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Dubai: Ever because the 2020/21 season ended, there was loads of soccer to assist tide us over what with Euro 2020 (don’t point out penalties…) the Copa America, and many matches being performed on the Olympics. However on August 14, the true motion will start as the brand new 2021/22 Premier League season kicks off.
It truly begins the day earlier than on Friday the thirteenth (will it’s unfortunate for Arsenal or Brentford?), however the bulk of the fixtures will likely be on the 14th and life may have which means as soon as once more. Our dearest Premier League, how we’ve got missed you.
It’s a landmark 12 months for England’s prime flight because the competitors heads into its thirtieth season, and it guarantees drama aplenty. Will Manchester Metropolis be capable to defend their title? Are Chelsea going to be the darkish horses? Can the brand new boys keep away from relegation?
There are many questions and to get you up to the mark, here’s a take a look at the title contenders, the highest 4 hopefuls the groups who will likely be battling to keep away from the dreaded drop and all 20 golf equipment competing in the very best soccer league on the earth.
Contenders For The Title
Manchester Metropolis are the favourites to retain their title. Final season they made a slightly gradual begin, however quickly hit their stride and appeared unbeatable for lengthy intervals of the marketing campaign. They’ve been linked with a transfer for need away Tottenham striker Harry Kane all summer time and in the event that they get him it will be an actual coup and make them even stronger. Ruben Dias was excellent final season and we noticed flashes of the standard of Ferran Torres. Pep Guardiola’s staff is loaded with expertise – it will likely be an enormous season for Phil Foden whereas John Stones will proceed to enhance on the again.
Nonetheless, Metropolis will face a robust problem as soon as once more from Liverpool who’ve talisman Virgil Van Dijk again having missed most of final season from damage. Joe Gomez can also be again and with Mo Salah and Sadio Mane nearly as good as ever, they are going to be proper up there as will Champions League winners Chelsea. The Blues loved a robust second half of the season after Thomas Tuchel changed Frank Lampard in January they usually have a squad loaded with expertise. Antonio Rudiger, Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic, Jorginho and N’Golo Kante would most likely get into any staff they usually have reportedly bid £130 million for striker Erling Haaland. In the event that they get him then Chelsea will imply severe enterprise.
With the arrival of Jadon Sancho to the squad already boasting Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Mason Greenwood, Manchester United are wanting like they’ll mount a robust problem this time too.
High 4 Hopefuls
Leicester Metropolis completed final season in fifth and can wish to attempt to break into the highest 4 this time however may have a variety of competitors. The Foxes have made some good signings through the summer time, they secured the providers of Patson Daka, Boubakary Soumare and Ryan Bertrand.
Additionally hoping to make the step up will likely be Tottenham and their north London rivals Arsenal. Tottenham look set to lose star man Kane nevertheless chairman Daniel Levy will demand new boss Nuno Espirito Santo will get them up the desk. Mikel Arteta has had time to mattress himself in on the Emirates and far will likely be anticipated of him this season. They’ve had a busy switch window and have signed Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares and Ben White.
Everton have a brand new boss now too and it’s has been a controversial alternative. Former Liverpool man Rafa Benitez has taken over at Goodison and each the purple and blue half of Merseyside have had their reservations in regards to the appointment. However, he is an efficient coach and he might be the person to get the Toffees flying once more.
West Ham have been on the fringes of the highest 4 all season however fell quick – however boss David Moyes will wish to see one other stable exhibiting from the Hammers.
Battle To Keep away from Relegation:
You possibly can’t look any additional than the three newly promoted groups to go straight again down once more. Will probably be a slog of a season for Brentford, Norwich and Watford – however there are a number of different established groups who flirted with the dreaded drop final season. Burnley don’t look as stable as they as soon as was once whereas Brighton play good soccer however appear to have a mushy centre.
Southampton actually went off the boil final season and Newcastle are simply plain awful. All of them look set for a relegation scrap.
