Getting to the top is hard, staying there is even harder. Since Manchester United’s three successive league title between 2007 and 2009, no team has managed to retain the Premier League crown in this current decade. That is the next challenge for Pep Guardiola and his record breaking team for the 2018/19 season which kicks off on Friday at Old Trafford. Manchester United welcome Leicester City to the theatre of dreams. Manchester City were deserved and worthy champions of the English championship finishing a whopping 19 points ahead of city rivals Manchester United. For the chasing pack, this is the challenge as they play catch up.
MANCHESTER CITY
When a team wins the league title securing 100 points, winning 32 league matches and losing just two, it is difficult finding too many weakness in such a team. City have kept the core of the title winning team together while adding Riyad Mahrez to a full attacking roster. The Algerian international has the ability to beat his opponents and will provide a variety of option to what is currently available at the Etihad. Benjamin Mendy, Ederson, Danilo, Bernardo Silva will be entering their second year in England and should be fully settled as they prepare for the new season. The quality in City’s squad isn’t in doubt, what would be tested this season is the mental aspect; being able to stay on top. Pep Guardiola won the Spanish and German League three times consecutively so infusing this consistent winning mentality into this team shouldn’t be a problem. On back of last season performance, the Abu Dhabi United Group owned club are favorites to claim a second title on the spin. Would it be tougher than last season, yes I think so, as there would be no surprise element this time.
MANCHESTER UNITED
The expectation or myth around Jose Mourinho winning the league title in his second season at a club failed last season. The Red Devils looked inferior to their noisy neighbors throughout the campaign which ended with a massive 19 points gap. The priority for the former Inter Milan and Real Madrid coach is to return United to its glory days and win their first league title in six years. This is a strange period for United supporters born in the 90s, they have never witnessed a long drought. The club’s summer transfer activities have been rather slow; Manchester United have struggled to close deals and bring in the key players requested by the manager to make up the ground on City. With the transfer window closing Thursday evening, the club’s director are running out of time and the manager is visibly unhappy. On a personal note, this is the longest period in his career without winning the league and he is increasingly cutting a frustrated figure. If United don’t strengthen, their best effort will be retaining a top-four spot.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Spurs approach to conducting transfer business late in the window is something Pochettino can live with. The North London club is yet to make any first team acquisition but they have not sold either. The biggest excitement for Tottenham is the move to their new stadium which should be ready in the first few weeks of the new season. Mauricio Pochettino believes in the club’s project and their business model which has seen them finish in the top-three in the last three seasons hence his commitment to a new five year deal. The core of Spurs team are entering their prime age or thereabout so the club is healthy from a sporting perspective and would be looking to consolidate their status in European competition this season. A silverware will be nice fit in the trophy cabinet at the New White Hart Lane but the Lily Whites do not have a league championship winning squad at the moment. Spurs are making steady improvement under Pochettino and should be go enough for another top-four finish.
LIVERPOOL
The feeling at Anfield is one with huge optimism and expectation after the huge financial outlay in securing very good players to plug the holes in a defective side. Jurgen Klopp has led Liverpool to three cup finals including two European ones without success but the guys upstairs believe they have the right man for the job. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s serious knee injury is a huge blow for the Reds who will be expected to challenge both Manchester clubs this season. If Mo Salah can replicate the form of last season and inspire the other attacking units around him, there can be a sense of belief that the first Premier League title can arrive. This is a pivotal season for Klopp who has enjoyed support from the fans; they would expect to be rewarded with titles this season. Winning the Premier League is not impossible but I will not be putting my money on Liverpool winning it this season.
CHELSEA
After two seasons in charge, Chelsea felt it was time for another approach. Antonio Conte was relieved of his duty but the club has decided to go with another Italian who may finally provide Roman Abramovich with the type of eye-catching football he has wished for since he fell in love with football. Is Maurizio Sarri is the new head coach to lead the Blues back to Premier League glory? The former Empoli coach transformed Napoli into one of the most entertaining teams in Europe in his three year stint at the club. However, the Italian would be well informed that the Premier League is a different kettle of fish; time and patience given by Aurelio De Laurentiis to build a formidable team may not be given by Chelsea Russian billionaire owner. Sarri has key players who have expressed their desire to leave which puts him in a difficult situation as he prepares to infuse his philosophy on his new team. For a coach with no silverware in his career, success and performance are the only options available for longevity at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea fans should lower their expectation for the season as Sarri tries to work his methods. In the short term, the Blues need to realize that they are club undergoing transformation; the best they can hope for is a top-four finish. Missing out on the Champions League for a third season in four would be disastrous.
