Premier League 2023/2024 season will commence in two weeks times with the top teams all ready to take on the new campaign.
The teams have traveled all over the world, playing friendly matches from Pennsylvania to Perth, as they prepared for next season.
However, it will be a foolish move for one to overanalyze the results, but it’s a good avenue for one to see how the new signings are adapting.
The pre-season fixtures also help one to see how youngsters break into the first-team set-up, while clubs will be hoping to avoid injuries to their star players.
So how have the big six fared so far in their preparations and what needs to be added as they prepare for the next two weeks?
Futballnews brings you the key takeaways from their pre-season matches to date and how these teams will line up next season.
Arsenal
The Gunners narrowly missed out on the Premier League title last season but made a huge statement by signing Declan Rice from West Ham for £105m.
The inclusion of Leandro Trossard last season showed improvements and they went on to sign Kai Havertz from Chelsea.
After spending huge, Arteta must decide who needs to go before the transfer window closes as the Gunners look to trim their squad.
Other subsequent big-money signings seem unlikely, but more defensive depth will always be desired.
Chelsea
Following a disastrous last season that saw the Blues finish 12th in the Premier League, Mauricio Pochettino will be thankful for a respectable pre-season so far.
New signings Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson have hit the ground running, scoring goals against Brighton and Wrexham, as well as a draw against Newcastle.
New manager Pochettino will hope to get a better idea of what his best-starting eleven is in the coming weeks.
Liverpool
Reds manager Jurgen Klopp has been thrown aback after captain Jordan Henderson departed the club. It is being speculated that fellow midfielder Fabinho could follow him to Saudi Arabia.
However, it has been a good pre-season filled with goals for his team as they visited the Black Forest for matches against Karlsruher and Greuther Furth.
Liverpool are also looking to add up to their midfield as they look to sign fellow Premier League team player Romeo Lavia from Southampton.
However, Klopp must decide on where to use Trent Alexander-Arnold as the defender has shown prospects in the midfield.
Manchester City
City are the Premier League reigning champions and they kicked off their pre-season in Japan with two victories, against Yokohama F. Marinos and Bayern Munich, requiring a late winner versus the latter.
Kyle Walker captained in both matches, despite transfer interest from Bayern, and as usual, Erling Haaland has wasted no time picking up where he left off.
Kevin De Bruyne has been absent in the team as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury, but £25m signing Mateo Kovacic has slotted in nicely to the midfield.
However, moving forward, Premier League side City must hope for the best as their squad depth is as strong as ever.
Manchester United
Kobbie Mainoo dazzled in the first two pre-season matches, but unfortunately limped off early on against Real.
United added Andre Onana to their squad and Erik ten Hag has been working out how to set-up his midfield so far, with the Man United boss trying out various combinations as he tries to get the most out of his number 10s.
Mason Mount and new captain Bruno Fernandes have been deployed both centrally and out wide, but they have not performed well there.
Ten Hag is also looking to boost his squad with the signing of Atalanta’s Switzerland International Rasmus Hojlund.
Tottenham
They thrashed Singapore outfit Lion City Sailors 5-1 and it has boosted their confidence with Bayern target Harry Kane starting despite future speculations.
Richarlison is looking like he will replace Kane after he scored an impressive hat-trick in the victory.
