The pre-season is over and teams no longer have to globe trot in order to play meaningless games in the International Champions Cup. The transfer window doesn’t shut until the beginning of September, so ahead of the big kick off on Saturday afternoon; we look at how the championship contenders have fared in their pre-season.
Arsenal
What’s been good?
The results have been good and the Gunners have gone unbeaten, winning four games and drawing one. They’ve scored 17 goals and also came from behind to beat Manchester City. Arsenal fans will be hoping that this pre-season form is translated into a positive Premier League campaign.
Are there any problems?
The injury list is already lengthy. Per Mertesacker and Gabriel have both suffered injuries and Arsenal are now desperately short in defence. Jack Wilshere missed the final pre-season game with a knee injury and is expected to miss the first game of the season. The ongoing #WengerOut campaign could rally at any moment if they don’t sign a striker.
Results:
They started their pre-season campaign with a 1-1 draw against Lens, but they recorded two victories on their tour of the USA against an MLS All-Star team and Chivas. They demonstrated their attacking potential against a vastly inferior Norwegian side Viking with an 8-0 win. The pinnacle of their pre-season though was a 3-2 win over Manchester City in their final game.
Transfer Business:
Granit Xhaka has arrived for £35 million and Rob Holding has arrived from Bolton, but it’s been disappointing overall. A bid for Jamie Vardy was rejected and they’ve been rumoured to be interested in Riyad Mahrez, although they don’t need another winger. Wenger’s hand has been forced and he needs to sign another defender. The striking options are also a concern and Vardy’s rejection, followed by Gonzalo Higuain’s transfer to Juventus have lead fans to worry about their chances.
Standout performer:
Theo Walcott changed the game against Manchester City, but he’s shown glimpses of promise in the past without fulfilling his potential. Alex Iwobi has found the back of the net and will look to break into the first team this season.
Chelsea
What’s been good?
Antonio Conte has already instilled his formidable work ethic on the squad in a bid to get them to improve this season. They’ve looked much more organised and back to their old ways, but they’re not the finished article yet.
Are there any problems?
The squad looks incomplete. Conte is still looking for a striker in the transfer window, whilst he’s been rumoured to have told some players that they can leave. They don’t look as prepared for the season as some of the other contenders.
Results:
Aside from a loss in their first game against Rapid Vienna, the results have been pretty good. They defeated RZ Pellets before winning a feisty tie against Liverpool 1-0. They were outplayed by Real Madrid, but they ended their pre-season with comprehensive wins over AC Milan and Werder Bremen.
Transfer Business:
They’ve made two big signings in Leicester’s N’Golo Kante and Marseille’s Michy Batshuayi, but there’s work still to be done. Romelu Lukaku is rumoured to return to Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea are reluctant to meet Everton’s valuation of the player.
Standout performer:
Eden Hazard’s form has looked good, not quite at the same level as the title winning campaign, but he’s scored a number of goals and created for his teammates. Kante has shown his ability to control the midfield, whilst youngster Ola Aina could be in line to break through after an impressive pre-season.
Leicester
What’s been good?
Jamie Vardy turning down a move to Arsenal will have delighted fans, whilst Leicester look to have retained Riyad Mahrez for the new season. Only Kante has left the title winners so far and Kasper Schmeichel signed a new 5-year contract. New signing Ahmed Musa has looked impressive in his pre-season outings.
Are there any problems?
Leicester will be competing in the Champions League this season and things aren’t looking good on the basis of their pre-season matches against Champions League teams. They conceded four goals against both Barcelona and PSG and the squad needs more depth if they’re to compete on both fronts this season.
Results:
Early victories over Oxford and Celtic were overshadowed by the heavy defeats. The Community Shield game was fairly even, until Ibrahimovic climbed above Wes Morgan. Ranieri is an optimist however, and they start their season against a Hull side who are in disarray.
Transfer Business:
They’ve made some shrewd signings and it must be remembered that they compete in a different player market to their title competitors. Nampalys Mendy has been signed to replace Kante and Musa looks a bargain for £18 million. Bartosz Kapustka was impressive in Euro 2016, whilst Luis Hernandez will add depth to the defence.
Standout performer:
Musa showed his ability against Barcelona, with two goals and some rapid pace. If he can combine with Vardy, their counter-attacking style will only be strengthened.
Liverpool
What’s been good?
Jurgen Klopp has had a pre-season to further implement his style of play on the team. He’s signed players to help this and his task will be to improve their league finish and hopefully compete for the title. The 4-0 victory over Barcelona was a particular highlight for their fans.