ARSENAL
It’s a different manager who will be in the Gunners technical dug-out this season after almost 22 years of Arsene Wenger reign. The French manager’s Arsenal tenure can be described in two phases; the success before moving to Emirates stadium and life after Highbury. Unai Emery is the new man to lead the North London club and he has a lot to accomplish. The former Sevilla and PSG coach has proven to be a winner domestically and on the continent; the meticulous trainer would be expected to drill the team well and get them firing as they aim to reestablish themselves as a force in the big-six in England. Emery has made changes both in playing and backroom staff ahead of his maiden campaign in the Premier League. Arsenal fans will need adjust to a new team under Emery which may not be as sophisticated as Wenger’s but should be filled with spirit and desire. A return to the top-four bracket and qualification for the Champions League would be the expectation from the club and fans.
OTHERS
Burnley were surprised overachievers last season finishing seventh and earning a Europa League qualification spot. Can Sean Dyche combine Premier League challenge with European adventure? A top half of the table finish would be seen as a successful season. Everton finally got the manager they wanted in the summer; Marco Silva is enjoying support from the board and will need to match the ambition of the owner who has invested heavily since he took over. Richarlison and Lucas Digne are the big money arrivals at Finch Farm. Silva is known for building a strong cohesive team that are difficult to beat but his Premier League record is still under scrutiny. Leicester City couldn’t hold on to Riyad Mahrez beyond the end of last season; the Algeria international got his wish to leave the club but the Foxes wasted no time in investing the money wisely. James Maddison is the player but to replace Mahrez, he scored 14 goals in the Championship for Norwich last season. Claude Puel will expect to build on last season’s performances this season as they aim for European position. Rafa Benitez has done a remarkable job since he arrived St. James Park and he is the reason why Newcastle United finished a respectable 10th place last season. Unfortunately, the Spaniard isn’t having things his way; Mike Ashley hasn’t backed him with required funds to get players of choice. The former Liverpool manager has been wheeling and dealing. With him in charge, Newcastle should be fine in the league. Crystal Palace fans will hope Wilfried Zaha is still an Eagle by the end of the transfer window and he is able to focus on playing for the team. He has been the club’s livewire in the past few seasons. Yohan Cabaye’s exit is a huge loss but Cheikhou Kouyate’s arrival can help fill the void. Palace still need to get some quality bodies in to enable them avoid the relegation dogfight which characterized their entire 2017/18. Bournemouth have had a quiet summer until they broke the bank for their record signing with the arrival of Jefferson Lerma from Levante paying an initial £25m for the Colombian international.
Manuel Pellegini is back in the Premier League this time with West Ham as he hopes to reawaken the East Londoners. With 11 new players brought in, it would require something special from the Engineer to build a solid team with a short space of time. Watford have gone about their business quietly this summer but convincing Abdoulaye Doucoure to committing to a new long term deal must be Javi Gracia’s biggest achievement. Things are never the way they seem as Vicarge Road, Premier League survival is probably the objective. Chris Hughton continues to prove his substance at Brighton; getting them into the Premier League was notable but keeping the Seagulls up was extraordinary. Alireza Jahanbakhsh is the biggest name to arrive at the American Express Community stadium. Brighton have brought in several decent players who should complement current team and ensure top flight status is secured once again.
Wolverhampton Wanderers, Cardiff City and Fulham are the newly promoted teams. Wolves won the championship and have been busy in the transfer market as they prepare for life in the top division. Portuguese internationals Rui Patricio and Joao Moutinho are some of the exceptional acquisitions as well as keeping Ruben Neves. Nuno Espirito Santo is a fans favorite at the Molineux; he should be able to keep The Wanderers up. Cardiff City are back in the top tier of English football for the first time in five seasons. Neil Warnock built a solid defensive team that conceded 39 goals in 46 matches as they emerged runners up in the Championship. However, the level in the Premier League is much higher and The Bluebirds have not strengthen enough. It could be a tough season at the Cardiff City stadium. Fulham turned on the style during the second stanza of last season which led to Premier League promotion via the play-offs. The Cottagers have been busy in the market trying to forfeit their squad for life in the elite division. Jean Michael Seri, Andre Schrulle, Alfie Mawson, Aleksandr Mitrovic have arrived Craven Cottage. Ryan Sessegnon was the outstanding teenage sensation in the Championship last season, can he make the step up in the Premier League? With investments made, Slavisa Jokanovic team will be expected to stay up.
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