Membership By Membership Information
ARSENAL
Captain: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
First sport: Brentford (away)
It was a largely underwhelming season for Mikel Arteta who earlier within the marketing campaign discovered his Gunners battling relegation. However a robust end noticed them climb as much as eighth and they’ll wish to enhance on that this time round. On the final day of the season, they have been battling north London rivals Tottenham for the ultimate European spot however misplaced out and this will work of their favour; they’ll don’t have any midweek distractions and can be capable to give the league their full focus.
However this additionally means Arteta may have no excuses this time and a poor begin may see him turn out to be the primary managerial casualty. The membership have backed him within the switch market this summer time with the massive signing of Ben White for £50 million from Brighton they usually have additionally snapped up Albert Sambi Lokonga from Anderlecht.
ASTON VILLA
First sport: Watford (away)
Villa had some unbelievable outcomes final season with the 7-2 drubbing of Liverpool the spotlight they usually completed mid-table which was the place they deserved. They’ll be there once more this time round or decrease relying on whether or not they can maintain on to key man Jack Grealish who is needed by champions Man Metropolis.
Supervisor Dean Smith is getting ready for all times with out the proficient playmaker and has made a bid for Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse as a substitute. They’ve secured the signing of Emi Buendia which is able to give them an actual increase.
BRENTFORD
First sport: Arsenal (house)
After so many close to misses, The Bees are lastly within the prime flight however they might want to make a robust early begin if they’re to remain within the Premier League. They’ve outscored their Championship friends for 2 years working nevertheless it’ll be a unique kettle of fish within the massive league the place they might discover life so much tougher. They’ve Ivan Toney who has scored 55 objectives in his final 77 league video games and they’ll hope the 25-year-old could make the step up and proceed to bang within the objectives, in any other case they appear destined to battle.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
First sport: Burnley (away)
The Seagulls entertained us all with their attacking model of soccer and for some time supervisor Graham Potter was linked with the vacant Tottenham and Everton managerial roles. He’s nonetheless at Brighton and can wish to see his aspect push on this season after a detailed name with relegation within the final marketing campaign.
They’re higher than their remaining place of sixteenth suggests and if they will get a couple of extra objectives they need to end in mid-table. They’ve loads of money to splash to enhance the squad following the sale of White to Arsenal and have already purchased Enock Mwepu from Pink Bull Sazburg. They name him ‘The Pc’ due to his skills to learn the sport. Effectively, if The Pc doesn’t crash, Brighton may have an honest marketing campaign.
BURNLEY
First sport: Brighton (house)
Burnley started the season caught within the backside three they usually solely ended the marketing campaign one place above the dreaded drop zone. It was a troublesome season for Sean Dyce’s males they usually might battle once more this day out. Having been promised funds to strengthen the staff, Dyce has solely managed to herald £12 million man Nathan Collins whereas Dwight McNeil has been tipped for a transfer away. In the event that they lose him it actually will likely be a tough season for the Clarets.
CHELSEA
Captain: Cesar Azpilicueta
First sport: Crystal Palace (house)
They completed 4th final season and received the Champions League and this day out, coach Thomas Tuchel will likely be gunning for champions Man Metropolis. And with the squad they’ve acquired, they are going to be an actual problem for Pep Guardiola’s aspect.
Chelsea want a striker to be remodeled into full-blown title contenders, and if they will get Erling Haaland – who has been linked all summer time – to help Timo Werner and Kai Harvertz, the Blues will likely be an actual handful. West Ham’s Declan Rice has been linked too and he will surely increase an already sturdy midfield. They’re the title darkish horses.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Captain: Luke Milivojevic
First sport: Chelsea (away)
The Eagles have a brand new boss in former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira who changed the retired Roy Hodgson. Vieira must hit the bottom working if he’s to keep away from the identical fete that befell Frank De Boer who arrived in 2017 and lasted simply 10 weeks earlier than Hodgson took over and stabilized the membership.
