The Premier League is a league of surprises, and the upcoming season promises to be no exception. With the Big Six (and Villa and Newcastle) all vying for the top spots, it's anyone's guess who will emerge victorious. But one thing is certain: the banter season is upon us, and it's time to rank the teams by their potential for comedic relief.
8) Arsenal
I think Arsenal is a team that has a lot going for it. They've strengthened their squad with young talent like Christos Tzolis and look set to add Bruno Guimarães. Their defense is strong, and they have the stability that other teams lack, with only Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta retaining their jobs from last season. But their attack remains fairly blunt, and their biggest foe might be the Premier League's new rules regarding corners. It's a team that could surprise, but I wouldn't count on them for a banter season.
7) Aston Villa
Villa has had a tough start to the season, but they've shown that they can trust Unai Emery. The departures of Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans are blows, but they've added wiggle room to their spending. They're a team that's consistently moving up, and with a manager like Emery, it's hard to see them succumbing to a banter season. But they'll need to balance a Premier League campaign with Champions League football, and that's a challenge.
6) Manchester City
City is a well-oiled machine, but with Pep Guardiola's departure, there are reasonable doubts surrounding Enzo Maresca. The Chelsea dressing room loved him, but does he have the tactical nous to compete at the top level? City has a great squad with few obvious flaws, but if Maresca can't get a tune out of them, it may prove he's not at the top table of elite managers.
5) Liverpool
Liverpool fans are happy with fourth place and exciting football, but Andoni Iraola's arrival is a shot of adrenaline. The team has lost a goalscorer in Mo Salah, and getting the best out of last year's signings will be a challenge. Iraola is talented, but many managers have succumbed to the pressure of being in a top job. It's a team that could go excellently or tits up.
4) Manchester United
United has stumbled on a Premier League hack, and Michael Carrick's coaching CV is not one that would have landed him the gig. The squad is strong, but what happens if Carrick loses his golden touch? Ratcliffe and INEOS have hardly proved themselves when it comes to appointing the right manager. Optimistic fans would hope for a title push, but rival fans will be hoping for a familiar self-implosion.
3) Chelsea
On paper, everything about Chelsea's summer has been sensible, but there's a voice in the back of your mind saying 'Lads, it's BlueCo Chelsea'. Xabi Alonso is an excellent appointment, but will the BlueCo board get itchy trigger fingers if he goes three games without winning? It's a team that never seems too far away from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the foot.
2) Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham fans, I say, don't think a couple of expensive signings will save you. Roberto De Zerbi's managerial ability is unquestionable, but the club has successive 17th places, and you're only a few missteps away from catastrophising. De Zerbi is an explosive character, and if the Spurs board upset him, this partnership could be split up very quickly.
1) Newcastle United
Newcastle is a team that has had a lot of bad luck in the past 12 months. £285m of talent has left, their most successful manager of the century departed, and their emblematic club captain is on the verge of leaving. The arrival of the Saudis was meant to herald their move to the Premier League big boys table, but the future has not looked less inspiring under the current regime. Replacing a first-team player or your coach are single challenges that could derail a club's season; attempting to do all that at the same time is a recipe for disaster. It's a team that is already in a banter season, and it's anyone's guess who will emerge victorious.
