Arsenal regained their Premier League crown last season, but after a World Cup and a hectic summer which has saw nine new managers in the dugout this season, it’s bound to be another crazy season in England. Coventry, Hull and Ipswich have all returned to the division, two of which winning on opening day. With the first round of the Premier League in, here’s what to expect from every team this season.
Arsenal:
Mikel Arteta’s side became the first Arsenal team to win the league since the 03/04 Invincibles last season, and it only felt a matter of time after multiple 2nd place finishes. The Champions League finalists look in a good position to do it again, not only due to the squad Arteta has spent years building, or how hard they are to beat, but also thanks to the masses of change around them.
Like mentioned, Arteta has spent years building a squad with depth only bested by Guardiola’s Manchester City team, which means Arsenal have been able to have a quieter window. That being said, the business they have done looks to be extremely smart, you can see where every player fits in.
Players in: Bruno Guimaraes, Illian Meslier, Christos Tzolis, Ezri Konsa, Piero Hincapie (loan made permanent).
Players out: Leandro Trossard, Christian Norgaard, Karl Hein, Jakub Kiwior (loan made permanent).
What to expect: Champions
Aston Villa:
When Unai Emery took over at Aston Villa, they looked like they were bound for the Championship, but the Spaniard has transformed them into European regulars in a matter of years. Villa are now preparing for their second Champions League under Emery after he won his fifth Europa League last season.
They’ll be without their star man Morgan Rogers after his big money move to Chelsea, Youri Tielemans could be a massive loss too. It looks like Emi Martinez will stay after all after another summer linked away. If the UEFA Super Cup against PSG is anything to go by, it looks like Villa could promote their youth this season, especially given the amount of big names that have left Villa Park this window.
Players in: Johan Manzambi, Joao Gomes, Modu Keba Cisse, Zion Suzuki, Matteo Ruggeri, Alejandro Garnacho (loan), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (loan).
Players out: Morgan Rogers, Donyell Malen, Youri Tielemans, Lewis Dobbin, Lucas Dinge, Enzo Barrenechea, Ezri Konsa, Samuel Illing-Junior (loan), Andres Garcia (loan), Joe Gauci (loan), Oliwer Zych (loan), Kosta Nedeljkovic (loan).
What to expect: European places
Bournemouth:
Marco Rose has replaced Andoni Iraola in the Bournemouth dugout this season as the club prepare for their first-ever season of European football.
Bournemouth are always hard ones to predict, but this year even more so with a new manager, a quantity of unproven signings and balancing playing twice, especially in a squad that doesn’t look to have too much depth.
Players in: Alvaro Rodriguez, Antonio Silva, Juanalu Sanchez.
Players out: Hamed Traore, Luis Sinisterra, Marcos Senesi, Enes Unal, Alex Jiminez (loan), Alex Paulsen (loan).
What to expect: Bottom-half
Brentford:
Brentford so narrowly missed out on European football last season following a breakout year for manager Keith Andrews. From Ollie Watkins to Ivan Toney to Bryan Mbueno and Yoanne Wissa to Igor Thiago, they always have someone who knows where the net is.
They’re always a hard team to predict and always seem to exceed expectations, so watch out for Brentford again.
Players in: Mamadou Sangare, Jannik Schuster, Jaiden Anthony, Callum Wilson.
Players out: Frank Onyeka, Jordan Henderson, Ryan Trevitt (loan), Yunus Konnak (loan), Romelle Donovan (loan), Matthew Cox (loan).
What to expect: Top-half
Brighton:
Hearts stole the headlines last year, but Brighton have shown what Jamestown Analytics have been able to do for years. They’re in the Conference League Play-Offs this season, so could be balancing twice a week football too.
It’s been a busy window for both ins and outs for the Premier League’s youngest ever permanent manager.
Players in: Luka Vuskovic, Zadok Yohanna, Pascal Struijk, Costinha, Michael Svoboda, Rodrigo Rego, Promise David (loan).
Players out: Jan Paul Van Hecke, Carl Rushworth, Diego Coppola, Danny Welbeck, Jeremy Sarmiento, Joel Veltman, James Milner (retired), Adam Webster, Solly March, Facundo Bounnanotte (loan), Tommy Watson (loan), James Beadle (loan), Rodrigo Rego (loan), Do Young-Yoon (loan).
