The thirty second season of the Premier League is upon us, with Manchester Metropolis aiming to grow to be the primary membership in English top-division historical past to win the title 4 seasons in a row. Will the chasing pack’s summer time enterprise see the treble winners usurped?
Luton grow to be the 51st completely different membership to characteristic within the Premier League, having final performed within the prime flight in 1991-92, struggling relegation forward of the inaugural Premier League marketing campaign. Have they, together with promoted rivals Burnley and Sheffield Utd, added sufficient to their squads to keep away from a relegation battle, and even problem greater up the desk?
We check out how all 20 golf equipment have, or have not, addressed weaknesses from final season as the best league on the earth prepares for kick-off.
Friday eleventh August 6:30pm
Kick off 8:00pm
ARSENAL
Few would argue that Arsenal’s failed title problem final season suffered as a direct consequence of William Saliba’s again harm that dominated him out of the ultimate 11 league video games. He began the primary 27 Premier League video games final season, and Arsenal’s decline in his absence was noticeable.
There was all the time a suspicion that Arsenal’s lack of squad depth can be their downfall as Manchester Metropolis chased down a fifth title in six seasons, though they survived a prolonged absence to Gabriel Jesus following the World Cup. The defence have been unable to carry robust, with Saliba’s absence coinciding with an harm to Takehiro Tomiyasu that noticed the standard of their supporting solid uncovered.
Whereas Declan Rice’s club-record £105m transfer has taken the headlines this summer time, the addition of the versatile Dutch worldwide Jurrien Timber has given Arsenal a much-needed injection of high quality and depth in defence, contemplating Ben White and Tomiyasu are additionally snug in multiple place within the back-line. With the upcoming arrival of David Raya to compete with Aaron Ramsdale, Mikel Arteta has ensured wholesome competitors in all defensive positions.
ASTON VILLA
Forward of Unai Emery’s first recreation in cost – a 3-1 dwelling win v Manchester Utd in November 2022 – Aston Villa have been seventeenth within the desk, with 12 factors from their first 13 video games, exterior of the relegation locations on aim distinction.
Villa received 15 of 25 league video games following the Spaniard’s appointment, securing European soccer within the course of, in addition to their highest Premier League end since 2009-10.
Their away type was in stark comparability to their outcomes at Villa Park all through the season, particularly in an attacking sense. Unai Emery’s ill-fated tenure as Arsenal head coach noticed him oversee simply 4 wins in his last 19 league away video games with the Gunners, so this isn’t a brand new impediment for the four-time Europa League-winning supervisor to beat.
Spanish worldwide Pau Torres provides expertise and high quality to a defence, which will even welcome again Diego Carlos following an injury-plagued first season in England.
All 4 of Youri Tielemans’ targets for Leicester final season have been scored in away video games, no Aston Villa midfielder scored extra on the street. Extremely-coveted Moussa Diaby, signed for a club-record £52m from Bayer Leverkusen, scored 14 targets and made 10 assists final season, in addition to being the third quickest participant within the Bundesliga.
BOURNEMOUTH
Final season’s Fifteenth-place end may solely be seen as successful after a 9-0 defeat at Liverpool noticed Scott Parker grow to be the primary Premier League supervisor to be sacked within the month of August since 2004.
A run of 5 wins from seven video games in April noticed their prime division standing all however confirmed, though it was not sufficient to avoid wasting Gary O’Neil’s job, with Andoni Iraola taking on to grow to be the membership’s fifth everlasting supervisor since August 2020. If they’re to take care of their Premier League standing this season, they may certainly require enhancements each defensively and offensively.
Dutch winger Justin Kluivert is probably the most recognisable title of their summer time signings up to now – their complete £58m outlay is a club-record for a single switch window, having already spent almost £45m in January. With Iraola will possible come a change in model – with additions in aim, defence, midfield and assault this summer time.
BRENTFORD
The absence of Ivan Toney shall be felt in West London till mid-January 2024. Having been their prime scorer in each Premier League seasons – with greater than double the quantity of targets in that interval that any team-mate – his absence will understandably be unnerving for Brentford followers. Nonetheless, they fared nicely within the 5 league video games he missed final season, taking 13 factors from a attainable 15. Each Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa took on the scoring mantle for Thomas Frank’s aspect.
