Manchester City broke numerous records last season as they finished with a record 100 points to win the Premier League title at a canter. They were by far the best team in the league and looked a cut above the rest.
With 3 days to go for the start of another exciting season of Premier League football, we look at 3 teams who will be the favourites to lift the trophy this season:
Liverpool
Liverpool have splashed the cash this summer addressing various issues in their squad. Jurgen Klopp signed Alisson Becker in a world record deal making him the most expensive shot-stopper in the world.
Klopp’s defence looks very strong at the moment with Alisson in goal and the calming presence of Virgil Van Dijk in the centre of the defence. Liverpool have some exciting fullbacks in the form of Trent Arnold and Andrew Robertson.
Their midfield looks stronger than ever with the signings of Fabinho and Naby Keita providing them more steel and variation. The prospect of watching the trident of Mane, Firmino and Salah causing havoc with their pace, movement, guile and trickery will be a sight to behold for the Reds faithful.
Liverpool have built an impressive bench strength which shall serve them well during the course of the season. If the Reds can hold their nerve at crucial times and cut out the mistakes they are usually known to make, Klopp’s men can certainly be in the reckoning for the title during the final weeks of the season.
Manchester City
Manchester City ran riot last year winning the Premier League by a whopping margin of 19 points. Pep Guardiola’s men played some of the most scintillating football ever seen in England, pleasing the fans and the pundits alike.
Defending the Premier League crown is traditionally considered a tough task but if there is one manager who can do it, it is Pep Guardiola. He has already laid down a marker after a dominant display against Chelsea in the Community Shield.
City have signed Riyad Mahrez in a club record deal thus further adding to the strongest squad in the Premier League. Pep’s men have set the standard in England and it looks increasingly difficult for any club to stop them in their quest to defend the title.
Manchester United
Jose Mourinho knows all about stopping Pep Guardiola as it was his Real Madrid side that won the La Liga title at the expense of Pep’s Barcelona in the 2011/12 season after which Guardiola went on a sabbatical for a year.
Many would say Jose is outdated and is a shadow of the manger he once was. However, let’s not forget it was under him that United achieved their best finish in the league since Sir Alex’s retirement in 2012. Last season, Alexis Sanchez did not have the best of starts to his United career while Pogba and Lukaku were inconsistent at different periods in the season.
Paul Pogba is now a World Cup winner, Alexis Sanchez has had the first summer off in nine years and looked livelier than ever in the preseason while Lukaku had a good World Cup and should rival Kane and Salah for the Golden Boot this season.
The signing of Fred is likely to free Pogba from his defensive shackles. If all these world-class players perform on a consistent basis with young players like Rashford and Lingard playing their part, there is no reason as to why United cannot challenge for the title.