English Premier League club-by-club season guide

Daily Telegraph UK

The new English Premier League season begins at Old Trafford Saturday morning when Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United host Fulham.

Both Liverpool and Chelsea have new managers in Arne Slot and Enzo Maresca respectively, while there is a return to the top flight for Ipswich Town after a 22-year exile.

Arsenal will hope it is third time lucky for them when it comes to the Premier League title, but Manchester City may well have a say in that.

Telegraph Football writers assess each team’s readiness for the new campaign.

AFC Bournemouth

Who’s the boss?

Andoni Iraola looked on shaky ground at times last season but finished the campaign strong and, at just 42, is regarded as one of the most promising young managers in the Premier League.

How do the signings look?

Enes Ünal’s loan was converted to a permanent deal, so they know what to expect there. Less is known about Dean Huijsen, 19, from Juventus or Julian Araujo, 23, from Barcelona but they look to have potential.

Anything else we need to know?

Dominic Solanke led their attack superbly last season and he has been sold to Tottenham, while Lloyd Kelly left as a free agent to Newcastle – and both will be significant misses for Iraola.

Readiness rating: 5/10

Arsenal
Who’s the boss?

Mikel Arteta has been in the Arsenal dugout since December 2019 and his team have got better every year. The Spaniard has established himself as one of the best young managers in Europe and is as desperate as anyone to lift the Premier League trophy after back-to-back second-placed finishes.

How do the signings look?

Just the one new face so far, with Italy international Riccardo Calafiori joining from Bologna in a deal worth up to £42 million. He can slot in at centre-back or left-back. Crucially, he adds much-needed defensive depth.

Anything else we need to know?

Keep an eye out for young Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, both aged 17. The two academy stars have excelled in pre-season and appear well-placed to feature in the first team this year. Long tipped as stars of the future, their time seems to be coming.

Readiness rating: 9/10

Aston Villa
Who’s the boss?

Unai Emery has proved over 18 transformational months that he is an elite manager. This season he will prepare Aston Villa for the Champions League and hope to continue their upward trajectory.

How do the signings look?

Villa have recruited strongly again, breaking their transfer record to sign Amadou Onana from Everton for £50m. Ross Barkley has also returned on a permanent deal.

Anything else we need to know?

Villa will be boosted by the returns of Tyrone Mings and Emiliano Buendia from long-term injuries, and remain in the market for attacking players after the £51m sale of Moussa Diaby.

Readiness rating: 7/10

Brentford
Who’s the boss?

It is a measure of Thomas Frank’s growing reputation that he was a contender for both the Manchester United and Chelsea jobs this summer. Frank has led Brentford into the Premier League and kept them there. They are arguably the division’s most tactically flexible side.

How do the signings look?

Brentford have made just one first-team signing: Igor Thiago, a Brazilian striker who cost around £30 million. So far, his arrival has not gone to plan: he has been ruled out until late 2024 after undergoing knee surgery. Attacking midfielder Fabio Carvalho has joined from Liverpool.

Anything else we need to know?

Brentford have been repeatedly frustrated in the transfer market in recent windows and their bad run of luck continued earlier this summer, when they were close to signing Archie Gray in a £40 million deal from Leeds United. At the last minute, Tottenham Hotspur snatched him away.

Readiness rating: 6/10

Brighton
Who’s the boss?

At 31 years old, Fabian Hurzeler is the youngest manager in Premier League history. The German is a fascinating character who is climbing the football ladder at remarkable speed. Can he handle the pressures of the Premier League? Can he earn the trust of players who are older than him? Time to find out.

How do the signings look?

Brighton have spent around £80 million so far this summer. The most eye-catching of the signings are midfielder Mats Wieffer (£25 million from Feyenoord) and winger Yankuba Minteh, who has joined from Newcastle United for around £30 million. Minteh looked very exciting indeed in pre-season.

Anything else we need to know?

Brighton might struggle to adjust to life without Pascal Gross, their long-serving midfielder who has joined Borussia Dortmund after seven years at the club. Gross has been a key part of their success in recent years and others will need to step up in his absence.

Readiness rating: 7/10

Chelsea
Who’s the boss?

