I’m not expecting us to win the title. I have us down as third favourites, and that feels about right at this stage. We’re up against clubs throwing vast sums at the wall in hopes of buying success, one spending well over 300 million. In many ways, being underestimated by others might play to our advantage. It’s been a while since we’ve worn the underdog tag and perhaps it’s time we embraced it again.
Liverpool arguably have the strongest starting 11, while Arsenal boast a more balanced side on paper. But when it comes to depth and quality across the squad, I think we have the best squad of players. However, It would be a real shame to see talents like Bobb or Reis sent elsewhere when they could be very useful to us over a long season.
This season, anything can happen and the margins are going to be very fine. Liverpool, for all their brilliance, rode a wave of fortune with injuries last year. Arsenal, for all their control, often lacked a cutting edge and now they’ve acquired one of the best goalscorers in the game. But will his arrival reshape the rhythm that brought them so close in previous seasons?
And what is said of Liverpool? Their blueprint last season was swift, direct, and get the ball as quickly as possible to Salah at every opportunity served them well. But now Wirtz enters the frame, a player who slows the game, who sees it in moments rather than bursts. Will they adjust their system to fit his tempo, or bend him into theirs? It's going to be interesting.
Questions linger, and answers will be written not just in results, but in how these teams choose to evolve. It will be fascinating.
The real question is whether Pep will evolve from the missteps of last season. We’ll get an early glimpse of our trajectory the moment the team sheet drops at Wolves. Should we see a front six of Rodri, Reijnders, Cherki, Foden, Marmoush, and Haaland, it’ll be a bold signal of intent, and one that fills me with confidence that we are here to take our Title back.
But so much still rests on Rodri. If he can return to his imperious best, the heartbeat of the side, then our chances are far greater. Without him at his peak, the foundation falters. In many ways, our entire campaign may hinge on whether Rodri can return to that form.
I genuinely believe Reijnders has the potential to be top class, while Cherki might even surpass Wirtz in impact. Marmoush brings that electric edge, and if Pep opts to field these players together, we’re in for something special. The thought of Foden linking with Cherki is mouthwatering, as is the synergy between Rodri and Reijnders, and the dynamism of Ait-Nouri combining with Doku. Whatever unfolds, one thing is certain we’re about to witness some truly breathtaking football. A lot to look forward to. Chin up lads!
