However, champions Manchester City missed the first title of the season, the Community Shield. With a weakened squad and two academy youngsters, coach Josep Guardiola’s team had to admit defeat against Leicester City 1-0 on Saturday. There is still enough time for the Citizens to turn the right screws, because the defending champion will complete his opening match on Sunday. The opponent is called Tottenham.
“At the beginning of the season we will probably try to achieve good results without being at our top level,” said Guardiola, referring to the numerous European Championship and Copa America participants who “have only had three or four training sessions”. The English team player and now record transfer Jack Grealish made his debut. The playmaker, who was already conspicuous at the European Championship, became the most expensive English player in history to date thanks to City and the transfer payment of 117.5 million euros to Aston Villa.
While the coronavirus-related austerity program continues in the rest of Europe, the box in the investor-dominated Premier League remains open. According to media reports, city owner Sheikh Mansour is said to be ready to take up to 177 million euros for Harry Kane, Guardiola had publicly confirmed the interest last week. After the departure of Sergio Agüero, Kane is supposed to fix the storm problem of the “Citizens”. More important to the owners from the Emirates than the mission to defend their title will be the hunt for the previously missed Champions League title this season.
Persecutors improve their squads
It’s Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first title ever with Manchester United. “With a mixture of young local talent and first-class access,” said Vice Chairman Ed Woodward. Last year’s runner-up is financially in no way inferior to its city rivals and has upgraded with Jadon Sancho (85 million euros) and – subject to a medical check – Raphael Varane (50 million euros). The latter is supposed to fix the permanent defensive construction site and form a central defender duo with Harry Maguire. Further transfers are a “bonus”, explained Solskjaer.
Third in the league of the super-rich is Chelsea. There are also no significant departures from the Champions League winner. With Romelu Lukaku (24 goals in Serie A), who comes from Inter Milan for a rumored 115 million euros, was even upgraded. Lukaku should above all improve the weak point exploiting opportunities. Coach Thomas Tuchel, whose contract was extended prematurely until 2024, is hoping for the first Supercup title before the league starts.
Liverpool has reported more contract extensions than expensive transfers. Four pillars signed long-term employment contracts with goalkeeper Alisson, star defender Virgil Van Dijk, Fabinho and Trent Alexander-Arnold. The comebacks of the long-term injured Van Dijk and Joe Gomez, together with new signing Ibrahima Konate (40 million euros, RB Leipzig), mean the return to the defense, which had only conceded 33 goals in the championship 19/20 season. The only question mark for the “Reds” is the successor to Giorginio Wijnaldum, which will have to be done within the team. Although you have an eye on the market, “I’m more than satisfied with the team,” said Klopp.
In North London, one seeks stability
The “Big Six” are completed by Arsenal and Tottenham. For both of them it’s about stability after a messed up season. The Gunners, who are still holding on to coach Mikel Arteta despite the downward trend in the meantime, had recently failed to qualify for the premier class twice in a row and have a squad filled with youngsters like Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe, but not very experienced.
Arsenal loses against newly promoted players “
In addition, Arsenal made a veritable false start in the championship on Friday evening. The “Gunners” suffered a 2-0 defeat on Friday evening in the opening game against promoted Brentford. The “Bees”, who were represented in the Premier League for the first time, got the upper hand thanks to hits from Sergi Canos (22nd) and Christian Nörgaard (73rd).
At arch-rivals Tottenham in north London, Nuno Espirito Santo is a new strong man at work after the Jose Mourinho experiment crashed. Kane, who almost single-handedly saved the season, is about to leave City. A heir and another Inter attacker is said to be in front of the gates with Lautaro Martinez. Spurs have already announced the transfer of an Argentine: Cristian Romero from Atalanta Bergamo, costing 50 million euros, is to replace Toby Alderweireld who has left.
Austrians aim to stay up
From an Austrian point of view, it is important to look further downwards. For Southampton and head coach Ralph Hasenhüttl, after rank 15 last year and the loss of top scorer Danny Ings, who was responsible for twelve goals by the “Saints” and will play in the storm at rivals Aston Villa in the future, is about to secure a midfield position. Hasenhüttl and his team will kick off with Everton in Liverpool on Saturday.
“To keep the league stable” is also the goal of league newcomer Watford and ÖFB keeper Daniel Bachmann. The 27-year-old does not see the club run by the Pozzo family as an elevator team, “but actually established at the top”. With Fulham and West Bromwich Albion, two of the three newly promoted teams went straight back down after only one year in the upper house. The first test is the home game against Aston Villa on Saturday.