Vieira might want to tackle a squad which has a number of gamers out of contract and he has already misplaced their participant of the season Andros Townsend to Everton. Palace have signed younger duo Marc Guehi and Michael Olise from Swansea and Studying however this might effectively be a transitional season.
EVERTON
First sport: Southampton (house)
Everton look to be again to sq. one having misplaced coach Carlo Ancelotti this summer time to Actual Madrid. The Italian appeared like the person to lastly get the Toffees again on observe and on the hunt for silverware. He’s left and in has come former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez which is a controversial appointment certainly. The Spaniard will want a robust begin to the season to win over the followers – and for the sake of his job. If Everton begin the season slowly the stress on Benitez will likely be immense and with followers allowed again inside stadiums, you get the sensation he’ll all the time be one defeat away from the sack. However, he’s an skilled coach and might deal with the stress.
And the acquisition of winger Demarai Grey appears to be an astute piece of enterprise already. They have been within the Champions League hunt with 8 video games to go final season earlier than falling away. Can Rafa get them into the highest 4 this time? Now that might be a narrative.
LEEDS UNITED
First sport: Man Utd (away)
They grew to become everybody’s favorite second staff with their all-out assault strategy in each sport and it make them a superb ninth place end. However, with that energetic fashion of play, have they burned out now? That’ll be the massive query. They’ll must quash that ‘second season syndrome’ malaise and Argentine coach Bielsa will do his finest. They’ve made some encouraging signings within the form of Spanish defender Junior Firpo and getting Jack Harrison on a everlasting deal.
LEICESTER CITY
Captain: Kasper Schmeichel
First sport: Wolves (house)
They received the FA Cup and nearly snuck into the highest 4 and will likely be happy with the progress made beneath coach Rodgers since his arrival in 2019. They’ll be competing within the Europa League and it has usually seen groups battle domestically. They’ve added some depth to the squad with the arrivals of RB Salzburg ace Patson Daka and Ryan Bertrand and there’s little doubt their beginning 11 can problem anybody.
LIVERPOOL
Captain: Jordan Henderson
First sport: Norwich (away)
They didn’t defend their title nevertheless it was a season the place every little thing appeared to conspire in opposition to them. Shedding talisman Virgil Van Dijk hit them onerous they usually additionally needed to do with Joe Gomez and a number of other others. Liverpool’s damage woes uncovered a stage of complacency round squad depth (the acquisition of 22-year-old Ibrahima Konaté ought to assist) however they nonetheless managed to complete third and safe Champions League soccer.
Coach Klopp might want to fine-tune the staff if they’re to problem Man Metropolis however with the likes of Chelsea and Man Utd wanting stronger, it would take each effort to complete within the prime 4 once more
MANCHESTER CITY
First sport: Tottenham (away)
For therefore lengthy there was severe speak of a quadruple. Then it grew to become a treble. In the long run, Metropolis received two home competitions and it was nonetheless an amazing season for Pep’s males. They clicked into gear after a gradual begin and deserved to win the title. Will probably be onerous to defend what with the likes of Chelsea wanting a menace. However their purpose now must be to win the Champions League.
And with out the legendary Sergio Agüero, it could be even tougher whereas their £200 million pursuit of Harry Kane and Jack Grealish has coincided with talks over Raheem Sterling’s new contract failing to progress. However he nonetheless has two extra years on his present deal so there is no panic but.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Supervisor: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Utd have now gone eight years and not using a league title however coach Solksjaer has made regular progress and he has been rewarded with a brand new contract. They completed 2nd final season thanks largely to their unbelievable away report. However the stress will likely be on him to ship and to remodel the staff into real title contenders.
