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The 2018-19 season of the English Premier League is upon us!
2017-18 was just the initial spark waiting to fire up the enthusiasm of the English Premier League fans. Be it the kind of attacking football Manchester City and Liverpool displayed, the defensive and effective Burnley finishing just below Arsenal, or the newly promoted clubs retaining their Premier League status at the expense of the regulars, there was no shortage of entertainment.
The end of the Arsene Wenger era was one sad moment and yet it provides the excitement of the advent of a new era at Arsenal.
Many records were shattered, both team records and individual. Pep Guardiola's Manchester City recorded a whopping 100 points, won by the highest points difference and scored the most goals in a season. Mohamed Salah broke the individual goal scoring record in a 38 game campaign.
And yet, many will argue that this was just the beginning of Pep's and Salah's reigns.
2018-19 has already started adding fuel to the fire through the appointment of new managers. Chelsea's appointment of Maurizio Sarri is a statement from the club that they don't want to lag behind in terms of attacking play.
Unai Emery and Marco Silva's appointments have added to the list of attacking and high pressing managers.
Among the players, Jorginho, Jean Michael Seri, Fabinho, Fred and Keita, to name a few, bring with them control in the midfield to their respective teams.
It will be intriguing to see whether one of these attacking managers starts dominating the league table or if the never-changing philosophy of Jose Mourinho can finally get United back to the summit.
Mauricio Pochettino's low-spending Tottenham can be a dark horse in the race to the title as well.
This time, it is almost impossible to predict the top four teams, let alone the champions.
Players to watch out for:
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): The fast and hard-working Salah will try to stamp his authority on the top scorer chart again, and prove that last season was no fluke.
Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool): If liverpool want to challenge for the title, their defense has to stand firm throughout and Van Dijk has to be the leader of the back line.
Eden Hazard and Jorginho (Chelsea): Unless Chelsea succumb to the Real Madrid's player ambitions, Hazard will be the main man for the creativity in their attack. Jorginho, meanwhile, can be the catalyst as they adapt to the Sarri-ball style of play.
Harry Kane (Tottenham): With no new additions to their attack, the Spurs' hopes of a title will once again be carried by Kane all by himself.
Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City): The champions had no definite weak links last season. But with the addition of the experienced Mahrez, who will most probably replace Leroy Sane in the starting XI, they have only added to their creativity.
Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United): For United to win the title, Lukaku has to start topping the scoring charts. With the confidence from a highly successful World Cup campaign, he can lead a devastating attack.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal): He showed last season how lethal can he be by scoring 10 goals in 13 Premier League games. And with a full season at his disposal, he can be a challenger to lead the goals table.
Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace): With growing interest from big clubs, this could be his standout season as tries his best to impress.
Jordan Pickford (Everton): Earning a lot of praise for his World Cup performances, his stock can only rise from here on as Everton eye a top six finish.
Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham): The former Newcastle man has the ability to score a lot of goals and can keep Fulham in the Premier League.
Special mentions: Callum Hudson Odoi (Chelsea), Jean Michael Serri (Fulham), Reiss Nelson (Arsenal).
It promises to be an exciting season ahead!
