1
Signings put pressure on Ten Hag
Erik ten Hag is one step closer to playing with a defence comprised entirely of former Ajax players after… the arrivals of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair MazraouiWith André Onana and Lisandro Martínez already in the dugout, the manager’s influence on the transfer activity is clear. What this means, however, is that Ten Hag will not have many excuses if the defence is not up to scratch. The vast majority of new players arriving in the Premier League need time to adapt, but how much can they be allowed given the need to get off to a good start? They should all know how the manager wants them to work, having worked with him before, but whether they can function as a unit remains to be seen. Fulham won at Old Trafford last season and are capable of doing so again, which would put United at a disadvantage from the start. With a difficult trip to Brighton followed by a home game against Liverpool, United’s new defence must be harmonised quickly, otherwise the pressure will be on. He will not win
2
Managers adapt to new environments
Two of the most intriguing new managers come face to face at Portman Road. Kieran McKenna was linked with every decent job there is before signing a new deal with IpswichWhile Arne Slot has been tasked with replacing Jurgen Klopp in the Liverpool dugout. It is the promised land for both managers and they know the Premier League is a big step up from the Championship and Eredivisie respectively. McKenna will not want to sacrifice the style that has brought Ipswich two promotions in two seasons but will be pragmatic enough to know that he cannot operate in the same way in the Premier League. It will be vital if he can get the balance right. Slot, without any new signings, has what Klopp left behind, which is a very good team that finished third last season. The Dutchman made his own mark on the team during pre-season but wins on tour mean very little. WU
3
Calafiori could be an instant cult hero
If the first 25 minutes of Riccardo Calafiori as Arsenal If the player were to look no further, the Italian should become an instant hero in north London. Amid chants of “Calafiori Dreamin”, Mikel Arteta was delighted with the reception the 23-year-old received when he replaced Oleksandr Zinchenko against Lyon in Arsenal’s final pre-season game last week. “I love it,” Arteta said. “When the fans react like that to one of our own, it’s great. The way you feel it straight away, it’s love, it’s respect and they’re right behind you. That’s an amazing platform for a lot of players to join our club.” Hopefully the welcome will be even louder if the defender takes to the pitch at the Emirates on Saturday. Ed Aarons
4
Goodison Park farewell begins
Goodison Park opens its doors for the final season of its 132-year existence as Fabian Hürzeler, the youngest permanent manager in the Premier League The 31-year-old, who has been chosen by the Seagulls as their new manager, is making his competitive debut with Brighton. The 31-year-old represents another bold appointment for the team and early indications suggest they have made another smart move in replacing Roberto De Zerbi. Hürzeler, a German, Swiss and American citizen, secured promotion to the Bundesliga with St Pauli last season, having transformed the club in 18 months. He oversaw four friendly wins out of four in pre-season (14 goals scored and three conceded) and is looking to improve an already impressive forward line with the signing of Leeds striker Georginio Rutter. At the request of Kevin Campbell’s family, Everton will not pay a formal tribute to their much-loved former striker until the next league game at home to Bournemouth on August 31, when they will be in attendance. Andy hunter
5
All eyes are on Howe at a weakened Newcastle
On paper, the Newcastle squad preparing to face Southampton is weaker than the one that beat Aston Villa 5-1 at St James' Park Last year, the team was brought into the squad on opening day. While the return of Sandro Tonali later this month from a 10-month suspension for breaching betting rules will improve matters, the team’s star centre-back, Sven Botman, is likely to be sidelined with a knee injury until the new year. Meanwhile, Callum Wilson is injured (again) and Elliot Anderson has been sold to Nottingham Forest. Eddie Howe had hoped to have English centre-back Marc Guéhi by now in a possibly unbalanced squad (which strangely contains five goalkeepers), but Crystal Palace are playing hardball with the price. The failure of Miguel Almirón’s proposed move to MLS side Charlotte FC has squeezed the summer budget. At a time when Howe’s relationship with Paul Mitchell, the club’s new sporting director, is still embryonic, FA executives may be watching how events unfold on Tyneside. Howe might not be ready to jump ship to England right now, but that could change. Luisa Taylor