January mortgage signing Kevin Schade joined completely for £21m in June, though he has but to attain in 19 appearances for The Bees. With David Raya’s transfer to Arsenal imminent, Dutch worldwide goalkeeper Mark Flekken and £23m signing Nathan Collins shall be added to a defensive unit that’s already exhausting to interrupt down.
Sunday thirteenth August 1:00pm
Kick off 2:00pm
BRIGHTON
Final season’s sixth place end was the very best in Brighton’s historical past – they may juggle home and European soccer this season for the primary time ever. The Seagulls rightly received plaudits for his or her soccer final season – the truth is they’d extra photographs (613) and photographs on track (228) than some other workforce.
They picked up wins in opposition to three of the 5 groups who completed above them – finishing the ‘double’ over Manchester Utd, accompanied by a 3-0 dwelling win vs Liverpool and by the identical scoreline at Arsenal. They did wrestle in opposition to the groups round them, particularly instantly beneath them within the desk, with seven of their 12 defeats coming in opposition to groups who completed seventh to tenth.
To date this summer time, the one high-profile departure has been Alexis Mac Allister, while they’ve boosted their attacking ranks with club-record signing Joao Pedro (£30m from Watford). They’ve added expertise in 37-year-old James Milner, and can hope to have unearthed one more gem in 20-year-old Dutch U21 worldwide goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
BURNLEY
A direct return to the Premier League following relegation in 2021-22 has been accompanied by a major shift in model that was synonymous with Sean Dyche.
Vincent Kompany took cost of a workforce who have been always backside for almost all of possession and passing statistics within the prime flight, and turned them into arguably the Championship’s most engaging footballing aspect.
Whether or not the previous Manchester Metropolis captain decides to attempt to replicate that philosophy within the Premier League stays to be seen. No aspect has made extra summer time signings than Burnley’s 9 new recruits up to now, with squad depth actually unlikely to be a difficulty for a membership who hardly ever modified personnel throughout their six-season keep between 2016-22.
CHELSEA
Final season’s Twelfth-place end was their lowest in Premier League historical past, in addition to their lowest factors tally within the division (44). A tumultuous marketing campaign noticed them make 139 adjustments to their beginning XI, which was 22 greater than some other workforce, and win simply considered one of their 20 league video games in opposition to top-half opposition (seven attracts, 12 defeats).
Moreover, 38 league targets was the second-lowest in any season of their historical past. They failed to attain in 14 video games, their most in a single Premier League season. Balancing the pressing have to promote with enhancing their ahead line was of main concern. Of the ten gamers who featured of their assault final season, the one remaining participant who scored greater than a solitary aim is Raheem Sterling.
A deal for Leipzig’s Christian Nkunku was agreed final season, though he’s anticipated to overlook as much as 4 months with a knee harm sustained in pre-season. The Frenchman had scored 58 targets in all competitions over the previous two seasons, though their earlier acquisition from Leipzig boasted an identical document forward of an erratic two-season stint at Stamford Bridge (Timo Werner had scored 53 targets within the previous two campaigns previous to becoming a member of Chelsea).
Sunday thirteenth August 4:00pm
Kick off 4:30pm
Nicholas Jackson is the opposite high-profile ahead signed to go with a ahead line that has parted methods with Kai Havertz, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Christian Pulisic amongst others. The three-capped Senegalese striker scored 12 targets in 26 LaLiga appearances for Villarreal final season, with 9 of these targets coming in an eight-game spell between April-June.
CRYSTAL PALACE
The Eagles will begin a league season with out Wilfried Zaha for the primary time since 2013-14 – the truth is that is the one earlier season that Crystal Palace have participated within the Premier League and averted relegation.
Zaha departs Selhurst Park having scored 90 targets in 458 appearances in all competitions, and has undeniably been their MVP of the Premier League period – he has scored almost twice as many targets within the division as some other participant for Palace (68, Benteke is second with 35).
Regardless of a decline in targets and assists final season, his impression shouldn’t be underestimated, with the workforce unsurprisingly significantly better when graced along with his presence.
To date, Crystal Palace’s solely summer time signing has been the free switch of Jefferson Lerma from Bournemouth. Eyes will possible be on Michael Olise to fill the Zaha-sized footwear this season.
EVERTON
Everton averted relegation on the ultimate day of the season in 2022-23 – the earlier marketing campaign their Premier League standing was solely confirmed following the penultimate recreation.