What to expect: European contenders
Chelsea
The post-Roman Abramovic era in West London can be summed up by one word, instability. Chelsea are preparing for yet another season under a new manager, but Xabi Alonso seems like one Chelsea fans can be really excited about. Of course, it didn’t work out for Alonso in Madrid, but his 2023/24 season with Leverkusen shows what the footballing legend is capable of. They’ve tried it all at Stamford Bridge, from the stability of Mauricio Pochettino to the exciting new managers such as Graham Potter, Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior, but something about Alonso feels different. If he hits the ground running and is given time, the good times could be coming back to Chelsea soon.
Of course, it’s been a busy transfer window at Chelsea, but Morgan Rogers has been one of the Premier League’s best players in recent years and should be suited to Alonso’s system. Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson don’t jump off the page at anyone, but the experience they’ll bring to such a young squad can only be a good thing.
Players in: Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Marco Palesta, Goevanny Quenda, Valentin Barco, Emmanuel Emeghma, Pep Chavarria, Denner, Danny Welbeck, Dastan Satpaev, Jordan Henderson.
Players out: Andrey Santos, Marc Cucurella, Trevor Chalobah, Tyrique George, Omari Kellyman, Dastan Satpaev (loan), Alejandro Garnacho (loan), Filip Jorgensen (loan), Benoit Badiashile (loan).
What to expect: Champions League places
Coventry City:
Coventry return to the Premier League for the first time in 25 years this season, and after winning the Championship last season, certainly look the pick of the bunch from the promoted sides.
One of the main questions surrounding Coventry going into this season will be whether Frank Lampard can keep up tactically in the Premier League as weak points have been pointed out in his previous sides. The Coventry board have backed him well this summer and if any of the three promoted sides stay up this season, they’ve got every chance.
Players in: Carl Rushworth, Daniel Bentley, Aurele Amenda, Caleb Yirenkyi, Gustavo Hamer, Frank Onyeka, Loum Tchaouna, Sidiki Cherif, Taiwo Awoniyi.
Players out: Jahnoah Markelo, Brad Collins, Jamie Allen, Norman Bassette (loan)
What to expect: Relegation candidates
Crystal Palace:
Palace will be led into the season by new boss Pierre Sage following Olivier Glasner’s departure. They’ll also rightfully be playing Europa League football this season after a controversial demotion to the Conference League that watched them win the tournament.
A busy window in South London has watched Sage put his own spin on a side truly on the up right now.
Players in: Dwight McNeil, Anan Khalaili, Oscar Mingueza, Zavier Gozo, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Evann Guessand (loan)
Players out: Maxence Lacroix, Brennan Johnson, Danny Imray, Nathaniel Clyne (loan), Owen Goodman (loan), Rio Cardines (loan).
What to expect: Top-half finish
Everton:
David Moyes has quietly steadied the ship at Everton after they continually flirted with relegation before proving too big to go down. It may not be the European Everton of old anymore, but their record of having never been relegated looks safe at the moment.
Most of Everton’s signings thus far have been promising youngsters, but it’s clear they’re still crying out for a right-back that may never arrive. Celtic’s Alistair Johnston was linked with a move to the club, but that move seems up in the air now.
Players in: Brennan Johnson, Hayden Hackney, Christian Norgaard, Merlin Rohl (loan made permanent), Tyrique George (loan made permanent).
Players out: Dwight McNeil, Idrissa Gueye, Tyler Onyango, Seamus Coleman.
What to expect: Bottom-half
Fulham:
With Marco Silva departing for Benfica, Fulham have looked to Real Madrid and Alvaro Arbeloa has taken over in West London, bringing a few youngsters with him. Their fans will be hoping their exciting new youth works, and fast, especially given harry Wilson’s departure.
After periods of inconsistency, Fulham look to be a solidified Premier League team once more, even if many are tipping them to go down again.
Players in: Gonzalo Garcia, Shea Charles, Cesar Palacios, Jonah Kusi-Asare.
Players out: Sasa Lukic, Issa Diop, Harry Wilson, Raul Jiminez, Steven Benda.
What to expect: Bottom-half
Hull City:
Last season’s Championship Play-Off winners return to the big leagues for the first time since 2017 and an opening day win against Manchester United is just the start they wanted.
The Tigers are expected to be in a dog-fight to stay up this season, and it’s been a bus window in Yorkshire to overhaul a squad only expected to avoid Championship relegation last season.
