GoalMOUTH is a weekly feature placing the spotlight on various sporting codes, tackling the brutal truth and chasing their rivals — those who try to evade a bit of banter… It’s all about the banter!
It’s nearly time for a battle in your lounge. A battle for a remote control. A battle for the television and an even bigger battle to get your loved ones attention.
Why you ask? Because the World’s best league makes a return, as 20 teams battles it out to become the kings of England.
It all sounds so simple, but instead, it’s quite complex as the feeling of a new season that is about to dawn upon us is an indescribable feeling for the die hard supporter.
Come Friday August 16 , the greatest team in England gets things underway at the Theatre of Dreams as a confident Fulham plans to disrupt the new era on the red side of Manchester.
They secured the manager, with Erik Ten Hag staying on board to steer the team into his third season at the club, already having secured two titles (Carabao Cup and FA Cup) in his first two seasons.
Miraculously, many believe a win on the last day versus a tired looking Manchester City side, saved the Dutchman his job.
With a new board that’s in full swing, having already secured the services of Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro, who stunningly turned down an opportunity to possibly join Real Madrid on the free.
But there is something special about this new Manchester United board and we haven’t seen the last of them.
A famous old face wont be returning though, a face that will be missed and a face that most certainly gave us a wild ride of the last few years.
Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp called it a day last season, having probably been the clubs most successful manager in recent times. The only manager to have won the club an English Premier League title. Their first in 30 years, in an empty stadium due to Covid regulations. During a time when the World needed to hide, they decide to win the Premier League.
Nevertheless, I have to admit that Jurgen did bring some energy and life into the Premier League and so begins their new era as well, with Feyernoord’s former Manager, Arne Slot, taking over the hotseat.
Slot’s appointment at Liverpool means the north-west Premier League teams are now managed exclusively by bald men: Slot, Ten Hag, Guardiola, and Dyche. Leicester City’s former Manager, Enzo Maresca also took over as Chelsea Manager and guess what? No hair. Among the “big six” clubs, five managers are bald, leaving Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) and Ange Postecoglou (Tottenham Hotspur) as the minority with hair. Probably not the most important start you will read this season, but interesting.
Back to the football, Arsenal, please don’t leave your fans hanging and this on the edge stuff, and then ending the season with nothing. It’s getting much for some supporters.
You have an advantage by being able to start ahead of everyone else, every season thanks to the alphabet. Fans invest lots of money into new jerseys, TV sets and hospital bills for this team, only to be disappointed and on tablets.
Anyway, I do think Manchester City’s reign will come to an end as already last season there were cracks which nearly cost them the league. Had it not been for the poor form of teams around them, I reckon we would have seen a different champion this season already.
The last few seasons has seen many of the smaller teams really announce themselves and this has made the Premier League one of the most competitive leagues in the World. A new champion will soon be on the horizon and that rise looks very red to GoalMOUTH.
This season the banter will be bigger as ever, better as ever and braver than ever. It’s a time where 90 minutes will split families and friendships, even relationships, but in the end, that sweet victory makes up for it. Not really sure whether it works for the relationship part, so please don’t try that at home.
The opening weekend kicks off with Manchester United welcoming Fulham on Friday August 16. On Saturday August 17, Liverpool travel to newly promoted Ipswich Town, who just enjoyed two promotions in two seasons. Arsenal open their campaign against Wolves on the Emirates, Everton takes on Brighton, Newcastle host Southampton, who returns to the Premier League after a season in the Championship. West Ham end off the day in London against a rejuvenated Aston Villa side, ready to take on European football after securing a spot in the UEFA Conference League.
Sunday the first set of fireworks are about to launch from Stamford Bridge as the reigning champions visit London to start the defence of their title.
One thing is for sure, that won’t be the only fireworks we will get this season and I expect some fireworks in the form of banter. Things will heat up and GoalMOUTH loves the heat.
Good luck to all the teams and may Manchester United always win!
DISCLAIMER: These are the views of GoalMOUTH, if you don’t like them, great, I’d like to hear why.
So step into my GOAL and don’t mind to watch your MOUTH! 🙂
