12/08/2024【Feature】Ashley Cole - EPL champion analysis

Ashley Cole – EPL
Ashley Cole played for Arsenal and Chelsea which he lifted EPL, EFA, ELC, ESH, UCL and UEC. He is currently a football pundit for a UK TV station.

Ashley Cole: Manchester City High Five
It’s hard to look past Manchester City in making it 5 Premier League titles in a row. Every year we ask ourselves in the off season how will Pep Guardiola motivate both himself and the team again, and every year they have the same answer by lifting that Premier League trophy at the end of the season.

It does feel like this group of city players might be nearing the end of an era together, Alvarez leaving, Ederson looking like he would be happy to go, Kyle Walker interested in a move away last summer and the likes of İlkay Gündoğan and Mahrez already gone, as well as rumblings that this could be the managers last season in charge. However, despite all that, as long as this manager is in charge and he has the quality of players he has at his disposal, both established and young and new players, Man City will always be favourites for the league.

We know from previous seasons they tend to finish strong and start a little slow and this is where teams can make some ground on them as we have seen with Arsenal who have been top at Christmas the last two seasons. However, City won’t be the only team to start slow this season with a number of the top clubs having players away at the EURO and COPA.

One of those teams is Arsenal, who again I think will be the biggest competitors to Manchester City. Mikel Arteta has done an amazing job the last few seasons but unfortunately has still fallen short to his old club. It is fine margins at the top and there are few things for Arsenal I think will just leave them short again – no attacking signings as of yet. Will any come in to try and make up that points difference? Goals from set pieces. Arsenal scored A LOT of goals from set pieces last season. Can this continue into this season? Style of play. Will teams know how to set up against them now?

We know Manchester City have changed style as they have continued to be successful, and Arsenal might have to do the same. I believe they can push City close again but will have to win the head to heads versus them, as they haven’t done previously, if they really want to win the league as City don’t drop many points.

In terms of the other teams that made up the top 8 last season there is just big questions over them all for me in terms of being able to compete. Liverpool and Chelsea – new managers that want to get a very specific style across. How long will that take?  Aston Villa – can they fight on all fronts and be as good as they were last season?  Tottenham – need a real goal scorer to replace Harry Kane still. Manchester Utd – need new signings to come good and there is always going to be rumours around the manager that could impact the team

It will be between City and Arsenal, with the Manchester side having that little bit extra again.

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