PREMIER LEAGUE goalkeepers are struggling with the new official Puma ball and they fear it will lead to a string of spectacular cock-ups.
Puma are the new official suppliers of the Premier League’s ball after Nike’s 25-year contract ran out last term but the new version is already unpopular among most No1s.
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One Premier League keeper told SunSport: “It is more like a volleyball and it moves in the air so much. The Nike one was not like that.
“I don’t ever remember a ball like this and I have got one at home to keep getting used to the feel of it.
“It is extremely slippery which makes it difficult to handle. There will be a lot of mistakes this season.
“The ball has apparently been made for strikers but they also struggle with it because of the movement.”
Another Premier League keeper told Sunsport: “The ball is certainly not made for goalkeepers. I think it is horrible.
“You cannot get a proper grip unless it is an older matchball but there are always new ones for us on matchday.
“You will not be seeing many catches this season, I guarantee that.”
The 2025-26 ball is named the Orbita Ultimate PL and it comes after the end of Nike’s long partnership with the Premier League.
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The first official Premier League ball sponsor was Mitre – from 1992-2000.
The new ball made its first appearance in July at the Premier League Summer Series in the United States.
Puma also supply all EFL competitions, Mitre makes the FA Cup ball and adidas the Champions League one.
And it was in the Carabao Cup last season when the Puma ball was criticised.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was ridiculed for questioning the ball after his team’s 2-0 loss to Newcastle in the semi-final first leg.
When asked about Arsenal‘s missed chances, Arteta said: “They had 23 shots, but just three on target.
“We also kicked a lot of balls over the bar, and it’s tricky that these balls fly a lot so there’s details that we can do better.”
When pressed further on the issue, Arteta added: “No, it’s just different. It’s very different to the Premier League ball and you have to adapt to that.
“It flies differently… when you touch it, the grip is very different as well so you have to adapt to that.”
After Arteta’ comments, the EFL hit back, saying: “All clubs play with the same ball.”
However, a number of players, including keepers, agreed with Arteta that the ball was tricky and inconsistent.
Announcing the new ball this season, Puma marketing vice-president Richard Teyssier said: “On average, a professional footballer has control of the ball for around 109 seconds every game.
“So when you have the ball at your feet you need to make it count and create moments that make a difference on the pitch.”
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