6
Iraola reflects on life beyond Solanke
Andoni Iraola begins his journey without Dominic Solanke at the City Ground. Bournemouth They are ready to sign Evanilson from Porto In the coming days, thanks to the gain made with the striker who scored 19 league goals last season. Meanwhile, Enes Ünal, his back-up option, is injured, forcing the Basque manager to have a plan C for the trip to Nottingham. Interestingly, in the final pre-season game against Girona, Iraola chose midfielder Philip Billing as a centre-forward, a role many did not expect for the Dane. The former Huddersfield man did find the back of the net against the Catalan side, but was unable to do so. He was replaced at half-time by Antoine Semenyo, who briefly auditioned for the number 9 spot before being taken off 13 minutes from time, allowing Daniel Jebbison to have his chance and score the winner. This leaves Iraola with plenty to think about. WU
After the newsletter promotion
7
Balancing act for Emery and Villa
Unai Emery has done a fantastic job as Aston Villa The manager, however, faces a new challenge this season: to continue improving while coping with the added intensity of the Champions League. His board have backed him, investing heavily in Amadou Onana and Ian Maatsen, as well as adding depth by signing several young players. However, Villa still look a little timid: in terms of physicality in defence, with neither Pau Torres nor Ezri Konsa dominating; in terms of creativity in midfield, where their only specialist is the decent but not outstanding Emi Buendía; and in attack, where an injury to Ollie Watkins would leave them very short. Emery, of course, is a master at accentuating strengths while hiding weaknesses, but opponents already know Villa's style. West Ham, comfortable playing back and nasty on the counterattack, are well placed to exploit their high defensive line. Daniel Harris
8
Can the Eagles fly again without Olise?
Crystal Palace appointed Oliver Glasner in February and from then until the end of the season, which ended with a run of six wins in seven games, only Manchester CityArsenal and Chelsea both picked up more points than the Eagles. However, Michael Olise has left for Bayern Munich and there is also the possibility that Marc Guéhi and Eberechi Eze could leave. That puts a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has scored 13 goals in 13 games under Glasner. Before that, his goalscoring record was distinctly mediocre, but his excellent form at the Olympics, in a different team and under the weight of a nation’s expectations, points to a player who has hit his stride rather than simply a streaker, a complete centre-forward capable of manning two central defences. Whether he can play again after losing the gold medal match against Spain remains to be seen. If not, Palace may have a problem. is
9
Maresca could fear another City thrashing
This is Enzo Maresca's first competitive match in charge of Chelsea But he has already played and lost against City since taking charge in June. In Ohio a fortnight ago, Chelsea’s performance was agonising, gifting three goals to Erling Haaland through inept attempts to pass the ball through the defence and conceding four before the end of the game. Pep Guardiola, Maresca’s former boss when he was on the City coaching staff, seemingly took pity on his protégé and brought in youngsters – not many genuine frontline players were starting. It was part of a miserable tour of the US as Maresca tried to step up his training methods. Unfortunately, three defeats and a draw against Wrexham were not the planned outcome for the Italian as the players struggled to understand what was required. It is fine to fail in friendlies, whatever the standard, but Maresca knows that starting in the Premier League at home against the champions is risky business – a thrashing could set Chelsea back considerably. WU
10
Pieces in place for Postecoglou to prosper
Spurs made an excellent start to the season under Ange Postecoglou, taking 26 points from the first 30 available. But, while the results were impressive – evidence of an inspiring manager with a clear plan – the performances were less so, meaning the slump that followed (40 points from the remaining 84) was hardly surprising. In the process, it was also hard not to wonder whether Postecoglou’s blueprint – a high defensive line and relentless commitment to attack – was suiting the players he had, and whether his brusque, straightforward honesty was wearing thin in the face of his tactical rigidity. In his defence, it’s worth noting that he was acclimatising to a new league with a team without a focal point, then lost James Maddison and Rodrigo Bentancur to injury. But now that both are fit, Dominic Solanke has been bought for big money and Archie Gray has signed, too, Spurs must get back to a good start or the pressure will quickly mount. is
