The Burning Questions As We Get Closer To The Premier League Kickoff

So that was quick, wasn’t it?! After the shortest summer break in living memory, the Premier League is about to kick off once again – and there sure is plenty to talk about! Whether it’s the fallout from Liverpool’s historic title win, the effects of a summer like no other, or the impact that new signings will have throughout the year, there are enough questions to make up a full Zoom quiz – hey, remember those?!

 

It’s all underway from Saturday, and Sky Sports is the place to be; for Liverpool v Leeds United on opening day (5pm, Sky Sports Premier League, Virgin TV 405) of course, but also for a full feast of football all season long. As for what we’ll get? Well, the answers to the below will be a good start...

 

CAN LIVERPOOL DO IT AGAIN?

 

30 years is a long time to wait for a title; 10 months sounds a lot more manageable. The Anfield faithful have demonstrated patience before, but there’s good reason they’re getting greedy now – because with a squad that’s remained intact, a coach very much in his stride, and the not inconsiderable monkey off their back, a second consecutive crown is very much within their grasp. They start out as the team to beat, though Manchester City will be eyeing up a serious bounce back into contention; while the prospect of a two-horse race can sometimes seem boring, it’s a different matter when thoroughbreds like these are involved!

 

CAN THE REST CATCH UP?

 

Of course, there’s no guarantee that only two sides will be in the hunt for glory; Chelsea, Manchester United, Spurs and Arsenal will all be eyeing up a return to the upper echelons. From new (and new-ish) managers to significant moves in the market, each has reason to believe that this season will be different to the one before – and that’s without even mentioning the likes of Leicester City and Wolves, both of whom will be out to prove that their strong showings had nothing to do with luck. WIth the big two in situ, they might well be the chasing pack – but chase they most certainly will!

 

WILL SIGNINGS SINK OR SWIM?

 

From Manchester United’s acquisition of Donny van de Beek to Chelsea’s spending spree on Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech, some of the continent’s finest talents have signed on to bring their skills to the Premier League this year – and that’s without mentioning the likes of Nathan Ake and Ben Chilwell moving in huge domestic deals. There’s still plenty of time, too – the transfer window doesn’t shut until October 5th – so more will come, but there’s already plenty of intrigue when it comes to fresh faces…

 

WHAT OF THE NEW GUYS?

 

Newly promoted sides are nearly always a mixed bag; a glance at last year, where Norwich bottomed out while Sheffield United almost made it to Europe, offers a perfect illustration. This year, it’s Leeds, West Brom and Fulham that climb up from the Championship – and only the bravest would predict how they’ll fare! Surely the most interesting of the three are Yorkshire’s finest; with a history as rich as they come, big name recruits like Rodrigo and Robin Koch, and a bonafide footballing genius perched pitchside on a big blue bucket, Elland Road should be an eventful spot this season!

 

AND WHAT OF EVERYTHING ELSE?!

 

Empty stands, a short summer, and a season schedule compressed into just eight months; while every Premier League season has its unique points, this one might be the most different of the lot! A lot will come down to how teams have managed to prepare during a brief pre-season; we’re also likely to see squad depth tested at a whole never level. And, needless to say, there’ll be curveballs aplenty before we reach matchday 38 – sure, things are already crazy enough before matchday one!

 

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