They definitely can’t afford one other group stage exit within the Champions League however with the addition of Jadon Sancho to an already sturdy squad, they’ve the gamers to push for silverware.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Captain: Jamaal Lascelles
First sport: West Ham (house)
They secured a cushty mid-table end after a gradual begin however with Bruce on the helm, they actually can’t anticipate to complete larger than twelfth place once more. Newcastle all the time simply appear to be they’re making up the numbers, they’re not adequate to threaten the highest 6 or unhealthy sufficient to be within the backside 3. Allan Saint-Maximin has been linked with a transfer to Everton and in the event that they lose him the stress will likely be on Callum Wilson to hold the staff.
NORWICH CITY
First sport: Liverpool (house)
Daniel Farke’s aspect are again within the Premier League and you’d assume that they’ll do higher than their hapless 21-point marketing campaign in 2019/20. To try this, they might want to maintain on to the needed Max Aarons and Todd Cantwell having already bought Emi Buendia. They do look weak in assault and can rely but once more on 31-year-old Teemu Puki to assist maintain them up. They’ve signed Werder Bremen winger Milot Rashica and introduced in Chelsea’s Scotland ace Billy Gilmour on mortgage. The Canaries are a little bit of a yo-yo membership – however can they keep up this time?
SOUTHAMPTON
Supervisor: Ralph Hasenhuttl
Captain: James Ward-Prowse
First sport: Everton (away)
After a robust begin to the season, The Saints fell away badly within the second half and coach Ralph Hasenhüttl might want to bolster the squad this summer time. However, if they will’t add some actual high quality to it, then retaining Danny Ings on the membership must be their goal. However even when he stays, you get the sensation Southampton will battle once more and in the event that they lose James Ward-Prowse then they’ll undoubtedly battle.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Supervisor: Nuno Espirito Santo
First sport: Man Metropolis (house)
Spurs sacked coach Jose Mourinho mid-way by way of final season and it took them a very long time to discover a everlasting substitute, ultimately settling for former Wolves coach Nuno Espírito Santo. He likes to play quick, attacking soccer and Spurs will likely be happy to have gotten him in at White Hart Lane. However, it’ll be an enormous step up for him and he faces a tricky activity in convincing Harry Kane to remain on the membership.
The striker has made it clear he needs to go away and Man Metropolis are believed to be on the verge of signing him. If he was to go then the stress will likely be on Son to hold the staff. They’ll be taking part in within the Europa Convention League which is the poor man’s Champions League and in consequence, they could discover it onerous to draw top-class gamers.
WATFORD
First sport: Aston Villa (house)
Watford are again on the first time of asking and will likely be determined to re-establish themselves within the prime flight. Coach Xisco Munoz had a tricky begin to life at Vicarage Highway however guided the membership to promotion however the Spaniard might want to add some high quality to the staff. The Hornets will look to Ismaila Sarr to seize the objectives together with captain Troy Deeney if they’re to remain up this time. They’ve been busy within the switch market and have already introduced in Danny Rose, Josh King, Imran Louza and Emmanuel Dennis.
WEST HAM UNITED
First sport: Newcastle (away)
David Moyes have confirmed as soon as once more that given just a bit little bit of time and belief he can construct a correct soccer staff. He helped information the Hammers to sixth final season which qualifies them for European soccer however they only missed out on the Champions League. Nonetheless, the rehabilitation of Moyes is full and the Scotsman will likely be wanting ahead to the brand new marketing campaign.
Nonetheless, to struggle credibly on two fronts, they want reinforcements. Defender Kurt Zouma might be on the way in which from Chelsea however heading within the different path may be midfielder Declan Rice and that might be an enormous loss.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
First sport: Leicester (away)
Wolves allowed coach Nuno Espirito Santo to go away after his first rocky season and plenty of really feel it was a foul choice. In has come former Benfica boss Bruno Lage and he may have his work reduce out in making an attempt to get the staff again into the highest 8. The lack of Raúl Jiménez final season value them pricey however he’s again to health and will likely be key to how they do that season. Including further creativity in midfield and assault appears a should if Lage is to face any probability of constructing efficiently on Nuno’s tremendous legacy.
Predicted Premier League Desk 2021/22
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