"Some would say it started on Aug. 15, with reigning champion Liverpool's thrilling and emotional 4-2 win against Bournemouth. And yes, sure, if you want to be a nerd about it, the new league season technically did indeed begin with the season's first game. But if you want to be more spiritually correct-and more forgiving of a certain group of soccer bloggers-the Premier League only really "starts" once the transfer window's musical chairs stops."
"In fairness to us here at Defector, this was a particularly bonkers summer transfer window, and so most teams weren't in anything resembling their final form until the window officially closed. Following this recently concluded international break, league action returns for Matchday 4 on Saturday. The squads are as full and prepared as they will be all year long, before the grind of the season begins to pick players off left and right with knocks, tears, and breaks."
"There are a plethora of storylines from the very tippy-top of the table-where Liverpool and Arsenal look to battle once more for supremacy (and don't forget about Manchester City, even if, as we'll see, the former world-conquerors appear to be in a bit of a transitional period)-to the slew of contenders for the European spots, and no one can forget the dreadful prospect of relegation."
The Premier League's practical beginning followed the transfer window's close on Sept. 1, when most teams reached their season-ready squads. After the international break, Matchday 4 resumes with clubs as prepared as they will be all year, before injuries and fixture grind reshape squads. The window produced dramatic moves, leaving many teams in transitional states. Liverpool and Arsenal project as primary title rivals, with Manchester City still relevant despite transition. Numerous clubs target European qualification, while several face genuine relegation threats. The season promises managerial turnover, player injuries and market departures that will reshape ambitions.
Read at Defector
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]