Michael Odetunde Odesport ✍️.
The Premier League 2023/24 season starts Friday (Today) and it could be one of the toughest ones to predict yet.
Could Arsenal and Manchester United wrestle the title from Manchester City, are Liverpool and Chelsea title contenders?
MANCHESTER UNITED.
The Red Devils have last won Premier League was in 2013 under Sir Alex Ferguson, they did not come close to it last season after marauded on the log, in between 3rd and 4th position throughout the campaign, but they eventually ended in the third position after outstanding performance towards the end of the campaign.
Manchester United have been building a formidable squad to challenge their rivals for the title after they brought in, tested and trusted Mason Mount from Chelsea, Andre Onana from Inter Milan and highly promising striker Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta to help dependable Rashford upfront for goals.
They still want more players coming in,as they look to clinch the title that have eluded them in the last 10 years.
With the future of Fred, Harry Maguire, Scott Mc Tominay, Eric Bailly, close to be sorted out, this might give them more balance, as it is not advisable to keep unhappy players, and must quickly find replacements for the departed ones.
David de Gea who spent 12 years at Old Trafford, left uncelebrated after expiration of his contract after his outstanding performance last season, Manchester United manager Ten Hag opted for tested and trusted boy Andre Onana to replaced him and he will be looking forward to do more than David de Gea as he wanted his own style of play at Manchester United.
Manchester United still have the ever relying Bruno Fernandez, dependable and leadership of Casemiro, experience of Raphael Varane, talent of Alejandro Ganarcho, brilliance of Marcus Rashford and doggedness of Lisandro Martinez.
ARSENAL.
19 years they last won Premier League during the invincible era and Mikel Arteta and his boys gave sumptuous performance last season and must continue to leverage on that this season.
They are close to more balance team in terms of squad depth, after the signings of Kyle Havertz, from Chelsea, Declan Rice from West Ham, Jurien Timber from Ajax and back up goalkeeper David Raya closing to join from Brentford.
They would not be having the experience of Granix Xhaka anymore but they have got suitable replacement for him, Declan Rice, though not that highly experienced but he will do a little and add more quality to the North London side, note he was £100m signing.
The good news for Mikel Arteta is that, he still got the backing of Arsenal’s board, and also tying down a long term contract with Bukayo Saka and William Saliba and convinced Thomas Partey to stay at the Emirates.
The disadvantages for Arsenal is that they would be playing in the UEFA Champions League and this could be a distraction for them to challenge for the title that have eluded them in the last two decades.
They need the scoring boots of Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard, the brilliance of Martin Odegard and Bukayo Saka and the resilience of Thomas Partey and doggedness of Declan Rice.
Defeating Manchester City in the Community Shields will give Arsenal more confidence and the bragging rights this season over their arch rivals.
MANCHESTER CITY.
They still have the bulk of players that won them Premier League title last term, except Riyad Mahrez who joined Saudi Pro League side and Ikay Gundogan who had left to joined Barcelona on a free transfers.
As they say you don’t change winning team unless you add to it and The Citizens have been able to add to their squad with the signing of Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea and Joskol Gvardiol second highest most expensive defender behind Harry Maguire from RB Leipzig.
Manchester City were defeated by Arsenal in the Community Shields, which shows they have work to do if truly they want to defend the title.
But uncertain future of few players still need to be sorted as they open their campaign against Burnley coached by Manchester City former captain Vincent Kompany.
Arguably they have the best squad in the league but there are some weaknesses in this Manchester City side but if Pep can easily fix it and continue with their high-pressing and intensity style of play, they could retain the Premier League title.
CHELSEA.
After the lackluster performance and woeful season which ended in the 12th position last season in Premier League, taking them to the base will always be in the mind of Mauricio Pochettino.
He begins his Premier League debut campaign as a Chelsea manager against arch rival Liverpool on Sunday and his top priority is to put Chelsea where they belong.
They have sold mostly of the players that won them UCL in 2021 after the disappointing season in 2022/23.
Even they shipped out 13 players and did a couple of signings of young lads to their squad.
There are no spending spree this season as they did in the last two transfer windows.
Major problems for Chelsea last season was low in confidence of players, so Pochettino has much to do in this directions to find solution to it.
Though they have brought in young players who are ready to play under the new manager.
Nicolas Jackson who joined from Villarreal can solve their scoring problems as he did in pre-season. But not yet tested and trusted.
An injury sustained by Christopher Nkunku against Borussia Dortmund in the pre-season was a big blow for Pochettino as he was one the top performer in pre-season tour in USA.
If Pochettino can find a suitable formation for Nickolas Jackson, he could be that player that will give Chelsea what they missed last season under Tuchel, Potter and Lampard.
LIVERPOOL.
They finished outside top six last season and it was so disappointing for them after the lackluster performance in 2022/23 Premier League season.
They still posses their attacking strength, high-pressing and counter attacking style under Klopp, but they will be without Fabinho, Milner, Chamberlain, Keita and Henderson.
There vulnerability is at the midfield, but they have recruited Dominik Szobozlai, Alexis McAllister and on the verge of sealing the deal of Moises Caicedo to bolster their midfield.
There major problems is how quickly
the trio of Szobozla, Mc Allister and Moises Caicedo clicking together in their midfield. If they do, Liverpool could be a league contenders this season.
Luiz Diaz is back from injury and if he can rejuvenate his form , he could be key for them, Diogo Jota is also coming back to form and this season could be Darwin Nunez season after that disappointing performance in his first year.
They still got Alexander Arnold, Andrew Robertson, Mohammed Salah and host of others in their ranks after they have got the suitable replacement for Fabinho and Henderson who both left to Saudi Pro League.
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