After a tense finish to the previous season, the new Premier League season brings with it the prospect of another tantalizing fight for glory.
The 2021/22 season concluded with a titanic battle between Manchester City and Liverpool, with Pep Guardiola’s City edging out Liverpool by one point.
City’s reign in English football was extended as they won the title for the fourth time in five years. And, after signing one of the world’s best players, City will look to become even more formidable this season.
After a prolific stint with Borussia Dortmund, where he also broke a number of Champions League scoring records, Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, 22, became the offseason’s marquee signing. Haaland, a quick and reliable finisher, is regarded as a generational talent who fills a void in a department where City was lacking; City won the league last season despite not having a recognized striker.
Julian Alvarez of South America and Kalvin Phillips of England have also been added to the squad.
Three key players were allowed to leave City for ‘Big Six’ rivals in England, demonstrating the club’s depth of talent.
Guardiola’s former assistant Mikel Arteta was handed Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus and Ukrainian midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal, while Raheem Sterling moved to Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea.
There were also other developments. Liverpool paid Benfica €75 million for highly-rated Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez, while Tottenham paid Everton £50 million for Brazil forward Richarlison.
Following the departure of Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich, Liverpool, who won the League Cup and FA Cup last season, will rely heavily on Nunez. Last season, the 23-year-old Uruguayan scored 34 goals in 41 games for Benfica, and his performances in the Champions League, where he scored six goals in ten appearances, including both legs of their quarter-final defeat by Liverpool, piqued the interest of all Europe’s top clubs.
Tuchel’s Chelsea finished third last season, but their attempt to follow up their Champions League victory in 2021 with a genuine domestic title challenge faded amid sanctions imposed on Russian owner Roman Abramovich.
Stamford Bridge now has a new ownership group led by American Todd Boehly.
Winds of change have also been blowing through Old Trafford. Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Real Madrid is in doubt after he skipped the club’s pre-season tours and then returned in the final game before the new season.
Erik ten Hag, the club’s new manager, has signed center-back Lisandro Martinez from his former club Ajax, left-back Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord, and Denmark’s Christian Eriksen on a free transfer.
The main target this window, Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong, has remained with Barcelona despite United’s best efforts to bring him to Old Trafford.
These are just a few of the many factors at play as the 2022-23 Premier League season kicks off this weekend.
Fixtures
Friday, August 5
11 pm (UAE time) Crystal Palace v Arsenal
Saturday, August 6
3.30 pm Fulham v Liverpool
6 pm Bournemouth v Aston Villa
6 pm Leeds United v Wolves
6 pm Newcastle v Nottingham Forest
6 pm Tottenham v Southampton
8.30 pm Everton v Chelsea
Sunday, August 7
5 pm Leicester v Brentford
5 pm Manchester United v Brighton
7.30 pm West Ham v Manchester City
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