The English Premier League (EPL) is in full swing and the twenty teams are set to decide a champion for the 2023–2024 season. Yes, it will probably be Manchester City, but the EPL will still offer intrigue, excitement, and controversy. The storylines will be plentiful, but here are five to keep your eyes on.
Ninety-Nine Problems But A Billion Ain’t One
The EPL has been flushed with money this summer transfer window. The Saudi government has absorbed four domestic clubs and injected them with absurd levels of money. As a result, big names like Neymar, N’Golo Kante, Karim Benzema, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane signed huge contracts. For some clubs like Liverpool, selling Henderson and Fabinho injected important funds to ensure future transfers. For some clubs like Fulham, being forced to sell star players like Mitrovic hurts their chances at success.
The other provider of stimulus into the EPL has been Chelsea. New owner Todd Boehly has spent over one billion pounds in transfers. This includes breaking the EPL transfer fee record first for Enzo Fernandez, and then again in the same calendar year for Moises Caicedo. Chelsea are currently a young squad led by former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino, but when one thinks of a young squad a billion in transfers does not usually relate. With Chelsea signing their new players to long-term contracts, the strategy could implode sooner rather than later.
The Gulf Grows In Manchester
It would be malpractice to not mention that Manchester City have over one hundred financial fair play charges filed against them. However, the gulf between City and United has only grown over the last year. United fans and former players have forever deified their treble win in 1999. The only English treble was the crowning jewel in the grand history and prestige of Manchester United. However, City have matched that treble, while also winning their third consecutive league title. United have not won a Premier League title since the 2012–2013 season. City have won six since.
The way the clubs have been managed could not be more different. City are shrewd in the market, while manager Pep Guardiola is ruthless with discipline and team commitment. Meanwhile, United are constantly in a state of panic, as decisions regarding the transfer strategy, Mason Greenwood’s return, and the owners potentially selling the club weigh down on manager Eric ten Hag. To add further insult to injury, Jadon Sancho has recently publicly voiced displeasure over ten Hag’s comments regarding his benching against Arsenal.
A New Era
Harry Kane has finally left Tottenham Hotspur. He has finally freed himself from the clutches of a club who have shown the entire football world their lack of ambition. Kane will surely win plenty of trophies at Bayern Munich. Of course, maybe Kane was the jinx since Bayern were embarrassed by Leipzig in the German Super Cup. Meanwhile, the Spurs look rejuvenated with manager Ange Postecoglou implementing an enjoyable attacking style. This is in complete contrast to Antonio Conte who would accurately be described as a football terrorist in the eyes of Spurs fans. The players Conte said were not good enough or malcontents have been rejuvenated under Ange. As a neutral, Spurs play beautiful football and are always likely to score plenty of goals, even as they concede plenty of goals. James Maddison looks like the signing of the summer as his creativity has launched the Spurs attack to new heights. Keep in mind that all this is happening without the club’s greatest ever player.
Welcome To Brighton & Hove Albion! May I Take Your Order?
Brighton shocked the Premier League last season by finishing sixth and qualifying for the Europa League. First with manager Graham Potter, but now with Roberto De Zerbi, the Seagulls have been able to tussle with the big boys of English football. The key to Brighton’s rise is their ability to constantly survive the turnover of their team. Selling key star players like Caicedo, Cucurella, Bissouma, Mac Allister, and Trossard would signal to fans the club has no ambition. However, despite losing virtually a majority of their star players, Brighton has simply pressed on. They have replenished by making brilliant signings such as Evan Ferguson, Carlos Baleba, and Joao Pedro. With star winger Kaoru Mitoma staying put and the loan addition of young Barcelona star Ansu Fati, Brighton seems to have kept their level. You may not know who their players are, but when they continue to get sold for large sums, it may behoove you to study up on Brighton’s strategy.
Pretenders or Contenders?
Who can challenge the holders? Last year’s challengers were Arsenal, who now hold the record for most time spent at the top of the table without winning the league. In other words, Arsenal bottled the league title. The Gunners were—and still are—in the midst of a rebuild. They have one of the youngest squads in the league, but manager Mikel Arteta has been able to launch Arsenal into their trophy window early. This summer, Arsenal broke the transfer record for an English player by signing superstar Declan Rice. They bolstered their defensive ranks with promising defender Jurrien Timber, who was immediately lost to severe injury. The only issue with Arsenal may be Arteta’s insistence on playing Chelsea reject Kai Havertz. Early signs have shown Havertz capping the potential of this Arsenal team.
Meanwhile in Liverpool, a renaissance has occurred. An aging midfield has been completely replaced with youthful energy and physical talent. The additions of Dominic Szobozlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo, and Ryan Gravenberch have completely revamped the midfield, while Liverpool may have the best attack in the world despite not having Mbappe or Haaland. Jurgen Klopp has been the only manager able to go pound-for-pound with City and it seems the pieces are in place for a serious Liverpool challenge. All of this falls apart if Mohammed Salah leaves for Saudi Arabia. Darwin Nunez looks promising, but unlikely to replace nearly thirty goals a season.