Assessing the Premier League title chances of last season’s top 5
The Premier League kicks off on Friday 11th August when Manchester City begin the defence of their title away to new boys Burnley. Let’s take a closer look at their chances of making it an unprecedented 4 titles in a row, and who their nearest challengers might be, focussing on last season’s top 5.
Man City
Pep Guardiola’s treble winners didn’t need to make major alterations to their squad, so they haven’t. The champions begin their campaign away to Burnley, who are managed by former City fan favourite Vincent Kompany and that’s followed by the visit of ambitious Newcastle United. It’s a testing start but Guardiola and his players should relish it.
Although Riyad Mahrez and İlkay Gündoğan have moved on, City are firm favourites to become the first side in English football history to win 4 titles on the bounce. It’s a settled, experienced squad with the addition of 4-time Champions League winner Mateo Kovačić to compensate for the departure of Gündoğan. They’ve also got the freakish goalscoring antics of Erling Haaland to help them scrape out a few wins when they’re not at their sublime best.
Player to watch
He was in and out of the side last season, but Phil Foden usually comes good in the BIG games. He replaced Kevin De Bruyne just 36 minutes into last season’s Champions League final and played a starring role. He also scored a hat-trick against Man Utd in the Manchester Derby. A run of games in the first team could see Foden become a key player for Guardiola again.
Opening day likely XI
Ederson; Akanji, Stones, Dias, Aké; Rodri; Foden, Silva, De Bruyne, Grealish; Haaland
Arsenal
The Gunners have spent BIG this window, bringing in long-term target Declan Rice, Kai Havertz from Chelsea and Jurrien Timber from Ajax. Brentford keeper David Raya may be next, with personal terms reportedly agreed. The Spaniard would provide more intense competition to current number 1 Aaron Ramsdale.
Granit Xhaka, villain turned hero among Arsenal fans, will be a difficult man to replace. After his sale to Bayer Leverkusen, Mikel Arteta must rejig his midfield combination. The loss of Xhaka’s leadership, influence and healthy output of 14 direct goal contributions in the Premier League last season will be a concern. In Rice, however, the Londoners have signed a natural leader who could slot into Xhaka’s role from the start.
Arteta’s team got out of the gate quickly last season, winning their first 5 EPL matches. They’ll need something similar this time around. We’ll know a bit more about where their squad is at after BIG tests against Man Utd on 3rd September and a visit to Everton on the 16th. Arsenal, strangely, have lost 4 of their last 5 league matches at Goodison Park. Reversing that unlikely trend is essential for a team gunning for the title.
22-year-old William Saliba is fit again after a back issue which ruled him out of Arsenal’s run-in. He’s already a pivotal operator for Arteta.
Player to watch
Gabriel Martinelli has been a left-sided attacker for most of his Arsenal career to date, but a more central role could be on the horizon with Gabriel Jesus out for a few weeks with a knee issue. Martinelli scored 15 goals in the league last season, making him their joint-top scorer alongside skipper Martin Ødegaard, and will be hungry to build on that in 2023/24.
Opening day likely XI
Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Rice; Saka, Ødegaard, Martinelli; Trossard
Man Utd
André Onana and Mason Mount are the 2 major arrivals at Old Trafford as Erik ten Hag continues to reshape his Man Utd side. Harry Maguire has been stripped of the captaincy too, proof that the Dutch manager isn’t afraid to make drastic decisions he thinks will benefit the greater good.
United fans seem particularly excited about the arrival of Cameroonian goalkeeper Onana, whose technical excellence and distribution skills will likely help them build their attacks more crisply from the back.
Tyrell Malacia and Anthony Martial will miss the beginning of the season with minor injuries.
Player to watch
It has to be André Onana. Of course, Mount will be expected to chip in with goals and assists, and tasked with making United a more cohesive attacking unit, but Onana will be key. The 27-year-old arrives with a BIG reputation and personality.
Opening day likely XI
Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martínez, Shaw; Casemiro, Fernandes, Mount; Antony, Rashford, Garnacho
Newcastle
The Magpies are back in the Champions League and some believe it’s ahead of schedule. They face a challenging start with a home clash against Unai Emery’s Aston Villa and then a visit to Man City and a home clash with Liverpool.
The ever-entertaining Allan Saint-Maximin has been sold to Al Ahli as manager Eddie Howe looks to refine his squad and retain players who align best with his philosophy. Harvey Barnes and Sandro Tonali are the headline arrivals. Tonali’s stylish ball-playing alongside the physical excellence of Joelinton and the complete package player that is Bruno Guimarães looks like a superbly balanced trio.
Joe Willock misses the start of the campaign with a minor hamstring issue.
Player to watch
Cultured central playmaker Sandro Tonali will bring something to Newcastle which they haven’t had in a while. The 23-year-old signed from AC Milan has been described as a combination of Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso, 2 legendary Italian midfielders. Howe will hope Tonali can raise everyone’s level around him.
Opening day likely XI
Pope; Trippier, Schär, Botman, Burn; Tonali, Joelinton, Guimarães; Isak, Wilson, Barnes
Liverpool
Jürgen Klopp’s new-look side travel to Chelsea on the opening day with the last 4 Premier League meetings between these sides ending in stalemates.
The major theme around Liverpool this season is one of wholesale change, especially in midfield. Skipper Jordan Henderson and 29-year-old Brazilian Fabinho have both swapped England for Saudi Arabia, so the Reds have clearly lost a lot of senior experience in that area of the pitch.
Opportunity knocks for World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister and playmaker Dominik Szoboszlai to form the heart of a brand new Liverpool engine room, while Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott will be expected to contribute prominently too. Klopp’s infamous “heavy metal” football isn’t going anywhere, but this latest version might be a slightly different flavour. They could certainly be one of the more intriguing sides to watch.
An attacking trio of the legendary Mo Salah and relative newcomers Darwin Núñez and Cody Gakpo is potentially devastating as they gel together.
Player to watch
He’s often been criticised for his defensive lapses, but there’s no doubt about Trent Alexander-Arnold’s abilities as a footballer. With Henderson gone, Trent assumes even more seniority in the dressing room at Anfield. His exquisite passing range from right-back also makes him pivotal to how they play.
Opening day likely XI
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Thiago, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Núñez
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