Are there any problems?
Klopp has so far managed to get rid of 14 players from Anfield, but renowned troublemaker Mario Balotelli is still at the club, as is Christian Benteke. The manager will be happy if both of these have departed by the end of the month. The injury to Loris Karius will also have dampened spirits.
Results:
Results have been good, but inconsistent. A defeat to Chelsea came after victories over local teams, a win over AC Milan was followed by defeat to Roma, and their big triumph over Barcelona was followed by a heavy defeat to Mainz.
Transfer Business:
Loris Karius will have excited fans after some of Mignolet’s performances last season. Sadio Mane has been signed and offers pace, whilst Georgio Wijnaldum should be a different player than the one seen at Newcastle last season. Ragnar Klavan has been brought in as defensive cover, but they desperately need to sign a left back.
Standout performer:
Mane has fitted in well and is suited to the high-energy style of play.
Manchester City
What’s been good?
Pep Guardiola’s arrival has been smooth. The transfer business has been done in a quick and efficient manner and last season’s squad that so desperately needed revamping, has been revamped. They look an exciting team, with exciting players and things are looking promising at the Etihad.
Are there any problems?
The players are still adapting to the style of play and the results haven’t been overwhelmingly positive in pre-season. They might not be as sharp as Guardiola wants and they’ve also got a Champions League playoff match against Steaua Bucharest in the near future.
Results:
City have played three games and lost all three of them. A 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich was followed by a defeat on penalties against Dortmund before losing to Arsenal. Pre-season results don’t mean too much once the season has started and they’ll be hoping for a change in fortunes when they line up against Sunderland this weekend.
Transfer Business:
They’ve covered pretty much all bases over the summer in terms of recruitment. They’ve signed exciting youngsters in Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus, whilst Ilkay Gundogan could be an outstanding signing if he stays fit. Nolito will hope to chip in with a few goals and John Stones could flourish under Guardiola.
Standout performer:
Sergio Aguero scored against Dortmund and Arsenal and he’s the best striker in the Premier League. Raheem Sterling has looked better, but this is a big season for him.
Manchester United
What’s been good?
With the exception of the Paul Pogba signing that dragged on, the transfer business has been swift and was quickly completed. Jose Mourinho doesn’t seem to be intimidated by managing Manchester United, which contrasts from those before him and there’s optimism surrounding Old Trafford.
Are there any problems?
The tour of China was disastrous, with Mourinho not pleased with the pitches, travel or the weather. The cancelled friendly with Manchester City gives concern that they might be undercooked in the build up to the season. Mourinho is in the process of trimming his squad, but he needs to get rid of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Adnan Januzaj before the transfer window closes.
Results:
They were comprehensively outplayed by Dortmund, but they dominated Galatasaray in the second half. They were disappointing in Wayne Rooney’s testimonial against Everton and suffered a scare against Leicester, before going on to win.
Transfer Business:
Mourinho knew that there were flaws in the squad and he’s been forced into spending. He’s spent well, with £26 million on Henrikh Mkhitaryan who was the best player in the Bundesliga last year, and Eric Bailly looks strong at the back. The signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic will add goals and a winning mentality to the squad, but everything has been overshadowed by the arrival of Paul Pogba for the world record fee.
Standout performer:
Eric Bailly has looked impressive in pre-season and Mourinho believes that he’s found a gem in the man from Ivory Coast.
Tottenham Hotspur
What’s been good?
Harry Kane and Dele Alli have looked in good form in pre-season, particularly in the rout of Inter Milan. Plenty of goals have been scored and Vincent Janssen looks to be a good signing and could partner Kane upfront.
Are there any problems?
The injury to Jan Vertonghen will be a concern and Pochettino could find himself having to dig into the transfer market, ahead of a season which includes Champions League football.
Results:
The pre-season tour to Australia saw Spurs lose twice, to Juventus and AC Milan, but all worry was gone after a 6-1 victory over Inter Milan. Confidence will be high after that result.
Transfer Business:
In addition to Janssen, Victor Wanyama has arrived from Southampton, but these are the only two signings. Georges-Kevin N’Koudou’s move to Spurs appears to have broken down, and with the construction of a new stadium in progress, transfer outlay is expected to be kept at a minimum.
Standout performer:
Erik Lamela has flattered to deceive in his time at Spurs, but his pre-season performances have been impressive and he could become a key member of the first team this season.