Enzo Maresca is the latest man to try to survive the Chelsea chopping block. Mauricio Pochettino became the first man to survive a season under Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly, so Maresca’s first aim must be to try to better that.

How do the signings look?

Once again, Chelsea have been one of the busiest clubs in the transfer window. Winger Pedro Neto was the most high-profile signing at the time of publication, but that could easily change at any moment. Thiago Silva has been replaced by Tosin Adarabioyo from Fulham, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall arrived from Leicester City to link back up with Maresca. Chelsea will almost certainly sign at least one more player before the window shuts and still want a striker, with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen high on their list.

Anything else we need to know?

Maresca’s appointment as head coach meant the return of former Chelsea player Willy Caballero as his assistant. The former goalkeeper spent four seasons at the club, but only made 11 Premier League appearances and was an unused substitute in the Champions League final success against another one of his former clubs, Manchester City.

The feeling is Chelsea are going to need some time to adapt to Maresca’s style of football and allow the new players time to bed in. Patience has been in short supply at Stamford Bridge, but it is badly needed.

Readiness rating: 7/10

Crystal Palace
Who’s the boss?

Oliver Glasner worked wonders following his appointment in February last year. Palace soon became one of the league’s most exciting teams. Bayern Munich made efforts to appoint him this summer, which says plenty about the 49-year-old’s coaching ability. It will not be easy for Palace to keep hold of him for long.

How do the signings look?

Daichi Kamada, an attacking midfielder, and Ismaila Sarr, a winger, should help to soften the blow of losing Michael Olise to Bayern Munich. At the back, new signing Chadi Riad will hope to impress. Palace might need him to replace Marc Guehi, who is attracting serious interest from Newcastle.

Anything else we need to know?

Adam Wharton spent the summer with England at the Euros and the feeling at Palace is that he could prove to be one of their best-ever signings. Still only 20, it seems only a matter of time before Wharton is attracting offers from the biggest clubs in the land. Palace fans should enjoy him while they have him.

Readiness rating: 8/10

Everton
Who’s the boss?

A fluid situation. Sean Dyche has empowered himself by keeping Everton up in successive years amid a power vacuum in the boardroom. Things won’t change until there is a takeover.

How do the signings look?

Jack Harrison was already an Everton player – he renewed his loan. Midfielder Tim Iroegbunam has shone in pre-season games more than Iliman Ndiaye. Jesper Lindstrom and Jake O’Brien recently joined the squad.

Anything else we need to know?

Emotions will run high towards the end of the season as Everton play their final Goodison games. It should guarantee a fortress-like atmosphere in the closing weeks.

Readiness rating: 6/10

Fulham
Who’s the boss?

Marco Silva has turned Fulham into a stable Premier League side, with 10th and 13th-place finishes in their past two seasons. The 47-year-old has caught the attention of other teams and will do so again if he keeps Fulham, a club prone to flitting between the leagues, on this steady trajectory.

How do the signings look?

One of the most eye-catching moves of the summer has been Emile Smith Rowe’s £34 million switch from Arsenal to Craven Cottage. If Smith Rowe can stay fit, he could drag Fulham up the table. New defender Jorge Cuenca is a talented prospect and more signings are expected to follow. The return of Ryan Sessegnon, the academy graduate, is one of the summer’s more heartwarming deals.

Anything else we need to know?

Joao Palhinha has joined Bayern Munich, which will not help Fulham’s cause. The same can be said for the departure of Tosin Adarabioyo to Chelsea. Two strong members of the spine have departed, which will test Fulham’s defensive resilience.

Readiness rating: 6/10

Ipswich Town
Who’s the boss?

Kieran McKenna was wanted by Chelsea and Brighton after successive promotions to get Ipswich back in the top flight but he chose to stay at Portman Road and sign a new deal. The club’s signing of the summer.

How do the new signings look?

They have gone for high-quality Championship performers with potential to take the next step. Omari Hutchinson’s loan was turned into a transfer, Jacob Greaves and Liam Delap were in the second tier last season. Ben Johnson is a shrewd free transfer from West Ham.

Anything else we need to know?

Expect home advantage to play a part for Ipswich. It will be a terrific atmosphere at Portman Road after competing in the EFL for the last 22 years.

