The start of the new Premier League season is upon us, which means all of the usual club rivalry-based loathing and excitement is set to ensue over the coming months.
With each team having had the summer to add new additions to their squads, along with the odd new managerial change, it’s safe to say some line-ups, and specifically, some attacks, are looking more exciting than others.
This being the case, we’ve gone and ranked the top 10 attacks taking part in next season’s Premier League.
10. Wolves
Nuno Espirito Santo has brought the entire population of Portugal with him to Wolves thanks to super agent Jorge Mendes. And the West Midlanders’ attack is all the better for it.
Diogo Jota, who will feature down Wolves’ left wing this season, was a revelation last term. The 21-year-old is fast with flair and ability on the ball, but also has great movement that saw him spin off defenders and score 17 goals last season.
Helder Costa will rotate with Ivan Cavaleiro and Adama Traore across the other positions after the 24-year-old scored five and assisted six in the league last term.
One of Raul Jimenez or Leo Bonatini, who scored 12 in the Champions last year, round off the attack, deeper behind which will be Ruben Neves, arguably a Champions League-calibre talent who spent last season running things in English football’s second tier.
9. Fulham
Fulham are an appetising prospect this season; they were so dominant in the Championship last time out, going on that 23-game unbeaten run, and playing attractive, possession-based football.
This season in attack they’ll have new-boy Andre Schurrle along with Aleksandar Mitrovic, who made his loan permanent from Newcastle, while we could see Ryan Sessegnon resume his spot on the left wing.
Sessegnon, just 18, scored 15 goals in 46 league matches last year. Quite something. If suggestions he will be moved back to left-back prove incorrect, he and Schurrle will provide a great outlet to a team that will likely have to do a fair bit more defending than was the case last term.
Mitrovic, though not exactly world-class, showed last season what he was supposed to be at Newcastle, a kind of Diego Costa-esque bulldozer with an eye for goal. It’s not clear if he can do it at the highest level, however.
8. Man United
Jose Mourinho has been at pains this summer to dampen any hopes United fans might have had about this season. Though United came second last term in the league and were evidently the nearest challengers to Pep Guardiola’s runaway express train, in truth they were still leagues apart and what’s more, Mourinho has repeatedly lamented his club’s lack of transfer activity.
Currently, they have only added Fred in midfield and Diego Dalot in defence. Good additions for sure but neither are likely to have an outsized impact on the team’s attacking output, although Fred may free up Pogba even more and chip in with forward passes and assists himself. Dalot could also slot straight in but it’s not clear whether he’ll be an immediate improvement on the injured Valencia.
Really the intrigue as far as United are concerned is whether they can get a bit more fluidity going from midfield to attack, with stars like Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford, Juan Mata and Anthony Martial.
For periods last term they were stodgy, unpleasant to watch but effective. Expect Fellaini’s head to come good at certain moments too.
Broadly I would expect a much-improved season for Sanchez on the last one, and I’d hope this could be a big season for Rashford – who has been entrusted with the No.1o shirt – in terms of goals and assists; it would be great if he could get near 20 on the former.
7. Everton
Whichever way you look at it, Everton could not get any less exciting than they were last season. And there is reason to believe they will be a far cry from the team coached to a eight-place finish by Sam Allardyce.
Firstly let’s remember how dire they were: the Toffee’s saw it appropriate to sign several chuggers of the same ilk for the No.10 role last summer but no striker, with the purchase of Gylfi Sigurdsson, Wayne Rooney and Davy Klaassen. A delicate balancing act ensued that really didn’t suit any of the above players; Rooney and Klaasen have now been shipped out.
A sense of desperation under Ronald Koeman made way for an oddly depressing period under Allardyce, at least when you consider their wealth and potential as a club. They scored only 44 goals, the second-worst in the top half of the table.
Now, however, they have a more interesting coach in Marco Silva and possess an army of fast, mercurial and technical wingers in Richarlison, Theo Walcott and Yannick Bolasie. The latter may not have looked the same player since returning from a long-term injury last season, but reports suggest Bernard, a Champions League player with Shakhtar last term, is set to join on a free transfer.
In between them will be Sigurdsson pulling the strings and on dead balls, while up top will be Turkish No.9 Cenk Tosun, who showed last year he has the true goalscorer’s propensity to put away chances in the box.
6. Spurs
Tottenham have added precisely no one to their playing staff this summer, much to the chagrin of supporters everywhere.
This means their attack is as you were, just with the caveat that Lucas Moura, who has looked good in preseason, will play a much bigger role this term.
The extent to which Spurs players took part in and reached the late rounds of the World Cup also means Mauricio Pochettino is likely going to have to play new-look XIs for the first few matches, which is in itself interesting, if also disconcerting for Spurs fans.
