The top players in the Premier League have traveled to every continent except Antarctica for their preseason games as the start of the season draws near.
Although it would be foolish to overexamine the outcomes, it is frequently a good time to observe how new signings are adjusting and what tactical changes managers hope to implement for the upcoming campaign.
While clubs will be hoping to prevent injuries to their star players, the fixtures also provide a glimpse of young players who may make it into the first team setup.
With only two weeks until the big kick-off, how have the big six (or seven, now) fared thus far, and what do they still need to work on?
The most important lessons from their preseason games to date are discussed by Mail Sport.
The defending champions have won their first two games of the preseason in Japan against Yokohama F. Marinos and Bayern Munich, with the latter requiring a late winner. Interestingly, Kyle Walker has led both teams despite Bayern being interested in signing him.
On the field, Erling Haaland has quickly picked up where he left off, scoring twice against Yokohama, and Rico Lewis has displayed strong defensive play.
Lewis, who has agreed to a six-year contract extension, seems set to play a bigger role going forward.
The notable absence has been Kevin De Bruyne, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury, but Mateo Kovacic, a £25 million signing, has fit in well in the middle of the field.
James McAtee, a recent academy graduate who scored against Bayern, has begun to demonstrate his abilities as a team player. This season, the 20-year-old will aim to spend more time in the Premier League’s substitution lineup.
City will anticipate more of the same results moving forward. Although Nathan Ake’s ankle injury forced him to leave the game against Bayern, their squad depth is as strong as ever. He played a crucial role in the final stretch of last season, and City cannot afford to lose him for an extended period of time.
Arsenal.
After narrowly missing out on the championship the previous year, Declan Rice was acquired by Arsenal for £105 million from West Ham.
So far in preseason, the Gunners have exhibited inconsistency. Mikel Arterta’s team responded by defeating Barcelona in a nail-biting 5-3 match after a lackluster showing in a 2-0 loss to Manchester United.
Leandro Trossard’s success and the Belgian’s participation in goals in the USA have provided plenty of up-front encouragement. Following his £65 million move from Chelsea across London, Kai Havertz is currently settling in nicely.
However, this Arsenal team’s serious defensive concerns continue to be a major problem.
The quantity of goals allowed indicates that individual mistakes have been frequent throughout the team.
The Arsenals must improve in this area if they hope to mount a credible title challenge once more and compete in the Champions League.
The Gunners are looking to trim their squad after making significant spending, so Arteta must choose who must depart before the transfer window closes.
Even though more high-profile signings appear unlikely, there will always be a need for more defensive depth.
Man United.
United has suffered two losses since their emphatic victory over Arsenal, falling to Wrexham and Real Madrid. Teenager Kobbie Mainoo wowed in the first two preseason games but sadly limped off against Real early.
Andre Onana made a very strong impression in goal on his debut, but his prowess as a sweeper-keeper has really stood out — something that the team lacked under David De Gea.
In an effort to get the most out of his number 10s, Erik ten Hag has been experimenting with different midfield formations as he figures out how to set up his team.
Mason Mount, a summer acquisition, and Bruno Fernandes, the new captain, have been used both in the center and on the wing, but neither appears entirely at ease there.
As United continue to pursue Rasmus Hojlund of Atlanta, Ten Hag has been very outspoken about the need for a proper number nine.
In order for the Dane to settle in before the team’s season opener against Wolves, they would like to complete that transfer as soon as possible.
Newcastle.
The Magpies want to firmly establish themselves as one of the “Big Seven” by building on their successful campaign from the previous year. In the Premier League Summer Series, Eddie Howe still has work to do after draws with Aston Villa and Chelsea.
Sandro Tonali, who moved to Newcastle for £55 million from AC Milan, will need some time to adjust. In the preseason, Alexander Isak and Miguel Almiron have both shown their poise, with the former particularly shining after returning to Atlanta.
After playing only 20 minutes against Villa and being completely absent against Chelsea, Harvey Barnes will be eager to catch up. The £38 million Leicester acquisition appears unlikely to start in the season’s first games given his lack of playing time.
The top priority will be integrating Barnes completely. Given that Newcastle has made a sizable financial investment in him and that the team has had a difficult start to the season, Howe will want to see him off to a strong start. Before the season begins, the Magpies’ manager will also want to add more defensive reinforcements.
Liverpool.
The departure of captain Jordan Henderson and reports that fellow midfielder Fabinho would follow him to Saudi Arabia this month have presented a curveball for Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool visited the Black Forest for games against Karlsruher and Greuther Furth, scoring a ton of goals so far in preseason.
Moving forward, there is a lot to love. Darwin Nunez has looked deadly and has combined superbly with Mohamed Salah, seemingly shaking off his finishing curse. After missing most of the season due to a knee injury, Luis Diaz appears to be back to his best.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis MacAllister, two new midfield additions, have been reliable despite the former’s minor injury, which will hamper his preparation.
However, there are significant defensive concerns. Fabinho has been sorely missed in midfield and Joel Matip has appeared shaky. Should he leave, someone else will need to step in. Conor Bradley, a right back, has excelled and received a new three-year contract as a result.
The Reds will need new midfielders, and they’re hoping to sign Southampton’s Romeo Lavia.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s role in midfield must be decided by Klopp, or else he must switch back to playing as a right back. In either case, an additional signing will be necessary to close one of those gaps.
Tottenham.
After losing 3-2 to West Ham to start the preseason, Spurs had a friendly match against Leicester canceled while traveling in Thailand due to rain.
Confidence will increase after a 5-1 demolition of Singapore’s Lion City Sailors. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future at the club, Harry Kane, a target for Bayern, started that game.
After scoring an impressive hat-trick in the victory, Richarlison appears to be the most likely candidate to step in should Kane decide to leave. Ange Postecoglou must determine his future plans for the Brazilian as there are still two friendly matches left.
After switching to a 4-2-3-1 formation, a choice must be made regarding how to use the wing-backs. Pedro Porro appears to be a strong attacker, but it is still unclear whether he can function as a traditional full-back.
Finding Kane’s future will be the top priority. If he stays, a new contract will be required. Tottenham cannot afford to lose him for nothing the following summer.
Postecoglou might be tempted to enter the transfer market if he leaves, but it would be impossible to find a replacement of his caliber.
Chelsea.
Mauricio Pochettino, the new manager, will be appreciative of a respectable preseason after a disastrous campaign.
Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson both got off to a fast start, scoring multiple goals in victories over Brighton and Wrexham as well as a tie against Newcastle.
Following his large-scale move in January, Mykhailo Mudryk is also starting to demonstrate some promise.
Blues fans will be relieved to see their team looking much more dangerous in attack after only scoring 38 goals the previous season.
It will undoubtedly raise some questions to allow three goals against Brighton. While Reece James is still getting back to full fitness, Marc Cucurella still seems unsteady.
In the upcoming weeks, Pochettino hopes to gain a better understanding of his best starting XI. The Argentine will want to strengthen his team’s cohesion and cut out players who aren’t performing well from the squad after Chelsea spent big last year.
They need to make more sales because their squad size is currently too large.