Players in: Nobel Mendy, Konstantinos Tzolakis, Lucas Herrington, Jens Hjerto-Dahl, Joe Gelhardt, Lucas Gourna-Douath, Jack Butland, Eliott Stroud, Hidemasa Morita, Matt Targett, Oscar Zambrano.
Players out: Ivor Pandur, Kyle Joseph, Abu Kamara, Akin Famewo, Kasey Palmer, Enis Destan, Harry Vaughan, Mason Burnstow (loan), Harvey Cartwright (loan), Thimothee Lo-Tutala (loan).
What to expect: Relegation candidates.
Ipswich Town:
The final of the three promoted teams, Ipswich have become much of a yo-yo team, never staying in one place for too long. Successive promotions saw them jump from League One to the premier League, before going back down, and then coming straight back up again. Kieran McKenna has since left the club and been replaced by ex-Norwich player Gary O’Neil, a man no stranger to relegation scraps as a manager.
Julio Encico has returned to the club and the remainder of their busy transfer business has been a mix of sensible and ambitious.
Players in: Julio Enciso, Emersonn, Abdul Fatawu, Abdoul Outtara, Florentino, Sasa Lukic, Kjell Scherpen, Issa Diop, Daizen Maeda, Chuba Akpom, Cedric Kipre, Kanye Van Oevelen.
Players out: George Hirst, Arijanet Muric, Harry Clarke, Elkan Baggott, Wes Burns, Conor Chaplin, Conor Townsend, Ben Johnson (loan), Cieran Slicker (loan), Ashely Young (retired).
What to expect: Relegation candidates
Leeds United:
Daniel Farke’s men narrowly escaped relegation last season after returning to the Premier League. They’re always an entertaining side, especially at home. Expect a lot of goals, especially to compensate for the ones they leak at the back.
Their defence has long been an aspect critiqued in the Premier League, expect the signing of James Trafford to improve on their shaky defence.
Players in: James Trafford, Tarik Muharemovic, Nico Elvedi, Harry Wilson.
Players out: Pascal Struck, Joe Gelhardt, Isaac Schmidt, Jack Harrison, Allan Meslier, Maximilian Wober, Karl Darlow, Joel Piroe (loan), Sebastiaan Bornauw (loan).
What to expect: Relegation candidates.
Liverpool:
Andoni Iraola was rewarded with the Liverpool job for his good work at Bournemouth, replacing Arne Slot. There’s no doubt this Liverpool squad has talent, the question is now if Iraola can make the step up to one of the world’s biggest clubs, balancing European football with an expected title race.
The Spaniard has also been tasked with putting his own identity on this Liverpool squad with Salah, Konate and Robertson all leaving amongst other mainstays.
Players in: Jeremy Jacquet, Victor Munoz, Ifeanyi Ndukwe, Ronadl Araujo (loan).
Players out: Curtis Jones, Ibrahima Konate, Mohamed Salah, Andrew Robertson, Rhys Williams, Ifeanyi Nduwke (loan), Armin Pesci (loan).
What to expect: Champions league places
Manchester City:
A new era is about to embark at The Etihad, but it’s hard to feel like this isn’t similar to when David Moyes replaced Sir Alex Ferguson across the city. Pep Guordiola’s protege Enzo Maresca has replaced him, and whilst it seemed an inevitable appointment, Maresca has ginormous shoes to fill, a hard task for any relatively new manager.
Rodri’s departure amongst many other City regulars, coupled with an incredibly quiet window by City’s standards (even if they did briefly break the British transfer record) could lead to a transitional season for the serial winners.
Players in: Elliot Anderson, Mathys Detourbet, Jeremy Monga, Geronimo Rulli, Pierce Charles.
Players out: Tijani Reijnders, Rodri, James Trafford, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, Bernardo Silva, John Stones, Mathys Detourbet (loan), Pierce Charles (loan), Max Allenye (loan), Sverre Nypan (loan).
What to expect: European places, maybe Europa League.
Manchester United:
United legend Michael Carrick has taken over in the dugout on a full-time basis for this season after an impressive interim spell last year, but will hope not to fall for the same fate as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer when he became permanent United boss.
They’re always a hard team to predict, 12 years on it still feels they’re in their ‘life after Fergie’ stage, improvements were definitely made last season, and they have one of the best players in the league with Bruno Fernandes, but if we’ve learned anything from Manchester United since 2013, it’s to expect the unexpected.