Prior to a few bottom-half finishes within the final 4 seasons, they’d completed within the top-eight in 11 of the earlier 13 campaigns. They’ve received fewer than 40 factors in every of the final two seasons, the primary time they’ve finished so since 2003-04. They received the fewest league video games (eight) of their historical past final trip.
Their sole summer time recruit up to now has been 38-year-old Ashley Younger, though the necessity for attacking reinforcements is clear, with their two recognised strikers scoring a mixed three Premier League targets final season.
FULHAM
The way forward for talismanic striker Aleksandar Mitrovic remains to be unknown – a reported transfer to Saudi Arabia has seemingly fallen by way of. Raul Jimenez has arrived for £5.5m from Wolves, though he scored fewer Premier League targets within the final three seasons mixed than Mitrovic managed in 2022-23.
Understandably, holding onto Mitrovic shall be of upmost significance over the subsequent three weeks. In defence, Bernd Leno will hope to keep away from final season’s heroics at Craven Cottage – he made 144 saves within the Premier League, solely David Raya made extra. The membership will hope the £18.2m addition of Calvin Bassey from Ajax will give the previous Arsenal goalkeeper much less work to do.
Fulham conceded 53 league targets final season from an anticipated targets in opposition to of 65.56, which was the perfect overperformance of all groups.
LIVERPOOL
Final season noticed their first end exterior of the highest 4 in any of Jurgen Klopp’s seven full campaigns at Anfield.
While the vitality of their midfield trio was usually essential as they went toe-to-toe with Manchester Metropolis for almost half a decade, requires an improve have been shared by the membership, with Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita all exiting this summer time, with £115m spent on Alexis Mac Allister and Leipzig’s Dominik Szoboszlai. Southampton’s Romeo Lavia is closely linked as an additional midfield addition.
Regardless of remaining unbeaten of their last 11 league video games final season, the notion was that their midfield trio had misplaced the vitality that was so pivotal to their 2019-20 title win. Final season was probably the most sprints and distance coated per 90 by their most used three midfielders over the previous 5 campaigns, nevertheless their passing accuracy and duel success had dropped, while their aim involvements have been down significantly on each 2021-22 and their championship-winning 12 months.
Each Mac Allister and Szoboszlai scored 10 targets in all competitions final season, figures they are going to be hoping to copy on Merseyside.
LUTON
Ten years in the past this week, Luton kicked off their league season with a 1-0 Nationwide League away defeat v Southport. They ended that marketing campaign as champions, and it was the primary of 4 promotions within the area of a decade.
Following their Championship play-off last win vs Coventry on the finish of Might, their first-team squad had a complete 26 profession Premier League appearances mixed.
Prime-flight expertise will certainly be an important issue for a membership who so usually defy the chances: they’ve added Premier League expertise within the type of Ross Barkley, former Manchester Utd academy prospect Tahith Chong, and the everlasting signing of Marvelous Nakamba. Ryan Giles (Wolves) and loanee Issa Kabore (Manchester Metropolis) additionally be a part of from Premier League rivals, regardless of not having made their debut within the competitors.
MAN CITY
The percentages-on favourites for a document fourth successive league title have few flaws – regardless of a comparatively quiet switch window up to now, they’ve nonetheless spent over £100m on Mateo Kovacic and Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol.
While Manchester Metropolis didn’t seem to overlook Erling Haaland on the few events he was unavailable final season, his targets weren’t simply frequent, however essential too. His 36 league targets have been value a further 24 factors – greater than some other participant within the division, and 4 instances as many as any teammate.
MAN UTD
Erik ten Hag’s first season at {Old} Trafford was a profitable one: an enchancment of three locations and 17 factors within the Premier League ensured a return to Champions League soccer; the EFL Cup trophy which was their first main silverware since 2017; and the 42 wins in all competitions was probably the most by any Manchester Utd supervisor of their debut season.
Regardless of the positives, to take care of the progress, and at very least consolidate their place within the prime 4 amongst fiercer competitors, their alarming away type will want addressing. They took only a single level from both league video games in opposition to groups who completed ninth or greater, together with a club-record 7-0 defeat at Liverpool.
Monday 14th August 6:30pm
Kick off 8:00pm
Their work within the switch market is unlikely to have concluded forward of the opening weekend, though a change in model is probably going with the acquisition of Champions League finalist Andre Onana, who changed David de Gea after 12 years because the membership’s first alternative. There may be little to decide on between the pair in relation to their goalkeeping stats within the league from 2022-23, though Onana’s distribution statistics are vastly superior to the Spaniard’s.
