World Cup, a Conference League title, and the 2024 PFA Young Player of the Year award.

Palmer excelled particularly in the first half of last season, but his output has dipped. He has not scored a non-penalty Premier League goal since January. Part of this stems from positional deployment: he played 21 games centrally and 20 on the right. Although marginally more productive in the middle, his biggest influence has come from the flank – highlighted by his two goals and an assist in Chelsea’s Club World Cup triumph against PSG.

With Enzo Maresca at the helm, Palmer must be platformed to rediscover his 2023/24 levels. Injury-returning Palmer may face competition from 18-year-old Estevão, another versatile right-sider with central potential. If Palmer is reignited, Chelsea could re-enter conversations for domestic and European silverware.

Manchester City – Rayan Cherki

Rayan Cherki’s move to Manchester City felt inevitable. After recording 33 goal contributions in 48 games last season, he arrives as a natural successor to Kevin De Bruyne. Cherki thrives in tight spaces, excelling with both feet, and possesses vision and composure to unlock defences.

While he lacks De Bruyne’s long-range shooting and explosive ball-carrying, Cherki compensates with intelligent movement and elite chance creation. His main weakness is physicality, which can sometimes restrict his influence.

Nevertheless, under Pep Guardiola, surrounded by elite attacking options, Cherki is primed to flourish. City’s scoring record ensures he will have ample opportunities to contribute. The real challenge for Guardiola’s side remains defensive stability, with last season’s frailties costing them silverware. If addressed, City could once again dominate domestically and in Europe, with Cherki integral to their creativity.

Arsenal – Eberechi Eze

Arsenal spent £67.5 million on Eberechi Eze, who returned to the club where he was once released as a youth. Fans hoped his arrival would reinvigorate an attack underwhelming last season, with Martin Ødegaard and Gabriel Martinelli struggling.

Eze thrives when given freedom, as seen at Crystal Palace. At Arsenal, however, Ødegaard’s captaincy secures him the central role, meaning Eze is likely to feature mainly from the left. Heat maps from last season showed his preference for the final third’s left half-space, where his link-ups with Riccardo Calafiori could replicate his Palace chemistry with Tyrick Mitchell.

Arteta could also shape a box midfield with Eze, Ødegaard, Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi, creating balance and freeing Bukayo Saka for more one-on-one scenarios. Arsenal’s depth makes them genuine contenders for the Premier League and Champions League. Eze, in such a system, could provide the spark that propels them towards major honours.

Liverpool – Florian Wirtz

Liverpool shattered the British transfer record for a midfielder by signing Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for £116 million. A Bundesliga champion, Wirtz is admired for bouncing back stronger after an ACL injury. His adaptation to England, however, has been challenging.

He registered an assist in Liverpool’s Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace but has yet to justify his fee. At Leverkusen, Wirtz thrived as one of two number 10s in a 3-4-3. At Liverpool, he is tasked with functioning as a traditional playmaker, with greater responsibility in ball progression and circulation.

The Premier League’s physicality and tactical discipline have also limited his influence. Still, the season is young, and Arne Slot may yet find a role that maximises Wirtz’s creativity. At his peak, Wirtz is among Europe’s most dangerous playmakers. If Liverpool unlock his Bundesliga form, they will strengthen their claim as title favourites and could return the Premier League crown to Merseyside.