The European Championship and Copa America are in the rearview mirror, and pre-season is winding down. The anticipation is building as club football returns in full glory, with teams across Europe gearing up for a new season filled with intense battles for supremacy.
Premier League
Manchester City has been the dominant force in recent years, achieving the unprecedented feat of winning the Premier League four times in a row. However, the law of averages suggests that Pep Guardiola’s reign could face a challenge this season. With his contract expiring in June 2025, Guardiola will be aiming to go out on a high, securing his seventh Premier League title with City.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal has emerged as City’s closest rival in the past two seasons, pushing the champions all the way but ultimately falling short at crucial moments. Arteta’s project has shown signs of progress, and the 2024-25 season will be a pivotal one for the Gunners.
Manchester United, under the leadership of Erik ten Hag, has a new focus on youth development and long-term strategy. The club has appointed Omar Berrada as Chief Executive of Football Operations and Dan Ashworth as Sporting Director, signaling a shift towards a more sustainable approach.
Chelsea and Liverpool are both entering the season under new managers. Enzo Maresca will be at the helm of Chelsea, replacing Mauricio Pochettino, while Arne Slot takes over from Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
La Liga
Kylian Mbappé’s transfer saga finally concluded with the Frenchman signing a five-year deal with Real Madrid, ending his eight-year association with Paris Saint-Germain. The move marks a significant coup for Madrid, who are already boasting a star-studded lineup including Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr., and now the addition of the Brazilian wonderkid Endrick.
Carlo Ancelotti faces the challenge of integrating these talented players and managing expectations. However, the sheer firepower of Madrid’s squad makes them the favorites to win La Liga.
Barcelona, despite their financial struggles, still pose a threat. The emergence of Lamine Yamal, fresh off his Euro 2024 success, provides a beacon of hope for the Catalans.
Atletico Madrid will be looking to make a push for the title, especially with the arrival of Argentine striker Julian Alvarez from Manchester City.
Bundesliga
Harry Kane’s move to Bayern Munich has raised expectations of a major trophy finally arriving in his cabinet. However, Bayern will face a stern challenge from Bayer Leverkusen, who under Xabi Alonso, enjoyed an extraordinary season remaining undefeated for 51 games.
Vincent Kompany’s appointment as Bayern’s head coach has been met with both excitement and skepticism. His lack of significant experience at the top level could be a factor, but he has proven himself capable of achieving the unexpected.
Borussia Dortmund, despite their loyal fanbase, have faced years of disappointment, failing to win a major title. With Leverkusen’s resurgence and Bayern’s hunger to return to the top, Dortmund will need to exceed expectations to make a serious title push.
Serie A
Italian football has become increasingly unpredictable, with the dominance of Juventus being broken by Inter Milan in 2020-21, followed by Milan’s resurgence and Napoli’s historic title win in 2022-23.
Inter will be looking to defend their title but will face stiff competition from Milan and Juventus, both with new managers in Paulo Fonseca and Thiago Motta, respectively.
Ligue 1
The departure of Kylian Mbappé from Ligue 1 is a significant loss for the league’s popularity. PSG, despite the tumultuous exit of Mbappé, remains the dominant force and will be aiming for Champions League glory under new manager Luis Enrique.
The arrival of Portuguese midfielder Joao Neves from Benfica is a sign of PSG’s ambition. However, other clubs like Monaco, Brest, Lille, and Lyon will be looking to challenge PSG’s dominance and replicate Lille’s surprise title win in 2020-21.
The new season promises a thrilling spectacle across Europe, with numerous storylines unfolding as teams battle for glory. From the reigning champions to the ambitious challengers, the 2024-25 season is set to be one of the most captivating in recent memory.
