E
nglish football’s top six (Arsenal,
Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham
Hotspur and the Manchester
clubs, City and United) have
dominated the Premier League for
more than a decade, with no other
side finishing in the top four Champions
League places since Everton in 2005 –
with the notable exception of winners
Leicester City in 2016.
But this season there is a growing
feeling that the top six could morph into
a top three, with City, Liverpool and Spurs
moving away from everybody else.
After last term’s neck-and-neck league
campaign, City and Liverpool are again
obvious front runners, while Tottenham- with their confidence fired by exploits
in the Champions League and a fine new
stadium – are best placed to push them.
Meanwhile, Chelsea, Arsenal and
Manchester United all have issues that
could inhibit genuine title challenges.
For the champions City, their biggest
problems lie off the pitch, with UEFA
investigators pursuing a Champions
League ban for possible financial
transgressions. On the pitch, Pep
Guardiola’s men have been close to
perfection, with Rodri, a summer
acquisition for a record £62.8million,
adding to City’s rich midfield options. The
Spaniard will be a long-term replacement
for Fernandinho, who could also drop
back into central defence to fill the gap
left by Vincent Kompany’s departure.
Over at Liverpool, the euphoria
generated by an exhilarating sixth
European Cup success has yet to
subside. The return to action of Alex
Oxlade-Chamberlain gives manager
Jurgen Klopp a valuable new option in
midfield, but it remains to be seen
(^) RODRI
(Manchester City)
City met the £62.8m release
clause in his Atletico Madrid
contract and broke their own
transfer record to sign the
23-year-old Spanish central
midfielder.
(^) RAVEL MORRISON
(Sheffield United)
Promoted United have taken
a punt on a player who Alex
Ferguson once described as
better than Rooney and Giggs,
but whose career has since
gone off the rails.
(^) WESLEY
(Aston Villa)
Tall Brazilian centre-forward
who began his European
career in Slovakia. Joined Villa
from Club Brugge for £22m.
Worked in a screw factory as
a 16-year-old.
(^) CHE ADAMS
(Southampton)
One of the brightest attacking
talents in the Championship
looks to be good business at a
modest fee, costing £15m from
Birmingham. Former England
under-20 cap.
(^) SEBASTIEN HALLER
(West Ham United)
Prolific goalscorer and
one of the stars of Eintracht
Frankfurt’s Europa League run
last season. A coup for the
Hammers, albeit an expensive
one at £45m.
whether the summer’s international
exertions will blunt their attack: Roberto
Firmino was in Brazil’s Copa America-
winning side, while Sadio Mane and
Mohamed Salah both featured at the
Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Tottenham’s midfield has been
boosted by the record signing of
dynamic French international Tanguy
Ndombele from Lyon, their first
incoming deal for 18 months. The sale
of Kieran Trippier to Atletico Madrid
was a surprise and could lead to a
radical overhaul of the back line, but
the continued presence of Mauricio
Pochettino in the dugout remains a
cause for optimism.
Across London at Chelsea, less may
prove to be more for the Europa League
winners. The appointment of former
hero Frank Lampard as manager in
place of Juventus-bound Maurizio Sarri
represents a fundamental change in the
club’s direction for the first time since
Roman Abramovich arrived in 2003.
Sarri, despite finishing in the top four
and winning a European trophy, failed to
connect with the fans. Lampard, despite
his managerial inexperience – just
one season with Derby County – is a
popular figure at Stamford Bridge and
the club’s first English manager since
Glenn Hoddle in the mid-1990s. His
popularity may buy Lampard much
E N G L A N D
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His popularity may buy Frank Lampard much
needed time as Chelsea operate under a global
transfer ban and prepare for life after Eden Hazard
Pole position...
Pep Guardiola’s
Manchester City