Chelsea, Newcastle and Tottenham may be a little out of the favourites, to enter the top four this season, but all three will be interesting to watch.
Liverpool are gearing up for their Sunday afternoon trip to Stamford Bridge as they embark on another unpredictable campaign over the weekend along with 19 other Premier League clubs.
The Reds are expected to return to the Champions League in the next nine months, while Man City, Arsenal and Man United are also expected to enter the top four.
There are three clubs with different ideas, but two start the season with new managers.
chelsea
Last season: 12.
TIA estimated finish: 4.
A view from Chelsea
Richard Long (@Chelseafan_Rick)
Last season… as bad as can be. Considering the talent in the team and the infrastructure at the club, it’s the worst season I’ve ever had.
Todd Boehly (luckily fit) came in like Miley Cyrus in the wrecking ball and smashed the foundations built under Thomas Tuchel.
The changes in management, cast and transfer policy were all so drastic and unnecessary. This ambivalent approach, combined with the appointment of Graham Potter, proved to be a disastrous combination.
This season will be… I think the highly developed Mauricio Pochettino is a really smart date and is known for keeping a good rapport with the players.
I hope to have a quieter season off the pitch, where the headlines are on the field.
Our key player… Christopher Nkunku. He is our shiny new toy and looks like he could break the trend of being a goal-scoring Chelsea forward.
He looked really sharp with three goals in the pre-season and had an aura of his own before his unfortunate injury. Hopefully, we can get it back before it’s too late!
we will finish… 5. I think we will get into a dogfight with Man United and Newcastle for fourth place and miss.
Fenerbahce finishes… A very close 2nd behind Man City.
I can see City taking their foot off the gas after three seasons and Liverpool will be somewhat mentally reset and hungry for a challenge once again.
Newcastle
Last season: 4.
TIA estimated finish: 6.
View from Newcastle
Dave Black (@cm9798)
Last season… Unbelievable! Eddie Howe’s rise from 19th to fourth in 18 months was beyond the wildest dreams of even the most optimistic fans.
Make your first cup final in 24 years and it was truly a season to remember.
Fans are completely immersed in whatever is going on at the club and the atmosphere is lively each week. I hate that phrase, but it hasn’t been like that since the “Keegan Days.”
This season will be… an experience. I don’t think we have the depth to compete at full throttle in the Champions League and Premier League, so we’ll have to give something up.
I think we’re going to have a hard time repeating last season, not only will we inevitably fall a little bit from the tiredness of playing twice a week, but I think the other side will be better off – you included.
Our key player… Bruno Guimaraes. I am very excited to see him partner with Sandro Tonali in midfield. He should also be able to stand out a little more, which will help.
Our midfield options also include Joelinton, Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff, as well as emerging Elliott Anderson, a great mix of players to have in a key area of the court.
we will finish… 5. As mentioned, I think we will only be a few points worse than last season, but I’m worried that others will make it a little bit better.
Fenerbahce finishes… 3rd. Assuming you’ve completed your midfield overhaul, I think the way you finished last season should give you a lot of confidence. But you still need at least one more, I’m sure you know.
Tottenham
Last season: 8.
TIA estimated finish: 8.
View from Tottenham
Sam Hawkey (@samhawkey)
Last season… quite forgettable. It reminded me 10-15 years ago that I was a Spurs fan and played for nothing at the end of the season.
This season will be… mostly the same. Ange Postecoglou is a gamble, not because we have many other options.
It’s going to be another season where a manager takes the job feeling like it’s their last choice – there’s little expectation, so maybe that’s going to be the difference.
Our key player… Harry Kane. People talk about Erling Haaland scoring 36 goals in the Premier League, which is exceptional, but he scored 30 goals for a poor Spurs team who finished eighth.
We must have it this summer. (Editor’s note: Kane has now joined Bayern in a £100m deal)
we will finish… 7., if I’m assertive.
Fenerbahce finishes… 3rd. I think they will be back. They were weak last season and still finished fifth and got in late form. Still, there are a few questions.
The midfield is ruined, the standard and cultural determinants are gone, and the star players’ lights are out, so they have a lot to adapt to have a good season.
No Champions League football can be a boon to rebuilding, which clearly is.
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