Between now and the opening weekend of the 2024/25 Premier League season we can expect a flood of transfers, as clubs get busy post-Euros in order to improve their squads.
There may even be a managerial switch-up too though it’s rare for changes to be made in the dug-out at this juncture.
Already there have been five new appointments and that’s enough to be getting on with.
On the pitch though, leading contenders for the title and also-rans alike will look very different this August to the teams that achieved their targets, or fell short of them, in May.
New strikers will be scoring their goals. Midfielders who will ultimately prove to be pivotal haven’t even been signed yet.
Premier League Winner Odds
- Manchester City - 11/10
- Arsenal - 15/8
- Liverpool - 7/1
- Chelsea - 20/1
- Manchester United - 25/1
- Newcastle United - 25/1
- Tottenham Hotspur - 33/1
- Bar - 50/1
*Odds accurate as of 10th July 2024*
You may think therefore that it’s difficult to make informed predictions about the season to come at this early stage, but that’s not the case, not when we step back and take in the big picture.
Because by doing this we see the journeys each club are on, the trajectories they are traveling, and this leads us to some fascinating – and surprising – conclusions. Not least that the most successful side in the modern era may be about to hit a speed-bump.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Blues won’t win the Premier League this season. There, it’s been said. It’s been committed to print.
Last term, inspired by Phil Foden at his peak and bolstered by the goals of Erling Haaland, City pulled off the extraordinary and unprecedented feat of winning a fourth consecutive title and it was the challenge of doing this that propelled them forward, fuelling their motivation.
So strong was the desire to do something that had never been achieved before City remained unbeaten from early December on, and this was enough to see off a maximal Arsenal creation for the second year running.
Yet for all of their brilliance and array of superstars, and as intimidatingly superior as Guardiola’s blueprint is, it should not be under-estimated how taxing it is to repeatedly go to the well and return with an over-flowing pail of water.
Outright Winner - Manchester City
Furthermore, it only takes the slightest drop-off in hunger to tell at this level.
Can they go again? It will be immensely hard from a squad that is expected to show signs of wear and tear this season, after holding off sustained bids by Liverpool and Arsenal in recent years.
Naturally, the most successful side in the modern era are once again favourites in the Premier League betting and for sure they will be in the mix for the duration.
But with only one or two new additions anticipated, and with the bulk of the squad sated and spent, this may well by a period when they unwillingly take their foot off the throttle.
Arsenal
Staying with the psychological angle, it could be argued that the Gunners will similarly struggle to consistently hit the peaks again.
After all, last season amounted to a perfect storm, with a superbly put together side playing at full capacity and driven by a ravenous desire to prove their doubters wrong.
A plethora of last-minute winners and equalisers suggested fate was with them and when Kai Havertz is banging in the goals on a regular basis it’s abundantly clear that the side he’s playing for is doing something very right.
Yet despite losing only once in their opening 15 games, and only once in 2024, Arsenal still failed to topple a ruthless Manchester City and could you blame them if they collectively shrugged their shoulders this summer and wondered ‘what more can we do?’
Outright Winner - Arsenal
That kind of thinking however will not be tolerated by Mikel Arteta and moreover it may become apparent soon into the campaign that a 90-plus points tally is not necessary this time out.
As for the make-up of the Spaniard’s squad, it should be extremely encouraging for Gooners everywhere that its few weaknesses are being prioritised.
A new left-sided defender is being targeted, with Bologna’s Riccardo Calafiori firmly in the frame, while a winger to help take the burden off Martinelli and Saka is being actively sought.
PSV’s Johan Bakayoko heads the queue here with Nico Williams potentially pricing himself out following his successful Euros. Adding to their striker pool is key too and a surprise shout in this regard could be Spain’s Mikel Merino.
Liverpool
The departure of Jurgen Klopp and arrival of Arne Slot from Feyenoord colours every detail of Liverpool’s pre-season build-up.
Does a new era beckon for the Reds? Would fans even welcome such a notion given that last term felt more like a temporary blip rather than a project nearing its time.
Certainly there is nothing significantly broken and in need of urgent repair.
Thankfully, the Liverpool board have chosen Slot judiciously, his style of play mirroring that of his predecessor and with a proven track record of bringing through talented youth.
Outright Winner - Liverpool
There is a lot of that to be found at Anfield right now with Conor Bradley, Jarell Quansah, and Harvey Elliott all on the cusp of establishing themselves as first team fixtures.
Furthermore, the Dutchman has introduced himself well, charming the Merseyside public and showing his ruthless side in releasing Joel Matip and Thiago, two great players but cursed by injury woes.
Now we await who he brings in to freshen up a side that scored freely last season and looked all-the-better for having a midfield overhaul, but ultimately drew too many games.
Liverpool are third favourites in the betting and rightly so. They possess world class talent and a will to win that is a match for anyone, but presently unknowns surround them.
Chelsea and Tottenham
Spurs set off like an express train last season but eventually injuries and Ange Postecoglou’s refusal to compromise proved their undoing.
Can we expect anything different over the next twelve months? With a more favourable wind behind them we can absolutely anticipate lots of goals and entertainment while keeping their best players fit for the long-haul will see their league position improve.
Their high-wire defending though will always see them fall on occasion, ruling them out of any title chase.
As for Chelsea, new managers have won the title before in their opening bow, as the Blues themselves know from experience. It should be noted too that a side mired in crisis and chaos across the first half of last season, only lost once from mid-February.
The circus that’s been Chelsea in the Todd Boehly era was beginning to look like a serious enterprise.
Even so, there still feels like a considerable amount for work for new gaffer Enzo Maresca to complete in a short period of time in order for the Londoners to compete at the very top. They will remain a work in progress for the time being at least.
Conclusion
After dominating the English footballing landscape for several years on the trot it might finally be time that Manchester City cede an inch or two. Don’t rule out Arsenal taking full advantage.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Alamy*
