Data can be checked! The offensive tactics of the Premier League teams have become simpler and more direct!

Every season, new tactical trends will always emerge in the football world.

Although the Premier League has only been five rounds in the 2025-26 season, some novel (or retro) tactical concepts have begun to show.

One of which is increasingly obvious is that the way of playing Premier League teams is developing in a more direct direction. Of course, this trend is more significant in most teams...

When we focus on the 17 teams that have been playing in the Premier League in a row since last season, we will find some interesting data changes.

Of these, 11 teams have reduced passes per offensive sequence compared to the 2024-25 season.

At the same time, 11 teams have accelerated their advancement to the frontcourt, and among these 11 teams, 7 teams have achieved both indicators of reduction in passes and accelerated advancement.

This means that these teams are able to push the ball into the frontcourt area faster this season with fewer passes.

Taking Manchester City as an example, the changes in this team are particularly eye-catching. Last season, Manchester City averaged 5.12 passes per offensive sequence, while this season fell to 3.97.

Meanwhile, their average forward propulsion speed increased from 1.43 m/s to 1.61 m/s. Such a significant change undoubtedly reflects the adjustment of Manchester City's tactical style.

However, not all teams choose to adopt more direct tactical styles. Nottingham Forest is a typical counterexample.

With Nunosanto and current coach Postkoglu, Nottingham Forest's tactical style has undergone a major change. They increased the average pass count per offensive sequence from the league's lowest 2.88 to the second highest 4.2.

Meanwhile, the team's frontcourt propulsion dropped from the league's fastest 2.04m/sec to tie for the sixth-slowest level.

Judging from the overall data of each team, Brentford has become the most direct team in the Premier League this season with an average pass of 2.84 times per offensive sequence. Its offensive style is concise and clear, and it focuses on rapid advancement.

, while Chelsea has become the most complicated team with an average pass of 4.52 times, and may be more inclined to tear open the opponent's defense through delicate passes and cuts.

In addition, Bournemouth, Everton and Wolves have significantly slowed down the pace of the game compared to last season, but the final results are different.

Wolves became the slowest team in the league with a propulsion speed of 1.46 meters/sec, and also ranked last in the standings. The sluggish offensive efficiency may be related to their slow pace.

, and the excellent performance of Crystal Palace became the team with the fastest offensive advancement with a propulsion speed of 2.02 meters/sec. The fast pace may be one of the key factors in their success.