The Premier League season starts in a little over two weeks. That doesn’t sound right, does it? Regardless, thanks to the insanity that’s been 2020, European leagues are starting so soon after the Champions League finished. The French Ligue 1, which didn’t resume its season after stopping for COVID-19, has already started its 2020-21 campaign. The English Premier League begins September 12, but so much is going on behind the scenes, specifically with the transfer window.
Around the soccer world, it’s chaos. Bayern won the Champions League, Messi told Barcelona he was out and there’s no rest for the players, as many have international duty right before the season starts. So let’s take a look at the biggest news surrounding the English Premier League as it stands right now.
Champions League Final Review: Bayern 1-0 PSG
Sure it’s week-old news now, but it’s the biggest game of the year, so it has to be talked about. It wasn’t the blowout they had grown accustomed to, but Bayern Munich won the Champions League. French winger Kingsley Coman slotted home the only goal of the day in the 59th minute. Manuel Neuer turned back the clock a bit, as the sometimes struggling keeper put in a phenomenal shift. Speaking of phenomenal, MLS homegrown player Alphonso Davies once again showed his worth to the Bundesliga’s largest club. While his fullback partner Joshua Kimmich provided the game’s only assist, Davies was solid down the left hand side.
Kingsley Coman emerged as the hero in Bayern’s Champions League Final victory (via bundesliga.com)
After winning every Champions League match post-restart by at least three goals, this one was a nail biter for the German side. While many pundits predicted a high scoring game (though TGH did not), it was a cagey affair. The strong attacks from both sides were subdued. In the end though, Bayern managed to complete their second treble and first since 2013.
International Transfer Window: The Messi Saga
He’s the greatest of all time, no ifs, ands or buts. Cristiano has never been as individually good, Pele is a bit of a fraud and despite being incredible, Maradona couldn’t keep his nose clean well enough to ever reach the heights he could have. Sure Messi’s international career has been disappointing and his Barcelona career likely ended poorly, but is that on him? He has the weight of the world on his shoulders, and it’s starting to sound more and more likely that weight will be moving to Manchester.
Manchester City just won an appeal overturning a Champions League ban due to financial fair play regulations.That was followed up by crashing and burning out of this year’s iteration of the tournament. What better way to rub it in the face of UEFA and get the club closer to Champions League glory than signing the best player ever? One option even includes Messi eventually joining MLS squad NYCFC after some time in Manchester.
To be perfectly clear, this deal is far from done. It’s possible Messi doesn’t even leave Barcelona this transfer window. But as it stands, oddsmakers have City as heavy favorites for his club next year. A dark horse candidate could be found in Italian club Inter Milan. The betting site cites “whispers that his father has set up an office in Italy” as the reasoning.
EPL Transfer Window News and Rumors
Where to begin? It’s impossible to cover everything, so here are some of the biggest stories so far:
Chelsea have been making noise long before the Champions League ended. They added Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech months ago. Fabrizio Romano confirmed that they added former PSG center back Thiago Silva and Bayer Leverkusen youngster Kai Havertz as well. Wednesday also saw them add English left back Ben Chilwell from Leicester for a wild £50 million. This has supposedly angered Wolverhampton Wanderers fans, as rumors indicate their right back Matt Doherty may leave for as little as £12 million and add-ons. He would replace Serge Aurier at Tottenham, who AC Milan have long been rumored to be interested in. Tottenham’s biggest rival, Arsenal, are on the verge of signing Gabriel Magalhães from Lille.
The one that never seems to end is the Jadon Sancho rumors. Supposedly, he’s agreed to terms with the club, but Manchester United refuse to meet Borussia Dortmund’s demands. According to Romano, they want €120 million up front, and United isn’t willing to meet that yet.
In Merseyside, Everton are making big moves. They’re looking to get the 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner James Rodríguez. Their rival, league champions Liverpool, have long been rumored to be making a move for Bayern’s Thiago. Elsewhere, newly promoted Leeds United signed Valencia’s Rodrigo for €30 million and add-ons.
Matchweek One
August 20 saw the release of the Premier League fixtures. Here’s what’s to come week one:
Saturday September 12
Southampton @ Crystal Palace
Arsenal @ Fulham
Leeds United @ Liverpool
Everton @ Tottenham Hotspur
Leicester City @ West Brom
Newcastle @ West Ham
Monday September 14
Chelsea @ Brighton
Wolves @ Sheffield United
Date To Be Confirmed
Manchester United @ Burnley
Aston Villa @ Manchester City
The match to watch is defending champions Liverpool versus newly promoted Leeds United. Leeds United’s fall has been well-documented, but their return to the Premier League is long overdue. How will they fair against the defending champions? Tottenham and Everton will likely be predicted to finish near each other in the league, so that could also be a great matchup. Regardless, the Premier League’s return will be more than welcome.
Make sure to check out our soccer page for more updates!
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