Readiness rating: 7/10

Leicester City
Who’s the boss?

Steve Cooper arrived in late June as the club’s new head coach, replacing Enzo Maresca who completed a surprise move to Chelsea. Cooper has Premier League experience already with Nottingham Forest, and is facing a significant challenge.

How do the signings look?

Leicester are still battling to sign players this week and, at this stage, appear undercooked for the top division. Abdul Fatawu’s arrival on a permanent deal was a huge positive, while Bobby De Cordova-Reid will provide crucial experience.

Anything else we need to know?

Last season’s Championship winners are still locked in a legal battle with the Premier League and facing the prospect of a points deduction for breaching financial rules.

Readiness rating: 5/10

Liverpool
Who’s the boss?

Liverpool’s owners made their new football CEO, Michael Edwards, an offer he could not refuse with good reason. He has delegated many Anfield responsibilities to sporting director Richard Hughes, who is credited with headhunting Arne Slot. But in the pyramid of power, Edwards is perceived as the kingpin.

How do the signings look?

Liverpool made Spain international Martín Zubimendi a target this summer, but the midfielder has decided against a move to Anfield. The club are yet to add any reinforcements to the squad.

Anything else we need to know?

The extended Champions League will have a major impact on this season, adding to the number of midweek fixtures. It won’t be long before Arne Slot is echoing his predecessor bemoaning broadcasters ripping up the fixture list.

Readiness rating: 7/10

Manchester City
Who is the boss?

Pep Guardiola has won four Premier Leagues in a row and his record is six out of seven titles. He has a year left on his contract and his domination of the competition is in his own hands.

How do the signings look?

Savinho has arrived from sister-club Troyes and looked very useful during a Community Shield cameo but City will wait until late in the window before deciding whether more signings are needed.

Anything else we need to know?

They always come into seasons undercooked. Julian Alvarez will be missed. The Argentina forward was the perfect back-up to Erling Haaland. Keep an eye on Jack Grealish being hungry to put his Euro disappointment behind him.

Readiness rating: 6/10

Manchester United
Who’s the boss?

Erik ten Hag, still. The Dutchman looked gone at the end of last season but won the FA Cup and survived an Ineos review of a turbulent campaign, coming out of it with his position strengthened.

How do the signings look?

Leny Yoro is injured and will not be seen for a while after foot surgery, while Joshua Zirkzee will take time to settle. Matthijs De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui have just arrived and may be in the same boat.

Anything else we need to know?

Jadon Sancho and Mason Mount are like new signings after spending much of last season out of favour or injured. Do not underestimate the impact of Ineos’ staff redundancies to club morale this season.

Readiness rating: 5/10

Newcastle United
Who’s the boss?

Eddie Howe has probably had his most challenging summer since he arrived back in November 2021. There has been upheaval in the boardroom with the departure of Amanda Staveley and also a stressful June, with the enforced sales of Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh in order to comply with PSR. Despite the arrival of new sporting director Paul Mitchell, there has, so far, been a worrying lack of new signings too. Things are calmer behind the scenes than they were in July, when Howe spoke of a “very difficult summer” but he will be expected to qualify for Europe this season.

How do the signings look?

Newcastle have signed two back-up goalkeepers in John Ruddy and Odysseas Vlachodimos, but the free-transfer signing of Lloyd Kelly from Bournemouth is the only outfield player to arrive. He is an upgrade on Paul Dummett on the left side of defence but the Magpies really need to land their first-choice summer target, England international Marc Guehi, if they are going to improve.

Anything else we need to know?

The Football Association will be keeping a close eye on Howe’s situation in its search for a permanent successor to Gareth Southgate as England manager. Howe has reaffirmed his commitment to Newcastle and would turn down an approach from the FA as things stand. But if Newcastle get off to a bad start and Howe is under pressure later in the season, things could change.

The return of Italy international Sandro Tonali at the end of the month after a 10-month ban will provide a huge boost to the squad, and if Newcastle avoid the same injury problems they had last season, they are good enough to secure a top-six finish.

Readiness rating: 5/10

Nottingham Forest
Who’s the boss?

