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1 month ago
Arsenal
Optimism abounds successful London N5. I had immoderate doubts astir Arteta’s expertise to support motivating this group, but this summer’s dense walk should hole that, reinvigorating nan squad. Only clip will show whether nan caller faces tin gel and create chemistry, but it’s a alleviation to person nan clamour for a centre-forward answered astatine last. Hopefully travel May we’ll beryllium lauding Victor’s veni, vidi, vici Premier League triumph.
Key players/weak links? Keeping our prima turns fresh – Gabriel, Rice and Saka – remains crucial. Beyond that location are tons of unknowns. Can Ødegaard rekindle his domiciled arsenic our creator-in-chief, aliases will Nwaneri unit his measurement in? Can Zubimendi shape an effective business pinch Declan Rice and enforce himself arsenic our midfield fulcrum? Will Martinelli, Trossard and Madueke spot successful pinch nan 10‑15 goals required to alleviate our reliance connected Saka, thereby reducing nan load connected Gyökeres? And really overmuch will we spot overmuch of our 15-year-old prodigy Max Dowman?
We still request to motion … Nobody will kick if nan spending stops here, aft half a twelve caller arrivals already. But location would besides beryllium fewer arguments if nan nine managed to onshore an Eze-like prize too.
Our headline-maker is … Gyökeres: guaranteed to beryllium nan taxable of aggravated media scrutiny. Our days of speculating astir what mightiness person been if only we’d signed a striker sooner are over. Now it’s clip to find out.
Happy pinch nan caller kit? I’m a traditionalist; I deliberation our kits should ever beryllium reddish and achromatic and yellowish and blue. This play there’s an all-blue distant kit and a achromatic third. Marvellous manner items, maybe, but if we don’t triumph successful them, they’ll accelerated suffer their allure.
We will decorativeness … 1st. Based connected nan rule of averages, I’ll beryllium correct 1 of these days. Top 4 1. Arsenal; 2. Liverpool; 3. Man City; 4. Chelsea. Bottom 3 18. Sunderland; 19. Leeds; 20. Burnley. First head sacked Scott Parker.
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Bernard Azulay onlinegooner.com; @GoonerN5
Aston Villa
There’s a nagging emotion successful nan instrumentality guidelines that past twelvemonth was a high-water mark. With nan rules making it nigh-on intolerable for nan “disruptors” to make sustained progress, clubs for illustration ours tin do thing but Bark astatine nan Moon. Sixth to eighth is astir apt our range, but those that find that imaginable dull really should beryllium much balanced. We are playing European football, we’ll person a chance successful nan cups and we’ve sewage a Wizard of a manager.
Key players/weak links? The wellbeing of nan spine of Konsa, Tielemans, Rogers and Watkins, each of whom made 50+ appearances past year, will beryllium basal – and Kamara’s fittingness will beryllium important too. Also worthy keeping an oculus connected Onana and Maatsen, who could person connection seasons. Weaknesses? Whisper it softly but Martínez had a less-than-convincing 2024‑25. But you’d ever backmost specified a characteristic to shingle that off.
We still request to motion … I’d expect 1 much (net) presence by window-shut. We request screen astatine right-back arsenic Cash is injury-prone. As for attacking threat, I made nan classical correction of falling successful emotion pinch a indebtedness subordinate (Rashford) past year, truthful I’m hoping caller boy Evann Guessand will measurement Into nan Void.
Our headline-maker is… Martínez isn’t a Hellraiser but his “housery” and his shot-stopping are connected different trajectories astatine nan infinitesimal and he’s worthy 50p to beryllium nan first keeper to beryllium sent disconnected for wide insubordination. Still wouldn’t switch him, though!
Happy pinch nan caller kit? I can’t spot overmuch quality betwixt this year’s and last’s. But it’s claret and bluish successful nan correct proportions truthful yes, I’m happy I guess. It’s each a taxation connected nan instrumentality anyway.
We will decorativeness … 7th. Top 4 1. Liverpool; 2. Man City; 3. Arsenal; 4. Chelsea. Bottom 3 18. Brentford; 19. Sunderland; 20. Wolves. First head sacked Ruben Amorim.
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Jonathan Pritchard (With acknowledgment to Ozzy and each nan Holte Enders successful nan Sky.)
Bournemouth
Realistically, past play is going to beryllium difficult to beat. Progress disconnected nan transportation will beryllium marked by nan much-needed description of nan stadium and nan recruitment of cardinal players to capable gaps near by large departures. On it, I can’t really spot america hitting a top-10 finish. Mid-table and 50 points would consciousness for illustration a immense triumph erstwhile you look astatine wherever we are currently. A cup semi-final would beryllium a bonus.
Key players/weak links? Key will beryllium Antoine Semenyo, Justin Kluivert, Evanilson and nan returning-from-injury Ryan Christie. The income of Kerkez and Huijsen and apt exit of Zabarnyi will time off gaping holes successful our defence that request filling. We’re each looking guardant to seeing Eli Junior Kroupi make his debut for nan squad aft joining from Lorient, and this could beryllium a breakthrough play for James Hill, a protect inferior man who will apt person overmuch much crippled clip compared pinch 2024-25.
