Manchester City, who won the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League in the previous season, will look to defend their championship while also continuing to build on their success from that season.
After their crosstown rivals Manchester United accomplished the feat in the 1998–1999 campaign, Pep Guardiola’s squad became the only other English team to win a triple in the same season.
United followed it up by winning the league the following season, and it is very logical to assume that all eyes will be on City to accomplish the same thing this time around.
However, Pep Guardiola’s mission has gotten more difficult as possible candidates who would try to challenge the team that currently holds the title of European champion have all brought in major reinforcements to support them in their case as the 2023-2024 season has just begun.
Arsenal, who pushed City to the brink last season in the league, won the curtain-raiser of the season, the Community Shield, on August 6. This victory gave Mikel Arteta only his second win against Pep Guardiola’s City in a total of 10 matches between the two teams.
City have rarely been in a position where they have to rely on other teams for their fate because they have constantly been able to produce success with fluid football. However, they also have an interesting record that can enable them envisage themselves winning another league title.
After winning the Community Shield in the past ten years, no team has ever gone on to win the league championship other than themselves. During the 2018–19 campaign, City was the team who managed to pull it off.
In a recent interview, Guardiola attributed a significant portion of his success to the mentality of improving or bringing in fresh players to the team following a good season. He did this after the conclusion of each campaign. Pep had remarked, “When did you see me with the same squad after we won the league?” after winning the title.
As a result of the departures of club captain Ilkay Gundogan and winger Riyad Mahrez, City has acquired defender Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig and midfielder Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea as reinforcements and improvements, with the possibility of further signings occurring in the near future.
Despite the fact that Arsenal was the only real challenger the previous time around, City overcame a five-point disadvantage and won the title. However, they are set to have at least a few more clubs who look the part to provide a serious challenge to Pep Guardiola this time around. Arsenal was the only real contender the previous time around.
Arsenal have also made significant additions to their squad, and they made their intentions known with a statement signing by purchasing West Ham captain Declan Rice for 105 million pounds. This came after Arsenal successfully competed with Chelsea for the services of Kai Havertz, who was signed by Arsenal’s rivals in London.
Arteta’s Arsenal have earned a newfound belief that they are truly capable of competing against City for the Premier League title. As a result of this newfound belief, Arteta’s Arsenal have gained that attitude change, and they would aim to go for the title with a lot more refined group, rather than just a youthful, brilliant bunch.
Competitors (n) After a chaotic season in which the club went through four different managers, Chelsea couldn’t wait for the transfer market to open so they could make some changes to their roster.
The Blues made a significant profit during the transfer window, during which they staged a squad revamp in which they released as many as 17 players, with 13 of those being permanent offloads. This was done so that owner Todd Boehly could give the club a second opportunity at getting their new beginning off to a less turbulent start.
However, due to the fact that French striker Christopher Nkunku is unable to play due to a knee injury, the responsibility of leading the line falls on Nicolas Jackson. This is the position that has caused The Blues the most trouble over the course of their history.
When the shirt numbers were announced the previous Tuesday, it was clear that no one wanted to even attempt to defy the curse, as seen by the fact that all forwards eschewed the number nine shirt.
Because Chelsea is a young team led by a new manager in Mauricio Pochettino, the club’s key goal for the upcoming season should be to return to contending at the highest level in Europe.
Another team that has been in desperate need of a striker has, just in time for the start of the new season, been able to sign one. Rasmus Hojlund, a Danish striker, was acquired by Manchester United as the club’s most expensive signing of the summer so far. This meant that the expectations of Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag were satisfied.
Ten Hag’s attempts to instill his ideology and system were visible throughout the entirety of the previous season as the Red Devils tried to figure out how to return back to their former glory using the resources that they currently had.
The Eddie Howe-led Newcastle team had incredible consistency throughout the 2022–2023 season, which helped them secure a spot in Europe after nearly two decades away from the competition. This was one of the more impressive comebacks of the season.
With the exception of the signing of Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali for 55 million pounds and then Leicester City forward Harvey Barnes for 44 million pounds, Newcastle has kept both feet firmly planted on the ground while remaining modest in their approach to the transfer market so far.
These signings, regardless of how impressive they are, indicate that they want to strengthen their position in the top six of the Premier League.
As a result of Liverpool’s fall from glory, the Merseyside team made several changes to the way they recruit players. Alexis Mac Allister, who won the World Cup, and Dominik Szoboszlai are two of the new and interesting players who have joined the team following the departure of a few players.
Despite the fact that finishing in the top four is Liverpool’s primary objective, the club also has a shot of qualifying for the Champions League by winning the Europa League.
The objective of the game is to keep one’s eyes on the prize, although it is possible that another season of typical top six teams trying to meet City standards will take place. Meanwhile, the Citizens will strive to push themselves and exceed their own standards as they attempt to win their sixth championship in the last seven years.