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After an enthralling World Cup, club competitions are ready to entertain us, we are already waiting for the second round of matches in the Premier League and the Ligue 1, and witnessed the Spanish and the German Super Cups.
With the UEFA Super Cup set to entertain us in a couple of days, which is an official curtain raiser for the Champions League, only Italy has yet to entertain us, which will also start by this weekend.
These rankings will be updated once we get every club in action, but for now, we are predicting the top contenders for the Champions League glory based on their current statuses like transfers, past season's performance, pre-season analysis and experience in Europe's elite competition.
#10 Inter Milan (Italy)
The 2017/18 season for the Nerazzurri was unforgettable as they secured the Champions League place in stunning fashion after a dramatic comeback in their final league match against Lazio. This victory ended a six-year Champions League drought in which they last took part in the 2011/12 season.
Inter Milan ended their preseason high as they beat the Europa League winners Atletico Madrid in their own backyard from Lautaro Martinez's stunning volley.
The victory against Atletico is positive in many ways going into the new season, as Inter not only beat a strong Atletico Madrid side but without a few stars like Ivan Persic, Sime Vrsalijko and the big-name signing Radja Nainggolan.
With Napoli losing their manager Maurizio Sarri and the key player Jorginho, AS Roma have also lost a couple of star names like Radja Nainggolan and Alisson Becker, it will make Inter Milan strong favourites to challenge Juventus for the Serie A.
Inter had a good transfer window thanks for their return to Europe's best competition with the new player Lautaro Martinez, already impressed in the preseason, and the stunning coup for Nianggolan will add an extra dimension to their midfield.
Considering all the factors Nerazzurri is in the capable hands of the manager Luciano Spalletti, who could propel his side to challenge European glory and have all the prerequisites for a great season ahead.
#9 Manchester United
With all the negativity surrounded by the team's lack of transfer activity and a below-par preseason, Manchester United will be slightly relieved as their new campaign started with a victory in a typical Mourinho style.
A few positives to be taken from their opening match: with Paul Pogba amid all the rumours about him leaving the club, got the captain's armband and led his team to victory, Fred looked like a real deal and he could be the missing link in United's midfield, De Gea restored his Premier League form and Luke Shaw temporarily put left back issues to bed.
Manchester United has not lost any of their stars this summer and added two good players if Alexis could hit his top gear if Lukaku and Pogba replicate their World Cup form United are serious challengers to be on Europe's top 10 list.
#8 Atletico Madrid
The UEFA Europa League champions are one of the most consistent performers in every tournament they have played in recent years. Retaining Antoine Griezmann and Diego Godin itself was a stunning coup, and the signings of Thomas Lemar, Gelson Martins, Rodri, Nikola Kalinic and Santiago Arias sent a clear statement to their local rivals.
The club's intentions are clear as they want to be in the top bracket of Europe's elite, and the future looks bright in the safe hands of Diego Simeone, who knows how to grind out results in any format. All these reasons combined them to be in our top10.
#7 Liverpool
Liverpool can go neck and neck with any top club in terms of their attacking threat; they beat the mighty Manchester City thrice last season, where at least a draw against such a quality opponent was considered a good result. The team finished runner-up in last season's Champions League, sadly a couple of goalkeeping errors that cost them that match.
Considering those facts, Liverpool has addressed the goalkeeping issue with the signing of Alisson Becker, who is regarded as one of the best in his field at the moment.
The signings of Fabinho and Naby Keita added steel and dynamism to their midfield, and this added depth to the squad will be vital for competing in all major competitions.
Liverpool has also signed the Swiss star and former Bayern Munich attacking player Xherdan Shaqiri to an already formidable attacking unit that signals that the team wants to improve in all competitions than what they did last season.
Liverpool made a solid start to their Premier League campaign with a 4-0 victory over West Ham United and it remains to be seen how Jurgen Klopp composes his team for the rest of the season to clinch any piece of silverware that seems highly possible with the squad they got on paper.