We still request to motion … Defenders. Lille’s Bafodé Diakité and Seville’s Loïc Badé are some imaginable options being explored – but not only by Bournemouth. Fingers crossed we tin get 1 aliases some done. Every squad knows we request caller recruits astatine nan back, truthful high-quality bargains aren’t easy to find. In our recruitment squad we trust, but nan unit is decidedly connected them to deliver.
Our headline-maker is … It could beryllium fittingness coach Pablo de la Torre, booked respective times past season. Could he build connected those performances and get successful a due conflict pinch an charismatic this season?
Happy pinch this season’s caller kit? Yes. The subtle activity to nan reddish and achromatic stripes pays a bully homage to our seaside roots. And nan achromatic and bluish stripes of nan distant kit are already a patient fan’s favourite, harking backmost to past seasons, astir precocious 2011-12.
We will decorativeness … 12th. Top 4 1. Liverpool; 2. Manchester City; 3. Arsenal; 4. Tottenham (yawn). Bottom 3 18. Manchester United aliases Leeds; 19. Burnley; 20. Sunderland. First head sacked Scott Parker.
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Jeff Hayward Back of nan Net, nan AFC Bournemouth Fan’s Podcast.
Brentford
I’m amazingly optimistic. OK, losing your manager, backroom staff, apical scorer and skipper and seeing your prima striker do arsenic his occupation title suggests – spell connected onslaught – doesn’t look bully connected paper, but I spot this arsenic an breathtaking caller horizon. Employing set-piece coach Keith Andrews looks a safe move to me, not a risky one. The nine knows him good and would alternatively employment personification who understands nan Brentford way. We knew Mbuemo was going, we person nan costs to switch him, truthful now it’s up to nan nine to deliver. We’re backed by galore to spell down; I’ll beryllium much than happy pinch a decorativeness anyplace supra 14th successful what is simply a monolithic transitional play for us.
Key players/weak links? There is simply a batch of unit connected Kevin Schade and Igor Thiago to deliver, pinch Mbuemo and, probably, Wissa gone. Fabio Carvalho and Keane Lewis-Potter, backmost successful his original domiciled connected nan helping aft filling successful astatine left-back for nan champion portion of 2 seasons, are still to show they person nan attacking flare retired wide displayed by their predecessors. The 1 caller subordinate causing overmuch excitement is 20-year-old Antoni Milambo. He’s sewage immoderate dancing feet connected him. And it’s awesome to spot Aaron Hickey and Rico Henry backmost to tighten up our defence; pinch nan knowledgeable Jordan Henderson sitting successful beforehand of them, I expect america to support things tight astatine nan backmost pinch immoderate awesome distribution to our guardant line, which is still a activity successful progress.
We still request to motion … Replacements for Mbuemo and Wissa. Ipswich’s Omari Hutchinson and Bournemouth’s Dango Ouattara are among those linked.
Our headline-maker is … He’s been pinch america for a twelvemonth and has hardly kicked a ball, but Igor Thiago looks for illustration a correct character. He seems to beryllium loving life successful London.
Happy pinch this season’s caller kit? I rather for illustration nan caller location kit, barroom nan unusual grandad neck. Our caller distant kit is simply a cocoa brownish colour. The past clip we had a brownish distant kit we didn’t triumph our first distant lucifer until January, and won only won doubly each season…
We will decorativeness … 14th. Top 4 1. Liverpool; 2. Arsenal; 3. Chelsea; 4. Man City. Bottom 3 18. Everton; 19. Burnley ; 20. Sunderland. First head sacked Nuno Espírito Santo.
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Billy Grant Beesotted podcast and blog; @Beesotted; @BillyTheBee99
Brighton
Europe has to beryllium nan target. It’s Fabian Hürzeler’s 2nd play and we’ve made much breathtaking additions to nan squad. It’s gutting to spot João Pedro go nan latest Brighton subordinate to succumb to nan Chelsea delirium but nary 1 tin hold to spot what nan Greek youngsters Stefanos Tzimas and Charalampos Kostoulas tin bring. Our transportation business was mostly done early successful nan model truthful Hürzeler’s had a awesome pre-season without a draining overseas tour. With our caller Dutch goalkeeping coach, Jelle 10 Rouwelaar, we’ll hopefully commencement redeeming immoderate penalties, and we tin opportunity goodbye to our aged wobbly defence now we’ve sewage Maxim De Cuyper, Olivier Boscagli and Diego Coppola.
Key players/weak links? With João Pedro gone, Danny Welbeck will beryllium key, while Brajan Gruda really started to show his value astatine nan extremity of past season. Charlie Tasker, who has been astatine nan nine since he was eight, was successful a fewer matchday squads and has had a decent pre-season truthful watch retired for him, too. Weak links? We’ve sewage Tony Bloom, truthful we don’t person any.
We still request to motion … We don’t request anyone else. If we did Uncle Tony would person sewage them already.
Our headline-maker is … Now Hürzeler has grown up a spot and is astir 32 and a half, he mightiness not get shown nan reddish paper truthful often. So possibly it’ll beryllium nan ridiculously flamboyant Georginio drafting attraction pinch each his Pokémon cards, racehorses and excited babbles to camera.
Happy pinch this season’s caller kit? Football shirts are acold excessively costly and glamorous for maine but I do emotion our iconic bluish and achromatic stripes. And it seems that this season’s type – pinch a purple distant portion – has been good received.
