On the topic of the Premier League contenders this season, it is expected to be a four-man horse race, but as is known by many, the league is a very unpredictable one.
Most of the Premier League clubs have shrugged off the financial challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic with incredible and expensive signings. Many clubs look set to attack the new season already.
A look at the contenders for the Premier League trophy:
Manchester City
Manchester City have won the Premier League three times in the last four seasons. They have been dominant throughout the league. City are not relenting as they are still bolstering their squad.
City’s first seven matches will determine their stance in their Premier League title defence, with matches against Tottenham, Leicester, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.
With the frustration of losing the Champions League final, the Citizens have added to their arsenal. They recently signed Aston Villa’s playmaker Jack Grealish for a British record fee of £100m to add to their already star-studded squad.
They are also reportedly ready to break the bank to sign Harry Kane from Tottenham. Manchester City won the league last season 13 points clear of their closest rivals Manchester United and it doesn’t seem like they plan to relent.
Manchester United
Manchester United have not won the league for eight years now. They lost the Europa League finals to Villarreal, going trophyless again last season.
Manchester United will be motivated to challenge next-door rivals Manchester City to the title this new season.
They have strengthened their attack by signing Jadon Sancho to add to their attacking options of Marcus Rashford, Edison Cavani, Daniel James, Anthony Martial, Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba pulling the strings in attack.
The signing of the player brought a lot of excitement to the fans after a lot of frustration to sign the player last season.
Likewise, they have signed Raphael Varane to bring stamina to the defence. The club views Varane as the perfect player to partner with Harry Maguire at the heart of their defence.
The club believe Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can finally put an end to the trophy drought. This was evident when the club gave him a contract extension and he would love to return the favour, support and trust the club has shown him by getting his hand on silverware.
Chelsea
Chelsea and their fans are living their best lives under the coach, Thomas Tuchel. They won the Champions League and recently won the Super Cup to their trophy collections.
Chelsea have also shown their financial prowess with the re-signing of Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan to compensate for their lack of clinical finishing.
The Blues would like to continue their fine form and winning the Super Cup is just the right boost in confidence they need going into the new season.
Also Read:
- Virgil Van Dijk Signs New Contract Extension At Liverpool
- Romelu Lukaku Returns To Chelsea For A Second Spell
- Tuchel: “Mendy Was Happy To Make Way For Kepa In Super Cup Shootout”
- Ossie Ardiles: “Pochettino Must Win Everything With Messi”
Liverpool
Liverpool had a very horrible title defence last season. Hit by injury crisis to key players, they surrendered the title very early in the season.
Liverpool experienced a spark in form towards the end of the season and this helped them finish third in the Premier League table defying many people’s expectations.
This season, however, Liverpool have all their players back from injury and they all look refreshed. Their players who participated in the Euros have had enough rest and have been sharp in pre-season games.
After a huge drop in form from their forwards Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane which left Liverpool struggling in front of goal last season, the two players now look sharp and have been scoring in the pre-season matches. Both players look rejuvenated and back wearing their scoring boots.
The only setback was Andrew Robertson’s injury which he sustained during the pre-season games. But his backup Kostas Tsimikas has stepped up. Jurgen Klopp said he believes the player will do well in the absence of Robertson.
With all the injured players back, it seems like new signings for Liverpool and with the signing of Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig and the return of Harvey Elliott Liverpool are back to their top shape again.
Liverpool will attack the league to seek redemption for their last season’s poor title defence and they would not like to go trophyless again like last season.
Leicester City
Leicester City were top-four bound last season but a defeat to Tottenham on the last matchday meant they missed out.
Leicester had a very successful campaign last season winning the FA Cup final against Chelsea and just before the season resumed, they added to their trophy cabinet by defeating Manchester City in the community shield at Wembley.
Leicester will be full of confidence entering the league and it doesn’t look like Brendan Rodgers’ men are relenting.
The club added to their attacking options with the signing of Patson Daka from RB Salzburg. Daka has fit in very fine into Leicester’s style of play and has impressed a lot in pre-season.
The minor setback would be the injury to their young talent, Wesley Fofana, but the club will still do fine in his absence.
Leicester is not a club to be underrated as they look good enough to be Premier League contenders. Although they seem to always drift away towards the end of the season, they are always in contention.
The 2021/2022 season would be a tough one as all the teams look ready for any challenge. As it is with the Premier League, many clubs are potential contenders going into the season.
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