#6 Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich are the undisputed front-runners for every season's domestic title, and the same will apply this year also. The Bavarian Giants are always one of the favourites for Europe's top competition, but the fact that they haven't strengthened their squad and possibly weakened by the departure of Arturo Vidal even though Leon Goretzka is a valuable addition, he is yet to prove at the highest level.
Despite the lack of transfer activity, they started their campaign splendidly thrashing Eintracht Frankfurt 5-0 in DFL-Supercup, answering every doubter Niko Kovac showed what it could be like in the forthcoming season.
#5 Paris Saint-Germain
PSG began their Ligue 1 season with an impressive 3-0 victory against Caen. Thomas Tuchel's youthful side showed their class with the U.S. young striker Timothy Weah scored his first league goal and Neymar also showed his mark by making his name on the scoresheet.
With the likes of Cavani and Mbappe yet to join the squad who had fantastic individual World Cup performances for their countries, it looks frightening for any opposition to face the fully available PSG squad who on their day can challenge any team in the world.
Even though PSG's transfer business is restricted due to financial fair play reasons they have pulled off some big name buys with Kylian Mbappe's loan deal was made permanent and Gianluigi Buffon's free transfer ensured added quality and experience to their squad.
At the moment they are in the fifth position on our list which could change based on the performances later on.
#4 Real Madrid
Three Champions League trophies in a row you can't say anything but wow! Considering how difficult the competition is to win even once, winning three straight titles is a great achievement.
By signing Thibaut Courtois, there will be a huge competition for the goalkeeping position, which is a good thing to have, other than that Real Madrid has not done enough to improve their squad, although signings like Vinicius and Odriozola have great potential they are signings for the future who may not be picked directly into the first team unless some exceptional performances or injuries to the main players.
Considering the fact that Real will find it difficult to replace the number of goals scored by Ronaldo season after season from other teammates they left room for other teams to overtake them in the rankings.
This season, unless something miraculous happens from Real Madrid players or a sensational transfer, it remains a very difficult task to retain the Champions League.
Also read: Real Madrid and Barcelona dominance to end?
#3 Juventus
It is not an exaggeration, but it is true that Juventus had a sensational transfer window in Europe. Bianconeris are undoubtedly miles ahead of their competitors in the Italian league.
By signing Cristiano Ronaldo and bringing back Leonardo Bonucci, we understand that Juventus is planning to become one of the European heavyweights.
The Juventus squad looks perfect in every department, and the Ronaldo factor might deliver them a step closer to their pursuit as he was the stumbling block in Juventus' last two attempts.
Also read: Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer to Juventus is the first step to reviving Italian football
#2 Manchester City
If you want to watch free-flowing attacking football at its best then go follow Manchester City's games, you will not regret the decision as you will be rewarded with a flurry of attacks and stunning goals without giving opponents any breathing space.
Yes, the Premier League champions are arguably looking like the hottest football team in Europe. They began their season with a breathtaking victory over Chelsea to lift the Community Shield and an equally impressive Premier League opener against Arsenal.
Manchester City, on the back of a record season, set the tone to best their past one and is most likely to do so with the quality and depth of their squad.
#1 Barcelona
Ratings for the top four spots were not easy as every team is a worthy contender for Europe's glory, but Barcelona edged Manchester City with their experience in tasting success recently other than Real Madrid back in the 2014/15 season.
Not only did the team have extremely talented and experienced players like Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique, Luis Saurez, Jordi Alba, Philippe Coutinho, Ivan Rakitic and now Arturo Vidal, the team also acquired some talented young players like Malcom, Arthur and Lenglet.
Although it is difficult for the team to find elsewhere Iniesta's contributions the replacements are pretty good and the French big money signing Ousmane Dembele showed his class by helping Barcelona to lift their 13th Supercopa, which is a very good sign for Barcelona into their new season.
Barcelona has tremendous squad depth and quality to win every competition, but it remains with how Ernesto Valverde mixes his team and uses it to its full potential.
Barcelona is favourites for retaining the La Liga title as well as top contenders for the Champions League with a transfer window that still remains open until the end of this month; the team may improve even more, which is one of the reasons for their top position, which could change based on their and other performances in coming weeks.