We will decorativeness … 6th. Top 4 1. Arsenal; 2. Liverpool; 3. Manchester City; 4. Chelsea. Bottom 3 18. Crystal Palace; 19. Burnley; 20. Sunderland. First head sacked Graham Potter.
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Steph Fincham
Burnley
I deliberation we’re approaching nan Premier League pinch a different strategy this clip around. Scott Parker is simply a acold much pragmatic coach than Vincent Kompany and we should beryllium a batch harder to people against. The signings, connected paper, look to beryllium bully – a operation of nan very knowledgeable (Kyle Walker) and immoderate younger talent to get nan fans excited. It’s not going to beryllium easy – we cognize really large nan spread is – but signing personification for illustration Walker astatine slightest gives you a chance of building nan correct civilization to enactment up.
Key players/weak links? Maxime Esteve is key. The lad is simply a Rolls-Royce of a footballer and if we’re to enactment up he’ll play a cardinal domiciled successful nan bosom of nan defence. The anemic nexus is astir apt up apical – do we person capable goals to survive? The assemblage is decidedly still out.
We still request to motion … The evident areas astatine nan commencement of nan model were a goalkeeper, a beardown cardinal midfielder and a striker, and that’s astir apt nan apical of nan shopping list. There’s been plentifulness of links and it looks for illustration we will person 1 successful each of those positions – Martin Dubravka, Lesley Ugochukwu and Armando Broja.
Our headline-maker is … It’s sewage to beryllium Hannibal. I described him a fewer times arsenic a “busy idiot” successful nan opening weeks of past play but aft serving a prohibition for a stupid stamp connected a Sunderland subordinate he came backmost and was magnificent. He’s nan benignant of subordinate who gets nan guidance riled up and he’s nan subordinate distant fans will emotion to dislike I’m sure. Aside from that, we’ve still sewage Ashley Barnes who lives for a wind-up, truthful support an oculus connected him connected nan touchline warming up.
Happy pinch nan caller kit? Yeah connected nan whole, 2 very bully kits truthful far. Hate betting sponsors, but we are wherever we are. Both should look awesome connected nan TV!
We will decorativeness … 16th. Top 4 1. Liverpool; 2. Arsenal; 3. Manchester City; 4. Manchester United. Bottom 3 18. Wolves; 19. Sunderland; 20. Leeds. First head sacked Graham Potter.
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Andrew Greaves From nan Bee Hole End podcast, @beeholepodcast, @andrewgreaves84
Chelsea
I’m cautiously optimistic. The players should beryllium connected a precocious aft nan Club World Cup, and hopefully Maresca will grow connected his strategies and springiness america nan breathtaking shot we each want. This broadside is wholly tin of delivering it. A beardown decorativeness to past play should alteration america to push on; apical 4 is nan minimum expectation, positive a beardown showing successful nan Champions League.
Key players/weak links? Key again will beryllium James, Cucurella, Caicedo, Enzo and Palmer, pinch a batch of rotation among nan remainder of nan squad. I don’t deliberation we’ll get nan 30-goal-a-season striker our support craves but João Pedro and Delap should beryllium entertaining, while nan stand-out subordinate among nan promising youngsters is Estêvão. Weaknesses? While Robert Sánchez had a bully extremity to nan play successful extremity I still spot him arsenic an issue.
We still request to motion … I wouldn’t beryllium amazed to spot Mike Maignan subordinate us. And Forfana’s ongoing wounded concerns whitethorn mean we dip successful to nan marketplace again. But realistically nan remainder of nan model is much astir who leaves: Sterling, Chilwell, Disasi and Nkunku are among a agelong database looking for exits. Maresca’s biggest situation will again beryllium keeping everyone happy and he won’t person nan luxury of nan Conference League to springiness squad players opportunities.
Our headline-maker is … Cole Palmer is becoming nan side’s biggest personality, whether that’s intentional aliases not. His pre- and post-match interviews are golden compared to nan accustomed media-trained Q&As. His double enactment pinch Tosin will hopefully promote others to travel retired of their shells.
Happy pinch nan caller kit? It’s a decent blue. I’d move nan tacky Club World Cup badge to nan sleeve arsenic it will each look a spot engaged if/when we get a caller sponsor.
We will decorativeness … 3rd. Top 4 1. Liverpool; 2. Manchester City; 3. Chelsea; 4. Arsenal. Bottom 3 18. West Ham; 19. Sunderland; 3. Burnley. First head sacked Daniel Farke.
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Paul Baker successful representation of Trizia Fiorellino
Crystal Palace
It’s been a frustrating summer: it felt for illustration a batch of decisions were connected clasp pending a verdict connected which European title Uefa would fto america play in. So it’s been uneventful, but that’s been a affirmative successful immoderate ways: Marc Guéhi still being present is simply a invited surprise, we’ve mislaid nary different cardinal players (yet) and we’ve really strengthened successful a mates of cardinal positions done nan signing of Walter Benítez arsenic a back-up keeper and Borna Sosa arsenic title for Tyrick Mitchell astatine left-wing back. The target will beryllium to amended connected past season’s points tally and spell heavy successful nan cup competitions erstwhile again.
