The Club

Having been a rather also-ran club, the poor neighbours of Manchester United, for most of their long history, Manchester City struck gold when they were bought in 2008. In the 9 years since, they’ve lifted the league twice and become a continuous challenger across the board, winning the FA Cup and League Cup on multiple occasions. European progress is yet to be found once again to add to their sole Cup Winners Cup, but the Citizens, under coach Pep Guardiola, have the chance to forge a genuine dynasty.

16-17 – How Was It?

Transitional. Guardiola spent a lot of time finding out who was going to be good enough in the long-term, with a brutal rebuild job seeing many players move on from the club and new ones come in. A rebirth looks under way, but the season itself was a bit of a let-down as Pep got used to the league and took things a step further.

Their lack of silverware was a problem for some fans, but a season gone under Pep means that he’ll be closer to establishing a side that can easily compete at the top end next year.

17-18 – What Lies Ahead?

The league. We believe that fast-acting City, who have made some very smart signings – including our summer pick Bernardo Silva – is sure to see the club move forward. Many other big names are being linked, too, as it looks like Guardiola wants to ensure that season two comes with some impressive titles. He’s one of the most impressive coaches in the country – can he move further ahead using his undoubted expertise to get there?

We suspect that a title win would not be beyond their reach. City have one of the best teams in the country, so with new additions they could be truly take the entire league by storm.

The Club

The five times European Cup winners are arguably the largest club in the country. To anyone born in the 90s, though, they are the club who always claims it to be ‘their year’ before missing out. European success aplenty, Liverpool are one of the most romantic clubs in the UK and has always stood for high quality football and a very intricate way of playing and managing the club.

Having nearly gone bust under George Gillett and Tom Hicks, the club was bought by Fenway Sports Group – FSG – and have become a model for Moneyball ever since, for better or worse.

16-17 – How Was It?

A revival. Coach Jürgen Klopp rebounded from two cup final defeats in his first year to claim Champions League football once again. This set the club on the right path after many years without consistent European progress. While they toiled in the cup competitions and seen a sure-fire league challenge be ruined by a poor January, Liverpool found their verve once again and sealed Top Four on the last day.

It’s a shame that they couldn’t maintain their pace: at one stage, they were the most exciting side in the country.

17-18 – What Lies Ahead?

A lot. Klopp is one of the best coaches in the world, and the signing of Mohamed Salah only adds to their electricity up top. The likely signing of Virgil van Dijk and Naby Keita, though, improves midfield and defence and could see the spine of a new LFC team put in place for many years to come.

Added to the solid players already there, the Reds look set to capitalize on their form from last year and return to the top of the table. If they can get into the Champions League, they’ll be progressing nicely.

The Club

The Gunners are the most impressive London club domestically, having won the most League titles and FA Cups alongside a UEFA Cup. The club itself, though, has been in a period of flux for the last decade or so. Since they left Highbury, Arsenal have seen title pushes become rarer and also a need to balance the books see top players move on at peak years. With the club one of the richest and most fiscally mature clubs on the planet, though, they have the means to finally return.

16-17 – How Was It?

A shock. They won the FA Cup in impressive fashion, but finally crashed out of the Champions League after many, many years of participation. Coach Arsene Wenger came closer than ever to leaving until signing a new 2-year deal, while the club had a lot of transition on and off the pitch.

Star players looked close to leaving, and the disharmony finally seen the club miss out on what is a very important part of their overall image in European progression. That aside, though, much change is expected to come to make up for their worst league campaign in years.

17-18 – What Lies Ahead?

With the likes of Alexandre Lacazette sure to sign up alongside some other impressive names like Sead Kolasinac, Arrsenal have a lot to come. This year should see them compete for he Europa League, fight for Champions League qualification, and try to retain their FA Cup.

The futures of star plyers like Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, though, will likely determine where the club goes. A few more big sales and another transitional period could see Arsenal truly begin to fall behind from a position that for over two decades they have more or less always guaranteed to keep maintaining.

The Club

The most successful English club in recent times, United were the first English side to win a European Cup trophy. Famed for sides such as the Busby Babes and then Fergie’s Fledglings, United were always a team who could compete (bar a few rough spells that even seen relegation) and have long been one of the biggest clubs in the world. Now in the post-Ferguson era, though, the club appears to have transformed its identity and changed how it approaches just about everything in the game, becoming increasingly more modern – for better and for worse.

16-17 – How Was It?

Hard to define. The Europa League win can never be seen as a negative, nor can the League Cup. The European trophy in the cabinet is always a nice feeling, their first in close to a decade. Add in the Champions League qualification it brings, too, and things can be seen to be returning to the ‘good old days’.

However, United played poor football, had the most unimpressive unbeaten run in history, loaded with draws, and done nothing to maximize talent such as Paul Pogba. It’s certainly not the most impressive of seasons for United.

17-18 – What Lies Ahead?

A lot of positivity from the sounds of things. With new signing Victor Lindelof in the door, United have a more solid defence prepared for the years to come with him alongside Eric Bailly. Add in the impressive signings that should be coming in too, with the likes of Alvaro Morata being linked, and United could be returning to their old ways.

Mourinho has a habit of building a strong squad in season two, and it would be no surprise to see the schemer do the same here. We expect a title push and European progress from United.