23 Jul 2022 17:55:50
I'm really intrigued about the season ahead, I don't we've had a season where the top 6 have had so many changes in a while.
City have a world class Centre Forward but have also lost a few important players, you'd imagine they'll still spend a fair bit before the window shuts but they'll probably be different to the City we're used to.
Chelsea could well be stronger, but a brand new defense potentially may struggle to gel.
Spurs on paper have improved alot, but I'm not convinced on Richarlison and hope he destroys the whole club!
Arsenal may be stronger with players like Jesus and Zinchenko.
United seem to be playing good football but Ten Hag seems to be a bit of a drill sergeant, if things don't go there way let's see if the players handle that kind of manager or crumble without a manager to cuddle them.
And us, we could technically line up pretty much the same as last season with Jota for Mane but it looks like we'll see the likes of Darwin, Carvalho, Elliott play a lot of football who are very different to the players we had before. Fingers crossed it works out but it does feel like a new look team.
Let's see how teams settle, I have a feeling the top 6 will chop and change a lot for the first half of the season!
23 Jul 2022 18:15:31
I think Arsenal will be interesting to watch this season.
23 Jul 2022 18:37:48
City and ourselves have on paper strengthened. Whether 'on paper' translates into on the pitch will depend on how Haaland and Nunez adapt to the PL. They're both imo too good to be total flops unless there's a serious injury, so the worst they'll be is patchy. And even if they were, both sides would still be at least as good as last season.
I'm unconvinced by Chelsea and Spurs' business so far in the transfer window. I don't see anything from either that really closes the gap to Liverpool and City. Koulibaly and Sterling aren't game changers for Chelsea, and the only player Spurs signed that I think really improves them is Bissouma. And as is established, there could be problems with that one down the line. Richarlison for £50m is a mind boggling signing when you already have Kane, Son and that Swedish bloke who didn't look bad last season. Does Son need someone to lace his boots up before every game? Richarlison about fit to do that, I suppose.
Arsenal can sign whoever they like, they're going to struggle to crack top 4 as long as Arteta is in charge. Man U, I'm not sure about. Ten Hag seems like he has decent ideas, but I think the players will down tools if they hit a bad patch and they won't get back out of it. Because that's what they've done for the past couple of years. That dressing room is toxic, and taking out Pogba and Lingaard and bringing in Martinez, Eriksen and that kid from Feynoord doesn't change that imo. Don't think it changes even if they get de Jong.
So I'm calling Liverpool and City as the top 2, and comfortably so.
I'd be surprised if Chelsea or Spurs closed the gap on us in a sustained manner over the season. Could see one of them keeping the pace, or even topping the table until November, but then they'll fall off and be well behind come May. Arsenal will be 5th or 6th. Man U might get into the top 4 if everything aligns perfectly for them.
Of course there's still about 6 weeks left in the transfer window for these things to change.
23 Jul 2022 18:56:36
Arsenal will be arsenal. They haven’t strengthened one bit.
23 Jul 2022 20:08:46
I think Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea have strengthened but they need massive improvement and more importantly greater consistency to close the gap on us and City.
Haaland for Jesus is a lot paper a world class player replacing a good player. Nunez has bigger boots to fill replacing Mane but that doesn’t mean he can’t. Mane did it over numerous seasons whilst Jesus did it over numerous games.
This season going to be a very good one to watch I believe.
23 Jul 2022 21:07:23
Presumably a 90+ total will still be required to win the PL again this coming season.
Have any of the chasing pack improved enough to hit those numbers? Simple answer. No.
Mane’s departure aside, we have added a different type of forward in Darwin, Diaz will be more settled, Konate, Elliott, Curtis, Tsimikas with more experience under their belt and new blood in Carvalho and Ramsey. I think we can say that at least as strong again this season. An additional midfielder would make us stronger.
City have strengthened although there may be a little more initial disruption whilst the team gets used to two new quite different forwards. If Bernardo moves on that would be a big loss for them although I’m not convinced that could happen. I’m sure they’ll be hitting 90+ and challenging in all comps.
Spurs and Arsenal have pushed the boat out with decent signings but they’ll still be battling for top 4 at best. The addition of European football might test their squad quality and mentality. And how will they cope against teams that concede possession and sit deep and counter?
Chelsea have a bit to do yet so will withhold judgement on a title challenge but should be in top 4 reckoning. And they are always decent in CL.
United have way too much to do in the market. It’s going to be long season for them again.
Hopefully, at the very least, the chasing pack will stand more of a chance in their games against City. That would help us - although balanced out by the fact we’d have to beat them ourselves. Something we need to improve on from last season (Chelsea/ Spurs/ City draws) .
23 Jul 2022 21:12:55
I think spurs with the players they have signed and Conte will be the team if anyone to push us and city. Think Jesus is a great signing for Arsenal but still feel they will be inconsistent but could push chelsea for 4th.
23 Jul 2022 22:16:12
I'm not convinced that Chelsea will finish top 4. Arsenal and Spurs will be interesting to watch. I can see a scenario that the top 4 (not in any particular order) will by Liverpool, City, Spurs and Arsenal. We'll see about Arteta this season for sure. I will say this, I do think we will win the league and I think we have a great chance of winning Champions League. I don't think we will do well in the domestic cups though. Just my opinion though for what it's worth.
23 Jul 2022 22:22:30
For me, and on paper, there's still a gulf in quality between the first two teams (Us and ManCity) and the rest. But anything can happen. Another team can pull a Leicester and run off with the title or ManCity can end up 18 points behind the league leaders as they did recently. It's going to be a far tougher season than the usual because of the density of games, so I think squad depth will play a more important part than the usual seasons.
24 Jul 2022 09:32:39
It’s going to be us and City again for the title, IMO. The others have way too much ground to cover in terms of squad improvements, signings, rebuilds etc. As for us if we get 92 points again, I don’t think it will be enuff to pip City due to the added goals from Haaland and Alvarez. To do that, we will have to get to 95 points plus to wrest the title from them, IMO. I could be wrong but it’s just what I think.