NEWCASTLE
Newcastle will juggle home and European soccer this season for the primary time since 2012-13, and are taking part in solely their third ever Champions League marketing campaign, and first in over 20 years.
Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes have joined for a mixed £94m as Eddie Howe’s workforce purpose to solidify their place amongst the Premier League’s elite. That they had among the finest defensive data within the division final season, maintaining the second-most clear sheets (14), and trailing for beneath 500 minutes.
Saturday Twelfth August 5:00pm
Kick off 5:30pm
A spotlight will certainly be on turning attracts into wins – regardless of shedding the identical quantity of video games as champions Manchester Metropolis (5), additionally they drew a joint-high 14 video games (similar as Brentford), and have been concerned in additional goalless attracts (seven) than some other Premier League workforce.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
After signing a complete of 30 new gamers final season – together with a Premier League document 23 final summer time – this summer time was all the time prone to be quieter. Solely goalkeeper Matt Turner, defender Ola Aina and winger Anthony Elanga have joined Chris Wooden (whose mortgage transfer was made everlasting) as Steve Cooper’s workforce have prioritised trimming a bloated squad.
The sheer quantity of latest signings made final season’s Sixteenth-place end all of the extra spectacular, with simply 5 league defeats at dwelling all season. Which was simply as nicely, as they recorded only one away win all season – their fewest in any division since 1961-62.
SHEFF UTD
The Blades will certainly be out there for a striker earlier than the switch window closes, having bought Iliman Ndiaye to Marseille for £20m at the beginning of August.
Ndiaye was the membership’s prime Championship scorer final season with 14 targets – they received every of the ultimate 9 video games when he was on the scoresheet, notably 4 of which have been by a 1-0 scoreline.
They’ve three recognised strikers within the squad, all of whom have been a part of the Sheffield Utd squad relegated from the highest tier in 2020-21. There shall be hopes that 20-year-old Ivorian winger Benie Traore can replicate his wonderful type within the Swedish prime division within the 2023 season, with 12 targets in 14 league appearances for Hacken previous to becoming a member of.
TOTTENHAM
In Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham have a brand new supervisor on the opening weekend for the fifth successive season (Mauricio Pochettino in 2019-20, Jose Mourinho in 2020-21, Nuno Espirito Santo in 2021-22 and Antonio Conte final 12 months).
The Australian is tasked with steadying a ship that has encountered rocky waters over the previous few seasons. James Maddison and Manor Solomon have added depth to their assault, while Harry Kane’s future is anticipated to be determined earlier than Sunday’s opener at Brentford. The potential want to switch their document scorer shouldn’t be the one concern in North London, with a worrying decline to their defensive statistics since their second-place end in 2016-17.
Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has joined from Empoli after Tottenham did not agree a charge with Brentford for David Raya – final season Spurs conceded 63 league targets (5 golf equipment conceded extra) and had a save ratio of 64 per cent (5 golf equipment had decrease). It was probably the most targets they’d conceded within the Premier League since 1992-93.
WEST HAM
James Ward-Prowse and Harry Maguire are anticipated to grow to be David Moyes’ first summer time signings as his Europa Convention League-winning squad has but to compensate for the quite a few outgoings up to now this summer time. Declan Rice’s £105m transfer to Arsenal leads the outgoings, with Manuel Lanzini, Gianluca Scamacca and Nikola Vlasic additionally departing East London.
Changing the attributes possessed by Rice shall be no imply feat – he has been one of the crucial constant performers within the Premier League during the last 5 seasons.
He was West Ham’s stand-out participant within the league once more in 2022-23, with greater than double the possession received and profitable passes of any teammate.
WOLVES
A difficult summer time at Molineux was typified with the sudden exit of Julen Lopetegui on Tuesday. The 5 gamers with probably the most Premier League appearances for the membership have additionally departed this summer time.
Final season, Wolves have been backside of the Premier League for targets, anticipated targets and shot conversion. Since Raul Jimenez’s return of 17 Premier League targets in 2019-20, no Wolves participant has scored greater than six league targets in a season. The returning Matt Doherty stays the one excessive profile signing this window, along with mortgage pair Matheus Cunha and Boubacar Traore making their strikes everlasting.