The English Premier League remains one of, if not the best, domestic leagues in world football. Although it’s the richest league on the planet, it’s also one of the more fiercely competitive. Even clubs like Manchester United, who are said to be worth over $4 billion, are by no means guaranteed success. A string of teams will feel they have a chance at pushing for the title in 2022/23 and also to seek European qualification.
Below, we’ll assess the prospects of some of the teams looking to upset the Premier League applecart this term.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham have made a striking start to the 22/23 EPL campaign. Under their hot-headed Italian boss, Antonio Conte, there appears to have been a new winning mentality instilled within the squad. Former player Tim Sherwood acknowledged the shift in recent weeks, brought about by the signing of several experienced “winners”. After their opening six EPL games, Spurs remain unbeaten, with four wins and two draws to their name. The bedrock of their success to date has been a rock-solid defence, which is unlike Spurs, given their usual reliance on striker Harry Kane, who is one of the top EPL goalscorers of all time. Nevertheless, five goals conceded is the second-best defensive record in the league to date.
Newcastle United
A lot of attention is being paid to the Magpies. Newcastle, who were acquired by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) last year, are now deemed one of the richest clubs on the planet let alone the EPL. Talented young manager Eddie Howe has worked hard to bring players into the club that want to be part of the team’s journey, rather than a big pay cheque. The signing of Swedish sensation Alexander Isak is a major addition to the Newcastle frontline, while Sven Botman also provides much-needed physical presence at the back.
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest haven’t played top-flight football in this millennium – until now. Steve Cooper masterminded a playoff final victory over Huddersfield Town to seal Forest’s return to the EPL in 2022/23. What’s followed has been nothing short of remarkable. Forest have undoubtedly been the most active EPL club in the transfer market this summer, bringing in no less than 27 new faces to the club at an outlay of around £145m. It’s a radical overhaul of the side that climbed from the foot of the Championship to the playoff mix in the space of six months. Yet Cooper and the club’s ambitious Greek ownership are clearly not prepared to sit back and admire their Wembley win – they’ve invested in a side capable of stabilising in the EPL.
Arsenal
After the Gunners’ opening five league games, Mikel Arteta’s men had a perfect record. Five wins have cemented them at the top of the EPL, a point clear of last season’s champions Manchester City. Arsenal’s summer capture of City’s Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus has been a game-changer, providing an agile, powerful focal point for Arteta’s team to play off. This, allied with young academy prospects like Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, make Arsenal a much more dynamic prospect in 2022/23.