Nuno Espirito Santo is preparing for his first full season in charge and will be desperate for a less stressful campaign. He has returned refreshed and benefited from a full pre-season with his players.

How do the signings look?

Nikola Milenkovic appears a shrewd signing at just over £10m from Fiorentina. Elliot Anderson is highly rated and it remains a huge source of frustration for Newcastle’s Eddie Howe that he had to be sold.

Anything else we need to know?

Forest were deducted four points last season for breaching PSR but are confident of avoiding any sanctions this term following the sales of Moussa Niakhate and Orel Mangala to Lyon in June.

Readiness rating: 8/10

Southampton
Who’s the boss?

Russell Martin took Southampton up in his first season in charge after spells at Swansea City and MK Dons. Still only 38, he has been on the radar of Premier League teams but has got there taking a team up.

How do the new signings look?

Several exciting arrivals, some of whom are well-known to the club; Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Flynn Downes were on loan at St. Mary’s last term, while Adam Lallana makes an emotional return to the club. Ben Brereton Diaz is a safe investment and Ronnie Edwards has potential.

Anything else we need to know?

Behind the scenes they have lost Jason Wilcox to Manchester United after a short spell where he oversaw the key moves to mount a promotion bid. Darren Mowbray, brother of Tony, is head of recruitment now.

Readiness rating: 7/10

Tottenham Hotspur
Who’s the boss?

Ange Postecoglou immediately won the hearts of Tottenham Hotspur supporters last season, but there will be greater pressure on him this term. Having introduced a style of play Spurs fans were desperate for, Postecoglou must now prove he can balance that with the sort of results supporters and chairman Daniel Levy demand. He also has the added difficulty of competing in Europe this time around.

How do the new signings look?

It may have taken Tottenham a year to sign a high-profile striker since the departure of Harry Kane, but they finally got one in Dominic Solanke this summer and he looks a shrewd piece of business. Youngsters Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall look like they will prove to be wise additions too, with Gray able to play as a No 6 midfielder and as a right-back. Spurs still ideally want a winger and a defender before the window shuts, but Postecoglou’s squad is undoubtedly stronger than last season.

Anything else we need to know?

There has been a backroom reshuffle at Spurs this summer, with Chris Davies, who was Postecoglou’s assistant, leaving and Nick Montgomery and Sergio Raimundo joining the coaching staff. Matt Wells has been promoted to take the senior assistant coach position vacated by Davies, who left to become Birmingham City manager.

Tottenham’s players from last season are now used to Postecoglou’s training and methods, but there is still some work to be done in the transfer market to boost his squad.

Readiness rating: 8/10

West Ham
Who’s the boss?

Julen Lopetegui has replaced David Moyes in the dugout. The former Spain, Real Madrid and Wolves manager will look to impose a new style of play on the squad, but will also be sensible with his approach.

How do the signings look?

It has been an exciting summer. Niclas Fullkrug and Crysencio Summerville will add firepower and creativity, while £40 million centre-back Max Kilman knows Lopetegui from their time together at Wolves. On paper, West Ham look impressively strong — but it may take a few weeks for everything to click into place.

Anything else we need to know?

Lucas Paqueta finds himself in a strange situation following his charge by the FA for alleged spot-fixing, as he can keep playing until the disciplinary proceedings are completed. When will that be? He does not know. How will this impact his performances? We shall see.

Readiness rating: 7/10

Wolves
Who’s the boss?

Gary O’Neil has established an excellent reputation since becoming a head coach and signed a new four-year contract with Wolves this month. If he continues to impress he will inevitably come into contention for England in future years to come.

How do the signings look?

Rodrigo Gomes, a winger signed from Braga, is regarded as a genuinely exciting talent who could prove the natural replacement for Pedro Neto. O’Neil’s pursuit of a No 9 finisher has finally ended with the addition of Jorgen Strand Larsen from Celta Vigo.

Anything else we need to know?

Wolves have appointed midfielder Mario Lemina as their new captain following the £40 million sale of Max Kilman to West Ham. One for the diary, too: Wolves face former manager Julen Lopetegui (now in charge at West Ham) for the first time on Dec 7.

Readiness rating: 7/10

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission