The English Premier League is the toughest and most unpredictable league in the world. The fast-paced football can prove to be extremely entertaining, where some teams aim for glory while others struggle to stay alive in the league.
Liverpool FC won their first title in 30 years this season, but here are 5 reasons why the EPL will have a new champion next season.
MANCHESTER CITY
The Citizens under Pep Guardiola had a bad season this year, plagued with injuries to key players. They were shaky in defense with Fernandinho, their central defensive midfielder playing at CB while Rodri took his place. Guardiola looks to spend big this transfer window. The already strong team will be the leading title contenders for next season and might just go all the way.
COUNTER GEGENPRESSING
Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp have become the epitome of perfection with gegenpressing and have worked it to perfection. But they have been using the system for the last 2 years and some teams like Leeds, Arsenal and Manchester City have the managerial and tactical ability in their staff to counter it. Arsenal have already showcased their countering abilities when they defeated Liverpool 2-1 in the Premier League this season. Other teams might follow suit.
PRINCE MOHAMMED BIN SALMAN
The Newcastle United takeover seems extremely likely. Mike Ashley looks keen to sell the club for 300 million pounds. If the takeover is completed, we can see another PSG and Man City type situation where the Middle Eastern countries invest in a football club and make them serial winners. If the takeover is completed, Newcastle will surely make big-money transfers and make them serious title contenders.
UNPREDICTABLE NATURE OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE
We can never forget the 2015- 16 PL season, when Leicester City, a team recently promoted to the Premier League, won the title. The odds of them winning the league were 5000 to 1, but they still went all the way.
Can we see another team repeat that feat? Recently promoted Leeds United seem like if such a miracle was to happen, they’d be the ones to do it.
COVID-19
It looks like the pandemic will have a more significant influence on the league than we thought it would. The Premier League teams have had severe losses in matchday incomes after the restart of the league. Clubs with significant financial backing like Manchester City and Chelsea will not be affected so much, but several teams might face difficulties. Contract negotiations between some clubs and players have been stalled. Some clubs might also lose their star players like Sadio Mane of Liverpool is being linked with a move to Real Madrid. There are also new rules for next season. The rule of 5 substitutes per game, which was implemented since the restart of the league, has been confirmed to be in place next season as well. It will undoubtedly affect the outcomes of a handful of games.
