The last time a Manchester club won the Premier League three times in a row, Chelsea were the next winners. Will the cycle repeat itself?
A few pit their tent under the umbrella of myths that may twist events but it sometimes do play out as predicted.
Football answers less to myths but more to the science of great squad with great players, and great managers. However, conjectures and myths are sometimes believed to take their normal course in football.
The expectations in the Premier League among top contenders will be high next season.
The 2022/23 Premier League season has sprung up a lot of surprises. It has turned out a fluke for some big teams while some underrated teams have broken records.
Newcastle are back to Champions League football after 20 years. Arsenal are back after 7 years. Manchester United are back after missing out last season.
Manchester City have become the second Premier League club to win the competition three times in a row.
Brighton made it to their first European football in the club’s history while Liverpool drop out of Champions League football for the first time in Jurgen Klopp’s era.
Southampton are relegated to the second division for the first time in 11 years with Chelsea finishing in the bottom half of the league for the first time since 1996.
With the blockbuster changes experienced in the English topflight this season, the die will be cast next season, especially for the big clubs.
It is fair to say, all eyes will be on Chelsea after the dismal campaign this term in the league. Under four different hands – Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Bruno Saltor, and Frank Lampard, Chelsea still turned out to be the weeping boys in the league.
However, there is a lifeline for the Blues next season. Mauricio Pochettino is lined up on the Chelsea dugout next season. Chelsea fans will hope to count on the experience of the former Tottenham and PSG boss to arrest the club’s misfortunes.
Chelsea fans could also expect the Blues to challenge for the Premier League title next summer going by how the Premier League title race played out a decade ago.
From 2007, Manchester United under former manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, were a bulwark against other Premier League clubs. For three consecutive seasons, Manchester United dominated the Premier League, winning the title three times in a row in 2007, 2008, and 2009.
In 2010, Chelsea mounted a formidable challenge as Manchester United aimed for their fourth league title. The Blues finally succeeded in wrestling the Premier League trophy from the Manchester club in a tightly-contested title race.
Now, decades after, another Manchester club – Manchester City – have won the Premier League three times in a row in 2021, 2022, and 2023 and will be ready to defend the title next season.
If the title race takes its course as projected, Chelsea should be able to challenge for the Premier League title next season. Can they?
For the first time in almost three decades, Chelsea have finished on the bottom half of the league table.
Mauricio Pochettino will be facing a uphill task of squad rebuild next season. Pochettino will need time to select his players, evolve his tactics and implement his style, putting the club at a slight disadvantage with the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and other big clubs in the league with established managers.
It is more unlikely Chelsea will challenge for the title but a top four finish will be a modest achievement for the club.