Key players/weak links Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta person looked imperious successful pre-season, and they, on pinch Daniel Muñoz, Adam Wharton and Ismaïla Sarr, will beryllium cardinal to our success. Academy centre-back Mofe Jemide has been fixed minutes already and guardant Hindolo Mustapha whitethorn feature. By acold nan astir important person, though, is Oliver Glasner; nan travel he has taken this nine connected successful specified a short play of clip is unthinkable and it is imperative that he agrees a caller statement soon aliases location will beryllium a batch of sound connected his early arsenic nan play advances.
We still request to motion … Glasner wants different centre-back, a cardinal midfielder and an attacker. We’ve been heavy linked pinch defenders Yann Bisseck astatine Inter and Sporting’s Ousmane Diomande – and Nice attacker Evann Guessand was mentioned earlier he went to Villa. I wouldn’t norm retired a indebtedness from nan Chelsea subordinate lake, either.
Our headline-maker is … We each dream Mateta will support smiling and kicking area flags.
Happy pinch nan caller kit? Not bad, though nan achromatic stripes connected nan shoulders are excessively wide. The all-gold kit celebrating nan FA Cup triumph has nary elements of Palace successful it.
We will decorativeness … 10th. Top 4 1. Liverpool; 2. Manchester City; 3. Arsenal; 4. Chelsea. Bottom 3 18. West Ham; 19. Leeds; 20. Burnley. First head sacked Daniel Farke.
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Chris Waters @Clapham_Grand
Everton
I’ve sewage Schrödinger’s optimism which is simultaneously live and dormant – it each depends connected nan transportation window, really and erstwhile we tin capable nan evident gaps successful a threadbare squad. I person awesome religion successful Moyes’ expertise to get nan champion of what is available. I expect america to beryllium hugely difficult to play against distant from home. We won’t people excessively galore but defensively we will beryllium very strong. How quickly we tin settee into nan caller stadium is simply a sizeable chartless – 1 point for judge is nan immense ambiance it will create. Target has to beryllium Europa League aliases Conference qualification
Key players/weak links? Pickford, Branthwaite, Tarkowski and O’Brien are key. Weaknesses: correct wing, near back, proven scorers and imaginative midfielders. Bringing Alcaraz backmost is simply a positive and Thierno Barry from Villarreal is simply a immense prospect. And watch retired for 18-year-old midfielder Harrison Armstrong, who has been astatine nan nine since property of five.
We still request to motion … Five aliases six astatine a minimum fixed our squad has only 19 existent members including Chermitti and Séamus Coleman … Dewsbury Hall could blossom nether Moyes’ tutelage. Controversially, I deliberation Grealish mightiness beryllium nan spark we need. Our caller recruitment team/committee has overmuch to do. Thankfully backing is not nan rumor it was.
Our headline-maker is … On nan transportation it’s Pickford, still a awesome characteristic contempt his now evident maturity. Off it, I’m backing Moyes to return connected nan elder statesman domiciled among top-flight managers. Don’t beryllium shy, David!
Happy pinch this season’s caller kit? Being a grumpy aged man, I deliberation nan caller Castore kit is atrocious. Moving to our caller stadium I wanted a classical (think of nan 1970 championship-winning kit worn pinch specified panache by Ball, Kendall, Harvey and Royle – royal bluish pinch a information achromatic collar). And we still person that atrocious garment sponsor …
Paul Quinn @theesk, theesk.org
Fulham
While Marco Silva’s astatine nan helm there’s plentifulness of optimism about. He’s continued to forge a squad afloat of drive, quality, togetherness and belief – but, arsenic past play proved, it needs bolstering aliases there’s each chance we’ll tally retired of steam erstwhile again. The cosseted mega-wealthy clubs person scoured nan globe and splashed millions connected caller talent, whereas our lot’s imagination has seemed constricted to SW6 and nan section pier. New contracts for Kenny Tete, Josh King, Harry Wilson, Tom Cairney and co (OK, positive a cross-channel sortie to nab back-up keeper Benjamin Lecomte) were awesome business and a motion of stability, but where’s nan smattering of caller humor to supply caller title for places, that other separator and to springiness nan supporters a lift?
Key players/weak links? Curious that nan ever-improving Rodrigo Muniz is being linked pinch different clubs erstwhile he should beryllium established arsenic nan club’s main striker for years to come. Despite varied and indifferent work (or nan truth that he’s often sat connected nan bench!), nan 24-year old’s goals return is impressive. And possibly King’s caller semipermanent statement intends he’ll get much crippled clip too; dream so.
We still request to motion … The much-mooted return of Reiss Nelson hasn’t happened yet, while different winger, Raheem Sterling connected nan immense surplus heap astatine Chelsea, has besides been linked. Either way, I’m counting connected Emile Smith-Rowe making a overmuch greater belief having arrived precocious successful nan time this clip past twelvemonth pinch precious small pre-season training aliases clip to afloat integrate.
Our headline-maker is … There’s large Calvin Bassey, of course, positive Roadrunner Robinson meep-meeping backmost and distant down nan left, but Marco’s nan main man astatine nan section shot club.
Happy pinch this season’s caller kit? Oh it’s smart, nary question; it’s sleek; but it’s each white. Black people going against contented pinch nan shorts. The 90s throwback 2nd strip, complete pinch aged badge, looks nan biz.
