The 2021/2022 Premier League season kicks off on Friday night with Arsenal VS Brentford. Below we preview the three favourites to win the title.
Manchester City
Manchester City are the 4/6 favourites to retain the title they won in impressive fashion last season. However, until the transfer window closes, we can’t say for sure. The £100 million acquisition of Jack Grealish is exciting, but it doesn’t necessarily improve them. It consolidates their squad as the most technically accomplished and creative in the league, sure, but it isn’t what they need.
What they need is a focal point in attack, and as yet it’s unclear whether or not they’ll sign Harry Kane. Pep Guardiola went full Pep last year when he implemented a false 9 system full time. It worked, but how long will it work? They can’t rely on Ilkay Gundogan to keep up last season’s scoring rate and although Aguero’s influence waned, he still needs to be replaced.
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Chelsea
Chelsea are 9/2 second-favourites after the blockbuster return of Romelu Lukaku to the club. With him leading the line, the European champions have everything they need to challenge Liverpool and Manchester City. Thomas Tuchel implemented his playing style quickly at Stamford Bridge, quickly enough to win the Champions League.
Lukaku is a game-changer. Timo Werner, who struggled in front of goal last year, will probably play better with a striker like Lukaku to bounce off. As well as that, Chelsea’s top scorer last year was Jorginho with 7, and 6 of those were penalties. Lukaku divides opinion, but he guarantees goals, and that’s all Chelsea were missing.
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Liverpool
Liverpool have flown under the radar this summer, and that could be exactly what they needed. The 5/1 third favourites have talismanic defender Virgil van Djik returning alongside new signing Ibrahima Konaté. With Joel Matip and Joe Gomez also returning, last season’s central defensive crisis is over.
Liverpool have been relatively quiet in the transfer market, but Klopp isn’t worried about that. As he points out, “You can’t sign our counter-pressing, our anthem, the atmosphere.” It looks as if they will rely on young players like Harvey Elliot to replace Gino Wjinadlum, which is a concern in a midfield which has always been slightly lacking. However, given the emotional stampede Klopp and Liverpool are capable of becoming, only a fool would write them off.
