Premier League: Early impressions of Man United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, City and Spurs during preseason

The Premier League is almost back with Liverpool set to travel to face Ipswich Town on Aug. 17 to kick off the new season. With new managers, big transfers, and more all around the league, it can be a lot to keep up with after a busy summer that included Euro 2024, Copa America, and the Olympics. 

But have no fear, we’re here to catch you up on the big six and what there is to know ahead of the new season.

Arsenal

Key arrivals: Riccardo Calafiori (Bologna)
Key departures: Emile Smith-Rowe (Fulham), Sambi Lokonga (Sevilla), Nuno Tavares (Lazio)
Preseason results:

• Arsenal 1, Bournemouth 1 (7/24)
• Arsenal 2, Manchester United 1 (7/27)
• Liverpool 2, Arsenal 1 (7/31)

What to be happy about: As with most seasons, the Arsenal squad is a complete one, and you know what you’re going to get from back to front. After returning to the Champions League last season and making the knockout stages, in the Premier League they finished two points behind Manchester City. That’s a gap that can be easily made up and the addition of Calafiori will help improve an already stout defense.

What to worry about: In a season where Arsenal are one or two players away from winning the title, they still have yet to bring in a striker that can put them over the top to win the league. With Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz expected to lead the line, it’s a top-four-worthy attack, but when tangling with Erling Haaland, it’s hard to see where Arsenal’s next gear comes from.

Chelsea

Key arrivals: Tosin Adarabioyo (Fulham),  Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Leicester), Filip Jorgensen (Villarreal)
Key departures: Thiago Silva (Fluminense), Ian Maatsen (Aston Villa)
Preseason results:

• Chelsea 2, Wrexham 2 (7/24)
• Chelsea 1, Celtic 4 (7/27)
• Chelsea 3, Club America 0 (7/31)
• Manchester City 4, Chelsea 2 (8/3)

What to be happy about: Chelsea have found their guy who can be relied upon for goals in Cole Palmer. He may not be the answer at the nine but having a legit goal-scorer does make it easier to find out if Nicolas Jackson or Christopher Nkunku are that guy. Since Palmer is going to be needed for goals, new coach Enzo Maresca also brought along someone who he’s familiar with in Dewsbury-Hall to bolster Chelsea’s creativity as well.

What to worry about: Everything? It’s another season with a new coach, large portions of the starting XI changing and another academy player likely leaving in Conor Gallagher. Chelsea could finish in the top four or outside the top 10 and neither would be surprising due to the numerous questions around the squad. If figured out, they’ll be a force but if issues continue to pile up, this could be a long season. 

Liverpool

Key arrivals: None
Key departures: Thiago Alcantara (retired)
Preseason results:

• Liverpool 1, Real Betis 0 (7/26)
• Liverpool 2, Arsenal 1 (7/31)
• Manchester United 0, Liverpool 3 (8/3)

What to be happy about: The Reds enter the season with Mohamed Salah and no major changes in the squad which only makes things easier for Arne Slot taking over. They’ve looked good in adjusting to the Dutchman so far and when it comes down to it, Liverpool can bang in the goals. The defense may be a question but if their attack can’t be stopped, it will be easier to mask.

What to worry about: Replacing a club legend is never easy and some clubs never end up doing it. It doesn’t feel like Liverpool will reach Manchester United levels but until Slot comes in and starts winning, it’s something in the back of minds. The first rough patch of the season will be telling.

Manchester City

Key arrivals: Savinho (Troyes)

Potential key departure: Julian Alvarez

Preseason results:

Manchester City 3, Celtic 4 (7/23)
Manchester City 2, Milan 3 (7/27)
Barcelona 2, Manchester City 2 (7/30)
Manchester City 4,  Chelsea 2 (8/3)

What to be happy about: It’s another year and Manchester City are still one of the most complete teams in the Premier League. A machine under Pep Guardiola, the only thing that can stop City is their own performance which is why the league feels like it’s theirs to lose each season. They’ll want multiple trophies this season and adding an excellent creative winger in Savinho will increase chances of doing that.

What to worry about: Something feels off with this potential Alvarez departure. Only 24 and among the top five in minutes played for City last season, this isn’t the kind of player usually allowed to leave Manchester. Atletico Madrid are offering silly money for him but replacing 19 goals and 13 assists in 3,000-plus minutes played in all competitions isn’t easy. If Erling Haaland picks up another injury this season, that could be enough to sink City’s title hopes.

Manchester United 

Key arrivals: Joshua Zirkzee (Bologna), Leny Yoro (Lille)

Key departures: Anthony Martial (contract expired), Raphael Varane (Como)

Preseason results:

• Rosenborg 1, Manchester United 0 (7/15)
• Rangers 0, Manchester United 2 (7/20)
• Arsenal 2, Manchester United 1 (7/27)
• Manchester United 3, Real Betis 2 (7/31)
• Manchester United 0, Liverpool 3 (8/3)

What to be happy about: It has been a while since Manchester United has had consistency at the helm and with Erik ten Hag beginning year three in charge of the Red Devils, expectations are high. This team is likely somewhere in between the squad that finished second in the Premier League and last season but with Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo showing signs of stardom, if they take a step forward, United will as well.

What to worry about: Yoro is already out for three months and Rasmus Hojlund is injured too. Health was a big concern for Manchester United last season and going into another with less depth, it is already rearing its head this season too. After extending Erik ten Hag, more is expected of United but not much has changed to believe that improvements will come.

Tottenham 

Key arrivals: Archie Gray (Leeds United), Lucas Bergvall (Djurgarden)
Key departures: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Marseille)

Preseason results: 

• Newcastle 1, Tottenham 1 (5/22)
• Tottenham 5, Hearts 1 (7/17)
• QPR 0, Tottenham 2 (7/20)
• Vissel Kobe 2, Tottenham 3 (7/27)
• K-Leauge All-Stars 3, Tottenham 4 (7/31)
• Bayern Munich 2, Tottenham 1 (Aug. 3)

What to be happy about: In season two under Ange Postecoglou, it’s fair to expect improvement for Tottenham after they qualified for a Europa League place. The team took well to his attacking style and with a full preseason and more attacking options at his disposal, there is a positive air around Spurs for the first time in a while.

What to worry about: While the additions of Gray and Bergvall are positive and good moves for the future due to their versatility, it doesn’t feel like Spurs are truly going for it despite having spending power in a stale transfer market. Still in search of a striker and a midfielder, if James Maddison suffers an injury again, that could sink the team when they should be challenging for a Champions League spot.