We will decorativeness … Let’s beryllium bold. 9th. Top 4 1. Manchester City; 2. Liverpool; 3. Chelsea; 4. Newcastle. Bottom 3 18. Brentford; 19. Sunderland; 20. Burnley. First head sacked Keith Andrews.
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David Lloyd @DMLTOOFIF
Leeds
Optimism is poison for recently promoted teams. But Leeds United are not conscionable immoderate recently promoted team. Coming up nan past 3 times, successful 1964, 1990 and 2020, nan Peacocks vanished 2nd, 4th and 9th. History provides an ever-present hostility astatine Leeds and endurance is ne'er seen arsenic enough. On apical of each nan expected unit of nan Premier League will beryllium a beardown soul request for more, for better, for decently reasserting ourselves – aft 25 years – backmost wherever we belong. I deliberation we astir apt will enactment up. I deliberation it astir apt will beryllium fraught.
Key players/weak links? Summer transfers person concentrated connected six-footers successful their mid-20s, truthful nan tone of Tony Pulis could person a large portion to play. After years of froth astir Illan Meslier, it’ll thief if big-punching caller goalie Lucas Perri convinces arsenic No 1. Wilf Gnonto, still only 21, is simply a lively winger who wants headlines, while we’re hoping for immoderate sensations from nan adjacent of nan Gray line, 16-year-old striker Harry, earlier inevitably trading him to Spurs.
We still request to motion … Forwards. Transfer business has beefed up nan backmost but aft missing retired connected Igor Paixão, telling Pat Bamford he tin spell and proceeding Mateo Joseph has asked to, caller attackers are necessary.
Our headline-maker is … I’m a large enjoyer of Big Joe Rodon. There’s nary much affectional centre‑half and I’m looking guardant to Monday Night Football study of Joe flinging himself connected nan level successful 4K, emotion upset.
Happy pinch this season’s caller kit? Red bulls make a achromatic garment look for illustration a Red Bull garment from Leipzig, New York aliases anywhere, and someway little for illustration Leeds. But nan bluish distant kit is simply a bully throwback to 2003, Mark Viduka and staying up astatine Highbury.
We will decorativeness … 16th. Top 4 1. Liverpool; 2. Manchester City; 3. Crystal Palace; 4. Arsenal. Bottom 3 18. Manchester United; 19. Brentford; 20. West Ham. First head sacked Keith Andrews.
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Daniel Chapman leedsista.com, @leedsista.com
Liverpool
We’ve made immoderate awesome signings, raided nan Bundesliga for Frimpong, Wirtz and Ekitiké and swooped southbound for Kerkez, pinch much to come. Our target is clear then: to decorativeness apical again and spell further successful Europe. And we must effort without 1 of our stars, Diogo Jota, whose nonaccomplishment is immeasurable, of people to his family first and foremost. What he meant to nan boss, nan team, each individual subordinate and nan supporters has been evident successful nan outpourings of emotion and respect shown successful these past weeks. We won’t hide him and successful doing each we tin to win we will honour his memory.
Key players/weak links? The caller signings and really quickly they settee will beryllium vital, but I ideate nan power of Alisson, Van Dijk, Salah and Mac Alister will proceed to make nan squad tick. Weak links tin only beryllium successful defence if aggregate injuries deed astatine once. Sixteen-year-old Rio Ngumoha has dazzled pre-season and I expect he will play a immoderate part, albeit sporadically, and Trey Nyoni continues to look nan existent deal.
We still request to motion … Isak has 4 goals successful six games against us. It would beryllium bully to spot him people successful a reddish shirt. We decidedly request support astatine nan back, too. We’re supposedly monitoring Guéhi astatine Palace, who is successful his past twelvemonth of his contract, and Parma’s Giovanni Leoni, 18 – 1 for seasons to come.
Our headline-maker is … Arne Slot. His summertime Ibiza jaunt was picked up connected societal media, and he’s becoming ever much demonstrative connected nan touchline.
Happy pinch this season’s caller kit? Yes, we’re backmost pinch Adidas – nan 3 stripes travel pinch a ton of glorious memories – and it has a accepted consciousness to it, nary fancy item aliases frothy, unnecessary collar. A garment of champions.
We will decorativeness … 1st. Top 4 1. Liverpool; 2. Manchester City; 3. Arsenal; 4. Chelsea. Bottom 3 18. West Ham; 19. Leeds; 20. Burnley. First head sacked Scott Parker.
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Steph Jones
Manchester City
I deliberation astir group look to beryllium underrating City going into nan caller season. Liverpool person evidently done eye-catching business and from a position of strength, too. But City person filled immoderate cardinal holes (such arsenic left-back, cardinal midfield) and bolstered nan squad successful position of depth, which was a large problem past season. The target has to beryllium a superior and sustained situation for nan title, positive going heavy successful nan Champions League.
Key players/weak links? Rodri’s fittingness will beryllium fundamental. We’re amended placed to header without him this campaign, but he is evidently superb and makes an tremendous quality to really we play. We request much from Haaland this season, some successful position of performances and output (as huffy arsenic that whitethorn sound!). And I’m hopeful that Oscar Bobb should person nan breakthrough play wounded robbed him of successful 2024-25.
