Next weekend sees the season opener, the Community Shield, played between Arsenal and City. It's always great to get the footy back, though the Tour de France, the Ashes and Wimbledon have kept me ticking over.
Thoughts now turn to the league and who the main contenders will be. City have won 5 of the last 6, 3 of the last 3. Four-in-a-row has never been done before and I don't think it will happen this season coming either. Though if any team can, it is this current City team. But losing Gundogan and Mahrez, and possibly losing Bernardo Silva and Kyle Walker would suggest a transition season for City. So far, they have bought only Kovacic and are pursuing Gvardiol. I imagine Foden and Alvarez will see more minutes on the pitch this season and maybe a few youngsters will get more time, but I think it will be super hard, if not impossible, to lift the team from last season's heroics. And for the sake of the league, that may not be a bad thing.
So, if not City then who? You would have to put Arsenal at the top of that list. So, so close last season, they will have learnt so much by that experience. Add to that that they have bought Deccie Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber and they look well placed and hungry enough to go again. I loved watching them last season. Martin Odegaard is probably the best player in the league at the moment, and Saka and Martinelli are a joy to watch on the flanks. If City don't win it, then I hope it is the Gunners.
Man U will feel that they have a chance. Third last season and very consistent at Old Trafford, they will look to tighten up on the road after last season's total capitulations away to City, Liverpool and Brentford. They have brought in Mason Mount and Onana, and Hojlund is all but signed. They need more players but the first three are quality and there is plenty of time before the window shuts. I have no doubt they will get more points than last season, will that be enough for the title? I don't think so.
Liverpool will be hoping for a return to the top after last season's disaster. A season that will be remembered for the 7-nil drubbing handed out to Man U and little else. They have brought in MacAllister and Szoboslai, but will need many more if they are to challenge. The Ox, Milner, Firmino, Henderson and Keita have all left, as well as Carvalho. Such a disappointing end to a promising Liverpool career, let's hope it is temporary. At this moment it doesn't look like Liverpool will be challenging this season but with the window open for another month and Klopp at the helm, you just never know.
Chelsea will be an interesting watch this season. After finishing in the bottom half last season, surely the only way is up for the London Blues. They have shed a load of players and brought in some quality plus a quality manager. It may take a few months to click, but I suspect they'll be pushing at the European places again by the end of the season.
Spurs fans will be hoping that Harry Kane stays for another season because if he leaves mid-table obscurity is a very real possibility. An unknown manager and little transfer market activity would point to a continuation of last season's problems. Maddison is a great signing if he can stay fit and has the necessary support in midfield, but without Kane's goals where will they end up? It looks like he is going to Munich, but I hope he stays and moves next summer on a free, if only to see Shearer lose his place at the top of the EPL scorers' list!
Newcastle will want to stay in the top 4 this season and have a good push in the Champions League. They have made a good start at strengthening the squad with the signings of Harvey Barnes and Sandro Tonali, while shedding some dead wood. But like the other teams there is more to be done before the window shuts. Was last season a blip? Can they maintain the push on two fronts? I have my doubts. I hope they do push on as I like both club and manager.
Every season there is an outsider who surprises. Two seasons ago it was West Ham, last season it was Brighton, next season I think it will be Aston Villa. They ended last season very well, mostly due to their excellent manager, Unai Emery and some fine young talent. And this summer the club have bought well, bringing in the brilliant Pau Torres from Villarreal, Mossa Diaby and Yuri Tielemans, while (up to now) retaining all their young stars. Definitely worth a punt for the Europa League places this season.
Clearly, there is much work to be done in the transfer market until the window closes in a month's time, so it is too early to make concrete predictions. Suffice to say for now, that it will be a joy to watch, just as it is every year.
So, if not City then who? You would have to put Arsenal at the top of that list. So, so close last season, they will have learnt so much by that experience. Add to that that they have bought Deccie Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber and they look well placed and hungry enough to go again. I loved watching them last season. Martin Odegaard is probably the best player in the league at the moment, and Saka and Martinelli are a joy to watch on the flanks. If City don't win it, then I hope it is the Gunners.
Man U will feel that they have a chance. Third last season and very consistent at Old Trafford, they will look to tighten up on the road after last season's total capitulations away to City, Liverpool and Brentford. They have brought in Mason Mount and Onana, and Hojlund is all but signed. They need more players but the first three are quality and there is plenty of time before the window shuts. I have no doubt they will get more points than last season, will that be enough for the title? I don't think so.
Liverpool will be hoping for a return to the top after last season's disaster. A season that will be remembered for the 7-nil drubbing handed out to Man U and little else. They have brought in MacAllister and Szoboslai, but will need many more if they are to challenge. The Ox, Milner, Firmino, Henderson and Keita have all left, as well as Carvalho. Such a disappointing end to a promising Liverpool career, let's hope it is temporary. At this moment it doesn't look like Liverpool will be challenging this season but with the window open for another month and Klopp at the helm, you just never know.
Chelsea will be an interesting watch this season. After finishing in the bottom half last season, surely the only way is up for the London Blues. They have shed a load of players and brought in some quality plus a quality manager. It may take a few months to click, but I suspect they'll be pushing at the European places again by the end of the season.
Spurs fans will be hoping that Harry Kane stays for another season because if he leaves mid-table obscurity is a very real possibility. An unknown manager and little transfer market activity would point to a continuation of last season's problems. Maddison is a great signing if he can stay fit and has the necessary support in midfield, but without Kane's goals where will they end up? It looks like he is going to Munich, but I hope he stays and moves next summer on a free, if only to see Shearer lose his place at the top of the EPL scorers' list!
Newcastle will want to stay in the top 4 this season and have a good push in the Champions League. They have made a good start at strengthening the squad with the signings of Harvey Barnes and Sandro Tonali, while shedding some dead wood. But like the other teams there is more to be done before the window shuts. Was last season a blip? Can they maintain the push on two fronts? I have my doubts. I hope they do push on as I like both club and manager.
Every season there is an outsider who surprises. Two seasons ago it was West Ham, last season it was Brighton, next season I think it will be Aston Villa. They ended last season very well, mostly due to their excellent manager, Unai Emery and some fine young talent. And this summer the club have bought well, bringing in the brilliant Pau Torres from Villarreal, Mossa Diaby and Yuri Tielemans, while (up to now) retaining all their young stars. Definitely worth a punt for the Europa League places this season.
Clearly, there is much work to be done in the transfer market until the window closes in a month's time, so it is too early to make concrete predictions. Suffice to say for now, that it will be a joy to watch, just as it is every year.
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| Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports |
Liverpool's season revolves around winning the Europa Lge final @ #TheAviva Just as Dublin's superior finances & large population will see them winning 90 % of All Ireland finals ( unless the county is split up ) ; City , Bayern , PSG , Celtic will yet again ( yawn ) win their domestic titles . Top 4 in the Prem will be 2 ) Arsenal , 3 ) Liverpool , 4 ) Newcastle . Man U , Chelsea , Spurs will fill the remaining euro spots . Lots of transfers till to happen .
ReplyDeleteRed Ron
ReplyDeleteI wish I was as optimistic as you regarding City, though it would be good to wind up the Man Ure men as Fergie never did 4 in a row. Lots of work still to do in the market for most teams with fewer players available due to the Saudis. Arsenal got their work done early, I still have them as favourites.