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- ⚽ 2024/25 Season is Here 🗓️
⚽ 2024/25 Season is Here 🗓️
As the 2024/25 season kicks off, we almost forget about the Super Cup —will Jude, Mbappe and Vini jr all start?
Erik Jansson
August 13, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 13 minutes
⚽ 2024/25 Season is Here 🗓️
As the 2024/25 season kicks off, we almost forget about the Super Cup —will Jude, Mbappe and Vini jr all start?
On Saturday, Man City clinched the Community Shield, winning 7-6 on penalties after the game finished 1-1. The starting lineups were an indication of how much value each manager places in this trophy —Ten Hag put out an experienced team, whilst Pep’s starting XI featured plenty of young talent.
Other than Bruno Fernandez’s technique, the game didn’t offer much for the neutral viewer. United looked to have won it when Garnacho scored in the 82nd minute, but they couldn’t get over the line. One of the smallest men on the pitch, Bernardo Silva, scored a back post header in the 89th minute to take the game to penalties.
Not a huge amount to take from this game. For United fans, the final confirmed two things;
1. Jadon Sancho is a bottle merchant when it comes to consequential penalties
2. Ruud van Nistelrooy will need to work overtime on Marcus Rashford’s finishing.
For City fans, the concerns around Haaland’s output and overall impact on games will continue. Yes, he scored his penalty in the shootout but he didn’t do much over 90 minutes of football. The positive for City is the decent performances from their youngsters. James McAtee, Rico Lewis, and new signing Savinho looked lively, but Oscar Bobb is the pick of the bunch —he skinned Martinez with a sharp turn before setting up the equaliser.
The other big result from last week was Spain winning Olympics football gold! We wrote about Spain’s apparent return to the top of world football after their Euro 2024 win, and winning the gold medal in a hostile Parc des Princes shows their up and coming youngsters have the mentality as well as the skills.
The 2024/25 football season kicks off this week and we preview the most interesting games and the likely impact of summer signings. We’ve also got a shocker featuring Wayne Rooney and the latest transfer news.
Today's game plan:
Chelsea vs Manchester City | Sunday | 16:30 BST
The reigning Premier League champions take a trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday as they begin their defence of the Premier League title. These two teams recently played each other in a pre-season friendly in the USA. Man City went 4-nil up within an hour, before they showed some mercy and gave Chelsea’s American fans a few goals to cheer about.
Whereas City have had a relatively quiet summer, Chelsea’s ownership group led by Todd Boehly, have continued with their chaotic approach to the soccer business. Mauricio Pochettino left the club back in May ‘by mutual consent‘ after an inconsistent season that saw Chelsea finish 6th in the league.
Chelsea Chairman Todd Boehly
Since then, Enzo Maresca has been appointed as new manager and Chelsea’s money men have spent over £185 million on 10 summer signings, the most recent being £54 million on Pedro Neto from Wolves. Chelsea’s first-team squad now consists of 43 players, but they’ll have to trim it down to 25 players once the transfer window closes. The summer transfer window closes on August 30th for Premier League clubs.
Form & Team News
Chelsea have been all over the place for a couple of seasons now. Last season was a strange one, with performances varying wildly from one week to the next. Although they finished the season strongly with 5 wins in a row, eventually finishing 6th, Man United’s FA Cup win means Chelsea will play in the UEFA Conference League this season.
Heading into the 2024/25 season under new manager Enzo Maresca, Chelsea fans will be hoping for much more consistency in their team’s performances. The first game being against Man City might certainly isn’t the best opportunity to build up the confidence levels. At least the fans and the rest of us can enjoy watching Cole Palmer carry this Chelsea team week after week.
Chelsea’s new signings include Filip Jørgensen, Tosin Adarabioyo, Aarón Anselmino, Caleb Wiley, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Renato Veiga, Omari Kellyman, Marc Guiu, and Pedro Neto. Keep in mind that a bunch of these new signings are likely to be sent out on loan, as is the Chelsea way.
Chelsea suffered with injuries last season and there are a couple of fitness doubts for Sunday’s game against Manchester City. Reece James who has been plagued by injuries over the past couple of seasons has picked up a fresh hamstring injury. Then there’s Axel Disasi and Cole Palmer who didn’t play any minutes in pre-season and are unlikely to start.
GR Chelsea predicted lineup | Sanchez, Cucurella, Badiashile, Colwill, Gusto, Dewsbury-Hall, Caicedo, Fernandez, Fofana, Nkunku, Jackson
Manchester City have cruised through their pre-season tour in the USA, resting their players who were away on international duty and giving plenty of minutes to the likes of Erling Haaland, Oscar Bobb and new signing Savinho who plays off the left wing. Beating their oldest rivals to win the Community Shield over the weekend was the perfect way to bring in the new season but there are dark clouds on the horizon for City.