We still request to motion … The large spread is undoubtedly right-back. Kyle Walker has moved connected and we haven’t replaced him. Tino Livramento was nan apical target, but it sounds for illustration (potentially for diplomatic/political reasons betwixt nan ownership groups) City person opted retired of a deal. It seems arsenic if we’re deferring solving that problem until adjacent summer. The large talking constituent for fans now is who leaves from Akanji/Stones/Kovacic/Gündogan, if anyone.
Our headline-maker is … With Grealish successful nan departure lounge, it’ll beryllium Guardiola. Last play was unquestionably his worst astatine City, his idiosyncrasies coming to nan fore. But hopefully he’ll beryllium lifted by nan caller coaching setup astir him. Even nan champion request their ideas to beryllium challenged.
Happy pinch this season’s caller kit? Our location and distant kits are clean, simple. The little said astir nan “rain-inspired” 3rd kit nan better.
We will decorativeness … 1st. Top 4 1. Manchester City; 2. Liverpool; 3. Arsenal; 4. Chelsea. Bottom 3 18. Brentford; 19. Sunderland; 20. Burnley. First head sacked Scott Parker.
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Lloyd Scragg 9320pod.com; @lloyd_scragg
Manchester United
It would beryllium difficult not to improve. Our caller beforehand 3 scored much convention goals betwixt them past play than our full squad managed. But we do still request to switch nan keeper and a cardinal midfielder. Amorim has been ruthless successful removing players and nan negativity that has been hanging complete nan team, and preseason performances person been promising. I deliberation a top-six decorativeness is achievable. But wherever we are successful nan array aft nan reliable opening 10 games will show america whether this group of players person nan minerals to excavation successful and build momentum. Last play we were bullied because we couldn’t grip nan physicality.
Key players/weak links? We couldn’t person nan chances we created past play and truthful nan signings of Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko were a priority. Onana still feels for illustration a disaster waiting to happen, though: his positional play is poor, he is indecisive and nan distribution expertise that he was bought for seems nonexistent. Amorin continues to play 3 astatine nan backmost and Dalot remains mediocre arsenic a helping back. On nan agleam side, Diego León, our 18-year-old left-back, looks for illustration a mini Hulk. I expect him to go a regular.
We still request to motion … If we tin get free of Garnacho, Antony and Sancho to enactment onside pinch PSR, I’d emotion to spot america spell for Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Sporting’s Morten Hjulmand and PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Our headline-maker is … Bruno Fernandes. He carried america past play and precocious called retired nan owners, saying we request signings to raise standards.
Happy pinch this season’s caller kit? They’re each nan same. Some agleam spark has had “Theatre of Dreams” embroidered into nan back. “The Temple of Doom” whitethorn beryllium much apt aft these opening 10 games.
We will decorativeness … 6th. Top 4 1. Liverpool; 2. Manchester City; 3. Arsenal; 4. Chelsea. Bottom 3 18. Sunderland; 19. Wolves; 20. Leeds. First head sacked Keith Andrews.
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Shaun O’Donnell
Newcastle
After past season’s heroics we were approaching this play pinch cautious optimism, tempered by nan PSR straightjacket. But nan Isak saga has formed a protector complete nan summertime – and we’ve grown progressively disappointment by losing retired to rivals for transportation targets. A strategy of courting established stars has grounded and going into nan summertime pinch nary head of football, and an outgoing main executive, couldn’t person helped. It’s astonishing that connected nan eve of a four-competition play we person ended up pinch much goalkeepers than elder midfielders. Yet nan ace successful nan pack, Eddie Howe, is still here. We spot him implicitly. As agelong arsenic we unafraid reinforcements, a Champions League spot is nan aim.
Key players/weak links? Joelinton, Bruno and Sandro Tonali could spell toed to toed pinch anyone successful Europe – we’ll request each of their strength, guile and passion to progress. We’re besides blessed pinch 2 sensational full-backs successful Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall, while Lewis Miley remains our brightest young hope. But cardinal defence is simply a concern. Dan Burn and Fabian Schär person legendary status, but they’re not getting immoderate faster, while nan injury-blighted Sven Botman is yet to get backmost to his best.
We still request to motion … We’ve needed a caller striker for astatine slightest 2 seasons (where was nan succession scheme for Callum Wilson?) and that remains a priority, arsenic does a pacey, younger centre-half: Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke could fresh that bill. A replacement for Sean Longstaff is required too. Conor Gallagher would beryllium ideal, but PSR will put him retired of reach.
Our headline-maker is … The irrepressible, effervescent boyhood Toon instrumentality Jacob Murphy. He’s a wind-up merchant who plays pinch a large grin connected his face. Top lad!
Happy pinch this season’s caller kit? It’s smart. The bluish piping is simply a bully touch. Even amended pinch nan Champions League badge.
We will decorativeness … 5th. Top 4 1. Manchester City; 2. Liverpool; 3. Chelsea; 4. Arsenal. Bottom 3 18. Wolves; 19. Sunderland; 20. Burnley. First head sacked Graham Potter.
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David and Richard Holmes
Nottingham Forest
Many Reds fans were worried astir nan prospects for nan play erstwhile Elanga was sold and Morgan Gibbs-White looked to beryllium connected his measurement – but Forest’s caller transportation history shows they thin to make signings precocious connected successful nan summer. Last play showed that we had a decent first XI but not truthful overmuch spot successful extent erstwhile it was needed, truthful pinch a European run coming up (it would beryllium bully to cognize which competition, though), we will request bully reserves for a coagulated season.
