Man City & Chelsea Already Classed As Premier League Favourites For Next Season
With the 2020/21 season now in the history books, the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea can reflect on what was a very successful campaign. For Pep Guardiola’s City, their pursuit of an unprecedented ‘quadruple’ fell short, but they still completed a domestic double with the Premier League title in addition to a fourth consecutive League Cup. Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea, meanwhile, survived a late-season scare to secure a top four place, while beating City in a hard-fought Champions League final to win Europe’s biggest competition for a second time (BBC Match Report).
As a result, it’s no surprise to see England’s premier blue sides once again fancied for the Premier League trophy in 2021/22. City are once again outright favourites, they are heavily fancied in the latest football odds, while Chelsea sit as second favourites. England’s two most successful domestic sides, Liverpool and Manchester United, complete a presumptive top four.
Can Anyone Replace Agüero?
Perhaps the biggest question mark surrounding City and Chelsea’s title credentials next season will be the looming decision at the striker position for both teams. Sergio Agüero finally said goodbye to the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season, leaving as the top scorer for a single club in Premier League history and with five league winner’s medals to his name.
Linked with every major striker in European football in recent months, City’s 2021/22 season could be defined by who they bring in to fill Aguero’s shoes. Even so, City were the division’s top scorers last year despite playing without a number one striker for much of the campaign. That was largely thanks to stellar play from City’s midfield, where İlkay Gündoğan, Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez, Ferran Torresand Kevin de Bruyne all contributed goals in double figures.
Is Werner The Answer For Chelsea?
Likewise, Chelsea have been subject to rumours linking them with young prodigy Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund (Source: Give Me Sport) and their former player Romelu Lukaku at Inter Milan. With Lukaku pledging his future to the new Serie A champions (Via Sky Sports), Chelsea could turn their attention to Haaland, who has an excellent goal-scoring record at the highest level but comes with a price tag to match. With Chelsea under owner Roman Abramovich, however, budget is rarely a concern, and the Russian owner is sure to provide Thomas Tuchel with summer transfer funds after the German’s success in the Champions League.
A decision also waits on the horizon for Timo Wernerhowever, who has underwhelmed since his move from RB Leipzig last summer. If Tuchel can inspire some confidence in his fellow countryman, there would be no ceiling on Chelsea’s potential next year, as in the second half of the season under Tuchel they boasted the best defence in the Premier League.
That stingy defensive system can be Chelsea’s backbone in their title challenge – but to keep up with Manchester City’s juggernaut offensive machine, they will need the likes of Christian Pulisic, Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech to start contributing more goals from midfield than they managed in 2020/2.
The Premier League title could be decided by whichever club manages to tie down a world class goalscorer!
Posted on June 9th, 2021 by scott
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