The 2026-27 Premier League season is expected to be heavily shaped by set-pieces.

As was the case last season. Arsenal were considered ‘set-piece kings’ en route to clinching a first title in 22 years, while Bruno Fernandes benefitted from dead-ball situations on his way to breaking the Premier League assist record.

Such is the growing importance of set-pieces is that one of Chelsea’s new recruits this summer has been Austin McPhee after they triggered his release clause at Aston Villa.

So, ahead of the new campaign, has taken a closer look at the likely Premier League set-piece takers.

When it comes to penalties, Fernandes immediately springs to mind for Manchester United, while Arsenal have a few options in Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyokeres and new signing Bruno Guimaraes.

Liverpool will have to appoint a new penalty taker after Mohamed Salah’s exit, with Alexander Isak and Szoboszlai the two candidates. Erling Haaland is as reliable from 12 yards as anyone, though Joao Pedro may have to take a few off Cole Palmer at Chelsea to be in contention for the golden boot award.

Igor Thiago was almost perfect from the spot in an impressive individual campaign for Brentford and Sandro Tonali could be the designated penalty taker for Tottenham following his £100million transfer.

Jean-Philippe Mateta is set to stay at Crystal Palace as should remain on penalty duty and it could be that Gonzalo Garcia takes over that role at Fulham from the departed Raul Jimenez, having inherited the Mexico international’s shirt number.

All 20 clubs can boast to having a handful of players capable of taking a mean set-piece, whether that be a corner or a free-kick. There are the usual suspects at Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man United, Manchester City and Spurs, but also some new faces such as Christos Tzolis, Ryan Giles and Jack Rudoni.

Saka, Gyokeres, Guimaraes, Havertz, Odegaard

Rice, Saka, Guimaraes, Odegaard, Tzolis, Madueke

Hall, L. Miley