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Home , Joe Gomez (footballer), John Stones, Jordan Henderson

EPL’s four-horse race set for kick-off

Manchester City Manchester United Chelsea Last season: Champions Last season: Runners-up Last season: 3rd Last season: 4th

Why they can win Why they can win Why they can win Why they can win • Last summer’s signings Ruben Dias and Ferran • Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has identi ed the • Jurgen Klopp’s Reds were blighted by numerous • Thomas Tuchel transformed the Blues with his Torres added quality and will gel better with the team’s weakest areas last season and bought injuries to nearly all their defenders and captain tactical nous and motivational expertise when he squad after one completed season. and right-winger , and centre-back last season, which ended their joined in January, taking the club from ninth place to the ever-improving are also key to this Raphael Varane. title challenge prematurely. fourth, and also won the Champions League. There campaign. • Sancho joins a swashbuckling attack also featuring • But with (below), and are high hopes for his rst full season in charge. • New arrival , who can play on the left , Mason Greenwood, Anthony Joel Matip returning and new signing Ibrahima • The arrival of Romelu Lukaku, who scored 24 goals or as a No. 10, will boost a formidable creative force Martial and Edinson Cavani, with Bruno Konate adding depth at centre-back, Liverpool are in in 36 Serie A appearances for Inter Milan last term, is that also includes Foden, , Raheem Fernandes and Paul Pogba pulling the a better position to reclaim the title they won in an upgrade on Timo Werner’s six goals in 35 Sterling, and Ilkay Gundogan. strings behind them. The experienced 2019-20. Van Dijk and Henderson will be like new matches. Varane will shore up the defence next signings for Klopp. Potential weakness to . Potential weakness • Should City not sign to replace Sergio Potential weakness • While Chelsea were solid at the back, the attacking Aguero, manager could stick to his Potential weakness • The Reds scored 17 mid elders Christian Pulisic (four goals, two assists), ‘False 9’ formation that has worked well for him last • United need another fewer goals last term Callum Hudson-Odoi (two, three), Hakim Ziyech (two, term. The question is does he have a Plan B now quality central than in their three) and Kai Havertz (four, ve) will need to that rivals are more familiar with this style of play? mid elder. Unless title-winning campaign improve in the nal third. Solskjaer considers a after change in formation, and Sadio Mane’s loss his 4-2-3-1 of form. Mohamed Key transfers double-pivot mid eld Salah, who netted of Scott McTominay 22 goals, will need IN and Fred is likely to his fellow forwards remain dull and Firmino, Mane Jack Grealish (right) unconvincing. and £100m to step up. from Aston Villa Key transfers Key transfers OUT IN IN Sergio Aguero Jadon Sancho (right) Ibrahima Konate – free to Barcelona £73m £36m Eric Garcia from from RB Leipzig – free to Barcelona Raphael Varane OUT £42m – free to Paris Key transfers from Real Saint-Germain IN Romelu Lukaku (right) £97.5m from Inter Milan THE DARK HORSES OUT Leicester Tottenham Fikayo Tomori Last season: 5th Last season: 7th £25m • The Foxes have nished fth • New Spurs manager Nuno Espirito to AC Milan the past two seasons. Brendan Santo has “no doubts” over Kane’s Rodgers’ side, who lack commitment to the club but his Olivier Giroud nancial muscle, are unlikely to insistence on keeping an unhappy, make it into the top four again. wantaway striker could back re. • However, Leicester are • It also remains to be seen if Nuno, £855,000 capable of beating the big who has a 48 per cent overall win to AC Milan guns having defeated Chelsea rate, is an ideal replacement for in the FA Cup nal and City in Jose Mourinho, who won 51 per cent the Community Shield. of his games at Spurs.

NOTE: £1 = S$1.88 TEXT: ANDY NG SOURCE: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE PHOTOS: AFP, REUTERS, MANUTD/TWITTER STRAITS TIMES GRAPHICS