Still suffering from a World Cup hangover? Have you yet to recover from the month-long soccer festival in Brazil this past summer?
That’s too bad, because top-flight soccer is set to start up again on all across Europe. This weekend, another Barclays Premier League campaign kicks off, and this season promises plenty of intrigue.
Here are eight of the biggest stories to keep an eye on this year.
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Can Manchester City repeat?
No team has repeated as Premier League champions since Manchester United won three in a row from 2007 to 2009. But Manchester City, who came from behind to win the title last season after Liverpool stumbled down the stretch, look poised to claim their third crown in four years. Manager Manuel Pellegrini already had the deepest squad in the English topflight before adding Bacary Sagna, Frank Lampard (short-term loan) and Eliaquim Mangala to his roster this summer. Plus, Stevan Jovetic—who should have a breakout year if his pre-season form is any indication—feels like a new signing after struggling for playing time last year. Make no mistake about it: The Citizens are the team to beat this season.
Arsenal gunning for first place
Arsene Wenger’s trophy drought is over. After nine years without a single piece of silverware, Arsenal has won trophies in their last two games: The F.A. Cup and the Community Shield. Now the Gunners have their eyes on the Premier League title, something they haven’t won since 2004. Arsenal put on a brave fight last season, actually spending more time in first place than any other side, but eventually fading away when it mattered most. They’ve spent big this summer, most notably bringing in Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona. It’s been a long wait, but the Gunners appear once again to be legitimate title contenders.
Liverpool starts anew without Suarez
How influential was Luis Suarez last season for Liverpool? Consider this: His league-leading 31 goals accounted for 32 percent of the Reds’ offence, and that his 12 assists ranked second overall in the Premier League. But now he’s gone, and the Reds will have to rely on Daniel Sturridge to carry the goal-scoring burden. While Liverpool scored over 100 goals last season, they also conceded 50 times. Brendan Rodgers spent part of the £75 million windfall from the Suarez sale on defender Dejan Lovren, and the hope is the Croatian can help solidify the Reds’ back line. With Suarez gone, preventing goals will be even more important for Liverpool.
Southampton is survival mode
Southampton was a revelation last season, playing entertaining and attacking soccer under manager Mauricio Pochettino and pulling off a major surprise by finishing eighth. But the Saints have been pilfered this off-season—Pochettino is now in charge of Tottenham, and the club sold off key players Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Callum Chambers and Rickie Lambert. New manager Ronald Koeman has been left holding the (mostly empty) bag, trying to rebuild a raided side. So far his only major off-season additions have been Dusan Tadic and Graziano Pelle. It’s hard to see how the Saints will even come close to matching their magical run from a season ago—if anything, they look set to be dragged into the relegation battle.
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Who will go down?
Speaking of the relegation battle, you’d be well advised to keep your eyes firmly focused on the bottom of the table, as the fight to avoid the drop is often just as entertaining as the title race. Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion and Hull City finished just above the drop zone a season ago, and will likely be fighting for survival this campaign. Throw in Southampton and Crystal Palace (can Tony Pulis weave his magic two years in a row?) and newly promoted Queens Park Rangers, Leicester City and Burnley, and you can expect a season-long fight for survival that should make many fans nervous about their team’s future.
A new era at Manchester United
The winds of change have blown through Old Trafford. Ryan Giggs has retired. Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic are gone. David Moyes has been replaced by Louis van Gaal. After a disastrous campaign that saw them finish seventh and fail to qualify for Europe, United is starting over again with van Gaal at the helm. The Dutchman is coming off a successful World Cup where he guided the Netherlands to a third-place finish. While Moyes bent to the whims of his star players, van Gaal doesn’t suffer fools gladly. He’s a noted disciplinarian who doesn’t like to be second-guessed by his players. His authoritative approach, as well as the signing of Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera, should get United back on track. But is that enough to push the Red Devils to a top four finish?
Fabregas: Chelsea’s new Lampard
For 13 years, Frank Lampard was Chelsea. The English midfielder, who scored a team-record 211 goals in all competitions, symbolized the club with his hard-charging runs and athleticism, helping the Blues win a hatful of league titles and the Champions League. But the aging veteran became surplus to requirements, and parted ways with the club in the off-season. Enter Cesc Fabregas, the Spanish midfielder who the club signed from Barcelona as Lampard’s replacement. With “Lamps” gone, it’ll be up to Fabregas to now run the midfield show for the Blues. Fabregas was a key figure for Arsenal in first stint in the England, and Chelsea hopes he can rediscover his top form at Stamford Bridge.
Spurs stand pat
Last summer, Tottenham went on a major spending spree after selling off Gareth Bale to Real Madrid. But while Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen proved to be one of the best newcomers in the league, Spurs’ other marquee signings—Erik Lamela, Roberto Soldado and Paulinho—failed to live up to expectations. New manager Mauricio Pochettino hasn’t rebuilt the team—the addition of left-back Ben Davies is the only move of significance—which means Spurs’ band of under-achievers have to come good this season if the London club is going to challenge for a top four spot.
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