The 2022/23 English Premier League season kicks off today with a bang. The level of preparation is as rapid as it used to be, but the competitive edge is obviously more intense.
The defending champions, Manchester City are not resting on their oars. Following their defeat by Liverpool in the Community Shield, and the seeming underperformance of their marque acquisition, Erling Haaland. Last season City won the league without using an out-and-out striker, it will be different this time out, I see Pep Guardiola utilising the pair of Haaland and Alvarez in the attack. City remains favourite to retain the title.
They will be closely challenged by Liverpool, of course. Liverpool's firepower upfront could be overwhelming, despite the departure of Sadio Mane I see Darwin Nunez somehow filling those goal-scoring shoes, albeit in a different berth. Chelsea will definitely offer a robust challenge of their own, especially if they add more depth to the squad before the transfer window closes. The signing of Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly will surely add dimension to the team.
Arsenal has been busy in the transfer market, as expected. They had added Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner, and Marquinhos and will surely be a force to reckon with. But I don't see them challenging for the league title.
Tottenham will be in the same token, and will surely compute for the top 4. Spurs have been busy in the transfer market as well: Richarlison, Ivan Perisic, Dejan Kulusevski, Yves Bissouma, and Clement Langet. Fruitful additions.
Manchester United now has a tested manager in Eric ten Hag. He is saddled with the challenge of Cristiano's unresolved issue, still chasing his main target in the form of Frenkie de Jong, and the failure as yet, to sign a striker and a holding midfielder. On the positive side, United has acquired the services of Christian Eriksen, Tyrell Malacia, and Lisandro Martinez. The team will have to struggle for a 4th place finishing unless ten Hag sorts out the aforementioned grey areas.
I don't see any dark horses this season. Leicester, Everton, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Wolverhampton, and Crystal Palace will compete to finish in mid-table.
The newcomers in the fold, Fulham, Nottingham Forest, and Bournemouth will, as usual, will struggle for survival in the relegation waters. Brentford and Leeds will likely swim in them in the murky waters.
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Familiar problems with our preparations to the season again. Chasing one player all summer and failing to spread the focus to other priority areas. We are going into the season playing better but short in personnel in some key areas. Hopefully, we do some important business before the transfer closes and have a good season. Finishing in the top 4 will be a huge achievement base on our preparations.
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