Is the Premier League about to change forever?
Source : UnSplash
The Premier League has had an established feel over the past 15 years with the top six almost guaranteed to fit into their slots, albeit in a different order with each passing campaign. Looking at available offers pre-season, it is always a reasonable proposition to back Manchester City for a Premier League title push. And although it appears Pep Guardiola’s men will miss out on the crown in the 2022/23 season, City are safely cemented into the top four.
The battle for the Champions League places has been one of the most interesting themes of the Premier League in recent years. There has been a lack of drama regarding the title race, with only two clubs involved. The other four sides in the top six have been jostling for position, with each taking their turn to miss out on Europe’s elite competition.
But, that could all be about to change with other sides beginning to break through the glass ceiling and qualify for the Champions League. Leicester produced an incredible run to the Premier League title in the 2015/16 season, but were unable to sustain their charge to remain a permanent fixture in the top six. West Ham flirted with the top four in the 2021/22 campaign, but ultimately failed to close out their place in the Champions League.
Southampton also finished in the top six in 2016, only to fall dramatically out of the picture. The Saints look certain to be relegated to the Championship, while West Ham and Leicester are in a desperate fight to remain in the Premier League. There is a danger for these teams that try to push for the top four and ultimately fail. But, at the same time, there has to be more to the Premier League than just making up the numbers. That is the challenge for these clubs pushing towards the top four.
Newcastle United
Newcastle were slowly sliding towards the Championship before the arrival of PIF and Eddie Howe to revitalise the club. Life under Mike Ashley and manager Steve Bruce has reached an incredibly sour and apathetic point, so much so the Magpies were destined for the drop. The riches of PIF and the skill of Howe in the dugout has launched a transformation of the club from top to bottom. Newcastle have a great chance of reaching the Champions League for the first time in 20 years. In doing so, they would break up the systemic dominance of the top six that has plagued the Premier League since Leicester’s title win.
Only the Foxes, Everton and Newcastle have managed to break the trend over the last 20 years, if you discount Manchester City, but none of the clubs have had the staying power to remain Champions League clubs. Newcastle, unlike other sides, have the resources at hand to not only retain the players that have helped spark their run to the top four, but also add further stars and build on what they have. The challenge will be convincing promising players that Newcastle can compete for the Premier League title along with the Champions League.
Sven Botman, Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak are all excellent players and will certainly have caught the eye of the leading clubs around Europe. There will be bids from the likes of Real Madrid in the future and it will test Newcastle to see if they can retain their star men. If they can keep their squad together, the Magpies have a great chance of cementing their standing in the top four, just as Manchester City did following their takeover in 2008.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa are perhaps a season behind Newcastle, but are approaching the top six at speed after a resurgence under Unai Emery. Villa too were languishing near the relegation zone in the Premier League despite a heavy outlay of players. Steven Gerrard could not inspire positive results out of his team, emulating the struggles of Dean Smith before him in the Villa dugout. The Villa hierarchy ambitiously made the decision to sack Gerrard and replace him with the experienced Emery.
Villa have slowly developed into a formidable unit in the second half of the season, while Ollie Watkins has become a potent striker in the final third. Villa fans are now dreaming about the prospect of European football next term. The Midlands outfit are similar to Newcastle in the fact that they have ambitious owners who are willing to spend significant sums in the transfer market.
Source : UnSplash
If the club do reach the Europa League, expect them to make further moves to bolster their talented squad. Villa are not a million miles away from having a top team, but there are certain positions that need refining in order for them to take the next step. All eyes will be on Villa Park during the summer to ensure they take a step forward rather than a step back.
Brighton
Brighton are the club that almost every team is trying to emulate in the Premier League, especially those sides that have recently emerged from the Championship. Despite losing manager Graham Potter along with a number of key players, the Seagulls remain on course to challenge for a Champions League place and have secured their spot in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
This is testament to the operation run by chairman Tony Bloom, who witnessed an exodus of staff as Potter left for Chelsea and the club’s technical director, Dan Ashworth, left for Newcastle. Through it all, Brighton have continued to identify replacements for Marc Cucurella, Leandro Trossard, Neal Maupay and Yves Bissouma. The transition from Potter to Roberto De Zerbi has been seamless, allowing Brighton to continue their journey towards European football.
The Seagulls are more susceptible to a dramatic decline due to their only recent success, as well as the need to constantly replace their key players. What they are doing has worked in the short term, but they needn’t look far to see Southampton’s perils following one or two bad decisions in the transfer market.
For now, Brighton are the model club and can continue to push towards Europe with their impressive squad and manager. Whether their success is sustainable in the long term remains to be seen.
