The new Premier League season finally gets underway on Friday night and the top six will resume their tussle to reign supreme once again.
Manchester City will be confident of retaining their title while Liverpool have strengthened well in the transfer market to boost their credentials. Arsenal and Chelsea go into the campaign under new managers as Manchester United and Tottenham’s lack of transfer activity may have already hampered their chances.
With just two days until the season begins, Sportsmail looks at the problems facing the ‘Big Six’ and whether they can correct any of them before the transfer window closes at 5pm on Thursday.
Chelsea
It is no secret that Chelsea are desperately lacking firepower. Maurizio Sarri has replaced Antonio Conte in the dugout and his system of high intensity, offensive play requires a dynamic front three. Something the Blues currently do not possess.
Alvaro Morata was particularly wasteful in the Community Shield but Sarri may see a chance to develop him, like he did with Dries Mertens at Napoli. Olivier Giroud is not mobile enough to play under the Italian and therefore another striker would be most welcome.
It remains to be seen whether Eden Hazard and Willian will be at the club once August 31 comes around but Sarri will surely consider sourcing replacements for both before Thursday night just in case.
Their goalkeeping problem appears to be fixed with the club paying the £72million release clause needed to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao. A midfielder to link to the front three may also be on the agenda.
Anything to happen before the deadline?
Kepa is set to be confirmed on Wednesday while a deal looks increasingly likely for Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic. Former Liverpool target Nabil Fekir could also be an option with the Frenchman constantly linked away from Lyon.
FIRST THREE GAMES
August 11 – Huddersfield (A)
August 18 – Arsenal (H)
August 26 – Newcastle (A)
Manchester United
Jose Mourinho’s frustration at United’s lack of summer spending plagued the club’s pre-season preparations and, with two days left to buy, they are no closer to welcoming any new faces.
Jerome Boateng was in talks over a move from Bayern Munich but he politely declined, while Leicester initially refused to sell Harry Maguire after his impressive World Cup. The Foxes have since moved closer to buying two new defenders though, which could possibly open the door for his exit.
Morale within the camp is desperately low. Mourinho has moaned about what he believes is a lack of depth in his squad as well and his relationship with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is strained.
And now Paul Pogba has also expressed a desire to leave for Barcelona with his agent trying to engineer the France international a move just two years after his £89m club-record arrival from Juventus.
Anything to happen before the deadline?
Surely they will bring in a new centre back. Mourinho is desperate for a defender and that looks to be the position most likely to be filled before Thursday night.
The club seem insistent on keeping Pogba and with Anthony Martial ostracised at Old Trafford, the Portuguese is crying out for a versatile forward to be brought in as a replacement. Ousmane Dembele perhaps?
FIRST THREE GAMES
August 10 – Leicester (H)
August 19 – Brighton (A)
August 27 – Tottenham (H)
Tottenham
This summer should have been one full of excitement for Spurs fans. A brand-new stadium, a highly-regarded manager and a host of key players tied down to new contracts is the stuff of dreams for supporters.
However, their lack of activity in the transfer market has raised serious questions though and Mauricio Pochettino is desperate for some new faces as he looks to mount an assault on the Premier League title.
An offer did go in for Jack Grealish on Tuesday night but the Aston Villa man is not exactly a signing that will help close the gap to Manchester City. There is no question Spurs’ starting XI is extremely strong but questions marks persist over squad depth and that looks to be a problem once again.
Anything to happen before the deadline?
If they can push through a deal for Grealish it would be a relief. Spurs are traditionally late movers in the window and it is not beyond them to make some additions in the closing stages.
FIRST THREE GAMES
August 11 – Newcastle (A)
August 18 – Fulham (H)*
August 27 – Manchester United (A)
*Game to be played at Wembley
Arsenal
There is a sense of optimism surrounding Arsenal going into the new campaign. Unai Emery has come in and is expected to add some defensive solidity which, when coupled with their attacking threat, could make for some exciting times.
Emery has brought in a new goalkeeper in Bernd Leno and experienced defenders Stephan Lichtsteiner and Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
Lucas Torreira will also provide some much-needed bite in midfield and looks to be a shrewd addition given his impressive performances at the World Cup with Uruguay.
If there is one area they look to be light in it is on the wing. Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Mesut Ozil both like to play inside and Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang aren’t best out wide. Alexi Iwobi looks set to start on the left and another offensive threat is key.
Arsenal were facing a furious backlash from fans on Tuesday after US business tycoon Stan Kroenke moved towards a total takeover worth £1.8billion. Kroenke has agreed to pay £550m to buy second-largest shareholder Alisher Usmanov’s 30 per cent stake and the decision did not go down well with Gunners supporters.
Anything to happen before the deadline?
Ousmane Dembele has also been linked with the Gunners but would be a costly addition. He is close friends with many of their stars, including Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan, which may work out in their favour.
Ricardo Rodriguez of AC Milan is also said to be on Emery’s radar as he looks to solve injury problems at left back.
FIRST THREE GAMES
August 12 – Manchester City (H)
August 18 – Chelsea (A)
August 27 – West Ham (H)
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp will be very happy with his pre-season work both on and off the pitch. They have strengthened the areas they needed to and added further depth to their squad, which should make them Manchester City’s closest rivals.
They have retained the services of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane and midfield acquisitions Naby Keita and Fabinho will provide more options in an area of the pitch that they were short in at the back end of last campaign.
Undoubtedly the most important signing of the summer was goalkeeper Alisson. The Reds have not had an outstanding stopper since Pepe Reina and Klopp will be hoping the Brazilian can win points rather than lose them like Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet have done in recent years.
Perhaps if there was one area of concern for Liverpool it would be at centre back. Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are the only fit options for Klopp in their opening game against West Ham on Sunday with Dejan Lovren returning from his holidays and Ragnar Klavan and Joel Matip both injured.
Anything to happen before the deadline?
There will most likely be more outgoings than new faces with the Reds desperate to offload the likes of Danny Ings, Divock Origi, Lazar Markovic and Simon Mignolet.
FIRST THREE GAMES
August 12 – West Ham (H)
August 20 – Crystal Palace (A)
August 25 – Brighton (H)
Manchester City
Nothing to worry about. Pep Guardiola is sitting pretty with his squad and last season’s runaway champions already look to be firing on all cylinders after their Community Shield win.
They have added Riyad Mahrez to their squad, even though they didn’t really need more offensive firepower, and kept hold of the core that dominated the Premier League last time out.
Anything to happen before the deadline?
Highly unlikely. City had made the recruitment of a defensive midfielder a priority but, after losing out on Jorginho to Chelsea, they may not head back into the market.
FIRST THREE GAMES
August 12 – Arsenal (A)
August 19 – Huddersfield (H)
August 25 – Wolves (A)