It’s been an extremely quiet transfer window for United at a time you feel they’d capitalise on their good form and the changes all around them. Marcus Rashford is being treated like a new signing after returning from loan. It’s easy to picture the green and yellow scarves returning soon.
Players in: Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, Karl Darlow.
Players out: Rasmus Hojlund, Radek Vitek, Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia, Altay Bayindir, Tyler Fredricson, Jacob Devaney (loan).
What to expect: European places
Newcastle United:
Last season was a poor one for Newcastle, and it’s certainly a new era in the North East this season. Eddie Howe departed the club in pre-season and was replaced by Matthiase Jaissle from the Saudi Pro League.
They’ve lost the core of their squad with many big names departing this summer. Their transfer policy is clear to see, and looks similar to the one that failed Chelsea years ago with no new player being older than 24.
It will certainly be a transitional season for Newcastle, at a time they probably can’t afford one. Fans will just have to hope they’re too big to go down.
Players in: Bazoumana Toure, Amar Dedic, Aladji Bamba, Lukas Hornicek, Sean Steur, Ewen Jaouen.
Players out: Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon, Matt Targett, Kieran Trippier, Joe White, Emil Krafth, John Ruddy, Alex Murphy (loan), Harrison Ashby (loan).
What to expect: Bottom-half, potential relegation scrap.
Nottingham Forest:
After a hectic season in Nottingham last year that saw Nuno Esperito Santos, Ange Postecoglu, Sean Dyche and Vitor Pereria all in the dugout, Oliver Glasner has stepped into the City Ground dugout this season and will look to transform them in the same way he tuned Crystal Palace into an FA Cup and Conference League winning side. His style of football is easy on-the-eye and extremely hard working, Forest could take some scalps this season, especially at home.
They’ll be without Elliot Anderson this season after a (temporary) British transfer record exit, but the signing of Ousmane Diomande from Sporting Lisbon looks a real coup at the back.
Players in: Ousmane Diomande, Gustavo Sa, Xaver Schlager, Steven Benda.
Players out: Elliot Anderson, Taiwo Awoniyi, David Carmo, Omar Richards, Stefan Ortega, Angus Gunn, Willy Boly, Jota Silva (loan), Gustavo Sa (loan).
What to expect: Mid-table
Sunderland:
Regis Le Bris’ side were the surprise package in the Premier League last season, going from play-off winners to Europa League football. The task to avoid second season syndrome whilst balancing playing Thursday and Sundays for half the season could be a tough one, but their squad should be good enough to get the job done.
A quiet window so far on Wearside has only seen three players come in, all looking to bolster an otherwise solid defence.
Players in: Dayann Methalie, Thomas Muenier, Jules Ahoka.
Players out: Eliezer Mayenda, Anthony Patterson, Ahmed Abdullahi, Dan Neil, Denis Cirkin, Arthur Masuaku, Timothee Pembele, Nazariy Rusyn, Harrison jones, Bertrand Traore, Leo Hjelde, Nial Huggins, Milan Aleksic (loan).
What to expect: Bottom-half
Tottenham Hotspur:
Despite winning a Europa League in the same period, Spurs have narrowly avoided relegation for two seasons in-a-row now, proving too big to go down. Thomas Frank’s disastrous run was continued by Igor Tudor last season, before Roberto De Zerbi kept them up late in the day, surely it can happen again.
The board have backed De Zerbi well this season and on paper their signings shouldn’t even have people thinking about relegation, rather which European competition they’ll be playing in next year. However, just like Manchester United, expect the unexpected.
Players in: Sandro Tonali, Matues Fernandes, Savinho, Jan Paul Van Hecke, Marco Senesi, Andrew Robertson, Martin Dubravka.
Players out: Luka Vusvokic, Cristian Romero, Djed Spence, Will Lankshear, Alejo Veliz, Ashley Phillips, Manor Soloman, Alfie Devine, Yves Bissouma, Radu Dragusin (loan), Min-Hyeok Yang (loan), Guglielmo Vicario (loan).
What to expect: Top-half finish
Opening day results:
Arsenal 3-0 Coventry City
Hull City 2-0 Manchester United
Ipswich Town 2-1 Sunderland
Everton 2-0 Crystal Palace
Nottingham Forest 0-1 Leeds United
Brentford 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester City 2-1 Bournemouth
Brighton & Hove Albion 4-0 Aston Villa
Newcastle United 2-2 Liverpool
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea