How's the New Ball Performing in the Premier League This Season? Goalkeepers Give Their Feedback

Muhe - Monday, 25 August 2025 | 06:00 PM (WIB)

How's the New Ball Performing in the Premier League This Season? Goalkeepers Give Their Feedback

The 2025/26 Premier League campaign began amidst a scandal that immediately generated headlines: the introduction of a new ball, the Orbita Ultimate PL, created by Puma. The new ball was in place of Nike, which had held the role as official Premier League supplier for 25 years, and while intended to offer better play quality, the introduction of the new ball was condemned by several stakeholders, particularly goalkeepers.

Ball Design and Characteristics

The Orbita Ultimate PL boasts a 12-panel shape which allegedly distributes weight evenly. Puma claims it is more durable, with deeper stitches to provide more aerodynamics and maintain the shape of the ball. This new technology should provide players with improved stability and control on the pitch.But although these claims all sound wonderful, on the pitch it is far from it. Goalkeepers have attributed the ball as being extremely slippery and unpredictably moving in the air, so extremely difficult to get a grip on. Some have even gone so far as to compare it to being a volleyball because it moves so much. Several costly mistakes have already been made in the first couple of weeks, including by Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir and Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

Impact on the Game

The new ball also influences striker performance. Ball control and shooting precision are more difficult, which impacts the team's scoring percentage. Moreover, the Premier League's new rule, which limits goalkeepers to at most eight seconds' possession before passing them on, also contributes to pressure. Offenses of this type result in a corner kick for the other team, which contributes another layer of challenge for goalkeepers in managing the tempo of the game.Experts say that the integration of the new ball and this regulation compels goalkeepers to keep up. Their customary game plans have to be transformed to suit the speed and trajectory of the ball, as well as the limited time they hold possession.

Puma and the Premier League's Reaction

Puma clarified that it was in defence of the design of the new ball, maintaining that its primary goal was to create more dynamic ball interaction during critical moments in games. The ball is meant to make the game thrilling and more captivating to play and watch.In the meantime, the Premier League underscored that all clubs are playing with the same ball and that no team gets a competitive edge. They feel that the new ball does pose some early challenges, but players will adjust as the season goes on.The furore caused by this new ball highlights the challenges of technological progress in the elite football. While intended to raise the level of play, the new ball has presented challenges to players, particularly the goalkeepers, and has led to gaffes at the first few games. Ongoing learning and evaluation will be vital to the success of this ball to attain widespread acceptance.Before the season is over, Premier League players and coaches must adapt to deal with the slippery and more unpredictable ball. While spectators anticipate the drama that the nature of the new ball can generate, they hope the drama abates as the players settle in.