After winning their fourth consecutive Premier League title last season, there have been questions around certain players’ hunger and motivation to go on and claim a record fifth consecutive title. Even Pep’s commitment to the cause has come under scrutiny. But these types of questions seem to be coming from fans of other teams and based on hope rather than any evidence.
City have been unusually quiet over the summer transfer window though, and this lack of activity is probably related to the upcoming hearing on their alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules. Insiders familiar with the case have revealed that the hearing is due to start in September and last around ten weeks. The commission members are expected to deliver their verdict at the start of 2025, halfway through the 2024/25 season.
This case is unprecedented so it’s not clear what the outcome or punishment will be. If the independent commission and Premier League do throw the book at City, will it lead to Guardiola calling it a day on his time at the club?
Turning our attention back to Sunday’s game, City have a few fitness concerns as a number of first-team players have barely featured in pre-season. Kyle Walker, John Stones, Rodri, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish didn’t feature in the Community Shield final and although they might make the squad, they are unlikely to start on Sunday. We’ll need to keep an eye on Guardiola’s press conference on Friday afternoon.
GR Man City predicted lineup | Ederson, Lewis, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol, Kovačić, Nunes, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Haaland, Doku
This Week’s Shocker…
Wayne Rooney got off to a shocker as his Plymouth Argyle side went down 4-nil at Sheffield Wednesday. To be fair to Wayne, his self-belief is inspirational and his desire to keep busy despite having millions in the bank is respectable.
But, this is a prime example of great players not necessarily making great managers.
Special mention to Dundee United’s Miller Thomson who punted the ball out of the stadium roof from 4 yards out.
Around the world…
Manchester United have done some more good business, as Ten Hag has raided Bayern Munich for defenders. The deal for de Ligt is reported to be £42.9 million whilst United have paid £17.2 million for Mazraoui.
Saudi club Al-Ahli have made a massive offer for Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior. The exact details on the offer are unclear, but there are rumours that the Saudi Public Investment Fund offered a five-year contract with a salary of €200 million per season, plus a separate contract to become an ambassador for the 2034 World Cup which is set to be held in Saudi Arabia.
The Argentinian striker and fan favourite at Inter has committed himself to the Italian champions. The new contract will keep Martinez at the San Siro until 2029.
Spurs have finally signed a proven Premier League striker by completing the signing of Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth. The 6-year deal includes an initial £55 million fee with a further £10 million in add-ons. Solanke scored 21 for Bournemouth last season, including 19 in the Premier League.
Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi has changed his mind and decided to stay at his boyhood club. The 25 year old holding midfielder had been due to make a £51 million move to Anfield. Liverpool boss Arne Slot has assured fans that they are looking to strengthen the squad before the window closes on August 30th.
Games to keep an eye on…
Real Madrid vs Atalanta | Wednesday | 20:00 BST
We nearly forgot about this one, but should be a good watch to break the week up before the Prem kicks off on Friday evening. Champions League winners Real Madrid take on Europa League winners Atalanta. Will we see Bellingham, Vini Jr, and Mbappe all start the game?
Manchester United vs Fulham | Friday | 20:00 BST
United get their season underway with a Friday night game against Fulham. There’s been a lot of talk about United’s transfer dealings but Fulham have been busy themselves
Valencia vs Barcelona | Saturday | 20:30 BST
Back in the late 90s and early 2000’s a Valencia vs Barcelona game was a big deal. These days Valencia aren’t anywhere near where they used to be —they finished 9th in La Liga last season— but we’ll be watching this one for the nostalgia, plus Yamal.
Genoa vs Inter | Saturday | 17:30 BST
The Seria A champions get the 2024/25 season underway with a trip to Genoa. Inter have been more focused on keeping their current squad together rather than making new signings (Lautaro Martinez and Denzel Dumfries have both signed contract extensions) but one player they did bring in was Genoa’s goalkeeper Josep Martinez.
GOAT Trivia…
Say congrats to…
Lucas Moura [@lucasmoura7] the Brazilian forward who is back playing his football at Sau Paulo FC turned 32 on August 13th.
We’ll never forget that hat-trick he scored against Ajax in the Champions League.
On this day in football…
On this day in 2010, Manchester City signed Mario Balotelli from Inter for £24 million. Mario made spent two and a half crazy seasons with City, scoring 20 Premier League goals.
Goal of the week…
Technically this wasn’t a goal, but our goal of the week is this offside finish from Bruno Fernandes in the Community Shield.
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