Premier League: First impressions of Man United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, City and Spurs during pre-season

The Premier League is almost back Liverpool set to travel to the face Ipswich town on August 17 to start the new season. With new managers, big transfers and more across the league, it can be a lot to keep track of after a busy summer that included Euro 2024, the Copa America and the Olympic Games.

But fear not, we’re here to update you on the big six and what you can find out ahead of the new season.

Arsenal

Main arrivals: Riccardo Calafiori (Bologna)
Important rooms: Emile Smith-Rowe (Fulham), Sambi Lokonga (Seville), Nuno Tavares (Lazio)
Preseason results:

• Arsenal 1, Bournemouth 1 (24/7)
• Arsenal 2, Manchester United 1 (27/7)
• Liverpool 2, Arsenal 1 (31/7)

What can make you happy: As in most seasons, Arsenal’s selection is complete and you know from front to back what to expect. After returning to the Champions League last season and reaching the knockout stages, they finished two points behind in the Premier League Manchester city. That’s a gap that can easily be closed and the addition of Calafiori will help improve an already strong defense.

What you should worry about: In a season where Arsenal are one or two players away from winning the title, they still need to bring in a striker who can take them over the top to win the league. Of Gabriel Jesus And Kai Havertz expect him to take the lead, it’s a top-four worthy attack, but if he gets confused Erling Haalandit’s hard to see where Arsenal’s next kit will come from.

Chelsea

Main arrivals: Tosin Adarabioyo (Fulham), Kiernan Dewsbury Hall (Leicester), Filip Jörgensen (Villarreal)
Important rooms: Thiago Silva (Fluminense), Ian Maatsen (AstonVilla)
Preseason results:

• Chelsea 2, Wrexham 2 (24/7)
• Chelsea 1, Celtic 4 (27/7)
• Chelsea 3, Club America 0 (31/7)
• Manchester City 4, Chelsea 2 (8/3)

What can make you happy: Chelsea have found a man you can rely on to score goals Cole Palmer. He may not be the answer to the nine, but having a legitimate goalscorer makes it easier to figure out if he is Nicholas Jackson or Christopher Nkunku are that guy. With Palmer going to be needed for goals, new coach Enzo Maresca has also brought someone he knows at Dewsbury-Hall to boost Chelsea’s creativity as well.

What you should worry about: Everything? It’s another season with a new coach, with large parts of the starting team changing and a new youth player probably leaving Conor Gallagher. Chelsea could finish in the top four or outside the top ten, neither of which would be surprising given the many questions surrounding the squad. If discovered, they will be a force, but if the problems continue to pile up, this could be a long season.

Liverpool

Main arrivals: No
Important rooms: Thiago Alcantara (retired)
Preseason results:

• Liverpool 1, Real Betis 0 (26/7)
• Liverpool 2, Arsenal 1 (31/7)
• Manchester United 0, Liverpool 3 (8/3)

What can make you happy: The Reds enter the season with Muhammad Salah and no major changes in the team, which only makes it easier for the takeover of Arne Slot. They have looked good in adapting to the Dutchman so far and when push comes to shove, Liverpool can fire in the goals. The defense may be a question, but if their offense can’t be stopped, it will be easier to mask.

What you should worry about: Replacing a club legend is never easy and some clubs never end up doing it. It doesn’t feel like Liverpool will reach the level of Manchester United, but until Slot comes in and starts winning, it’s something in the back of his mind. The first difficult period of the season will be telling.

Manchester city

Main arrivals: Savinho (Troyes)

Possible key departure: Julian Alvarez

Preseason results:

Manchester City 3, Celtic 4 (23/7)
Manchester City 2, Milan 3 (27/7)
Barcelona 2, Manchester City 2 (30/7)
Manchester City 4, Chelsea 2 (8/3)

What can make you happy: It’s been another year and Manchester City are still one of the most complete teams in the Premier League. A machine under Pep Guardiola, the only thing that can hold City back is their own performances. That’s why the league feels like it’s their job to lose every season. They want multiple trophies this season and adding an excellent creative winger in Savinho will increase their chances of doing so.

What you should worry about: Something feels off about this potential Alvarez departure. With only 24 players and one of the best five minutes played for City last season, this is not the kind of player who is usually allowed to leave Manchester. Atletico Madrid offer him rubbish, but replacing 19 goals and 13 assists in over 3,000 minutes played in all competitions is not easy. If Erling Haaland picks up another injury this season, it could be enough to sink City’s title hopes.

Manchester United

Main arrivals: Joshua Zirkzee (Bologna), Leny Yoro (Lille)

Important rooms: Anthony Martial (contract expired), Rafael Varane (Como)

Preseason results:

• Rosenborg 1, Manchester United 0 (15/7)
• Rangers 0, Manchester United 2 (20/7)
• Arsenal 2, Manchester United 1 (27/7)
• Manchester United 3, Real Betis 2 (31/7)
• Manchester United 0, Liverpool 3 (8/3)

What can make you happy: It’s been a while since Manchester United have had consistency at the helm and with Erik ten Hag entering his third year in charge of the Red Devils, expectations are high. This team is probably somewhere between the team that finished second in the Premier League and last season Alejandro Garnacho And Kobbie Mainoo show signs of stardom, if they take a step forward, United will too.

What you should worry about: Yoro has been out for three months and Rasmus Hojlund is also injured. Health was a major concern for Manchester United last season and going into another season with less depth, it is already rearing its ugly head this season. After Erik ten Hag’s extension, more is expected from United, but not much has changed to believe that improvements will come.

Tottenham

Main arrivals: Archie Gray (Leeds United), Lucas Bergvall (Djurgarden)
Important rooms: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Marseille)

Preseason results:

• Newcastle 1, Tottenham 1 (22/5)
• Tottenham5, Hearts 1 (17/7)
• QPR 0, Tottenham 2 (20/7)
• Vissel Kobe 2, Tottenham 3 (27/7)
• K-Leauge All stars 3, Tottenham 4 (31/7)
• Bayern Munich 2, Tottenham 1 (August 3)

What can make you happy: In season two under Ange Postecoglou, it is reasonable to expect improvement for Tottenham after they qualified for a place in the Europa League. The team has made good use of its attacking style and with a full pre-season and more attacking options at its disposal, there is a positive atmosphere around Spurs for the first time in a long time.

What you should worry about: While the additions of Gray and Bergvall are positive and good moves for the future due to their versatility, it doesn’t feel like Spurs are really going for it despite their spending power in a stale transfer market. Still looking for a striker and a midfielder, if James Maddison suffers another injury that could sink the team when they should be fighting for a spot in the Champions League.