The 2021/22 Barclays Premier League is once again causing so much discussion and the title race is likely to be tightly contested right down to the final matches.
Some of the biggest stars in world football belong to the top Premier League sides and the quality is there for all to see. With Newcastle’s takeover having been confirmed there is a new club with money to spend to look to rival the current big sides in the near future.
This year there are three sides that seem to have the edge on the competition and punters can look to online bookmakers to choose from Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool. Manchester City seem to be the bookmakers favourite, though the other two sides are very close behind at the early stages of the season.
Manchester City once again spent big in order to improve their side. Pep Guardiola brought in Jack Grealish from Aston Villa in a British transfer record £100 million. With Sergio Aguero leaving in the summer to Barcelona, it was thought a striker may come in to. City were rumoured to be interested in Harry Kane, and these conversations look set to be reignited as we approach January. Despite the lack of a focal centre forward, City’s squad has so much depth and talent, Guardiola has many options to affect games and look to retain the title once more.
Chelsea are back in the race since Thomas Tuchel’s arrival, and the German goes into his first full season with plenty of expectation. Already a side with a deep squad of players, Tuchel has added extra fire power with Romelu Lukaku arriving from Inter Milan. Year on year there are major additions at Chelsea who always appear to have a top player waiting in the wings for their chance when injury and suspensions affect the usual first team starters.
Liverpool on the other hand struggled with their title defence last season which had a lot to do with the lack of depth in the squad. With injuries to key central defenders Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez, their whole squad and starting line ups took too many changes and lack of experienced cover. Fabinho was required at centre back, losing him from his important role in midfield. Rhys Williams and Nathaniel Williams were both thrown into the starting eleven for the majority of the campaign but the difference in quality from Van Dijk and Gomez to the two newcomers was evident.
Ibrahima Konate has been brought in to provide cover at centre back, but he was the only summer signing for Jurgen Klopp’s side. Gini Wijnaldum and Xherdan Shaqiri both departed along with five others making the squad even smaller than last seasons.
The four players they have to choose from for their front three are an envied list for any side. Mohammed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota are some of the most exciting forwards in the league and a constant menace to any side they face. Though, with the African Nations starting in January, Salah and Mane could be unavailable for a number of matches and they are so important to Klopp’s sides. Almost irreplaceable, the changes are likely to affect Liverpool far more than they would to Manchester City or Chelsea.
Romelu Lukaku came back from October International duties with an injury that could keep him out for some time, as well as Timo Werner. Tuchel now has an issue in his forward line, though Kai Havertz seems the likely and most equipped to take on the role. There are enough players in the Chelsea side to be able to change the system somewhat and still cope without a recognised number nine starting.
Manchester City are the same as Chelsea with Lukaku out. Without an out-and-out centre forward they have adapted their system to be able to play any one of their creative attacking players. Phil Foden, Ferran Torres and Bernardo Silva are all likely to be rotated along with Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus.
Liverpool’s starting eleven is one of the most valuable in world football, but their lack of squad depth could prove costly once again should injuries and suspensions take toll, as well as any fatigue to their star names.
Chelsea and Manchester City will both have the players to cover any enforced changes, as well as to ensure their players are not overworked after a busy season last year plus the European Championships and Copa America. Liverpool will once again rely on youth to cover any changes as well as players who have failed to make much of an impact since their arrivals like Naby Keita. Fortune and a bit of luck may be needed to continue to play their best eleven each week and how far each side goes in the Champions League may also be notable in the domestic title race.