The long wait is over. After 3 months, Premier League is finally back with Brentford hosting Arsenal tonight. The 2021/22 season will be the 30th edition of the Premier League, and it promises to be yet another exciting season. After one and a half seasons affected by Covid-19, we can finally breathe a sigh of relief as normality is resurfacing. The season will begin in August, fans will be back, and fixture scheduling will also be as it was before the pandemic began. Here’s what’s there to look out for this season (hint: almost everything!)
The defending champions
No doubt about it, Pep Guardiola’s team will again be the team to beat. They have an embarrassment of riches and came close to winning an unprecedented quadruple. That will again be the objective for this season. Signing Jack Grealish is a huge statement of intent and adds further stardust to this star-studded squad.
However, the question still to be answered is how will they cope without Sergio Aguero? Their record goal scorer left the club after 10 years in May. The departure of a legendary figure often affects the club mentally, and perhaps worryingly, City haven’t even signed a replacement yet. The Harry Kane rumours refuse to die, although a move also isn’t anywhere near materializing.
Gabriel Jesus is the only recognized striker in the club, but pretty much all of City’s midfielders and wingers can operate as false-nines too.
The contenders
Last season’s top four was made up by Man United, Liverpool and Chelsea. Man United have bolstered their squad with high profile signings of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane. United fans, who were spoilt with success in the good old Fergie days, have been starved of it for 8 years now. But with a successful transfer window and a second placed finish last season, is this the closest United are to challenge for the title since 2013?
Last season’s defending champions Liverpool are out there with a point to prove. Injuries at the back coupled with loss of form up top resulted in a meek title defense from the Reds. With the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez returning, and the signing of Ibrahima Konate, the defense should be taken care of. The likes of Sadio Mane and Mo Salah have had a completely off summer so they should be ready to fire on all cylinders from the get-go. Their squad is still strong enough to challenge for the title when fully fit. Can they rise to the pinnacle once again?
European champions Chelsea look to have finally solved the problem that plagued them last season. Addition of record-signing Romelu Lukaku means the Blues are a dangerous outfit. We already know how miserly Thomas Tuchel’s men are at the back. If Lukaku continues his fine goal scoring form from Inter, watch out, Chelsea are serious contenders. They also have a mental advantage over City after three consecutive wins over them at the back end of last season.
Are Leicester City contenders? Surely they are for a top four berth. Brendan Rodgers’ team are a formidable opposition and are fresh off FA Cup and FA Community Shield successes.
Elsewhere in the Premier League
West Ham United surprised everyone last season to finish sixth and qualify for Europa League. Can David Moyes’s men repeat the trick, or will they crumble? Leeds United also impressed after a 16-year absence. Under Marcelo Bielsa, the team play a heavy metal brand of attacking football which is a joy to watch. Can they challenge for Europe next season? Aston Villa enjoyed a terrific season last time, but how will they manage without Grealish? Can the likes of Emi Buendia, Leon Bailey and Danny Ings help Villa cope with the loss of their main man? In North London, Arsenal are desperate to get back among the elite. An 8th placed finish means no European football for the Gunners for the first time since 1995. But could that be a blessing in disguise for Mikel Arteta’s men?
New manager, new challenges
Everton, Tottenham, Crystal Palace and Wolves begin new eras at their clubs. Rafael Benitez, Nuno Espirito Santo, Pattrick Vieira and Bruno Lage have the task of steering their respective clubs to success. Can Benitez and Nuno take Everton and Spurs to Europe? Can Vieira stave off Palace’s relegation fears?
Relegation picture – Are Southampton doomed?
Having endured a horrible 2021 on the pitch, things didn’t improve off it for the Saints. They have lost their main goal threat in Danny Ings. Can Ralph Hassenhuttl manage to steer the club clear of relegation? If no, who will join them? Will time run out for the likes of Burnley or Newcastle? Or will it be the new boys? Norwich and Watford are returning after a one-year absence, but this is uncharted territory for Brentford. How far will this new journey last for the west Londoners?