The Premier League is back. Tonight the most watched football competition in the world starts the new season. Almost all top clubs experienced a much-discussed summer. Expert Tim Wielandt estimates the chances of the “Big Six”.
Top favorite Manchester City: “Haaland will have to adapt”
“For me again the big favorite for the title. They are not weakened in any position. On the contrary: City has only gotten stronger. Of course mainly because of the arrival of Erling Haaland. A deep striker who should provide a huge boost to scoring ability. And they already had so many…”
“In addition, Kalvin Philips (from Leeds, ed.) also brought a new defensive midfielder. With Josko Gvardiol, even more defensive reinforcements would be on the way. Those are solid names.”
In the Community Shield, De Bruyne got angry with Haaland because he went wrong.
“Whether Haaland will immediately explode in Guardiola’s system? It will take time to learn the right patterns. Kevin De Bruyne got angry at Haaland in the Community Shield for going wrong.”
“So it should be clear: the Norwegian will have to adapt to the way of playing. And not the other way around. But they are all such winners that it will soon run out. With Haaland, they now have a weapon to search for the depth faster if they fail in another way.”
How many times does Erling Haaland hit in the Premier League?
Challenger Liverpool: “Can they maintain intensity?”
“Still the main rival and challenger of City. Jürgen Klopp’s structures and patterns have remained the same, but with some new pawns.”
“Darwin Nunez has to absorb the departure of Sadio Mane. The departure of the Senegalese is a serious loss – he was a team player with great statistics that made the difference.”
When Liverpool have a dip, it is usually a serious one.
“I expect Nunez to do the same in the long run. Especially because of the quality of the guys around him. Jota has re-signed, Firmino is playing better again and Salah will never experience such a dip in form as at the beginning of this year. Klopp can therefore build on what is already there.”
“But… I think it will just be a little too little. When Liverpool have a dip, it is usually a serious one. In addition, it will have little right to mistakes due to City’s dominance. It’s going to be tough for Liverpool to maintain that very high intensity all season long.”
Darwin Nunez must make Sadio Mane forget at Liverpool.
Surprise Tottenham: “Clear hand from Conte”
“It is sensitive for many… But I think Tottenham will be City and Liverpool’s biggest competitor. Really, I think they will be third and will have a very good season.”
“Why? Look, Antonio Conte’s system is in place now. They will also be there physically after a particularly tough preparation – images even surfaced of players puking. And finally, he got the perfect players to play his way.”
“With Perisic and Spence, there came wingers with substance. Sanchez and Romero got a solid defender with Lenglet. In addition, Richarlison also came as an attacking force. And don’t forget Bissouma! An excellent buffer for the defense.”
Tottenhamd already leaned against City and Liverpool. Are they going the extra mile this year?
“Last season’s strongmen have also stayed. Even Harry Kane is still with the Spurs, yes. Perhaps Conte assured him that there would be additions.”
“So this Tottenham is a very nice whole in which you can clearly see the hand of Conte. Last year they won twice against City and drew twice against Liverpool. Then you are already leaning close to those teams. Are they going the extra mile this year?”
Does Richarlison also flash at Spurs?
Unpredictable Arsenal: “There are a lot of young guys around”
“A lot is already expected from Arsenal. Under Mikel Arteta they are clearly building. But can he make it at the top with this group of players?”
“Obviously Gabriel Jesus is a great signing, as is Oleksandr Zinchenko. And with Vieira from Porto there was a reinforcement in width. The Youri Tielemans piste is also still open.”
Are the youngsters strong enough to take on mental guns like City and Liverpool?
“But is this Arsenal strong enough defensively? I have my questions about that. Last year they came up just a little short and this season I see it a little better.”
“But there are so many young guys around… Are they strong enough to compete against mental guns like City and Liverpool? It will also be a lot of fight against United and Chelsea.”
Gabriel Jesus has to score goals in London.
American Chelsea: “Missed a lot of top targets”
“Chelsea or Barcelona? (laughs) It’s been such an unlikely game of ping pong between those teams on the transfer market. Players whose name fell at Chelsea went to Barça anyway, such as Jules Koundé. Conversely, they snatched Andreas Christensen.”
“A lot of names have fallen under new American owner Todd Boehly. But apart from two big fish – Kalidou Koulibaly and Raheem Sterling – they missed a lot of top targets. I really wonder what was the reason behind that.”
“Would it be up to trainer Thomas Tuchel? Can’t he convince such big names? The way he has dealt with Lukaku may have played a part. Reports are already circulating that Frenkie de Jong is on the way and maybe Memphis Depay too.”
Unless Chelsea really make heavy investments, I think third will again be the highest achievable.
“For now, I suspect Armando Broja, who returned from Southampton, and Kai Havertz should score goals. But will the first one be able to bear the weight during rush hour? For example, I find it strange that they are now linked to guys like Aubameyang. Is that still okay?”
“Last year it was already a bit less than usual. Certainly in the return round it was scrambling to finish third. Unless they really make heavy investments, I think that will again be the highest achievable.”
What will Chelsea’s share price be under American owner Tedd Boehly?
Noisy Manchester United: “Too many stars with the wrong mentality”
“What. A. Chaos. It is unlikely how many pre-season problems there are at Manchester United again. You hardly know where to start.”
“The biggest problem is the Ronaldo case anyway. The Portuguese star has made herself impossible. He doesn’t want to play for United anymore because they didn’t make it to the Champions League? He was partly responsible for that rotten season, wasn’t he. During his first and only practice match, you immediately noticed friction with Erik ten Hag.”
“The new Dutch coach is trying to mold a certain style. He is also very perfectionist and changed a lot of things within United. For example, everyone has to stay at the club much longer, he changed dugouts at Old Trafford and his phones are banned during working hours.”
Don’t the players understand that you have to die for United, so to speak, if you play there?
“Thanks to his two phenomenal Champions League campaigns with Ajax, Ten Hag has commanded respect. Only he is not yet an established name like Louis van Gaal. Ronaldo would not have taken the cures with him, you know.”
“There are also doubts about the purchases. Malacia and Martinez come from the Eredivisie and Christian Eriksen has a similar profile to that of Bruno Fernandes. Suddenly Anthony Martial is the big hope in rush again…”
“At least two or three more serious reinforcements are needed. Especially at the back, because the defense was a disaster last season.”
“The biggest shortcoming was that the players just didn’t seem to be doing their best. Don’t they understand that you have to die for United, so to speak, if you play there? Just like guys like Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville did every week. There are still too many stars with the wrong mentality walking around at the moment.”