Key players/weak links? Keeping MGW was a monolithic statement. Many Forest supporters besides emotion that it cemented our proprietor and nine arsenic Top Six Disruptors™, and tons of journos and fans of rivals don’t for illustration it… The early looks good, too: we person a proud grounds of ever having an academy merchandise successful nan squad since nan 1940s, truthful Zach Abbott and possibly Jimmy Sinclair could make appearances successful Europe and nan Carabao Cup.
We still request to motion … A goalie, full-back(s) and a cardinal protect midfielder. The anticipation of erstwhile Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz signing from Juventus has been tantalising for nan past fewer weeks, but we’re not nan only nine who want to bring him backmost to nan Premier League.
Our headline-maker is … Evangelos Marinakis. Apparently it is his responsibility that nan Crystal Palace and Spurs chairmen cannot do their admin.
Happy pinch this season’s caller kit? I person mixed feelings astir it – I for illustration nan shirt, but I’m besides aged capable to retrieve Forest getting relegated wearing pinstripes successful nan inaugural Premier League play …
We will decorativeness … 10th. Top 4 1. Liverpool; 2. Manchester City; 3. Arsenal; 4. Chelsea. Bottom 3 18. Leeds; 19. Brentford; 20. Sunderland. First head sacked Daniel Farke aliases Graham Potter.
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Rich Ferraro 1865: The Nottingham Forest Podcast: eighteensixtyfive.football
Sunderland
I’m cautiously optimistic. We’ve been distant from nan Premier League for a agelong clip and it’s a wholly different beast now. The quality this clip is that we person invested properly, we are unchangeable disconnected nan pitch, and Le Bris looks for illustration he is building something. Staying up is nan evident target; if we tin past and put down a foundation, thing beyond that is simply a bonus.
Key players/weak links? The subordinate I’m astir excited to watch is Chris Rigg. Since breaking into nan first squad he has only improved, becoming our youngest ever convention scorer. He’s a immense imaginable and I deliberation he’ll thrive connected this stage. Signing Xhaka is monolithic arsenic well, not conscionable for his value but for his leadership. With specified a young squad, his sound successful nan dressing room and connected nan transportation will beryllium priceless.
We still request to motion … Defensive cover: personification to switch Chris Mepham pursuing nan extremity of his indebtedness and besides to supply extent successful that area. Our backmost statement carries nan biggest wounded risks, truthful I expect a mates of precocious loans erstwhile different clubs finalise their squads. That said, we’ve not conscionable been waiting astir for scraps this summer, truthful there’s nary telling who mightiness travel in.
Our headline-maker is … Luke O’Nien has go a cult hero, personification who genuinely understands what it intends to emotion Sunderland. He has already made a sanction for himself pinch his interactions pinch guidance players, truthful who knows what he will get up to successful this league. And Wilson Isidor became a instrumentality favourite past season, astir memorably for his ceremony against Middlesbrough erstwhile he attached his garment to nan area emblem and waved it supra his head. Seeing that astatine St James’s Park would beryllium incredible.
Happy pinch this season’s caller kit? I emotion them. Home and distant are some top-class from Hummel. The lighthouse connected nan away, nan Bridge Hotel Vaults tile shape connected nan keeper kit, and that cardinal crest connected nan location each consciousness spot on.
We will decorativeness … 16th. Top 4 1. Arsenal; 2. Liverpool; 3. Manchester City; 4. Chelsea. Bottom 3 18. Wolves; 19. Leeds; 20. Burnley. First head sacked Keith Andrews.
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Eleanor McCabe @eleanor_amc for @WiseMenSayPod, wisemensay.co.uk
Tottenham
Considering we don’t do “blueprints” aliases let a “project” to evolve, Spurs still occasionally find solace among nan chaos. Being optimistic should beryllium nan default starting constituent for each supporter. However, nan crowing caveat present is much cock-a-doodle-don’t than do. The target is to debar a debacle by playing decent football, a consciousness of that mysterious improvement and nan avoidance of 22 convention defeats. Frankly, I deliberation we’ll beryllium fine.
Key players/weak links? Cuti Romero is apt to beryllium named captain, meaning it’s a lawsuit of corporate accountability passim nan squad to galvanise a broadside that will beryllium having to header without nan fable Son. All our kids are going retired connected loan; Mikey Moore was nan 1 breaking done past season, but this word he’ll beryllium doing that for Rangers instead.
We still request to motion … What we request each window; nan essentials. This summer, that would mean a full-back, a No 10 (as James Maddison is cursed) and a striker. Doing truthful would beryllium we want to compete. The reality of it is that we’ll conscionable plod connected and spot if we tin helping it again.
Our headline-maker is … Son was nan past remaining wealth of nan Maurico Pochettino puzzle wherever each nan pieces are now mislaid for ever. So I whitethorn arsenic good nominate Mo Kudus, who will nary uncertainty get a rousing opinionated ovation connected his return to nan Olympic Stadium.
Happy pinch this season’s caller kit? Liking aliases disliking a kit will yet beryllium defined by nan shot connected nan transportation because your memories will beryllium tethered to what nan players are wearing erstwhile they do immoderate it is they do. Win different cup and nan caller kit will beryllium iconic. The achromatic distant garment is delicious either way, though.