Expect Erik Lamela, Christian Eriksen, Lucas Moura and possibly Fernando Llorente – and not Harry Kane or Dele Alli – to start their Premier League opener against Newcastle. Son, meanwhile, is at the Asia Games for the next few weeks.
Still, Spurs have one of the best attacks in the division and will no doubt create free-flowing memories to christen the new stadium soon enough.
5. West Ham
West Ham, like Everton, promise much this season after a relatively dour term in 2017-18. Under new boss Manuel Pellegrini, who prides himself on his sides playing open, attacking football, there is a new sense of optimism that former incumbent David Moyes just couldn’t elicit from the Hammers faithful.
New wingers Andriy Yarmelenko and Felipe Anderson look genuinely classy additions to a team in much in need, while Marko Arnautovic proved himself to be the real deal in a central striking role last term. Add in the likes of Chicharito, Michail Antonio, Andy Carroll and Manuel Lanzini when he’s back (which is a way away), and suddenly there are options.
Finally, Jack Wilshere is set to be played in the No.10 role when not in the engine room, which, all in all, means the London Stadium might just have a genuinely multi-threatening attack next term.
4. Chelsea
The true make-up of Chelsea’s squad isn’t fully known, like Spurs. There remains a very slight chance either Eden Hazard or Willian could leave.
One thing that might ensure they don’t is the exciting, full-throttle attacking style Maurizio Sarri promises to bring to Stamford Bridge.
One question mark, however, hangs over which striker Sarri chooses to deploy. Alvaro Morata did prove his worth last season, scoring 11 in 31 games after starting so brightly and initially scoring seven in seven in all competitions. Equally, Giroud probably can’t score enough, although he would bring the other attackers into play with his build-up play and heading ability.
In any case, the proposition of Sarri-ball – that is, a fluid 4-3-3 with a high defensive line, an intense press and possession monopolization with adventure and movement – means Chelsea’s attack excites us, and to top it all there’s the notion Hazard may even be fielded as a false 9.
3. Arsenal
Arsenal haven’t added any attacking players this summer but that doesn’t mean their attack won’t be one of the most exhilarating to watch this season.
Firstly, it’ll be fascinating to see new manager Unai Emery on the sidelines, as opposed to the old familiar form of Arsene Wenger, and although this feature is about attacks, the capture of Lucas Torreira should mean create a mobile and combative base from which those further up the pitch can shine. A 4-2-3-1 formation with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the left, Mesut Ozil in the middle and Henrikh Mkhitaryan on to the right of central striker Alexandre Lacazette is genuinely frightening, if still a little lightweight. In any case, expect goals galore.
2. Man City
Last year’s league champions are possibly the best Premier League side ever, or thereabouts. By the looks of things, Guardiola’s men have not taken their foot off the gas. The Community Shield tie saw City win 2-0, courtesy of two Sergio Aguero goals and frankly could have been less flattering to Chelsea.
City’s attack was already brilliant, with extensive competition for places in all forward positions. But they’ve added Riyad Mahrez, which, though a bit unnecessary, obviously strengthens them even further. What’s more Phil Foden ought to get more minutes this season, otherwise, he deserves a loan.
The team to score 106 league goals last season just has an embarrassment of riches in the wing and No.10 roles, while Aguero looks to be firing and Gabriel Jesus is easily one of the best strikers in the league despite still being 21. On that point, City’s attack generally still boasts so much potential, with Sane being 22 and Sterling 23.
Honourable mentions:
Leicester City, with Jamie Vardy up top, Rachid Ghezzal, Kelechi Iheanacho and Demarai Gray behind or James Madison as No.10 represents a really, really interesting and vibrant attack. Crystal Palace look like they have kept the immensely talented Wilfred Zaha for another window, while the underrated Andros Townend will hug the opposing touchline. They have also added Max Meyer in attacking midfield to sit behind Christian Benteke.
1. Liverpool
Liverpool’s attack was the most exciting in the league last season – despite City’s brilliance – and there’s no reason to suggest it won’t be again this season.
The Reds’ squad is stronger as a whole, to the extent that they can now claim to be the second-best team in the league on paper, but their attack is just outrageously good. Speed, panache and goals are ensured and whisper it, but Daniel Sturridge might finally be back to levels we saw in the 2013/14 campaign.
The addition of Xherdan Shaqiri as cover to the triumvirate of Mane, Sane and Firmino, meanwhile, also seems a smart move, especially at £13m, and it will be fun to see what he can do in a good footballing side.
Meanwhile, Salah, Mane and Firmino scored 57 between them last term. Let’s see what Klopp can get his boys doing this season.
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