The Premier League 2020/21 is set to commence on Friday, and Arsenal will be playing Brentford in the curtain-raiser. Here is what you need to know about the new season.
Title defenders – Manchester City
Manchester City were crowned the champions of the last season, taking the Premier League title from the grabs of Liverpool. The Sky Blues topped the table with 86 points, 12 points clear of their cross-town rivals Manchester United. Now Pep Guardiola’s men will be hoping to retain the title as they did in the 2018/19 season.
Newly promoted sides
Norwich City, Watford and Brentford are the three sides who have leapt into the Premier League from Championship last season. Furthermore, it will be the first season for Brentford in the English top-flight.
New managers
There will be quite a few managerial changes for the upcoming season. Nuno Santo was appointed as the new manager of Spurs in the transfer window from Wolves, who would sign Bruno Lage as his replacement.
Rafa Benitez was chosen as the replacement for Carlo Ancelotti at Everton while Patrick Vieira will be managing Crystal Palace for the upcoming season.
Patrick Vieira and Bruno Lage have taken charge of Crystal Palace and Wolves respectively during summer break.
Top transfers
Jack Grealish
Manchester City have broken the banks for the signing of Jack Grealish from Aston Villa and his reported 100m pounds transfer fee is a British transfer record.
Romelu Lukaku
Next up is Romelu Lukaku, who has returned to Chelsea after seven years, with Londoners paying a whopping fee of 115m euros to Inter Milan for his transfer.
Jadon Sancho
The Premier League clubs have been the biggest spenders in this summer transfer window so far, and the third most expensive signing is the new Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho. After long speculations, the Red Devils bought the talented English youngster from Dortmund for a reported fee of £76.5m
Title contenders
Chelsea are the best-placed side to win the Premier League next season. Thomas Tuchel’s side are brimming with confidence after their Champions League triumph last season, followed by their recent Super Cup win against Villarreal. Furthermore, Lukaku’s arrival is an icing cake for the Londoners.
Man City also boast a quality side, and the addition of Grealish would strengthen their attack more. They have the best chances to retain the title if they manage to sign Harry Kane from Spurs.
Man Utd’s transfer business clearly indicates that they will push for the Premier League title this season. The pressure is also mounting on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who is currently in his third year but hasn’t won any silverware.