We will decorativeness … 5th. Add a 1 successful beforehand of that later successful nan season. Top 4 1. Liverpool; 2. Manchester City; 3. Arsenal; 4. Chelsea. Bottom 3 18. Burnley; 19. Sunderland; 20. Nottingham Forest. Cheeky bid for Gibbs-White adjacent summer? First head sacked Graham Potter.
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Spooky Original The Fighting Cock podcaster
West Ham
Despite nan waste of Mohammed Kudus I’m reasonably optimistic now Potter has had a afloat pre-season pinch nan squad and a successful US tour. It was ever difficult fitting Bowen and Kudus successful nan aforesaid team; hopefully there’s now abstraction for “Jimmy” Summerville to get going. Niclas Füllkrug looks fresh and crisp which mightiness make each nan difference. If we’re playing wingbacks past overmuch will dangle connected caller signing Diouf, who tin surely whip successful a cross, and nan fantabulous Wan-Bissaka.
Key players/weak links? Paquetá being recovered guiltless of spot-fixing intends we mightiness person backmost nan subordinate of 2 years ago, while Bowen will, arsenic ever, beryllium crucial. We’ve sewage to dream that a batch of past season’s signings will amended aliases enactment fresh successful their 2nd season, specified arsenic Füllkrug, Summerville, Kilman and Todibo. The return of Aguerd (he should ne'er person been loaned out) will thief astatine nan back. The anemic nexus will beryllium a one-paced cardinal midfield. Potter has a estimation for giving youngsters a chance and Luis Guilherme, Freddie Potts, Callum Marshall, George Earthy and Ollie Scarles mightiness each get games.
We still request to motion … Walker-Peters is simply a bully squad signing but we request much velocity and dynamism successful midfield arsenic Soucek, Álvarez and Ward-Prowse are not excessively mobile. Douglas Luiz and Villa’s Rogers person been mentioned, but look unlikely. We besides request a young striker to compete pinch Füllkrug. The injury-prone Callum Wilson is simply a awesome finisher to person connected nan bench, but astatine 33 is simply a short-term gamble.
Our headline-maker is … Jarrod Bowen is Mr West Ham (and now Mr Dani Dyer), though if you want angry outbursts past Füllkrug has form. I’ll stake connected Paquetá doing thing breathtaking too.
Happy pinch this season’s caller kit? Not judge why we’re sponsored by Susan Boyle Sports. The location kit is OK but should person bluish arms. I for illustration a achromatic distant kit to nan caller ecru one, but I for illustration nan navy 3rd kit pinch nan elephantine hammers connected it.
We will decorativeness … 10th. Top 4 1. Liverpool; 2. Manchester City; 3. Chelsea; 4. Arsenal. Bottom 3 18. Brentford; 19. Sunderland; 20. Burnley. First head sacked Régis Le Bris.
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Pete May Author, Massive: The Miracle of Prague; hammersintheheart.blogspot.co.uk
Wolves
With 9 of nan first squad squad leaving, including Cunha, Aït-Nouri and Semedo, optimism is successful short supply. Significant costs were generated early successful nan window, raising hopes of a accelerated overhaul, but recruitment has travel astatine a trickle truthful far. Attacking midfielder Fer López has clear potential, wingback David Møller Wolfe tin hopefully capable nan void near by Aït-Nouri and, by each accounts, guardant Jhon Arias is simply a imaginable Premier League prima successful nan making. But nan squad still looks short successful respective areas. Survival should beryllium nan minimum request successful what’s now our eighth consecutive top-flight season, but it still feels for illustration nan main nonsubjective pinch nary meaningful signs of ambition.
Key players/weak links? We’ve mislaid a batch of craft, truthful it’s important we’re coagulated astatine nan backmost to compensate. We request Emmanuel Agbadou to proceed his good shape from past play and those astir him (Toti Gomes, João Gomes and André) to support nan squad compact. Further forward, Jorgen Strand Larsen has to occurrence again and Jhon Arias tin hopefully compensate for Cunha’s departure. England u18s winger Mateus Mane made his Premier League debut past play and didn’t look retired of spot successful that little cameo. He could characteristic again, particularly if nan nine fails to bulk retired nan dwindling wide attacking areas.
We still request to motion … I’d for illustration 4 players – a correct wingback, a cardinal midfielder and astatine slightest 2 who tin run crossed nan beforehand 3 positions. Nearly each of our recruitment comes from Europe and South America truthful I’ll beryllium amazed if we move for immoderate home players. Still, personification for illustration James McAtee aliases Harvey Elliott would tick a batch of boxes.
Our headline-maker is … The head has go nan personality of nan squad pinch his “first nan points, past nan pints” mantra. On nan pitch, Yerson Mosquera is simply a stellar wind-up merchant, truthful if he gets minutes expect immoderate shenanigans.
Happy pinch this season’s caller kit? Yes, I will springiness nan nine in installments for a smart location kit. Probably still a spot yellowish for immoderate people’s liking, but nan collar is simply a bully alteration of gait and I for illustration nan understated pattern.
We will decorativeness … 16th. Top 4 1. Arsenal; 2. Liverpool; 3. Manchester City; 4. Chelsea. Bottom 3 18. Sunderland; 19. Brentford; 20. Burnley. First head sacked Keith Andrews.
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Thomas Baugh @thomasbaugh
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