On Friday, August 11, the Premier League season begins as Manchester City hosts Burnley in the first game of their championship defence. Focusing on the top 5 players from the previous season, let’s examine their possibilities of winning a historic four titles in a row as well as who their potential closest rivals are.
Manchester City
The triple champions under Pep Guardiola didn’t require significantly modifying their roster, so they haven’t. The reigning champions start their campaign away to Burnley, led by Vincent Kompany, a former City fan favourite, and are then welcomed by ambitious Newcastle United. Guardiola and his players should enjoy the challenging start.
City is the clear contender for being the first team in English football history to secure four consecutive titles, despite the departures of Riyad Mahrez and Lkay Gündoan.
To make up for Gündoan’s departure, Mateo Kovacic, a four-time Champions League champion, was added to the team. Additionally, Erling Haaland’s bizarre goal-scoring antics are available to them.
The best upcoming player Phil Foden was inconsistent in the lineup last year, but he consistently performs well in pivotal contests. Just 36 minutes into the Champions League final from last season, he came in to replace Kevin De Bruyne, and he was a major contributor. In the Manchester Derby, he also scored a hat-trick against Manchester United.
Opening day, first XI
Ederson; Akanji, Stones, Dias, Aké; Rodri; Foden, Silva, De Bruyne, Grealish; Haaland
Arsenal
Declan Rice, a long-term target for the Gunners, as well as Kai Havertz from Chelsea and Jurrien Timber from Ajax, were also signed during this window. According to reports, personal arrangements have been agreed upon with Brentford custodian David Raya. The Spaniard would give top-ranked Aaron Ramsdale more fierce competition.
Granit Xhaka, the Arsenal fan favourite who went from antagonist to hero, will be hard to replace. Mikel Arteta needs to reorganise his midfield lineup following his transfer to Bayer Leverkusen. The concern will arise from the loss of Xhaka’s leadership, sway, and productive production of 14 direct goal assists in the Premier League last season. However, in Rice, the Londoners have an obvious commander who might step into Xhaka’s position right away.
Last season, Arteta’s club got off to a fast start, winning their first five EPL games. They’ll need a similar solution this time. After two significant tests against Manchester United on September 3 and a trip to Everton on September 16, we’ll have a better idea of where their team stands. Oddly, Arsenal has lost four of its past five league games at Goodison Park. For a squad that is aiming for the championship, turning around that odd tendency is crucial.
After missing Arsenal’s last game due to a back injury, William Saliba, 22, is now well. He already plays a crucial role for Arteta.
Upcoming Arsenal player
Gabriel Martinelli has spent the majority of his time attacking from the left flank for Arsenal, but with Gabriel Jesus out for a few weeks with a knee problem, a more central position may be in the cards. Martinelli, who was the league’s joint-top scorer with captain Martin Degaard last season with 15 goals, is eager to improve on that in 2023–24.
Opening day likely XI
Ramsdale; White; Saliba; Gabriel; Zinchenko; Partey; Rice; Saka; Odegaard; Martinelli; Trossard
Manchester United
As Erik ten Hag attempts to restructure his Manchester United team, André Onana and Mason Mount are the two biggest signings at Old Trafford. Harry Maguire has also lost his position as captain, demonstrating that the Dutch coach isn’t hesitant to make bold choices that he believes will serve the greater good.
The addition of Cameroonian custodian Onana, whose technical prowess and distribution talents will probably help United build their assaults more effectively from the back, has United supporters particularly delighted.
Manchester United’s first 11
Due to minor injuries, Tyrell Malacia and Anthony Martial will miss the first few games of the season.
Onana; Wan-Bissaka; Varane; Martnez; Shaw; Casemiro; Fernandes; Mount; Antony; Rashford; Garnacho
Newcastle
Some people think it’s too early for the Magpies to be back in the Champions League. They have a difficult start with games against Unai Emery’s Aston Villa at home, Manchester City away, and Liverpool at home.
Allan Saint-Maximin, who is always entertaining, has been sold to Al Ahli as manager Eddie Howe aims to improve his team and keep the players that most closely fit his philosophy. The two most notable arrivals are Harvey Barnes and Sandro Tonali. The physical might of Joelinton, the complete player that is Bruno Guimares, and Tonali’s exquisite ball-playing appear to be a beautifully matched trio.
Due to a slight hamstring problem, Joe Willock will not be available to start the season.
Upcoming player
Sandro Tonali, a sophisticated centre playmaker, will give Newcastle something they haven’t had in a while. The 23-year-old midfielder, who was acquired from AC Milan, has been compared to two iconic Italian players, Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo. Howe will be hoping Tonali can improve everyone’s attitude towards him.
Opening day likely XI
Pope; Trippier, Schär, Botman, Burn; Tonali, Joelinton, Guimares; Isak, Wilson, Barnes
Liverpool
On the first day of the season, Jürgen Klopp’s revamped team visits Chelsea. The last four Premier League encounters between these two teams have all ended in draws.
This season, radical transformation is the overarching theme at Liverpool, particularly in the middle of the pitch. Both Brazilian Fabinho, 29, and captain Jordan Henderson have left England for Saudi Arabia.
World Cup champion Alexis MacAllister and playmaker Dominik Szoboszlai have the chance to form the core of a brand-new Liverpool engine room. Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott are additionally anticipated to make significant contributions.
However, this next iteration of Klopp’s iconic “heavy metal” football may have a somewhat different flavour. They could be among the more interesting teams to watch.
As they work together, an attacking combination consisting of the famous Mo Salah and relative youngsters Darwin Nez and Cody Gakpo has the potential to be lethal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defensive shortcomings have frequently drawn criticism, but there’s no denying his talent as a player. Trent now occupies a position of even greater seniority in the Anfield locker room, with Henderson gone. From right-back, his superb passing range makes him crucial to their style of play.
Opening day likely XI
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Thiago, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez