Will it be Manchester City’s year again in the Premier League, or can someone emerge from the chasing pack in the 2023/24 season? By Nick Said.
TITLE CHALLENGERS
Manchester City have been relentless in recent years, winning five out of the past six Premier League titles, a run only broken by Liverpool’s success in the COVID-19 interrupted campaign in 2019/20.
Had that season been played to its natural conclusion without the five- month break as the pandemic swept the world, it is very possible City would have overhauled the Reds as Jürgen Klopp’s side faltered in the weeks before and Pep Guardiola’s men surged ahead.
It is unlikely Liverpool will be as bad in 2023/24 as they were last season, and without the European Champions League to focus on, should be more of a threat.
Manchester United will need to show progression under Erik ten Hag, but improved a lot in the last campaign. If they can keep up that steady change in fortunes, they may have a go at the title.
Arsenal were on top for 248 days out of the 296 in the past season, but when the pressure mounted towards the end, were found wanting.
They should be better equipped this time round, in terms of personnel and experience, for both the players and manager Mikel Arteta.
Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have new managers in Mauricio Pochettino and the Australian Ange Postecoglou, respectively, but are coming off dire campaigns in which neither qualified for European club competition. Both squads look unbalanced, though.
Newcastle United were the surprise package of last season and with their Saudi money could keep up their rapid improvement, though a return to the Champions League is a huge distraction for them, and will also test the depth in their squad.
WHO CAN SURPRISE?
We have seen clubs beat the odds, and expectations, in the recent past, so is there anyone now who can ‘do a Leicester City’ and rise to the summit of the Premier League?
Winning the league may be a stretch, but there remain three clubs who are certainly on the rise and could well push for a top-four place.
Aston Villa were superb under Unai Emery in the closing months of the most recent campaign, and with some smart signings could get quite a bit better quickly.
According to Guardiola, Brighton & Hove Albion have one of the best coaches in the world in Italian Roberto De Zerbi, who is changing the way people think about football.
They have lost some big names in this transfer window, but have such an enviable array of young talent to call on, as well as newly-acquired old head James Milner, that they could be a force.
Brentford must do without star striker Ivan Toney for the first half of the season as he sits out a ban for gambling offences, but they have a canny boss in Thomas Frank, and no shortage of exciting players, who now have greater experience after two seasons in the Premier League.
BATTLING AT THE BOTTOM
Of the three promoted teams, it would be a surprise to see Burnley struggle given their squad – which includes Bafana Bafana’s Lyle Foster – and an excellent manager in Vincent Kompany.
Sheffield United may also beat the drop, but it would take some doing for Luton Town, who are back on the big stage for the first time in 31 years, but do not seem too well equipped to compete.
Expect Fulham, Crystal Palace, Everton and West Ham to end the campaign somewhere mid-table, which leaves Wolves, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest potentially in the relegation mix
