Top 5 contenders of Premier League 2020-21

The Premier League will return to action on September 12th when Jurgen Klopp’s formidable Liverpool takes on Marcelo Bielsa’s tricky Leeds United. Both the teams will consider this as an important game. Leeds United will look to extend their stay in the top-flight beyond one season whereas Jurgen Klopp will look to retain the title for himself beyond the solitary season, On the other hand, all the Premier League clubs will look to potentially challenge the Merseysiders in the league.

Few expected the transfer window to be a dull one but there is no change in the nature of the transfer window despite the pandemic striking the matchday revenues of the club. It might be the non-top 10 clubs that are affected because the matchday revenues mattered them a lot. However, with a facility to spend, clubs are splashing the money in the transfer window to assemble a big and much more consistent squad for the 2020/21 season. 

Leeds United, West Bromwich Albion and Fulham are the three clubs are which makes it’s returning to the Premier League after several years. Leeds United are in the Premier League after 17 long years and they will renew their hostilities with every other club which they used to in the 1991-2003 period. The signings and money have shown the intent of Leeds United.

Amidst all these talks, it is the title race which makes the league more interesting. The previous season did not have a close title race as Liverpool raced away to the triumph with several matches to spare. However, it was the 2018/19 season that lived to the hype. The title was undecided until the last whistle was whistled on the final matchday. This season might be the same if the club’s transfer activity and their players’ international stint are to be concerned.

Here are the top 5 PL contenders for the 2020/21 season:

#5) Arsenal

It’s been quite a while that Arsenal have had a close look to the top-four spot, let alone the title. Despite showing the promises in the initial days of every season, the hopeful become hopeless without consistency and a proper strategy. However, the scenario might change at Emirates with the arrival of Willian and Gabriel Maghales ahead of the 2020/21 season.

Explicitly not the title favourites, Arsenal are one of the top 5 PL contenders owing to their manager and the youth coming up from their academy. Players like Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah are capable of carrying the responsibility given by their manager, Arteta. Can Arteta lead Arsenal to the Premier League glory after winning the Community Shield against Liverpool?

#4) Manchester United

Manchester United struggled in the previous season to tighten the loose ends until January. They were one of the famous candidates for relegation (according to ESPN) but the arrival of Bruno Fernandes changed the scenario. The club which was finding it difficult to manage into the top 6 made it into top-three on the final day. Such was the impact of Bruno Fernandes in the Premier League.

Going to the 2020/21 season, Manchester United have signed only one player, Donny van de Beek from Ajax. They are continuously rumoured with Jadon Sancho who could turn the two-horse title race into a four-pronged title race very soon. Manchester United still need a left-footed centre-back and a renowned striker to achieve the target but are one of the top 5 PL contenders ahead of their kick-off against Burnely on 19th September.

#3) Chelsea

It looks like Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner, has taken the two window transfer ban seriously. This statement seems obvious because Chelsea has signed players left, right and centre. As of September 10th, they have signed seven players including three free transfers. The likes of Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz seem to be an exciting linkup for Frank Lampard to work with who struggled without standard attackers upfront apart from Willian and Giroud.

The return of Pulisic and signing of Ben Chilwell has its own impact on Chelsea. Chelsea is just one goalkeeper away from being a proper title contender but they are definitely one of the top 5 PL contenders going towards 2020/21 season.

#2) Manchester City

Pep Guardiola could win only one trophy last season and that was Carabao Cup. For a manager of the stature like Pep Guardiola, it doesn’t seem good. Moreover, the shock defeat against Lyon in the Champions League knockout stage sums it up all for the club. Pep Guardiola will look to seal the title for the third time in five seasons and Manchester City will be one of the top 5 PL contenders before the season kicks-off.

The defensive frailties opened up in the previous season and the team struggled a lot without a proper centre-back to cover Aymeric Laporte. Cityzens have snapped up Nathan Ake from AFC Bournemouth and are looking to add Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli. Though the departure of Leroy Sane is hurting for City, the addition of Ferran Torres from Valencia augurs well. Jurgen Klopp might have a tough time in the 2020/21 season.

#1) Liverpool

This club needs no introduction. Jurgen’s juggernaut was too hot to handle for the clubs as they seemed to finish the previous campaign on an Invincibles note. However, it was relegated Watford that defeated Liverpool for the first team in Premier League 2019/20 season.

Liverpool hasn’t signed any big players in the ongoing summer transfer window. This can be attributed to their consistent players who have put in the shifts. Despite that, Liverpool will remain one of the top 5 PL contenders and probably, the best to win the league. Rumoured along with Thiago Alcantara, the German midfielder, Liverpool will look to add the potent weapon to their attack before the transfer window closes on October 5th. However, Liverpool lacks a creative midfielder since the departure of Philippe Coutinho and the manager will hope that it will not haunt them.

(PS: At the time of publishing the article, Jadon Sancho and Kalidou Koulibaly arent signed by their respective clubs)